UNCONSOLIDATED REAL ESTATE AFFILIATES (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Assets:
Land	$ 4,391,969	$ 4,623,944
Buildings and equipment	19,051,095	19,837,750
Less accumulated depreciation	(1,150,028)	(974,185)
Construction in progress	336,391	135,807
Net property and equipment	22,629,427	23,623,316
Net investment in real estate	25,412,967	26,676,289
Cash and cash equivalents	497,194	572,872	585,548	1,021,311
Accounts and notes receivable, net	227,783	218,749
Deferred expenses, net	175,263	170,012	151,426
Prepaid expenses and other assets	1,501,390	1,805,535
Total assets	27,814,597	29,518,151
Liabilities and Owner's Equity:
Owner's equity	(8,087,505)	(8,579,345)	(9,385,477)	(10,181,749)
Total liabilities and equity	27,814,597	29,518,151
Investment In and Loans To/From Unconsolidated Real Estate Affiliates, Net:
Owner's equity	(8,087,505)	(8,579,345)	(9,385,477)	(10,181,749)
Investment in and loans to/from Unconsolidated Real Estate Affiliates, Net	2,783,540	3,052,973
Unconsolidated
Assets:
Land	956,517	953,603
Buildings and equipment	7,571,395	7,906,346
Less accumulated depreciation	(1,973,119)	(1,950,860)
Construction in progress	111,167	99,352
Net property and equipment	6,665,960	7,008,441
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	1,168,933	758,372
Net investment in real estate	7,834,893	7,766,813
Cash and cash equivalents	283,175	387,549
Accounts and notes receivable, net	152,447	162,822
Deferred expenses, net	331,730	250,865
Prepaid expenses and other assets	145,943	143,021
Total assets	8,748,188	8,711,070
Liabilities and Owner's Equity:
Mortgages, notes and loans payable	6,140,261	5,790,509
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	501,212	446,462
Owner's equity	2,106,715	2,474,099
Total liabilities and equity	8,748,188	8,711,070
Investment In and Loans To/From Unconsolidated Real Estate Affiliates, Net:
Owner's equity	2,106,715	2,474,099
Less joint venture partners' equity	(1,221,512)	(1,417,682)
Capital or basis differences and loans	1,898,337	1,996,556
Investment in and loans to/from Unconsolidated Real Estate Affiliates, Net	$ 2,783,540	$ 3,052,973