| **Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation**                                         | 12 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
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| **SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation Disclosure [Abstract]** |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| SCHEDULE III (CONSOLIDATED) - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION               | THE ST. JOE COMPANY SCHEDULE III (CONSOLIDATED) - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATIONDECEMBER 31, 2014(in thousands)     Initial Cost to Company   Gross Amount at December 31, 2014      Description Encumbrances Land & Improvements Buildings &Improvements CostsCapitalizedSubsequent toAcquisition or Construction (1) Land & LandImprovements Buildings andImprovements Total AccumulatedDepreciation Date of Construction or Acquisition Depreciation Life (In Years)Residential development $2,459 $43,153 $— $59,258 $102,411 $— $102,411 $— n/a n/aCommercial development 4,057 45,701 — 13,704 59,405 — 59,405 — n/a n/aResorts and leisure                     WaterColor Inn — 1,202 14,000 5,124 1,558 18,768 20,326 6,831 2002 10 - 40Clubs and golf courses — 38,447 24,053 (4,268) 34,653 23,579 58,232 22,961 2001 - 2007 10 - 25Marinas — 6,252 9,619 10 6,218 9,663 15,881 3,544 2006 - 2007 10 - 25Other — — 34,469 (18,771) — 15,698 15,698 6,203 2008 - 2009 10 - 30Commercial leasing                   Pier Park North — 2,641 — 42,085 16,801 27,925 44,726 1,017 2014 15 - 40Towncenters — 777 30,904 (12,205) 784 18,692 19,476 12,127 2001 - 2008 10 - 25VentureCrossings — 1,566 7,899 — 1,566 7,899 9,465 985 2012 10 - 25Other — 7,999 8,862 (7,145) 7,051 2,665 9,716 2,508 through 2011 10 - 25Timberlands — 6,582 1,872 10,385 16,553 2,286 18,839 1,956 n/a n/aUnimproved land — — — 5,769 5,769 — 5,769 — n/a n/aTotal $6,516 $154,320 $131,678 $93,946 $252,769 $127,175 $379,944 $58,132     (1)Includes cumulative impairments.Notes:(A)The aggregate cost of real estate owned at December 31, 2014 for federal income tax purposes is approximately $544 million.(B)Reconciliation of real estate owned (in thousands of dollars):  2014 2013 2012Balance at beginning of the year$436,264 $418,197$429,431Amounts capitalized26,047 44,79521,058Impairments— (5,080) (2,551)Cost of real estate sold(76,060) (22,022) (27,248)Amounts retired or adjusted(6,307) 374 (2,493)Balance at the end of the year$379,944 $436,264$418,197           (C) Reconciliation of accumulated depreciation (in thousands of dollars):  2014 2013 2012Balance at beginning of the year$53,496 $49,772$44,489Depreciation expense6,170 6,5477,494Amounts retired or adjusted(1,534) (2,823) (2,211)Balance at the end of the year$58,132 $53,496$49,772       |

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| - Definition
The entire disclosure of real estate investments and associated accumulated depreciation for entities with a significant portion of their business acquiring and holding investment real estate.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 970 -SubTopic 360 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.12-28) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6590653&loc=d3e638233-123024Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 205 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-04.(c) Schedule III) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27047687&loc=d3e5864-122674Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 28 -Article 12Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph c -Subparagraph Schedule III -Article 5
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