v2.4.0.6
Business Segments (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Sep. 30, 2011
Jun. 30, 2011
Mar. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Sep. 30, 2010
Jun. 30, 2010
Mar. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Dec. 31, 2008
Segment Reporting Entity Consolidated Revenue Details [Abstract]                        
Total revenues $ 484,132 $ 488,641 $ 327,235 $ 233,283 $ 236,223 $ 222,944 $ 213,606 $ 211,814 $ 1,533,291 $ 884,587 $ 1,027,171  
Net operating income:                        
Total segment net operating income                 (157,938) (1,270,453) 23,929  
Reconciling items:                        
General and administrative expenses                 (195,161) (165,981) (192,231)  
Merger, acquisition and other integration expenses                 (140,495)      
Impairment of real estate properties                 (21,237) (736,612) (331,592)  
Depreciation and amortization expense                 (585,323) (311,268) (266,364)  
Earnings from other unconsolidated investees, net                 59,935 23,678 28,059  
Interest expense                 (468,738) (461,166) (372,768)  
Impairment of goodwill and other assets                 (126,432) (412,745) (163,644)  
Interest and other income (expense), net                 12,008 15,847 (39,349)  
Gains on acquisitions and dispositions of investments in real estate, net                 111,684 28,488 35,262  
Foreign currency exchange and derivative gains (losses), net                 41,172 (11,081) 35,626  
Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, net                 258 (201,486) 172,258  
Consolidated net earnings (loss)                 (157,938) (1,270,453) 23,929  
Loss before income taxes                 (242,683) (1,619,961) (349,114)  
Reconciling items:                        
Investments in and advances to other unconsolidated investees 2,857,755       2,024,661       2,857,755 2,024,661    
Notes receivable backed by real estate 322,834       302,144       322,834 302,144    
Assets held for sale 444,850       574,791       444,850 574,791    
Cash and cash equivalents 176,072       37,634       176,072 37,634 34,362 174,636
Other assets 176,699       111,735       176,699 111,735    
Total reconciling items 3,978,210       3,050,965       3,978,210 3,050,965    
Total assets 27,723,912       14,902,667       27,723,912 14,902,667    
Direct owned [Member]
                        
Segment Reporting Entity Consolidated Revenue Details [Abstract]                        
Total revenues                 1,395,672 762,061 701,971  
Net operating income:                        
Total segment net operating income                 986,989 530,498    
Reconciling items:                        
Consolidated net earnings (loss)                 986,989 530,498    
Reconciling items:                        
Total assets 23,630,994       11,808,978       23,630,994 11,808,978    
Private capital [Member]
                        
Segment Reporting Entity Consolidated Revenue Details [Abstract]                        
Total revenues                 137,619 122,526 144,963  
Net operating income:                        
Total segment net operating income                 82,657 81,867 101,547  
Reconciling items:                        
Consolidated net earnings (loss)                 82,657 81,867 101,547  
Reconciling items:                        
Total assets 114,708       42,724       114,708 42,724    
CDFS business [Member]
                        
Segment Reporting Entity Consolidated Revenue Details [Abstract]                        
Total revenues                     180,237  
Net operating income:                        
Total segment net operating income                     180,237  
Reconciling items:                        
Consolidated net earnings (loss)                     180,237  
Operating Segments [Member]
                        
Net operating income:                        
Total segment net operating income                 1,069,646 612,365 745,629  
Reconciling items:                        
Consolidated net earnings (loss)                 1,069,646 612,365 745,629  
Reconciling items:                        
Total assets 23,745,702       11,851,702       23,745,702 11,851,702    
Reconciling Items [Member]
                        
Net operating income:                        
Total segment net operating income                 (1,312,329) (2,232,326) (1,094,743)  
Reconciling items:                        
Consolidated net earnings (loss)                 (1,312,329) (2,232,326) (1,094,743)  
Americas [Member] | Direct owned [Member]
                        
Segment Reporting Entity Consolidated Revenue Details [Abstract]                        
Total revenues                 890,135 587,911 594,365  
Net operating income:                        
Total segment net operating income                 614,560 419,611 415,923  
Reconciling items:                        
Consolidated net earnings (loss)                 614,560 419,611 415,923  
Reconciling items:                        
Total assets 13,305,147       7,299,644       13,305,147 7,299,644    
Americas [Member] | Private capital [Member]
                        
Segment Reporting Entity Consolidated Revenue Details [Abstract]                        
Total revenues                 76,872 66,653 67,964  
Net operating income:                        
Total segment net operating income                 42,644 40,354 44,284  
Reconciling items:                        
Consolidated net earnings (loss)                 42,644 40,354 44,284  
Reconciling items:                        
Total assets 43,394       14,300       43,394 14,300    
Europe [Member] | Direct owned [Member]
                        
Segment Reporting Entity Consolidated Revenue Details [Abstract]                        
Total revenues                 344,249 91,458 62,477  
Net operating income:                        
Total segment net operating income                 249,342 49,975 17,009  
Reconciling items:                        
Consolidated net earnings (loss)                 249,342 49,975 17,009  
Reconciling items:                        
Total assets 6,823,814       2,619,455       6,823,814 2,619,455    
Europe [Member] | Private capital [Member]
                        
Segment Reporting Entity Consolidated Revenue Details [Abstract]                        
Total revenues                 46,087 54,835 50,814  
Net operating income:                        
Total segment net operating income                 30,708 41,200 34,508  
Reconciling items:                        
Consolidated net earnings (loss)                 30,708 41,200 34,508  
Reconciling items:                        
Total assets 61,946       28,424       61,946 28,424    
Asia [Member] | Direct owned [Member]
                        
Segment Reporting Entity Consolidated Revenue Details [Abstract]                        
Total revenues                 161,288 82,692 45,129  
Net operating income:                        
Total segment net operating income                 123,087 60,912 30,913  
Reconciling items:                        
Consolidated net earnings (loss)                 123,087 60,912 30,913  
Reconciling items:                        
Total assets 3,502,033       1,889,879       3,502,033 1,889,879    
Asia [Member] | Private capital [Member]
                        
Segment Reporting Entity Consolidated Revenue Details [Abstract]                        
Total revenues                 14,660 1,038 26,185  
Net operating income:                        
Total segment net operating income                 9,305 313 22,755  
Reconciling items:                        
Consolidated net earnings (loss)                 9,305 313 22,755  
Reconciling items:                        
Total assets 9,368       0       9,368 0    
Asia [Member] | CDFS business [Member]
                        
Segment Reporting Entity Consolidated Revenue Details [Abstract]                        
Total revenues                     180,237  
Net operating income:                        
Total segment net operating income                     180,237  
Reconciling items:                        
Consolidated net earnings (loss)                     $ 180,237