Stockholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Jul. 23, 2015	Jul. 01, 2015
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock, Shares, Issued					17,000,000
Share Price					$ 10.00
AdditionalPurchaseOptionPeriod	30-day
CommonSharesGrantedToUnderwritersToCoverOver-Allotments					841,500
CommonSharesSoldPursuantToUnderwritersOption				444,897
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (shares)		48,833,323
Beginning balance		$ 371,855	$ 181,597
Share-based compensation		245	83
Contributions		2,228	45
Distributions		(1,500)	(300)
Out-of-period equity adjustment		0	1,933
Net income		$ 4,490	6,188
Ending balance (shares)		48,833,323
Ending balance		$ 377,318	189,546
Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		12,323	9,739
Contributions		2,228	45
Distributions		(1,500)	(300)
Ending balance		14,447	11,654
Total Green Brick Partners, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		359,532	171,858
Share-based compensation		245	83
Distributions		0	0
Out-of-period equity adjustment			1,933
Net income		3,094	4,018
Ending balance		$ 362,871	$ 177,892
Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (shares)		48,833,323	31,346,084
Beginning balance		$ 488	$ 313
Ending balance (shares)		48,833,323	31,346,084
Ending balance		$ 488	$ 313
Additional Paid-in Capital
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		271,867	101,626
Share-based compensation		245	83
Ending balance		272,112	101,709
Retained Earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		87,177	69,919
Distributions		0	0
Out-of-period equity adjustment			1,933
Ending balance		$ 90,271	$ 75,870