Note 22 - Income Taxes (Detail) - GAAP Net Income/(Loss) to Taxable Income Reconciliation (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
GAAP net income	$ 88,382	$ 54,941	$ 69,112	$ 53,638	$ 46,398	$ 54,981	$ 38,709	$ 28,963	$ 266,073		$ 169,051		$ 142,868
Net book depreciation in excess of tax depreciation									32,517		30,603		13,568
Deferred/prepaid/above and below market rents, net									(17,643)		(16,463)		(19,978)
Book/tax differences from non-qualified stock options									1,653		9,879		9,103
Book/tax differences from investments in real estate joint ventures									16,837		52,564		69,581
Book/tax difference on sale of property									(69,961)		1,811		(39,139)
Book adjustment to property carrying values and marketable equity securities									9,956		8,721		19,065
Taxable currency exchange (loss)/gain, net									(1,611)		6,502		13,134
Book/tax differences on capitalized costs									2,899		3,228		(12,782)
Dividends from taxable REIT subsidiaries									1,000		15,969
Other book/tax differences, net									(25)		2,195		(730)
Adjusted REIT taxable income									235,626		263,309		203,276
Less: GAAP net (income)/loss of taxable REIT subsidiaries	(88,382)	(54,941)	(69,112)	(53,638)	(46,398)	(54,981)	(38,709)	(28,963)	(266,073)		(169,051)		(142,868)
Other Credit Derivatives [Member]
Other book/tax differences, net									(845)		1,016		(6,064)
GAAP net loss/(income) of taxable REIT subsidiaries [Member]
GAAP net income									5,249		19,572		(13,920)
Less: GAAP net (income)/loss of taxable REIT subsidiaries									(5,249)		(19,572)		13,920
GAAP net income from REIT operations [Member]
GAAP net income									260,824	[1]	149,479	[1]	156,788	[1]
Less: GAAP net (income)/loss of taxable REIT subsidiaries									$ (260,824)	[1]	$ (149,479)	[1]	$ (156,788)	[1]

[1] All adjustments to "GAAP net income from REIT operations" are net of amounts attributable to noncontrolling interest and taxable REIT subsidiaries.