CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 67,581us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 57,993us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Adjustments to net income:
Depreciation and amortization	98,037	89,970
Income from discontinued operations		(3,077)
Amortization of share-based compensation	2,552us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation	2,697us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
Non-cash rental adjustments	(2,449)	(1,942)
Amortization of net premiums on mortgages payable	(1,962)	(2,385)
Amortization of deferred financing costs	2,228us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts	2,585us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts
Gain on sale of real estate	(7,218)	(1,271)
Provisions for impairment on real estate	2,087us-gaap_ImpairmentOfRealEstate	1,683us-gaap_ImpairmentOfRealEstate
Cash provided by discontinued operations		1,290
Change in assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable and other assets	892	9,600
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(43,896)	(42,947)
Net cash provided by operating activities	117,852	114,196
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Investment in real estate	(202,781)	(603,980)
Improvements to real estate, including leasing costs	(1,345)us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements	(1,369)us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements
Proceeds from sales of real estate:
Continuing operations	22,274	5,772
Discontinued operations		6,918
Restricted escrow deposits for Section 1031 tax-deferred exchanges and pending acquisitions	18,083	(460)
Net cash used in investing activities	(163,769)	(593,119)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Cash distributions to common stockholders	(126,682)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock	(113,414)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock
Cash dividends to preferred stockholders	(6,770)	(10,482)
Borrowings on line of credit	282,000	732,800
Payments on line of credit	(135,000)	(120,700)
Principal payments on mortgages payable	(51,296)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfFirstMortgageBond	(1,797)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfFirstMortgageBond
Redemption of preferred units	(6,750)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(428)	(466)
Proceeds from dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan, net	102,162	2,126
Other items, including shares withheld upon vesting	(2,981)	(5,259)
Net cash provided by financing activities	54,255	482,808
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	8,338	3,885
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	3,852us-gaap_CashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	10,257us-gaap_CashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 12,190us-gaap_CashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	$ 14,142us-gaap_CashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue

The difference between the carrying value and the sale price of real estate or properties that were intended to be sold or held for capital appreciation or rental income that do not qualify for discontinued operation reporting. This element refers to the gain included in earnings and not to the cash proceeds of the sale. This element is a noncash adjustment to net income when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method.

No definition available.