Consolidated Statement of Capital shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) shares
Increase (Decrease) in Partner's Capital
DRSPP proceeds	$ 45
Conversion of common units	7,153
Reallocation of noncontrolling interests in the operating partnership	25,867
Deferred compensation plan and stock award, net	(2,220)
Amortization of deferred compensation plan	5,864
Contribution to consolidated joint venture interests	934
Cash distributions to noncontrolling interests	(7,905)
Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Partner's Capital
Conversion of common units	$ 1
Deferred compensation plan and stock award, net (in units) | shares	25
Contributions - proceeds from stock options exercised (in units) | shares	17
Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Partner's Capital
Contribution to consolidated joint venture interests	$ 934
Cash distributions to noncontrolling interests	(7,905)
SL Green Operating Partnership
Increase (Decrease) in Partner's Capital
Beginning Balance	7,719,317
Net income	28,933
Other comprehensive (loss)	(8,473)
Preferred distributions	(3,738)
DRSPP proceeds	45
Conversion of common units	7,153
Reallocation of noncontrolling interests in the operating partnership	25,867
Deferred compensation plan and stock award, net	(2,220)
Amortization of deferred compensation plan	5,864
Contribution to consolidated joint venture interests	934
Contributions - proceeds from stock options exercised	1,211
Cash distributions to noncontrolling interests	(7,905)
Cash distributions declared ($0.72 per common unit, none of which represented a return of capital for federal income tax purposes)	(71,965)
Ending Balance	7,695,023
SL Green Operating Partnership | Preferred Units | Series C Preferred Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Partner's Capital
Beginning Balance	0
Ending Balance	0
SL Green Operating Partnership | Preferred Units | Series I Preferred Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Partner's Capital
Beginning Balance	221,932
Ending Balance	221,932
SL Green Operating Partnership | Common Stock | Partners' Interest
Increase (Decrease) in Partner's Capital
Beginning Balance	$ 7,074,282
Beginning Balance (units) | shares	99,976
Net income	$ 26,959
Preferred distributions	(3,738)
DRSPP proceeds	$ 45
Conversion of common units (in units) | shares	63
Conversion of common units	$ 7,153
Reallocation of noncontrolling interests in the operating partnership	$ 25,867
Deferred compensation plan and stock award, net (in units) | shares	25
Deferred compensation plan and stock award, net	$ (2,220)
Amortization of deferred compensation plan	$ 5,864
Contributions - proceeds from stock options exercised (in units) | shares	17
Contributions - proceeds from stock options exercised	$ 1,211
Cash distributions declared ($0.72 per common unit, none of which represented a return of capital for federal income tax purposes)	(71,965)
Ending Balance	$ 7,063,458
Ending Balance (units) | shares	100,081
SL Green Operating Partnership | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Increase (Decrease) in Partner's Capital
Beginning Balance	$ (8,749)
Other comprehensive (loss)	(8,473)
Ending Balance	(17,222)
SL Green Operating Partnership | Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Partner's Capital
Beginning Balance	431,852
Net income	1,974
Contribution to consolidated joint venture interests	934
Cash distributions to noncontrolling interests	(7,905)
Ending Balance	$ 426,855