Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 90,357	$ 150,353	$ 139,054	$ 128,989
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized net gains (losses) on investment securities	(16)	(72)	(2)	16
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(59)	59	143	(134)
Unrealized net losses on interest rate derivative contracts	(10,277)	(24,674)	(10,831)	(23,497)
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(10,352)	(24,687)	(10,690)	(23,615)
Comprehensive income	80,005	125,666	128,364	105,374
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(83,326)	(27,406)	(84,393)	(21,677)
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$ (3,321)	$ 98,260	$ 43,971	$ 83,697

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the reporting entity. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, but excludes any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

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The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to noncontrolling interests, if any. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

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The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the economic entity, including both controlling (parent) and noncontrolling interests. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, including any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

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Adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into functional currency of the reporting entity, net of tax.

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This element represents Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, for the period. Includes deferred gains (losses) on qualifying hedges, unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, minimum pension liability, and cumulative translation adjustment.

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Change in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instrument designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges, net of tax effect. The after tax effect change includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gains or losses.

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Appreciation or loss in value (before reclassification adjustment) of the total of unsold securities during the period being reported on, net of tax. Reclassification adjustments include: (1) the unrealized holding gain or loss, net of tax, at the date of the transfer for a debt security from the held-to-maturity category transferred into the available-for-sale category. Also includes the unrealized gain or loss at the date of transfer for a debt security from the available-for-sale category transferred into the held-to-maturity category; (2) the unrealized gains or losses realized upon the sale of securities, after tax; and (3) the unrealized gains or losses realized upon the write-down of securities, after tax.

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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