Real Estate Fund Investments (Income from the Fund and the Co-Investment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Details Of Income From Real Estate Funds
Income (loss) from real estate fund investments	$ 15,200	$ 168,948	$ (9,947)
Less (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(25,802)	(21,351)	(55,765)
Fee and other income	135,750	120,086	139,890
Real estate fund investments
Details Of Income From Real Estate Funds
Net investment income	18,507	17,053	16,329
Net realized gains on exited investments	36,078	14,761	26,036
Previously recorded unrealized gain on exited investments	(25,538)	(14,254)	(23,279)
Net unrealized (loss) gain on held investments	(25,807)	(41,162)	54,995
Income (loss) from real estate fund investments	3,240	(23,602)	74,081
Less (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(14,044)	2,560	(40,117)
(Loss) income from real estate fund investments attributable to the Operating Partnership	(10,804)	(21,042)	33,964
Less loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	673	1,270	(2,011)
(Loss) income from real estate fund investments attributable to Vornado	(10,131)	(19,772)	31,953
Fee and other income	$ 4,091	$ 3,831	$ 2,939

The net realized gain (loss) on investments sold during the period, not including gains (losses) on securities separately or otherwise categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity, which, for cash flow reporting, is a component of proceeds from investing activities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585

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Amount of net income (loss) recognized from investments in real estate partnerships and variable interest entities.

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Amount, after investment expense, of income earned from investments in securities and real estate. Includes, but is not limited to, real estate investment, policy loans, dividends, and interest. Excludes realized gain (loss) on investments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 235
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-16(Column G))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34713774&loc=d3e574960-122915

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Amount after tax of income (loss) attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling shareholder, unit holder, partner, or other equity holder of a joint venture.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.19)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

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Amount after tax of income (loss) attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling partner in an operating partnership.

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The net change in the difference between the fair value and the carrying value, or in the comparative fair values, of investments, not including unrealized gains or losses on securities separately or otherwise categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity, held at each balance sheet date and included in earnings for the period.

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Revenue, comprised of base and incentive revenue derived from the management of joint ventures, managing third-party properties, or another entity's operations, and other real estate revenue not otherwise specified in the taxonomy.

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- Definition

This element represents the income (loss) from the Real Estate Fund before allocation to noncontrolling interests

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This element represents income from the real estate fund net of amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

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This element represents previously recorded unrealized gains on exited investments.

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