v2.4.0.8
Business Segments - Segment Reporting, Reconciliation of Revenues, Operating Income and Assets (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]            
Total revenues $ 415,151 $ 423,058 $ 1,309,922 $ 1,313,722    
General and administrative expenses (58,203) (55,034) (181,781) (166,140)    
Depreciation and amortization (149,202) (155,439) (471,059) (483,215)    
Earnings from unconsolidated entities, net 28,514 26,365 79,411 59,554    
Interest expense (69,086) (84,642) (234,793) (291,496)    
Interest and other income, net 550 5,653 19,716 21,772    
Gains on acquisitions and dispositions of investments in real estate, net 151,057 46,074 337,695 445,954    
Foreign currency and derivative gains (losses) and related amortization, net 20,792 6,875 2,738 15    
Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net (86,076) (114,196) (163,361) (164,155)    
Consolidated net earnings (loss) 147,127 (7,167) 311,560 284,780    
Earnings (loss) before income taxes 123,863 (36,490) 286,258 304,577    
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities 5,814,056   5,814,056   4,430,239  
Notes receivable backed by real estate and other         192,042  
Cash and cash equivalents 311,879 121,693 311,879 121,693 491,129 100,810
Total assets 24,072,103   24,072,103   24,572,307  
Operating Segments [Member]
           
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]            
Total revenues 415,151 423,058 1,309,922 1,313,722    
Consolidated net earnings (loss) 285,517 287,854 897,692 882,288    
Total assets 17,628,106   17,628,106   19,190,865  
Operating Segments [Member] | Real Estate Operations [Member]
           
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]            
Total revenues 361,081 374,736 1,134,208 1,188,157    
Consolidated net earnings (loss) 253,889 261,555 796,420 823,661    
Total assets 17,548,188   17,548,188   19,104,750  
Operating Segments [Member] | Investment Management [Member]
           
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]            
Total revenues 54,070 48,322 175,714 125,565    
Consolidated net earnings (loss) 31,628 26,299 101,272 58,627    
Total assets 79,918   79,918   86,115  
Operating Segments [Member] | Americas [Member] | Real Estate Operations [Member]
           
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]            
Total revenues 324,877 324,294 1,025,349 948,165    
Consolidated net earnings (loss) 230,515 225,664 727,245 658,458    
Total assets 14,811,609   14,811,609   16,293,109  
Operating Segments [Member] | Americas [Member] | Investment Management [Member]
           
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]            
Total revenues 18,567 18,357 80,457 49,972    
Consolidated net earnings (loss) 6,451 5,578 38,599 8,822    
Total assets 20,954   20,954   22,154  
Operating Segments [Member] | Europe [Member] | Real Estate Operations [Member]
           
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]            
Total revenues 20,422 26,199 57,083 154,961    
Consolidated net earnings (loss) 12,072 18,623 31,706 104,321    
Total assets 1,865,727   1,865,727   1,634,867  
Operating Segments [Member] | Europe [Member] | Investment Management [Member]
           
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]            
Total revenues 24,713 20,037 65,866 44,504    
Consolidated net earnings (loss) 17,791 14,115 43,600 28,516    
Total assets 56,103   56,103   60,327  
Operating Segments [Member] | Asia [Member] | Real Estate Operations [Member]
           
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]            
Total revenues 15,782 24,243 51,776 85,031    
Consolidated net earnings (loss) 11,302 17,268 37,469 60,882    
Total assets 870,852   870,852   1,176,774  
Operating Segments [Member] | Asia [Member] | Investment Management [Member]
           
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]            
Total revenues 10,790 9,928 29,391 31,089    
Consolidated net earnings (loss) 7,386 6,606 19,073 21,289    
Total assets 2,861   2,861   3,634  
Reconciling Items [Member]
           
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]            
General and administrative expenses (58,203) (55,034) (181,781) (166,140)    
Depreciation and amortization (149,202) (155,439) (471,059) (483,215)    
Earnings from unconsolidated entities, net 28,514 26,365 79,411 59,554    
Interest expense (69,086) (84,642) (234,793) (291,496)    
Interest and other income, net 550 5,653 19,716 21,772    
Gains on acquisitions and dispositions of investments in real estate, net 151,057 46,074 337,695 445,954    
Foreign currency and derivative gains (losses) and related amortization, net 20,792 6,875 2,738 15    
Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net (86,076) (114,196) (163,361) (164,155)    
Consolidated net earnings (loss) (161,654) (324,344) (611,434) (577,711)    
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities 5,814,056   5,814,056   4,430,239  
Notes receivable backed by real estate and other         192,042  
Cash and cash equivalents 311,879   311,879   491,129  
Other assets 318,062   318,062   268,032  
Total assets $ 6,443,997   $ 6,443,997   $ 5,381,442