| **Debt - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | 12 Months Ended                                                                      |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |                                                                                                                                                                               |                                                          |                                                          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
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| **Debt Instrument [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                          |                                                     |                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Long term debt                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |                                                                                 | $ 63,804,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | $ 44,217,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt                                                                                                                                              |                                                     |                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Total community development district debt                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |                                                                                 | 22,700,000joe_CommunityDevelopmentDistrictDebt                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | 34,100,000joe_CommunityDevelopmentDistrictDebt                                                                                                                                |                                                     |                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |                                                                                 | 34,515,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | 21,894,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue                                                                                                                       | 165,980,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue | 162,391,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue |                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| In-substance defeased debt, interest payable monthly at 5.62% at December 31, 2014 and 2013, secured and paid by pledged treasury securities, due October 1, 2015                                                                                                                                        |                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                          |                                                     |                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| **Debt Instrument [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                          |                                                     |                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Long term debt                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | 29,300,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis= joe_DefeasedDebtMember | 25,670,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis= joe_DefeasedDebtMember                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     | 26,260,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis= joe_DefeasedDebtMember                                                                                          |                                                     |                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Long term debt, year of balloon payment                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | 2015                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                          |                                                     |                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Community Development District debt, secured by certain real estate and standby note purchase agreements, due May 2016 — May 2039, bearing interest at 2.55% to 7.0% at December 31, 2014 and 2013                                                                                                |                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                          |                                                     |                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| **Debt Instrument [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                          |                                                     |                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Long term debt                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |                                                                                 | 6,516,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis= joe_CommunityDevelopmentDistrictDebtMember                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | 11,512,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis= joe_CommunityDevelopmentDistrictDebtMember                                                                      |                                                     |                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Construction loan in the Pier Park North joint venture, due February 2016, bearing interest at LIBOR plus 210 basis points, or 2.26% and 2.27% at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively | Pier Park North Joint Venture Construction Loan                                                             |                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                          |                                                     |                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| **Debt Instrument [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                          |                                                     |                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Long term debt                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |                                                                                 | 31,618,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= joe_PierParkNorthJointVentureConstructionLoanMember/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis= us-gaap_ConstructionLoansMember                                                                                                                                                                                           | 6,445,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= joe_PierParkNorthJointVentureConstructionLoanMember/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis= us-gaap_ConstructionLoansMember |                                                     |                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Consolidated Variable Interest Entities | Pier Park North                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                          |                                                     |                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| **Debt Instrument [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                          |                                                     |                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Construction loan                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                          |                                                     |                                                     | 41,000,000us-gaap_ConstructionLoan/ dei_LegalEntityAxis= joe_PierParkNorthMember/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryAggregatedDisclosureMember |
| Principal repayment guarantee                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |                                                                                 | 33.00%joe_RepaymentGuaranteeForPrincipalAmountOfLoan/ dei_LegalEntityAxis= joe_PierParkNorthMember/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryAggregatedDisclosureMember                                                                                                                             |                                                                                                                                                                          |                                                     |                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |                                                                                 | 25,000,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue/ dei_LegalEntityAxis= joe_PierParkNorthMember/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryAggregatedDisclosureMember                                                                                                                          |                                                                                                                                                                          |                                                     |                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Net worth                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |                                                                                 | 350,000,000us-gaap_MinimumNetWorthRequiredForCompliance/ dei_LegalEntityAxis= joe_PierParkNorthMember/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryAggregatedDisclosureMember                                                                                                                          |                                                                                                                                                                          |                                                     |                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Consolidated Variable Interest Entities | Pier Park North | Construction loan in the Pier Park North joint venture, due February 2016, bearing interest at LIBOR plus 210 basis points, or 2.26% and 2.27% at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively | Pier Park North Joint Venture Construction Loan |                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                          |                                                     |                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| **Debt Instrument [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                          |                                                     |                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Long term debt                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |                                                                                 | $ 31,600,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= joe_PierParkNorthJointVentureConstructionLoanMember/ dei_LegalEntityAxis= joe_PierParkNorthMember/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis= us-gaap_ConstructionLoansMember/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryAggregatedDisclosureMember |                                                                                                                                                                          |                                                     |                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
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| - Definition
Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of a type of municipal bond typically used to fund a development project. Also called special assessment limited liability bond, special district bond, special purpose bond, special tax bond and community development obligation. Interest owed to lenders is paid by taxes levied on the community benefiting from the particular bond-funded project. For example, if a bond of this sort was issued to pay for sidewalks to be repaved in a certain community, an additional tax would be levied on homeowners in the area benefiting from this project.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**joe_CommunityDevelopmentDistrictDebt**Namespace Prefix:**joe_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
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| - Definition
Long Term Debt, Year of Balloon Payment
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**joe_LongTermDebtYearOfBalloonPayment**Namespace Prefix:**joe_**Data Type:**xbrli:gYearItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Repayment Guarantee For Principal Amount Of Loan
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**joe_RepaymentGuaranteeForPrincipalAmountOfLoan**Namespace Prefix:**joe_**Data Type:**num:percentItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
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| - Definition
Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Cash -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6506951Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Cash Equivalents -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507016Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358313&loc=d3e6676-107765Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3044-108585
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
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| - Definition
This element represents the carrying value of a short-term real estate loan to finance building costs. The funds are disbursed as needed or in accordance with a prearranged plan; generally, a portion of the funds is disbursed at inception and the remainder as construction progresses. The money is repaid on completion of the project, usually from the proceeds of a mortgage loan. The rate is normally higher than the prime rate, and there is usually an origination fee. The effective yield on these loans tends to be high, and the lender has a security interest in the real property. Note that there are separate concepts for the current and noncurrent portions of long-term construction loans.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 20 -Article 5
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_ConstructionLoan**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |
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| - Definition
Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Article 7Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Article 9Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 20, 22 -Article 5Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The lowest amount of net worth (total assets minus total liabilities) required by secondary market investors or state-imposed regulatory mandates.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 948 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6490092&loc=d3e47304-110998Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 948 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (c)(a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6490092&loc=d3e47080-110998
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| X                                                                                                                                                               |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=joe_CommunityDevelopmentDistrictDebtMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                           |
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| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=joe_DefeasedDebtMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                    |
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
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