Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Parent Company [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income	$ (65,958)	$ (50,820)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	(123,082)	(121,361)
(Gain) Loss on sale of depreciable real estate assets excluded from discontinued operations	13	0
Gain on sale of non-depreciable real estate assets	(8,963)	(150)
Stock compensation expense	4,785	4,024
Amortization of debt premium	1,747	(1,569)
Proceeds from Other Operating Activities	(31,944)	(21,782)
Net cash provided by operating activities	154,678	152,704
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of real estate and other assets	(13,595)	0
Normal capital improvements	(53,214)	(51,775)
Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Distribution, Return of Capital	43	0
Contributions to Real Estate Joint Ventures	0	(750)
Proceeds from disposition of real estate assets	13,882	5,860
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(52,884)	(46,665)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from Lines of Credit	145,000	150,000
Repayments of Lines of Credit	610,000	110,000
Proceeds from notes payable	490,435	0
Principal payments on notes payable	(1,847)	(41,042)
Payment of deferred financing costs	4,705	0
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	200	600
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(3,947)	(3,865)
Dividends paid on common shares	(109,324)	(104,876)
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)
Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities	1,230	(2,091)
Net cash used in financing activities	(94,080)	(112,796)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	7,714	(6,757)
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Beginning	51,673	88,867
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Ending	59,387	82,110
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	44,623	59,706
Restricted Cash	14,764	22,404
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Ending	59,387	82,110
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid	18,322	24,889
Income Taxes Paid	59	2,522
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:
Conversion of units to shares of common stock	336	2,780
Accrued construction in progress	15,155	14,640
Interest capitalized	388	795
Marked To Market Adjustment On Derivative Instruments	3,633	(1,363)
Limited Partner [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income	(65,958)	(50,820)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	(123,082)	(121,361)
(Gain) Loss on sale of depreciable real estate assets excluded from discontinued operations	13	0
Gain on sale of non-depreciable real estate assets	(8,963)	(150)
Stock compensation expense	4,785	4,024
Amortization of debt premium	1,747	(1,569)
Proceeds from Other Operating Activities	(31,944)	(21,782)
Net cash provided by operating activities	154,678	152,704
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of real estate and other assets	(13,595)	0
Normal capital improvements	(53,214)	(51,775)
Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Distribution, Return of Capital	43	0
Contributions to Real Estate Joint Ventures	0	(750)
Proceeds from disposition of real estate assets	13,882	5,860
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(52,884)	(46,665)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from Lines of Credit	145,000	150,000
Repayments of Lines of Credit	610,000	110,000
Proceeds from notes payable	490,435	0
Principal payments on notes payable	(1,847)	(41,042)
Payment of deferred financing costs	4,705	0
Distributions paid on common units	(113,271)	(108,741)
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)
Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities	1,230	(2,091)
Net cash used in financing activities	(94,080)	(112,796)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	7,714	(6,757)
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Beginning	51,673	88,867
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Ending	59,387	82,110
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	44,623	59,706
Restricted Cash	14,764	22,404
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Ending	59,387	82,110
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid	18,322	24,889
Income Taxes Paid	59	2,522
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:
Accrued construction in progress	15,155	14,640
Interest capitalized	388	795
Marked To Market Adjustment On Derivative Instruments	$ 3,633	$ (1,363)