Segment Reporting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Reconciliation of NOI to net income
Net income	$ 356,329	$ 206,076	$ 791,525	$ 586,381
Indirect operating expenses, net of corporate income	14,946	13,427	46,960	43,642
Investments and investment management expense	1,205	1,167	3,545	3,274
Expensed acquisition, development and other pursuit costs, net of recoveries	3,804	3,391	8,702	5,251
Interest expense, net	47,871	43,234	137,862	133,398
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt, net	0	(18,987)	2,461	(26,736)
General and administrative expense	11,928	10,464	35,343	31,266
Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated real estate entities	342	(20,554)	(54,779)	(68,925)
Depreciation expense	131,729	120,184	391,414	355,664
Income tax expense	22	39	95	1,348
Casualty and Impairment Loss (Gain)	0	658	(3,935)	(10,668)
Gain on sale of real estate assets in continuing operations	(212,941)	(35,216)	(295,503)	(115,798)
Net operating income from real estate assets sold or held for sale (1)	(5,525)	(9,180)	(19,751)	(28,248)
Net operating income	$ 349,710	$ 314,703	$ 1,043,939	$ 909,849