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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Text (Details) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Properties | 302 |  |
Value of furniture and fixtures minimum range | $ 10,000 |  |
Value of furniture and fixtures maximum range | $ 25,000 |  |
Lease Intangibles, Average Term | 6 months |  |
Capitalized Costs Development and Renovation | $ 18,700,000 | $ 22,300,000 | $ 22,400,000
Debt Issuance Costs, Net | 42,617,000 | 0 |
Other assets | 398,883,000 | 428,899,000 |
Secured Debt | 4,119,181,000 | 4,685,134,000 |
Notes, net | $ 4,848,079,000 | 5,848,956,000 |
Apartment Units | 77,458 |  |
Noncontrolling Interests Partially Owned Properties | $ 10,609,000 | 4,608,000 |
Minimum [Member] |  |  |
Retail/Commercial Leases Term | 5 |  |
Maximum [Member] |  |  |
Retail/Commercial Leases Term | 10 |  |
Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncement [Member] |  |  |
Debt Issuance Costs, Net |  | (54,004,000) |
Other assets |  | 6,872,000 |
Secured Debt |  | (19,736,000) |
Notes, net |  | (27,396,000) |
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] |  |  |
Debt Issuance Costs, Net |  | 54,004,000 |
Other assets |  | 422,027,000 |
Secured Debt |  | 4,704,870,000 |
Notes, net |  | 5,876,352,000 |
Other Assets [Member] |  |  |
Debt Issuance Costs, Net | $ 12,100,000 | 16,300,000 | $ 26,400,000
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives | 5 |  |
Furniture and Fixtures Maximum [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives | 10 |  |
Building [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives | 30 |  |
Building Improvements [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives | 8 |  |
Replacements Minimum [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives | 5 |  |
Replacements Maximum [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives | 10 |  |
Renovations and Improvements Minimum [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives | 5 |  |
Renovations and Improvements Maximum [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives | 15 |  |
Partially Owned Properties – Unconsolidated |  |  |
Properties | 2 |  |
Other assets | $ 491,000 |  |
Secured Debt | $ 145,424,000 |  |
Apartment Units | 945 |  |
Noncontrolling Interests Partially Owned Properties | $ 145,235,000 |  |
Partially Owned Properties – Consolidated |  |  |
Properties | 17 |  |
Apartment Units | 3,215 |  |
Limited Life Partnership Properties [Member] |  |  |
Properties | 4 |  |
Noncontrolling Interests Partially Owned Properties |  | $ 7,700,000 |
Noncontrolling Interests Settlement Value | $ 62,600,000 |  |

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