Share and Unit-based Plans - Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Share and unit-based plans
Compensation cost under share and unit-based plans	$ 37,005	$ 40,529	$ 34,375
Capitalized share and unit-based compensation costs	6,206	7,241	6,008
Stock awards
Share and unit-based plans
Compensation cost under share and unit-based plans	0	20	252
Stock units
Share and unit-based plans
Compensation cost under share and unit-based plans	6,045	6,305	6,041
Unrecognized compensation cost of share and unit-based plans	3,239
LTIP units
Share and unit-based plans
Compensation cost under share and unit-based plans	30,161	32,957	26,622
Unrecognized compensation cost of share and unit-based plans	286
Stock options
Share and unit-based plans
Compensation cost under share and unit-based plans	85	16	16
Unrecognized compensation cost of share and unit-based plans	176
Phantom stock units
Share and unit-based plans
Compensation cost under share and unit-based plans	714	1,231	1,444
Unrecognized compensation cost of share and unit-based plans	324
Stock awards and units
Share and unit-based plans
Fair value of equity-based awards vested during period	$ 5,257	$ 5,644	$ 8,794

Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 14.F)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27013229&loc=d3e301413-122809

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96867065&loc=d3e5047-113901

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
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+ References

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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+ References

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Fair value of share-based awards for which the grantee gained the right by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash.

+ References

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