Discontinued Operations and Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Rental Properties (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Summary of operating results of discontinued operations
Revenues from real estate operations	$ 3,320	$ 16,131	$ 13,070	$ 29,068
Expenses
Operating expenses	991	9,215	5,018	15,067
Depreciation and amortization	532	3,258	2,216	5,877
Impairment of real estate		45,410		45,410
Expenses Total	1,523	57,883	7,234	66,354
Interest expense	(401)	(3,076)	(1,526)	(4,868)
Amortization of mortgage procurement costs	(185)	(887)	(739)	(942)
Interest income		3		6
Gain on disposition of rental properties	111,264	6,204	121,695	6,204
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	112,475	(39,508)	125,266	(36,886)
Income tax expense (benefit)
Current	1,543	(553)	2,941	104
Deferred	10,845	(16,313)	14,558	(16,227)
Income tax expense (benefit), Total	12,388	(16,866)	17,499	(16,123)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	100,087	(22,642)	107,767	(20,763)
Noncontrolling interest
Gain on disposition of rental properties	81,365	4,211	81,758	4,211
Operating earnings from rental properties	665	86	1,997	789
Noncontrolling interest, net of tax Total	82,030	4,297	83,755	5,000
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc	$ 18,057	$ (26,939)	$ 24,012	$ (25,763)

Discontinued Operation Gain Loss From Disposal Of rental properties net of tax attributable to Noncontrolling interest.

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Discontinued Operation Operating Earnings From Rental Properties Net Of Tax Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest.

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Discontinued operations net of tax attributable to noncontrolling interest.

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Discontinued Operation Tax Effect Of Discontinued Operation Current.

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Discontinued operation tax effect of discontinued operation deferred.

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Disposal group including discontinued operation amortization of mortgage procurement costs.

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Disposal group including discontinued operation depreciation and amortization.

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Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Expenses.

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Disposal group including discontinued operation interest income.

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Pretax gain (loss), not previously recognized and resulting from the sale of a business component, which is recognized at the date of sale. A gain (loss) reflects the amount by which the consideration received exceeds (is exceeded by) the net carrying amount (reflecting previous provisions for loss on disposal, if any) of the disposal group.

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Overall income (loss) from a disposal group that is classified as a component of the entity, before income tax, reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items and the cumulative effect of accounting changes. Includes the following (before income tax): income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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Tax effect allocated to a disposal group that is classified as a component of the entity reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items and the cumulative effect of accounting changes. Includes the tax effects of the following: income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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Amount, if any, of interest expense allocated to the disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operation), during the reporting period.

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Amount of sales or other form of revenues attributable to the disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operation), during the reporting period.

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This element represents the overall income (loss) from a disposal group that is classified as a component of the entity, net of income tax, reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items and the cumulative effect of accounting changes before deduction or consideration of the amount which may be allocable to noncontrolling interests, if any. Includes the following (net of tax): income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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This element represents the overall income (loss) from a disposal group apportioned to the parent that is classified as a component of the entity, net of income tax, reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items and the cumulative effect of accounting changes after deduction or consideration of the amount which may be allocable to noncontrolling interests, if any. Includes the following (net of tax): income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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