Note 4 - Investment and Advances in Real Estate Joint Ventures (Details) - The Company’s Share of Net Income/(Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Incomе from othеr rеal еstatе invеstmеnts				$ 130,808	$ 150,073
KimPru and KimPru II [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Incomе from othеr rеal еstatе invеstmеnts	[1]	$ (200)	$ 2,600	3,300	7,700
KIR [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Incomе from othеr rеal еstatе invеstmеnts	[2]	8,500	6,500	31,600	19,400
Kimstone [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Incomе from othеr rеal еstatе invеstmеnts			1,300	700	600
BIG Shopping Centers [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Incomе from othеr rеal еstatе invеstmеnts		200	1,000	400	2,600
CPP [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Incomе from othеr rеal еstatе invеstmеnts		2,200	2,100	7,100	5,200
Other Institutional Programs [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Incomе from othеr rеal еstatе invеstmеnts		100	2,600	400	4,000
RioCan [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Incomе from othеr rеal еstatе invеstmеnts		5,800	7,700	72,700	23,000
Latin America Portfolio [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Incomе from othеr rеal еstatе invеstmеnts		(200)	800	(1,300)	35,300
Other Joint Venture Programs [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Incomе from othеr rеal еstatе invеstmеnts	[3],[4],[5]	(5,500)	27,200	15,900	52,300
All Equity Method Investments [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Incomе from othеr rеal еstatе invеstmеnts		$ 10,900	$ 51,800	$ 130,800	$ 150,100

[1] During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, KimPru recognized aggregate impairment charges related to three properties which KimPru anticipates selling or being foreclosed on within the next year, therefore effectively shortening its anticipated hold period for these assets which resulted in the expected future cash flows being less than the carrying value. The Company's share of these impairment charges was $2.8 million.

[2] During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, KIR recognized aggregate impairment charges of $5.0 million, of which the Company's share was $2.8 million, related to two properties which KIR anticipates selling within the next year, therefore effectively shortening its anticipated hold period for these assets which resulted in the expected future cash flows being less than the carrying value.

[3] During September 2013, the Intown portfolio was sold and the Company maintained its guarantee on a portion of debt that was assumed by the buyer atclosing. The transaction resulted in a deferred gain to the Company of $21.7 million due to the Company's continued involvement through its guarantee of thedebt. On February 24, 2015, the outstanding debt balance was fully repaid by the buyer and as such, the Company was relieved of its related commitments and guarantee. As a result, the Company recognized the deferred gain of $21.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

[4] During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company received a distribution of $15.4 million from a joint venture that was in excess of its carrying value and as such, the Company recognized this amount as equity in income.

[5] During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, three joint ventures in which the Company holds noncontrolling interests recognized impairment charges relating to the pending sale of two properties and the pending foreclosure of one property. The Company's share of these impairment charges was $9.8 million, before income tax benefit.