INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES AND INVESTEES (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Real estate, net of accumulated depreciation	$ 928,935		$ 928,935		$ 891,173
Other assets	48,233		48,233		55,605
Notes payable	(826,050)		(826,050)		(835,528)
Shareholders' equity	(196,746)		(196,746)		$ (205,885)
Rents and interest and other income	31,491	$ 29,776	94,328	$ 89,200
Depreciation	(6,326)	(6,014)	(19,008)	(17,665)
Operating expenses	25,725	25,429	77,524	75,003
Gain on land sales	530	555	500	3,925
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	7,170	(4,432)	(8,091)	(3,241)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations				2
Net loss	7,170	(4,432)	(8,091)	(3,239)
Company's proportionate share of loss	7		(11)	(2)
American Realty Investors, Inc. [Member]
Real estate, net of accumulated depreciation	14,411	14,550	14,411	14,550
Notes receivable	39,857	46,371	39,857	46,371
Other assets	54,703	126,848	54,703	126,848
Notes payable	(6,618)	(10,426)	(6,618)	(10,426)
Other liabilities	(37,184)	(111,789)	(37,184)	(111,789)
Shareholders' equity	$ (65,169)	$ (65,554)	(65,169)	(65,554)
Rents and interest and other income			4,655	5,586
Depreciation			(142)	(113)
Operating expenses			(2,607)	(2,897)
Gain on land sales			1,360
Interest expense			(4,641)	(4,725)
Net loss			(1,375)	(2,149)
Company's proportionate share of loss			$ (12)	$ (19)