Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Revenues from real estate operations	$ 261,198	$ 287,046	$ 822,827	$ 850,049
Expenses
Operating expenses	169,155	162,082	491,834	486,726
Depreciation and amortization	55,415	60,367	166,660	177,733
Impairment of real estate	10,707	5,703	15,777	6,803
Total Expenses	235,277	228,152	674,271	671,262
Interest expense	(67,235)	(75,840)	(198,214)	(241,817)
Amortization of mortgage procurement costs	(3,414)	(3,322)	(9,036)	(8,655)
Gain on extinguishment of debt	15,101	2,460	9,334	10,653
Interest and other income	11,294	11,919	42,116	34,964
Net gain (loss) on disposition of partial interests in rental properties and other investment	5,849	(2,257)	15,410	257,990
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	(12,484)	(8,146)	8,166	231,922
Income tax expense (benefit)
Current	(13,890)	(7,459)	1,244	4,111
Deferred	(3,328)	26,960	(6,720)	87,586
Income tax expense (benefit), total	(17,218)	19,501	(5,476)	91,697
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	1,273	22,232	23,652	19,293
Impairment of unconsolidated entities	(41,289)	(21,564)	(41,289)	(36,745)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	(35,282)	(26,979)	(3,995)	122,773
Discontinued operations, net of tax:
Operating earnings from rental properties		2,087	2,961	3,814
Impairment of real estate		(20,931)		(48,731)
Gain (loss) on disposition of rental properties		(758)	104,806	4,552
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	0	(19,602)	107,767	(40,365)
Net earnings (loss)	(35,282)	(46,581)	103,772	82,408
Noncontrolling interests
(Earnings) loss from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2,743)	937	(2,341)	(15,768)
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	(1,147)	(83,755)	(6,147)
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest	(2,743)	(210)	(86,096)	(21,915)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	(38,025)	(46,791)	17,676	60,493
Preferred dividends	(3,850)	(3,850)	(11,550)	(7,957)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	$ (41,875)	$ (50,641)	$ 6,126	$ 52,536
Basic earnings (loss) per common share
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	$ (0.25)	$ (0.20)	$ (0.11)	$ 0.62
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.		$ (0.13)	$ 0.14	$ (0.29)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	$ (0.25)	$ (0.33)	$ 0.03	$ 0.33
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	$ (0.25)	$ (0.20)	$ (0.11)	$ 0.58
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.		$ (0.13)	$ 0.14	$ (0.25)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	$ (0.25)	$ (0.33)	$ 0.03	$ 0.33