Acquisition, Development, Construction and Disposition Activity (Development) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended														12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 Units	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013 350 Eighth [Member] Units	Dec. 31, 2013 7001 Arlington Road [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 7001 Arlington Road [Member] Units	Dec. 31, 2013 Current Development [Member] Units		Dec. 31, 2013 Current Development [Member] San Raphael Phase II [Member] Units		Dec. 31, 2013 Current Development [Member] 7001 Arlington Road [Member] Units		Dec. 31, 2013 Current Development [Member] Cantabria [Member] Units		Dec. 31, 2013 Current Development [Member] The Desmond on Wilshire [Member] Units		Dec. 31, 2013 Future Development [Member] Units		Dec. 31, 2013 Future Development [Member] 350 Eighth [Member] Units		Dec. 31, 2013 950 Third [Member] Future Development [Member] Units		Dec. 31, 2013 Monrovia [Member] Future Development [Member] Units
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Equity interest in partnership					97.00%				100.00%		97.00%	[1]	100.00%		100.00%				100.00%	[2]
Apartment units owned	13,676			410		140	663		99		140		249		175		626	[3]	410	[2],[3]	472	[3]	154	[3]
Capital costs	$ 912	$ 864	$ 435				$ 200,250	[1]	$ 13,750	[1]	$ 53,400	[1]	$ 56,800	[1]	$ 76,300	[1]					$ 32,320	[4],[5]	$ 14,043	[5],[6]
Construction in progress	42,793	10,449					90,220	[5]	13,720	[5]	24,489	[5]	23,647	[5]	28,364	[5]	46,363	[5]	49,791	[2],[5]
Construction Loan							8,100		0		0		2,182		5,918
Percentage of development costs to date included	100.00%
Investment in joint ventures	9,271	0	0		350
Equity interest																					50.00%		50.00%
Investment in unconsolidated entities	$ 9,321	$ 0																			$ 2,320		$ 7,001

[1] Total capital cost represents estimated costs for projects under development inclusive of all capitalized costs in accordance with GAAP.

[2] On February 3, 2014 we entered into a 50/50 equity joint venture with AIG Global Real Estate to develop and own this property. See Note 19 for additional information.

[3] Based on current projections as of February 4, 2014.

[4] The Company's investment in this entity at December 31, 2013 is $2,320.

[5] Costs to date include the cost of land.

[6] The Company's investment in this entity at December 31, 2013 is $7,001