Discontinued Operations and Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Rental Properties (Details 2) (USD $)	11 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Summary of operating results of discontinued operations
Revenues from real estate operations	$ 64,093,000		$ 7,034,000	$ 113,076,000
Expenses
Operating expenses	35,381,000		3,026,000	55,926,000
Depreciation and amortization	12,909,000		987,000	23,566,000
Impairment of real estate	76,713,000		0	4,254,000
Total expenses	125,003,000		4,013,000	83,746,000
Interest income	274,000		0	390,000
Gain on disposition of rental properties	41,831,000		28,100,000	100,900,000
Net loss on change in control of interest	0		0	(1,585,000)
Interest expense	(12,015,000)		(5,538,000)	(23,167,000)
Amortization of mortgage procurement costs	(476,000)		(41,000)	(1,389,000)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(40,000)		(448,000)	(464,000)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	(31,336,000)		25,094,000	104,015,000
Income tax expense (benefit)	(11,137,000)		12,082,000	46,549,000
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	(20,199,000)	59,410,000	13,012,000	57,466,000
Noncontrolling interests
Gain on disposition of rental properties	5,960,000		58,000	965,000
Operating earnings (loss) from rental properties	82,000		(8,000)	132,000
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	6,042,000		50,000	1,097,000
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc	$ (26,241,000)		$ 12,962,000	$ 56,369,000