Equity - Temporary Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Temporary Equity
Limited partners’ preferred interest in the Operating Partnership and noncontrolling redeemable interests in properties	$ 159,350	$ 25,537
Preferred stock stated dividend rate percentage	8.375%	8.375%
Simon Property Group L.P.
Temporary Equity
Limited partners’ preferred interest in the Operating Partnership and noncontrolling redeemable interests in properties	$ 159,350	$ 25,537
7.5% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units
Temporary Equity
Noncontrolling interests redeemable at amounts in excess of fair value	0
Limited partners’ preferred interest in the Operating Partnership and noncontrolling redeemable interests in properties	$ 25,537	$ 25,537
Preferred stock stated dividend rate percentage	7.50%	7.50%
Temporary equity, shares authorized	260,000	260,000
Temporary equity, shares issued	255,373	255,373
Temporary equity, shares outstanding	255,373	255,373
7.5% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units | Simon Property Group L.P.
Temporary Equity
Limited partners’ preferred interest in the Operating Partnership and noncontrolling redeemable interests in properties	$ 25,537	$ 25,537
Preferred stock stated dividend rate percentage	7.50%	7.50%
Temporary equity, shares authorized	260,000	260,000
Temporary equity, shares issued	255,373	255,373
Temporary equity, shares outstanding	255,373	255,373
Other noncontrolling redeemable interest
Temporary Equity
Limited partners’ preferred interest in the Operating Partnership and noncontrolling redeemable interests in properties	$ 133,813
Other noncontrolling redeemable interest | Simon Property Group L.P.
Temporary Equity
Limited partners’ preferred interest in the Operating Partnership and noncontrolling redeemable interests in properties	$ 133,813