PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION (Policies)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION [Abstract]
Consolidation Policy	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of EastGroup, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and its investment in any joint ventures in which the Company has a controlling interest. At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had a controlling interest in two joint ventures: the 80% owned University Business Center and the 80% owned Castilian Research Center. The Company records 100% of the joint ventures' assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses with noncontrolling interests provided for in accordance with the joint venture agreements. The equity method of accounting is used for the Company's 50% undivided tenant-in-common interest in Industry Distribution Center II. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION [Abstract]

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of EastGroup, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and its investment in any joint ventures in which the Company has a controlling interest. At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had a controlling interest in two joint ventures: the 80% owned University Business Center and the 80% owned Castilian Research Center. The Company records 100% of the joint ventures' assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses with noncontrolling interests provided for in accordance with the joint venture agreements. The equity method of accounting is used for the Company's 50% undivided tenant-in-common interest in Industry Distribution Center II. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy regarding (1) the principles it follows in consolidating or combining the separate financial statements, including the principles followed in determining the inclusion or exclusion of subsidiaries or other entities in the consolidated or combined financial statements and (2) its treatment of interests (for example, common stock, a partnership interest or other means of exerting influence) in other entities, for example consolidation or use of the equity or cost methods of accounting. The accounting policy may also address the accounting treatment for intercompany accounts and transactions, noncontrolling interest, and the income statement treatment in consolidation for issuances of stock by a subsidiary.

+ References

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+ Details