Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011
Reconciliation of Members and partners equity to the Company's Carrying Value
Members' and partners' equity	$ 987,583	$ 587,164
Equity of other members and partners	857,348	616,640
Company's investment in partnerships	130,235	(29,476)
Basis differences	177,495	76,634
Advances to and on behalf of other affiliates	94,942	93,859
Assets - Investments in and advances to affiliates	685,627	431,509
Liabilities - Cash distributions and losses in excess of investments in unconsolidated investments	(282,955)	(290,492)
Total investments in unconsolidated entities	$ 402,672	$ 141,017

Cash distributions and losses in excess of investments in unconsolidated.

Name:	fce_CashDistributionsAndLossesInExcessOfInvestmentsInUnconsolidated
Namespace Prefix:	fce
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Equity Method Investment Equity Of Other Members And Partners.

+ Details

Name:	fce_EquityMethodInvestmentEquityOfOtherMembersAndPartners
Namespace Prefix:	fce
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Investments in unconsolidated entities.

+ Details

Name:	fce_InvestmentsInUnconsolidatedEntities
Namespace Prefix:	fce
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Reconciliation of Members and partners equity to the Company's Carrying Value.

+ Details

Name:	fce_ReconciliationOfMembersAndPartnersEquityToCompanysCarryingValueAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	fce
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Long-Term advances receivable form a party that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership. This does not include advances to clients.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 2
-Article 6

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AdvancesToAffiliate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The item represents the difference, if any, between the amount at which an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting is carried (reported) on the balance sheet and the amount of underlying equity in net assets the reporting Entity has in the investee. A difference can arise between the carrying value of the equity method investment and the value of the Entity's amount of underlying equity in net assets of the investee, for example, from appreciation of certain assets which is not recognized in earnings, but is recognized in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity) by the investee.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 18
-Paragraph 20
-Subparagraph a(3)

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment losses recognized.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents the disclosure of summarized financial information for unconsolidated subsidiaries and 50 percent-or-less owned entities accounted for using the equity method of accounting. If investments in common stock of corporate joint ventures or other investments accounted for under the equity method are, in the aggregate, material in relation to the financial position or results of operations of an investor, it may be necessary to present summarized information as to assets, liabilities, and results of operations of the investee, or group of investments for which combined disclosure is appropriate, either by individual financial statement caption or in groups, as appropriate. Such summarized financial information may include total equity or capital (as applicable).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 159
-Paragraph 18
-Subparagraph f

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationEquityOrCapital
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Total investments in (A) an entity in which the entity has significant influence, but does not have control, (B) subsidiaries that are not required to be consolidated and are accounted for using the equity and or cost method, and (C) an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group. Includes long-term advances receivable form a party that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant