v2.4.0.6
Business Segments (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2011
Jun. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2011
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Entity Consolidated Revenue            
Total revenues $ 520,748 $ 320,912 $ 1,018,712 $ 549,706    
Net operating income:            
Total segment net operating income 4,668 (143,627) 217,766 (183,791)    
Reconciling items:            
General and administrative expenses (51,415) (51,840) (111,574) (91,023)    
Merger, acquisition and other integration expenses (21,186) (103,052) (31,914) (109,040)    
Impairment of real estate properties     (3,185)      
Depreciation and amortization 186,770 118,606 374,640 198,183    
Earnings from unconsolidated entities, net 3,889 11,399 17,884 25,040    
Interest expense (127,946) (112,916) (261,328) (203,443)    
Impairment of other assets   (103,823) (16,135) (103,823)    
Interest and other income, net 5,912 5,277 11,013 2,698    
Gains on acquisitions and dispositions of investments in real estate, net 520 102,529 268,291 106,254    
Foreign currency and derivative gains (losses), net 12,753 (10,255) (14,022) (8,881)    
Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, net (500)   4,919      
Consolidated net earnings (loss) 4,668 (143,627) 217,766 (183,791)    
Earnings (Loss) before income taxes 1,672 (154,757) 208,029 (200,511)    
Reconciling items:            
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities 2,220,172   2,220,172   2,857,755  
Notes receivable backed by real estate 245,654   245,654   322,834  
Assets held for sale 50,672   50,672   444,850  
Cash and cash equivalents 293,631 260,893 293,631 260,893 176,072 37,634
Other assets 221,439   221,439   176,699  
Total reconciling items 3,031,568   3,031,568   3,978,210  
Total assets 28,415,563   28,415,563   27,723,912  
Direct owned [Member]
            
Segment Reporting Entity Consolidated Revenue            
Total revenues 489,755 287,936 955,362 486,895    
Net operating income:            
Total segment net operating income 350,497 205,150 687,326 339,227    
Reconciling items:            
Consolidated net earnings (loss) 350,497 205,150 687,326 339,227    
Reconciling items:            
Total assets 25,290,415   25,290,415   23,630,994  
Private capital [Member]
            
Segment Reporting Entity Consolidated Revenue            
Total revenues 30,993 32,976 63,350 62,811    
Net operating income:            
Total segment net operating income 15,918 21,380 31,394 40,663    
Reconciling items:            
Consolidated net earnings (loss) 15,918 21,380 31,394 40,663    
Reconciling items:            
Total assets 93,580   93,580   114,708  
Operating Segments [Member]
            
Net operating income:            
Total segment net operating income 366,415 226,530 718,720 379,890    
Reconciling items:            
Consolidated net earnings (loss) 366,415 226,530 718,720 379,890    
Reconciling items:            
Total assets 25,383,995   25,383,995   23,745,702  
Reconciling Items [Member]
            
Net operating income:            
Total segment net operating income (364,743)   (510,691) (580,401)    
Reconciling items:            
Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, net   (381,287)        
Consolidated net earnings (loss) (364,743)   (510,691) (580,401)    
Americas [Member] | Direct owned [Member]
            
Segment Reporting Entity Consolidated Revenue            
Total revenues 317,840 191,948 610,350 340,936    
Net operating income:            
Total segment net operating income 219,032 135,720 424,629 237,485    
Reconciling items:            
Consolidated net earnings (loss) 219,032 135,720 424,629 237,485    
Reconciling items:            
Total assets 15,274,332   15,274,332   13,305,147  
Americas [Member] | Private capital [Member]
            
Segment Reporting Entity Consolidated Revenue            
Total revenues 16,470 16,548 34,824 32,697    
Net operating income:            
Total segment net operating income 7,798 9,323 15,745 18,714    
Reconciling items:            
Consolidated net earnings (loss) 7,798 9,323 15,745 18,714    
Reconciling items:            
Total assets 25,137   25,137   43,394  
Europe [Member] | Direct owned [Member]
            
Segment Reporting Entity Consolidated Revenue            
Total revenues 116,325 62,440 235,803 88,985    
Net operating income:            
Total segment net operating income 88,181 43,537 177,938 58,860    
Reconciling items:            
Consolidated net earnings (loss) 88,181 43,537 177,938 58,860    
Reconciling items:            
Total assets 6,400,136   6,400,136   6,823,814  
Europe [Member] | Private capital [Member]
            
Segment Reporting Entity Consolidated Revenue            
Total revenues 9,326 13,977 18,463 27,302    
Net operating income:            
Total segment net operating income 5,418 10,038 10,802 19,843    
Reconciling items:            
Consolidated net earnings (loss) 5,418 10,038 10,802 19,843    
Reconciling items:            
Total assets 60,576   60,576   61,946  
Asia [Member] | Direct owned [Member]
            
Segment Reporting Entity Consolidated Revenue            
Total revenues 55,590 33,548 109,209 56,974    
Net operating income:            
Total segment net operating income 43,284 25,893 84,759 42,882    
Reconciling items:            
Consolidated net earnings (loss) 43,284 25,893 84,759 42,882    
Reconciling items:            
Total assets 3,615,947   3,615,947   3,502,033  
Asia [Member] | Private capital [Member]
            
Segment Reporting Entity Consolidated Revenue            
Total revenues 5,197 2,451 10,063 2,812    
Net operating income:            
Total segment net operating income 2,702 2,019 4,847 2,106    
Reconciling items:            
Consolidated net earnings (loss) 2,702 2,019 4,847 2,106    
Reconciling items:            
Total assets $ 7,867   $ 7,867   $ 9,368