Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliated Entities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			59 Months Ended			12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013 Brownmill, LLC [Member]	Apr. 12, 2011 Brownmill, LLC [Member]	Apr. 12, 2011 Brownmill, LLC [Member] Lightstone REIT I [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 LVP CP Boston, LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 LVP CP Boston, LLC [Member] Lightstone REIT I [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 LVP Rego Park, LLC [Member]	Apr. 12, 2011 LVP Rego Park, LLC [Member] Non Recourse Loans [Member] Second Mortgage [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest				48.60%	10.00%	90.00%		100.00%	10.00%
Subordinate profit interest units				50
Aggregate value of subordinate profits				$ 5,000
Company's share of aggregate purchase price										1,500
Effective date of joint venture							Jan. 01, 2012
Percentage of joint venture interest disposed							20.00%
Total consideration received							3,000
Cash consideration received							600
Non cash consideration received							2,400
Interest of note							10.00%
Outstanding balance of the Lightstone REIT I	2,340		2,340
Gain on disposition assets		741
Acquired Nonrecourse Second Mortgage note, gross										19,500
Acquired Nonrecourse Second Mortgage note, net										15,100
Discount on outstanding principal nonrecourse second mortgage note balance										4,400
Acquired nonrecourse second mortgage note, due date										May 31, 2013
Acquired nonrecourse second mortgage note, fixed interest rate										5.00%
Acquired nonrecourse second mortgage note, fixed monthly interest receipt										100
Distribution to members									245
Distribution Received from real estate partnership									$ 25