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Share-based Compensation-Additional Information (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Sep. 30, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 11, 2013
Dec. 17, 2012
Dec. 31, 2010
Jun. 30, 2014
Aug. 31, 2011
Sep. 01, 2014
Aug. 31, 2014
Jan. 31, 2008
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                            
Cost of the plan, subject to adjustment for forfeitures $ 6,800,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount $ 4,500,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount $ 4,100,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount                      
Stock options                            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                            
Period of commencement of option vesting, from date of grant 1 year                          
Exercise price of options granted, low end of the range (in dollars per share) $ 20.67us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
                         
Exercise price of options granted, high end of the range (in dollars per share) $ 137.18us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
                         
Remaining weighted average contractual life of the options outstanding 4 years 0 months 22 days                          
Remaining weighted average contractual life of the options exercisable 3 years 9 months 28 days                          
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock awards 14,100,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
                         
Weighted average period for recognition of compensation cost related to unvested stock awards 3 years                          
Weighted average fair value of award granted during the year 2,841,678slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardGrantsInPeriodFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
18,041,576slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardGrantsInPeriodFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
6,602,967slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardGrantsInPeriodFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
                     
Stock options | Minimum                            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                            
Award expiration period 5 years                          
Options vesting period 1 year                          
Stock options | Maximum                            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                            
Award expiration period 10 years                          
Options vesting period 5 years                          
Restricted Stock Awards                            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                            
Compensation expense 9,658,019us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= slg_RestrictedStockAwardsMember
6,713,155us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= slg_RestrictedStockAwardsMember
6,930,381us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= slg_RestrictedStockAwardsMember
                     
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock awards 11,700,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= slg_RestrictedStockAwardsMember
                         
Weighted average period for recognition of compensation cost related to unvested stock awards 2 years 1 month                          
Annual award vesting rate, low end of range (as a percent) 15.00%slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRateLowEndOfRange
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= slg_RestrictedStockAwardsMember
                         
Annual award vesting rate, high end of range (as a percent) 35.00%slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRateHighEndOfRange
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= slg_RestrictedStockAwardsMember
                         
Fair value of restricted stock vested during the period 5,500,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= slg_RestrictedStockAwardsMember
1,600,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= slg_RestrictedStockAwardsMember
22,400,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= slg_RestrictedStockAwardsMember
                     
Weighted average fair value of award granted during the year 1,141,675slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardGrantsInPeriodFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= slg_RestrictedStockAwardsMember
17,386,949slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardGrantsInPeriodFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= slg_RestrictedStockAwardsMember
7,023,942slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardGrantsInPeriodFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= slg_RestrictedStockAwardsMember
                     
Awards granted (in shares) 9,550us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= slg_RestrictedStockAwardsMember
192,563us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= slg_RestrictedStockAwardsMember
92,729us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= slg_RestrictedStockAwardsMember
                     
Awards outstanding (in shares) 3,000,979us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= slg_RestrictedStockAwardsMember
2,994,197us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= slg_RestrictedStockAwardsMember
2,804,901us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= slg_RestrictedStockAwardsMember
    2,912,456us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= slg_RestrictedStockAwardsMember
               
LTIP units                            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                            
Weighted average fair value of award granted during the year 33,200,000.0slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardGrantsInPeriodFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= slg_LongTermIncentivePlanUnitsMember
27,100,000.0slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardGrantsInPeriodFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= slg_LongTermIncentivePlanUnitsMember
0slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardGrantsInPeriodFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= slg_LongTermIncentivePlanUnitsMember
                     
Performance Shares                            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                            
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock awards 7,100,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
                         
Weighted average period for recognition of compensation cost related to unvested stock awards 1 year 6 months                          
Share-based Compensation 31,400,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
27,300,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
12,600,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
                     
2010 Notional Unit Long-Term Compensation Plan                            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                            
Compensation expense 2,700,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_NotionalUnitLongTermCompensationPlan2010Member
4,500,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_NotionalUnitLongTermCompensationPlan2010Member
10,700,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_NotionalUnitLongTermCompensationPlan2010Member
                     
Cost of the plan, subject to adjustment for forfeitures 31,700,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_NotionalUnitLongTermCompensationPlan2010Member
                         
Approximate amount of awards that may be earned by recipients after beginning of the second year if maximum performance achieved 25,000,000slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsApproximateAmountOfAwardsThatMayBeEarnedAnyTimeAfterStartOfSecondYear
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_NotionalUnitLongTermCompensationPlan2010Member
                         
Approximate amount of awards that may be earned by recipients after beginning of the third year if maximum performance achieved 25,000,000slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsApproximateAmountOfAwardsThatMayBeEarnedAnyTimeAfterStartOfThirdYear
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_NotionalUnitLongTermCompensationPlan2010Member
                         
Minimum stock price appreciation to earn maximum amount of awards (as a percent) 50.00%slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsMinimumPercentageStockPriceAppreciationToEarnMaximumAmount
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_NotionalUnitLongTermCompensationPlan2010Member
                         
LTIP units earned (in shares)     327,416slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAwardsEarned
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_NotionalUnitLongTermCompensationPlan2010Member
    385,583slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAwardsEarned
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_NotionalUnitLongTermCompensationPlan2010Member
    366,815slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAwardsEarned
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_NotionalUnitLongTermCompensationPlan2010Member
         
Percentage of LTIP Units earned, vested on December 17, 2012 (percent)             25.00%slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsPercentageOfAwardsVestedOnDecember172012
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_NotionalUnitLongTermCompensationPlan2010Member
50.00%slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsPercentageOfAwardsVestedOnDecember172012
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_NotionalUnitLongTermCompensationPlan2010Member
           
2010 Notional Unit Long-Term Compensation Plan | Minimum                            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                            
Approximate amount of LTIP units that may be earned by the recipients based on stock price appreciation 15,000,000slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsApproximateAmountOfAwardsThatMayBeEarned
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_NotionalUnitLongTermCompensationPlan2010Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
                         
2010 Notional Unit Long-Term Compensation Plan | Maximum                            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                            
Approximate amount of LTIP units that may be earned by the recipients based on stock price appreciation 75,000,000slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsApproximateAmountOfAwardsThatMayBeEarned
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_NotionalUnitLongTermCompensationPlan2010Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
                         
Third Amendment and Restated 2005 Stock Option and Incentive Plan                            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                            
Maximum fungible units that may be granted (in shares) 17,130,000slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementbyShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberofFungibleUnitsAuthorized
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_ThirdAmendmentandRestated2005StockOptionandIncentivePlanMember
                         
Fungible units per share (fungible units) 2.76slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementbyShareBasedPaymentAwardFungibleUnitsPerShare
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_ThirdAmendmentandRestated2005StockOptionandIncentivePlanMember
                         
Shares that may be issued if equal to fungible units (shares) 17,130,000slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesToBeIssuedIfEqualToFungibleUnits
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_ThirdAmendmentandRestated2005StockOptionandIncentivePlanMember
                         
Fungible units 2,600,000slg_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardNumberOfFungibleUnitsAvailableForGrant
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_ThirdAmendmentandRestated2005StockOptionandIncentivePlanMember
                         
Third Amendment and Restated 2005 Stock Option and Incentive Plan | Stock options                            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                            
Compensation expense 8,100,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_ThirdAmendmentandRestated2005StockOptionandIncentivePlanMember
6,500,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_ThirdAmendmentandRestated2005StockOptionandIncentivePlanMember
5,100,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_ThirdAmendmentandRestated2005StockOptionandIncentivePlanMember
                     
Stock options, stock appreciation rights and other awards                            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                            
Fungible units per share (fungible units) 0.77slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementbyShareBasedPaymentAwardFungibleUnitsPerShare
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_StockOptionsStockAppreciationRightsAndOtherAwardsMember
                         
Award expiration period 5 years                          
All other awards                            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                            
Fungible units per share (fungible units) 1.0slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementbyShareBasedPaymentAwardFungibleUnitsPerShare
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_OtherAwardsMember
                         
Award expiration period 10 years                          
2011 Outperformance Plan                            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                            
Compensation expense 8,600,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_LongTermOutperformanceCompensationProgram2011Member
8,000,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_LongTermOutperformanceCompensationProgram2011Member
5,500,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_LongTermOutperformanceCompensationProgram2011Member
                     
Cost of the plan, subject to adjustment for forfeitures 27,000,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_LongTermOutperformanceCompensationProgram2011Member
                         
Approximate amount of LTIP units that may be earned by the recipients based on stock price appreciation                     85,000,000slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsApproximateAmountOfAwardsThatMayBeEarned
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_LongTermOutperformanceCompensationProgram2011Member
     
LTIP units earned (in shares)       280,454slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAwardsEarned
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_LongTermOutperformanceCompensationProgram2011Member
          560,908slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAwardsEarned
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_LongTermOutperformanceCompensationProgram2011Member
       
Value of LTIP Units that could be earned expressed as percentage of outperformance amount in excess of the 30% benchmark (percent)                     10.00%slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsValueOfAwardsToBeEarnedAsPercentageOfExcessOverPerformanceCriteriaOfMinimumReturnOnEquity
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_LongTermOutperformanceCompensationProgram2011Member
     
Duration period return to stockholders exceeds 25% 3 years                          
Cumulative return to stockholders (percent) 25.00%slg_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherthanOptionsCumulativeReturntoStockholdersPercent
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_LongTermOutperformanceCompensationProgram2011Member
                         
Return to stockholders 85,000,000.0slg_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherthanOptionsReturntoStockholders
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_LongTermOutperformanceCompensationProgram2011Member
                         
Portion of earned LTIP Units vested one-third                          
Percentage of LTIP Units earned, vesting on August 31, 2014 (percent) 50.00%slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsPercentageOfAwardsVestingOnAugust312014
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_LongTermOutperformanceCompensationProgram2011Member
                         
Percentage of LTIP Units earned, vesting on August 31, 2015 (percent) 50.00%slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsPercentageOfAwardsVestingOnAugust312015
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_LongTermOutperformanceCompensationProgram2011Member
                         
2014 Outperformance Plan                            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                            
Compensation expense 200,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_LongTermOutperformanceCompensationProgram2014Member
                         
Cost of the plan, subject to adjustment for forfeitures 17,100,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_LongTermOutperformanceCompensationProgram2014Member
                         
LTIP units earned (in shares)                         610,000slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAwardsEarned
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_LongTermOutperformanceCompensationProgram2014Member
 
Award period       3 years                    
Percentage awarded                       0.6667slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsPercentageOfUnitsToBeAwarded
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_LongTermOutperformanceCompensationProgram2014Member
   
Deferred Stock Compensation Plan for Directors                            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                            
Compensation expense $ 1,600,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_DeferredStockCompensationPlanForDirectorsMember
                         
Maximum percentage of the annual retainer fee, chairman fees and meeting fees that may be deferred by non-employee directors (percent) 100.00%slg_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualMaximumPercentageOfTheCompensationThatMayBeDeferred
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_DeferredStockCompensationPlanForDirectorsMember
                         
Awards granted (in shares) 9,305us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_DeferredStockCompensationPlanForDirectorsMember
                         
Shares issued (in shares) 7,701us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualSharesIssued
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_DeferredStockCompensationPlanForDirectorsMember
                         
Awards outstanding (in shares) 75,649us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_DeferredStockCompensationPlanForDirectorsMember
                         
Employee Stock Purchase Plan                            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                            
Shares of common stock available for issuance (shares)                           500,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember
Duration of each offering period starting the first day of each calendar quarter         3 months                  
Purchase price as a percentage of market value of the common stock (percent) 85.00%slg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPurchasePriceAsPercentageOfMarketValueOfCommonStock
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember
                         
Shares of common stock issued (shares) 80,437us-gaap_CommonStockSharesHeldInEmployeeTrustShares
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember
                         
Share-based compensation award, tranche 3 | 2014 Outperformance Plan                            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                            
Percentage of units vested 50.00%us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_LongTermOutperformanceCompensationProgram2014Member
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= slg_SharebasedCompensationAwardTrancheThreeMember
                         
Share-based compensation award, tranche 4 | 2014 Outperformance Plan                            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                            
Percentage of units vested 50.00%us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_LongTermOutperformanceCompensationProgram2014Member
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= slg_SharebasedCompensationAwardTrancheFourMember
                         
Period One Vesting | 2011 Outperformance Plan                            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                            
Percentage of units vested 33.33%us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_LongTermOutperformanceCompensationProgram2011Member
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= slg_SharebasedCompensationAwardTrancheFiveMember
                         
Period Two Vesting | 2011 Outperformance Plan                            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                            
Percentage of units vested 66.67%us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= slg_LongTermOutperformanceCompensationProgram2011Member
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= slg_SharebasedCompensationAwardTrancheSixMember