Discontinued Operations and Gain on Disposition of Rental Properties (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Summary of operating results of discontinued operations
Revenues from real estate operations	$ 848	$ 11,819	$ 2,035	$ 26,656
Expenses
Operating expenses	319	6,006	778	14,584
Depreciation and amortization	191	1,636	395	4,380
Impairment of real estate	261	0	261	0
Expenses Total	771	7,642	1,434	18,964
Interest expense	(256)	(1,470)	(636)	(3,605)
Amortization of mortgage procurement costs	(4)	(201)	(8)	(772)
Gain on disposition of rental properties	0	111,264	8,879	121,695
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	(183)	113,770	8,836	125,010
Income tax expense (benefit),	(348)	12,892	3,212	17,400
Earnings from Discontinued Operations	165	100,878	5,624	107,610
Noncontrolling interest
Gain on disposition of rental properties	0	81,365	965	81,758
Operating earnings (loss) from rental properties	(3)	660	5	1,995
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3)	82,025	970	83,753
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc	$ 168	$ 18,853	$ 4,654	$ 23,857