Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Real Estate Fund [Member]	All Other Except Real Estate Fund [Member]	Preferred Units	Class A Units Owned by Vornado	Earnings Less Than Distributions	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Subsidiaries	Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Subsidiaries Real Estate Fund [Member]	Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Subsidiaries All Other Except Real Estate Fund [Member]
Beginning balance, Value at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 7,904,144			$ 1,240,278	$ 7,202,878	$ (1,573,275)	$ (18,946)	$ 1,053,209
Beginning balance, Units at Dec. 31, 2012				51,185	186,735
Net income attributable to Vornado Realty L.P	277,641					277,641
Net income attributable to redeemable partnership units	(14,719)					(14,719)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	11,286	9,540						11,286
Distributions to Vornado	(136,342)					(136,342)
Distributions to preferred unitholders	(21,702)					(21,702)
Issuance of Series L preferred units, Units				12,000
Issuance of Series L preferred units, Value	290,710			290,710
Redemption of Series F and Series H preferred units, Units				(10,500)
Redemption of Series F and Series H preferred units, Value	(253,269)			(253,269)
Class A units issued to Vornado:
Upon redemption of redeemable Class A units, at redemption value, Units					162
Upon redemption of redeemable Class A units, at redemption value, Value	13,404				13,404
Under Vornado's Omnibus share plan, Units					27
Under Vornado's Omnibus share plan, Value	1,176				1,176
Under Vornado's dividend reinvestment plan, Units					5
Under Vornado's dividend reinvestment plan, Value	433				433
Contributions:
Contributions		10,251	14,316						10,251	14,316
Distribution:
Distributions		(43,145)	(120,051)						(43,145)	(120,051)
Deferred compensation units and options, Units					6
Deferred compensation units and options, Value	2,208				2,513	(305)
Change in unrealized net gain on available-for-sale securities	148,789						148,789
Pro rata share of other comprehensive loss of nonconsolidated subsidiaries	(3,647)						(3,647)
Change in value of interest rate swap	2,523						2,523
Adjustments to carry redeemable Class A units at redemption value	(44,998)				(44,998)
Redeemable partnership units' share of above adjustments	(8,299)						(8,299)
Preferred unit redemptions	(9,230)					(9,230)
Other	(869)					(1,364)	533	(38)
Ending balance, Value at Mar. 31, 2013	8,020,610			1,277,719	7,175,406	(1,479,296)	120,953	925,828
Ending balance, Units at Mar. 31, 2013				52,685	186,935
Beginning balance, Value at Dec. 31, 2013	7,594,744			1,277,225	7,151,309	(1,734,839)	71,537	829,512
Beginning balance, Units at Dec. 31, 2013				52,683	187,285
Net income attributable to Vornado Realty L.P	86,577					86,577
Net income attributable to redeemable partnership units	(3,860)					(3,860)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	11,579	10,849						11,579
Distributions to Vornado	(136,761)					(136,761)
Distributions to preferred unitholders	(20,368)					(20,368)
Class A units issued to Vornado:
Upon redemption of redeemable Class A units, at redemption value, Units					55
Upon redemption of redeemable Class A units, at redemption value, Value	5,156				5,156
Under Vornado's Omnibus share plan, Units					60
Under Vornado's Omnibus share plan, Value	3,230				3,230
Under Vornado's dividend reinvestment plan, Units					5
Under Vornado's dividend reinvestment plan, Value	446				446
Distribution:
Distributions		(1,950)	(142)						(1,950)	(142)
Deferred compensation units and options, Units					7
Deferred compensation units and options, Value	1,779				2,119	(340)
Change in unrealized net gain on available-for-sale securities	13,125						13,125
Pro rata share of other comprehensive loss of nonconsolidated subsidiaries	(8,286)						(8,286)
Change in value of interest rate swap	1,610						1,610
Adjustments to carry redeemable Class A units at redemption value	(136,937)				(136,937)
Redeemable partnership units' share of above adjustments	(361)						(361)
Preferred unit redemptions	0
Other	(254)				(238)	(18)	1	1
Ending balance, Value at Mar. 31, 2014	$ 7,409,327			$ 1,277,225	$ 7,025,085	$ (1,809,609)	$ 77,626	$ 839,000
Ending balance, Units at Mar. 31, 2014				52,683	187,412