| Schedule of investments in other real estate | The following table summarizes Newcastle’s investments in real estate related to its Golf business: 
 
    |  |  
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    |   | March 31, 2015 |   | December 31, 2014 |  
    |   | Gross Carrying Amount |   | Accumulated Depreciation |   | Net Carrying Value |   | Gross Carrying Amount |   | Accumulated Depreciation |   | Net Carrying Value |  
    | Golf |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |  
    | Land | $ | 90,324 | 
 |   | $ | — | 
 |   | $ | 90,324 | 
 |   | $ | 90,324 | 
 |   | $ | — | 
 |   | $ | 90,324 | 
 |  
    | Buildings and improvements | 140,752 | 
 |   | (20,973 | ) |   | 119,779 | 
 |   | 139,949 | 
 |   | (17,729 | ) |   | 122,220 | 
 |  
    | Furniture, fixtures and equipment | 22,756 | 
 |   | (7,757 | ) |   | 14,999 | 
 |   | 23,621 | 
 |   | (5,544 | ) |   | 18,077 | 
 |  
    | Capital leases - equipment | 6,547 | 
 |   | (709 | ) |   | 5,838 | 
 |   | 6,528 | 
 |   | (547 | ) |   | 5,981 | 
 |  
    | Construction in progress | 3,109 | 
 |   | — | 
 |   | 3,109 | 
 |   | 2,681 | 
 |   | — | 
 |   | 2,681 | 
 |  
    | Investments in Other Real Estate | $ | 263,488 | 
 |   | $ | (29,439 | ) |   | $ | 234,049 | 
 |   | $ | 263,103 | 
 |   | $ | (23,820 | ) |   | $ | 239,283 | 
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