Discontinued Operations and Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Rental Properties (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Summary of operating results of discontinued operations
Revenues from real estate operations	$ 0	$ 16,564	$ 13,070	$ 45,632
Expenses
Operating expenses	0	7,847	5,018	22,914
Depreciation and amortization	0	2,830	2,216	8,707
Impairment of real estate	0	34,193		79,603
Expenses Total	0	44,870	7,234	111,224
Interest expense	0	(2,615)	(1,526)	(7,483)
Amortization of mortgage procurement costs	0	(589)	(739)	(1,531)
Interest income	0	1		7
Gain (loss) on disposition of rental properties	0	(1,428)	121,695	4,776
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	0	(32,937)	125,266	(69,823)
Income tax expense (benefit)
Current	0	(376)	2,941	(272)
Deferred	0	(12,959)	14,558	(29,186)
Income tax expense (benefit), Total	0	(13,335)	17,499	(29,458)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	0	(19,602)	107,767	(40,365)
Noncontrolling interest
Gain on disposition of rental properties	0		81,758	4,211
Operating earnings from rental properties	0	1,147	1,997	1,936
Noncontrolling interest, net of tax Total	0	1,147	83,755	6,147
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc	$ 0	$ (20,749)	$ 24,012	$ (46,512)