ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Intangible liabilities:
Gross Liability	$ 711,634	$ 750,902
Accumulated Accretion	(248,736)	(256,094)
Balance	462,898	494,808
Remaining Accounts payable and accrued expenses:
Accrued interest	99,364	185,461
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	119,628	160,861
Accrued real estate taxes	85,504	67,581
Deferred gains/income	79,557	98,376
Accrued payroll and other employee liabilities	28,423	34,802
Construction payable	53,812	70,609
Tenant and other deposits	22,992	22,870
Insurance reserve liability	16,206	15,796
Capital lease obligation	13,149	13,292
Conditional asset retirement obligation liability	12,695	12,134
Uncertain tax position liability	5,961	5,873
Other	14,565	29,768
Total remaining Accounts payable and accrued expenses	551,856	717,423
Total Accounts payable and accrued expenses	1,014,754	1,212,231
Below-market tenant leases net
Intangible liabilities:
Gross Liability	686,610	725,878
Accumulated Accretion	(244,020)	(251,896)
Balance	442,590	473,982
Above-market office lessee leases net
Intangible liabilities:
Gross Liability	15,268	15,268
Accumulated Accretion	(3,817)	(3,393)
Balance	11,451	11,875
Above-market ground leases net
Intangible liabilities:
Gross Liability	9,756	9,756
Accumulated Accretion	(899)	(805)
Balance	$ 8,857	$ 8,951