Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliated Entities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended				6 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 27, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 Brownmill, LLC [Member]	Apr. 12, 2011 Brownmill, LLC [Member]	Apr. 12, 2011 Brownmill, LLC [Member] Lightstone REIT I [Member]	Jun. 27, 2013 LVP CP Boston, LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 LVP CP Boston, LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 LVP CP Boston, LLC [Member] Lightstone REIT I [Member]	Jun. 30, 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							54
Aggregate value of subordinate profits							$ 5,400
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%	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	325		325		2,300	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													20,000
Distribution Received from real estate partnership													$ 2,000