Fair Value Measurements - Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Investments in real estate partnerships	$ 358,849	$ 442,927
Provision for impairment	6,000	74,816	15,883
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total	61,918	27,736
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	26,681	23,429
Interest Rate Derivative Assets, at Fair Value	0	0
Total	26,681	23,429
Derivative Liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Interest Rate Derivative Assets, at Fair Value	35,237
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset		4,307
Total	35,237	4,307
Derivative Liabilities	34	76
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Interest Rate Derivative Assets, at Fair Value	0	0
Total	0	0
Derivative Liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Option, Changes in Fair Value, Gain (Loss)	(6,000)	(54,500)
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-Lived Assets	4,686	49,673
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-Lived Assets	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-Lived Assets	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-Lived Assets	4,686	49,673
Vine at Castaic [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Provision for impairment		4,500
Deer Springs [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Provision for impairment		$ 50,000
Maximum [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate		2.50%
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		10.50%
Maximum [Member] | Overall Cap Rate [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Cap Rate		8.50%
Maximum [Member] | Terminal Cap Rate [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Cap Rate		8.80%
Minimum [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate	0.00%	(8.30%)
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	9.00%	10.50%
Minimum [Member] | Overall Cap Rate [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Cap Rate	8.00%	8.30%
Minimum [Member] | Terminal Cap Rate [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Cap Rate	8.50%	8.80%