OPERATING SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION, Summary of Company's Operating Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015 Segment	Mar. 31, 2014
OPERATING SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION [Abstract]
Number of reportable geographic segments	2
Number of reportable operating segments	6hchc_NumberOfReportableOperatingSegment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue	$ 201,808us-gaap_Revenues	$ 43,354us-gaap_Revenues
Income (Loss) from Operations	820us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	(4,087)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Capital Expenditures	(3,124)	(89)
Operating Segments [Member] \| Telecommunications [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue	46,717	43,354
Income (Loss) from Operations	(207)	333
Capital Expenditures	(11)	(67)
Operating Segments [Member] \| Manufacturing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue	126,866	0
Income (Loss) from Operations	6,179	0
Capital Expenditures	(1,157)	0
Operating Segments [Member] \| Utilities [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue	1,224	0
Income (Loss) from Operations	(216)	0
Capital Expenditures	(389)	0
Operating Segments [Member] \| Life Sciences [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Operations	(1,235)	0
Operating Segments [Member] \| Marine Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue	27,001	0
Income (Loss) from Operations	3,765	0
Capital Expenditures	(1,567)	0
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] \| United States [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue	147,135	25,280
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] \| United Kingdom [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue	50,995	18,074
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] \| Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue	3,678	0
Non-operating Segment [Member] \| Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Operations	(7,225)	(4,420)
Capital Expenditures	0	(22)
Non-operating Segment [Member] \| Other Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Operations	$ (241)	$ 0

This element represents the number of reportable geographic segments.

No definition available.

Name:	hchc_NumberOfGeographicReportableSegments
Namespace Prefix:	hchc_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the number of reportable operating segments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	hchc_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale; includes cash outflows to pay for construction of self-constructed assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

+ Details

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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