Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011	Jan. 31, 2010
Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Revenues from real estate operations	$ 1,089,977	$ 1,117,649	$ 1,193,970
Expenses
Operating expenses	668,959	647,199	664,988
Depreciation and amortization	218,601	234,728	256,606
Impairment of real estate	119,324	4,763	8,907
Total Expenses	1,006,884	886,690	930,501
Interest expense	(261,037)	(309,766)	(342,859)
Amortization of mortgage procurement costs	(11,812)	(11,484)	(13,653)
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt	9,590	(21,035)	36,569
Interest and other income	52,114	52,818	53,945
Net gain on disposition of partial interests in rental properties and other investment	17,665	257,990
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	(110,387)	199,482	(2,529)
Income tax expense (benefit)
Current	(9,300)	602	7,647
Deferred	(55,044)	69,524	(17,787)
Total income tax expense (benefit)	(64,344)	70,126	(10,140)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	21,147	42,265	21,303
Impairment of unconsolidated entities	(82,186)	(72,459)	(36,356)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	(107,082)	99,162	(7,442)
Discontinued operations, net of tax:
Operating earnings from rental properties	992	4,007	342
Impairment of real estate	(6,279)	(49,980)	(16,770)
Gain on disposition of rental properties	111,801	32,209	2,784
Gain on disposition of Lumber Group			718
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	106,514	(13,764)	(12,926)
Net earnings (loss)	(568)	85,398	(20,368)
Noncontrolling interests
Earnings from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2,736)	(19,222)	(6,766)
(Earnings) loss from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(83,182)	(8,128)	156
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest	(85,918)	(27,350)	(6,610)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	(86,486)	58,048	(26,978)
Preferred dividends	(15,400)	(11,807)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	$ (101,886)	$ 46,241	$ (26,978)
Basic earnings (loss) per common share
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	$ (0.74)	$ 0.42	$ (0.10)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	$ 0.13	$ (0.13)	$ (0.09)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	$ (0.61)	$ 0.29	$ (0.19)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	$ (0.74)	$ 0.43	$ (0.10)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	$ 0.13	$ (0.13)	$ (0.09)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	$ (0.61)	$ 0.30	$ (0.19)