Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
REVENUES
Rental income	$ 805,002	$ 746,484	$ 704,701
Joint Venture Managment and Other Fees	13,044	12,442	11,911
Total revenues	818,046	758,926	716,612
Rental expenses:
Property operating and maintenance	149,428	144,319	139,784
Real estate taxes and insurance	99,175	93,765	86,154
Property management	22,138	20,528	19,378
Other operating expenses	8,271	7,136	5,718
Real estate depreciation and amortization	358,154	339,532	341,926
General and administrative	47,800	42,238	43,792
Casualty-related (recoveries)/charges, net	(541)	12,253	(8,495)
Other depreciation and amortization	5,775	6,741	4,105
Total operating expenses	691,282	642,006	649,352
Operating income	126,764	116,920	67,260
Income/(loss) from unconsolidated entities	(7,006)	(415)	(8,579)
Interest Expense	(130,454)	(126,083)	(138,792)
Interest and other income/(expense), net	11,858	4,619	3,524
Income/(loss) before income taxes, discontinued operations and gain/(loss) on sale of real estate owned	1,162	(4,959)	(76,587)
Tax benefit/(provision), net	(25,994)	8,281	21,076
Income/(loss) from continuing operations	16,260	2,340	(46,305)
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	10	43,942	266,608
Income (Loss) before Gain or Loss on Sale of Properties, and Extraordinary Items	16,270	46,282	220,303
Gain/(loss) on sales of real estate owned, net of tax	143,572	0	0
Net income/(loss)	159,842	46,282	220,303
Net (income)/loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in the Operating Partnership	(5,511)	(1,530)	(7,986)
Net income/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	(3)	(60)	140
Net income/(loss) attributable to Entity	154,334	44,812	212,177
Premium on preferred stock redemption or repurchases, net	0	0	(2,791)
Net income/(loss) attributable to common stockholders	150,610	41,088	203,376
Earnings per weighted average common share - basic and diluted:
Income/(loss) from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders	$ 0.60	$ (0.01)	$ (0.22)
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations attributable to common stockholders	$ 0.00	$ 0.17	$ 1.07
Net income/(loss) attributable to common stockholders	$ 0.60	$ 0.16	$ 0.85
Income/(loss) from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders	$ 0.59	$ (0.01)	$ (0.22)
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations attributable to common stockholders	$ 0.00	$ 0.17	$ 1.07
Net income(loss) attributable to common stockholders	$ 0.59	$ 0.16	$ 0.85
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — basic	251,528	249,969	238,851
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — diluted	253,445	249,969	238,851
8.00% Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock
Rental expenses:
Distributions to preferred stockholders	(3,724)	(3,724)	(3,724)
6.75% Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Rental expenses:
Distributions to preferred stockholders	0	0	(2,286)
Continuing Operations [Member]
Rental expenses:
Tax benefit/(provision), net	$ 15,098	$ 7,299	$ 30,282