Mezzanine Loans Receivable	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Mezzanine Loans Receivable [Abstract]
Mezzanine Loans Receivable	6. Mezzanine Loans Receivable As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the carrying amount of mezzanine loans receivable was $133,948,000 and $202,412,000, respectively, net of allowances of $0 and $73,216,000, respectively. These loans have a weighted average interest rate of 9.53% and maturities ranging from August 2014 to May 2016. In the first quarter of 2011, we recognized $72,270,000 of income, representing the difference between the fair value of our 280 Park Avenue Mezzanine Loan of $73,750,000, and its carrying amount of $1,480,000. The $72,270,000 of income, which is included in “interest and other investment income (loss), net” on our consolidated statement of income, is comprised of $63,145,000 from the reversal of the loan loss reserve and $9,125,000 of previously unrecognized interest income. Our decision to reverse the loan loss reserve was based on the increase in value of the underlying collateral. On March 16, 2011, we contributed this mezzanine loan to a 50/50 joint venture with SL Green (see Note 5 – Investments in Partially Owned Entities). On March 2, 2011, we sold the Tharaldson Lodging Companies mezzanine loan, which had a carrying amount of $60,416,000, for $70,890,000 in cash and recognized a net gain of $10,474,000. The gain is included as a component of “interest and other investment income (loss), net” on our consolidated statement of income.

Mezzanine Loans Receivable

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Mezzanine Loans Receivable [Abstract]

6. Mezzanine Loans Receivable

As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the carrying amount of mezzanine loans receivable was $133,948,000 and $202,412,000, respectively, net of allowances of $0 and $73,216,000, respectively. These loans have a weighted average interest rate of 9.53% and maturities ranging from August 2014 to May 2016.

In the first quarter of 2011, we recognized $72,270,000 of income, representing the difference between the fair value of our 280 Park Avenue Mezzanine Loan of $73,750,000, and its carrying amount of $1,480,000. The $72,270,000 of income, which is included in “interest and other investment income (loss), net” on our consolidated statement of income, is comprised of $63,145,000 from the reversal of the loan loss reserve and $9,125,000 of previously unrecognized interest income. Our decision to reverse the loan loss reserve was based on the increase in value of the underlying collateral. On March 16, 2011, we contributed this mezzanine loan to a 50/50 joint venture with SL Green (see Note 5 – Investments in Partially Owned Entities).

On March 2, 2011, we sold the Tharaldson Lodging Companies mezzanine loan, which had a carrying amount of $60,416,000, for $70,890,000 in cash and recognized a net gain of $10,474,000. The gain is included as a component of “interest and other investment income (loss), net” on our consolidated statement of income.