| **- Summarized Financial Information for Unconsolidated Investments (Details) (USD $)**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | Sep. 30, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------|---------------|---------------|---------------|
| **Investment In Unconsolidated Affiliates [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |          |               |          |               |   |   |
| Investment in real estate                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | $ 382,779,000 |               | $ 370,647,000 |               |   |   |
| Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | 22,831,000    |               | 165,980,000   |               | 172,398,000 | 162,391,000 |
| Other assets                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | 22,084,000    |               | 20,639,000    |               |   |   |
| Total assets                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | 667,072,000   |               | 645,521,000   |               |   |   |
| Total liabilities and equity                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | 667,072,000   |               | 645,521,000   |               |   |   |
| Other Affiliates                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |          |               |          |               |   |   |
| **Investment In Unconsolidated Affiliates [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |          |               |          |               |   |   |
| Investment in real estate                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | 12,407,000    |               | 12,381,000    |               |   |   |
| Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | 17,491,000    |               | 18,523,000    |               |   |   |
| Other assets                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | 145,000       |               | 130,000       |               |   |   |
| Total assets                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | 30,043,000    |               | 31,034,000    |               |   |   |
| Accounts payable and other liabilities                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     | 1,080,000     |               | 761,000       |               |   |   |
| Equity                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     | 28,963,000    | [1]           | 30,273,000    | [1]           |   |   |
| Total liabilities and equity                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | $ 30,043,000  |               | $ 31,034,000  |               |   |   |
|                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| [1]The majority of the equity in unconsolidated investments relates to ALP Liquidating Trust (the "Trust"). In 2008, the Company wrote-off its investment in the Trust as a result of the Trust reserving its assets to satisfy potential claims and obligations in accordance with its publicly reported liquidation basis of accounting. Subsequently, the Trust changed its method of accounting to a going concern basis and reinstated its equity and stated it would report certain expenses as they are incurred. The Company has not recorded any additional equity income as a result of the Trust’s change in accounting. |

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Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date, including liabilities incurred and payable to vendors for goods and services received, taxes, interest, rent and utilities, compensation costs, payroll taxes and fringe benefits (other than pension and postretirement obligations), contractual rights and obligations, and statutory obligations.
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Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.
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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.
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Items including common stock value, paid in capital, retained earnings, common stock purchased for the treasury and excluding noncontrolling interests (minority interests) and preferred stockholder interests.
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Total of all Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity items (or Partners' Capital, as applicable), including the portion of equity attributable to noncontrolling interests, if any.
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The aggregate carrying amounts, as of the balance sheet date, of assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet.
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| - Definition
Amount of real estate investment property, net of accumulated depreciation, which may include the following: (1) land available-for-sale; (2) land available-for-development; (3) investments in building and building improvements; (4) tenant allowances; (5) developments in-process; (6) rental properties; and (7) other real estate investments.
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