Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012
Revenues from real estate operations	$ 291,762,000	$ 241,770,000	$ 587,911,000	$ 519,016,000
Expenses
Operating expenses	191,404,000	163,612,000	393,527,000	320,483,000
Depreciation and amortization	91,857,000	50,897,000	160,232,000	100,261,000
Impairment of real estate	8,055,000	460,000	8,055,000	460,000
Net loss on land held for divestiture activity	8,007,000	6,458,000	7,555,000	6,458,000
Total expenses	299,323,000	221,427,000	569,369,000	427,662,000
Interest expense	(91,723,000)	(59,354,000)	(177,974,000)	(114,244,000)
Amortization of mortgage procurement costs	(2,669,000)	(3,361,000)	(5,326,000)	(6,063,000)
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt	24,669,000	0	19,431,000	(719,000)
Interest and other income	12,277,000	13,551,000	23,182,000	24,077,000
Net gain on disposition of partial interests in rental properties	4,932,000	0	4,932,000	0
Loss before income taxes	(60,075,000)	(28,821,000)	(117,213,000)	(5,595,000)
Income tax expense (benefit)
Current	(20,249,000)	(27,376,000)	(21,433,000)	(26,853,000)
Deferred	3,998,000	18,311,000	(10,651,000)	26,963,000
Total income tax expense (benefit)	(16,251,000)	(9,065,000)	(32,084,000)	110,000
Net gain on change in control of interests	2,762,000	6,766,000	2,762,000	6,766,000
Earnings (loss) from unconsolidated entities, gross of tax
Equity in earnings	7,491,000	16,665,000	13,341,000	20,438,000
Impairment	0	(390,000)	0	(390,000)
Net gain (loss) on land held for divestiture activity	828,000	(41,887,000)	681,000	(41,887,000)
Total equity in earnings (loss) from unconsolidated entities	8,319,000	(25,612,000)	14,022,000	(21,839,000)
Loss from continuing operations	(32,743,000)	(38,602,000)	(68,345,000)	(20,778,000)
Discontinued operations, net of tax:
Operating earnings from rental properties	1,289,000	2,377,000	2,255,000	3,801,000
Impairment of real estate	0	(1,659,000)	0	(2,504,000)
Gain on disposition of rental properties	9,960,000	0	25,522,000	5,370,000
Earnings from discontinued operations	11,249,000	718,000	27,777,000	6,667,000
Net loss	(21,494,000)	(37,884,000)	(40,568,000)	(14,111,000)
Noncontrolling interests
(Earnings) loss from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	5,213,000	(5,319,000)	10,757,000	(5,299,000)
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	(514,000)	(5,838,000)	(1,555,000)
(Earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	5,213,000	(5,833,000)	4,919,000	(6,854,000)
Net loss attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	(16,281,000)	(43,717,000)	(35,649,000)	(20,965,000)
Preferred dividends	0	(3,850,000)	(185,000)	(7,700,000)
Net loss attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	$ (16,281,000)	$ (47,567,000)	$ (35,834,000)	$ (28,665,000)
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share
Loss from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	$ (0.14)	$ (0.28)	$ (0.30)	$ (0.20)
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	$ 0.06	$ 0.00	$ 0.11	$ 0.03
Net loss attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	$ (0.08)	$ (0.28)	$ (0.19)	$ (0.17)