Investments in Real Estate Partnerships - Investment Reconciliation (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 09, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012 BRE Throne Holdings LLC (BRET) [Member]	Jul. 25, 2012 BRE Throne Holdings LLC (BRET) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 BRE Throne Holdings LLC (BRET) [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Capital - Regency		$ 518,505	$ 512,421	$ 47,500		$ 0
less: Impairment		(5,880)	(5,880)
less: Ownership percentage or Restricted Gain Method deferral		(38,995)	(41,456)
less: Net book equity in excess of purchase price		(78,203)	(78,203)
Investments in real estate partnerships		$ 442,927	$ 386,882	$ 48,757	$ 47,500
Distribution rate	3.75%		7.45%	10.50%