Represents the amount of financing receivables recorded in other assets on the entity's balance sheet.

No definition available.

Name:	slg_FinancingReceivableRecordedInOtherAssets
Namespace Prefix:	slg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the high end of the range of estimated fair value for investments in mortgage loans on real estate.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	slg_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateFairValueHighEndOfRange
Namespace Prefix:	slg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the low end of the range of estimated fair value for investments in mortgage loans on real estate.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	slg_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateFairValueLowEndOfRange
Namespace Prefix:	slg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The impact of fair value adjustments on purchase price and it's impact on net income or loss for the period, gross.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	slg_PurchasePriceFairValueAdjustmentGross
Namespace Prefix:	slg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of investment in debt and equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value, before effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets elected not to be offset. Excludes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99393222&loc=SL20226000-175313

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 860
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4D
-Subparagraph (c)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109247956&loc=SL51823488-111719

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-Subparagraph (a),(c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109980867&loc=SL5624163-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value, before effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes liabilities elected not to be offset. Excludes liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 860
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4D
-Subparagraph (c)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109247956&loc=SL51823488-111719

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-Subparagraph (a),(c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109980867&loc=SL5624163-113959

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99393222&loc=SL20226000-175313

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109237563&loc=d3e33749-111570

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 25
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115929826&loc=d3e8813-108599

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The portion of the carrying amount of long-term borrowings outstanding as of the balance sheet date, including current maturities, which accrues interest at a set, unchanging rate.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtPercentageBearingFixedInterestAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The portion of the carrying amount of long-term borrowings outstanding as of the balance sheet date, including current maturities, which accrues interest at a rate subject to change from time to time.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtPercentageBearingVariableInterestAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The balance represents the amount of loans that are secured by real estate mortgages, offset by the reserve to cover probable credit losses on the loan portfolio.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(c))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCommercialAndConsumerNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis=us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis=us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=slg_ThirdAvenue919Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=slg_ThirdAvenue919Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=slg_AccruedInterestPayableAndOtherMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Marketable securities	$ 29,978		$ 29,978		$ 28,638
Interest rate cap and swap agreements (included in other assets)	5,683		5,683		18,676
Purchase price and other fair value adjustments	67,631	$ 11,149	65,590	$ 60,442
Debt and preferred equity investments	2,228,912		2,228,912		2,099,393
Equity method investments	2,937,153		2,937,153		3,019,020
Additional amount of financing receivables included in other assets	87,200		87,200		88,800
Carrying Value
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Debt and preferred equity investments	2,228,912		2,228,912		2,099,393
Fixed rate debt	3,540,487		3,540,487		3,543,476
Variable rate debt	2,599,725		2,599,725		2,048,442
Total	6,140,212		6,140,212		5,591,918
Fair Value
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Marketable securities	29,978		29,978		28,638
Total	6,242,660		6,242,660		5,288,093
Estimated fair value of debt and preferred equity investments, low end of range	2,200,000		2,200,000		2,100,000
Estimated fair value of debt and preferred equity investments, high end of range	2,500,000		2,500,000		2,300,000
Level 1
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Interest rate cap and swap agreements (included in other assets)	0		0		0
Level 2
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Interest rate cap and swap agreements (included in other assets)	5,683		5,683		18,676
Level 3
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Marketable securities	0		0		0
Interest rate cap and swap agreements (included in other assets)	0		0		0
Level 3 \| Fair Value
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fixed rate debt	3,630,147		3,630,147		3,230,127
Variable rate debt	2,612,513		2,612,513		2,057,966
Equity marketable securities \| Level 1
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Marketable securities	0		0		0
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Marketable securities	29,978		29,978		28,638
Commercial mortgage-backed securities \| Level 2
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Marketable securities	29,978		29,978		28,638
Joint venture
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Equity method investments	2,937,153		2,937,153		3,019,020
919 Third Avenue \| Joint venture \| 919 Third Avenue
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Purchase price and other fair value adjustments	49,300
Accrued Interest Payable And Other
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Interest rate cap and swap agreements (included in other liabilities)	29,529		29,529		7,663
Accrued Interest Payable And Other \| Level 1
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Interest rate cap and swap agreements (included in other liabilities)	0		0		0
Accrued Interest Payable And Other \| Level 2
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Interest rate cap and swap agreements (included in other liabilities)	29,529		29,529		7,663
Accrued Interest Payable And Other \| Level 3
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Interest rate cap and swap agreements (included in other liabilities)	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0