INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES AND INVESTEES (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Real estate, net of accumulated depreciation	$ 920,829		$ 920,829		$ 891,173
Other assets	64,647		64,647		55,605
Notes payable	(819,395)		(819,395)		(835,528)
Shareholders' equity	(189,895)		(189,895)		$ (205,885)
Rents and interest and other income	31,302	$ 30,521	62,837	$ 59,424
Depreciation	(6,378)	(5,843)	(12,681)	(11,651)
Operating expenses	25,460	24,751	51,797	49,574
Net loss from continuing operations	(10,247)	4,756	(15,262)	1,191
Income (loss) from discontinued operations				2
Net loss	(10,247)	4,756	(15,262)	1,193
Company's proportionate share of income (loss)	(10)		(18)	(2)
American Realty Investors, Inc. [Member]
Real estate, net of accumulated depreciation	14,452	14,578	14,452	14,578
Notes receivable	28,005	49,677	28,005	49,677
Other assets	67,847	126,134	67,847	126,134
Notes payable	(6,821)	(19,821)	(6,821)	(19,821)
Other liabilities	(38,623)	(103,520)	(38,623)	(103,520)
Shareholders' equity	$ (64,860)	$ (67,048)	(64,860)	(67,048)
Rents and interest and other income			3,282	3,589
Depreciation			(95)	(84)
Operating expenses			(2,460)	(2,243)
Interest expense			(3,170)	(2,323)
Net loss from continuing operations			(2,443)	(1,061)
Net loss			(2,443)	(1,061)
Company's proportionate share of income (loss)			$ (10)	$ (2)