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These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalseOutstanding and Exercisable3false0spg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingAndExercisableNumberspgfalsenainstantThis element represents details pertaining to both options, which are outstanding and exercisable. Options, outstanding refer...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse326999326999falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesThis element represents details pertaining to both options, which are outstanding and exercisable. Options, outstanding refer to the number of shares reserved for issuance pertaining to the outstanding stock options as of the balance sheet date for all option plans in the customized range of exercise prices. 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The weighted-average price as of the balance sheet date at which grantees could acquire the underlying shares with respect to all outstanding stock options, which are in the customized range of exercise prices. It includes weighted-average exercise price as of the balance sheet date for those equity-based payment arrangements, which are exercisable and outstanding.No authoritative reference available.falsetrueOutstanding and Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share (in dollars per share)5true0spg_ExchangeRightsAbstractspgfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseExchange Rights6false0spg_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsExchangeBasisspgfalsenadurationDescribes the exchange features of limited partners units.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00One-for-onefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringDescribes the exchange features of limited partners units.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseLimited partners units, exchange basis7false0us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuanceus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse6291985362919853falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesAggregate number of common shares reserved for future issuance.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 129 -Paragraph 4 falsefalseCommon stock reserved for issuance upon the exchange of units, stock options and Class B common stock (in shares)8false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.simon.com/role/disclosureequitydetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis} : Range of Exercise Prices from $23.41-$30.38 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) / shares $D2010_RangeOfExercisePricesFromDollars23.41ToDollars30.38Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001063761duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseRange of Exercise Prices from $23.41-$30.38us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldispg_RangeOfExercisePricesFromDollars23.41ToDollars30.38Memberus-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxisexplicitMemberUSDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseRange of Exercise Prices from $23.41-$30.389true0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine 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.falsefalseOutstanding and Exercisable10false0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimitus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse23.4123.41falsetruefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalThe floor of a customized range of exercise prices for purposes of disclosing shares potentially issuable under outstanding stock option awards on all stock option plans and other required information pertaining to awards in the customized range.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 123R -Paragraph 64 falsetrueExercise price, lower end of the range (in dollars per share)11false0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimitus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse30.3830.38falsetruefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalThe ceiling of a customized range of exercise prices for purposes of disclosing shares potentially issuable under outstanding stock option awards on all stock option plans and other required information pertaining to awards in the customized range.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 123R -Paragraph 64 falsetrueExercise price, high end of the range (in dollars per share)12false0spg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingAndExercisableNumberspgfalsenainstantThis element represents details pertaining to both options, which are outstanding and exercisable. Options, outstanding refer...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse266550266550falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesThis element represents details pertaining to both options, which are outstanding and exercisable. Options, outstanding refer to the number of shares reserved for issuance pertaining to the outstanding stock options as of the balance sheet date for all option plans in the customized range of exercise prices. Options, exercisable refer to the number of shares reserved for issuance pertaining to the outstanding exercisable stock options as of the balance sheet date in the customized range of exercise prices for which the market and performance vesting condition has been satisfied.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseOutstanding and Exercisable, options (in shares)13false0spg_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingAndExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTermspgfalsenainstantThis element represents details pertaining to both weighted-average remaining contractual life of options, which are...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse0.230.23falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:decimalItemTypedecimalThis element represents details pertaining to both weighted-average remaining contractual life of options, which are outstanding and exercisable. The weighted-average period remaining as of the balance-sheet date until option expiration pertaining to the outstanding stock options for all option plans in the customized range of exercise prices, which may be expressed in a variety of ways (for example, years, months). It also includes the weighted average remaining life of the exercisable stock options as of the balance sheet date for all option plans in the customized range of exercise prices.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseOutstanding and Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)14false0spg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingAndExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePricespgfalsenainstantThis element represents details pertaining to both weighted-average remaining contractual life of options, which are...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse25.5425.54falsetruefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalThis element represents details pertaining to both weighted-average remaining contractual life of options, which are outstanding and exercisable. The weighted-average price as of the balance sheet date at which grantees could acquire the underlying shares with respect to all outstanding stock options, which are in the customized range of exercise prices. 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These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalseOutstanding and Exercisable18false0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimitus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse30.3930.39falsetruefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalThe floor of a customized range of exercise prices for purposes of disclosing shares potentially issuable under outstanding stock option awards on all stock option plans and other required information pertaining to awards in the customized range.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 123R -Paragraph 64 falsetrueExercise price, lower end of the range (in dollars per share)19false0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimitus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse46.9746.97falsetruefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalThe ceiling of a customized range of exercise prices for purposes of disclosing shares potentially issuable under outstanding stock option awards on all stock option plans and other required information pertaining to awards in the customized range.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 123R -Paragraph 64 falsetrueExercise price, high end of the range (in dollars per share)20false0spg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingAndExercisableNumberspgfalsenainstantThis element represents details pertaining to both options, which are outstanding and exercisable. Options, outstanding refer...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse3474934749falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesThis element represents details pertaining to both options, which are outstanding and exercisable. Options, outstanding refer to the number of shares reserved for issuance pertaining to the outstanding stock options as of the balance sheet date for all option plans in the customized range of exercise prices. Options, exercisable refer to the number of shares reserved for issuance pertaining to the outstanding exercisable stock options as of the balance sheet date in the customized range of exercise prices for which the market and performance vesting condition has been satisfied.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseOutstanding and Exercisable, options (in shares)21false0spg_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingAndExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTermspgfalsenainstantThis element represents details pertaining to both weighted-average remaining contractual life of options, which are...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse3.093.09falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:decimalItemTypedecimalThis element represents details pertaining to both weighted-average remaining contractual life of options, which are outstanding and exercisable. The weighted-average period remaining as of the balance-sheet date until option expiration pertaining to the outstanding stock options for all option plans in the customized range of exercise prices, which may be expressed in a variety of ways (for example, years, months). It also includes the weighted average remaining life of the exercisable stock options as of the balance sheet date for all option plans in the customized range of exercise prices.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseOutstanding and Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)22false0spg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingAndExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePricespgfalsenainstantThis element represents details pertaining to both weighted-average remaining contractual life of options, which are...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse46.9746.97falsetruefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalThis element represents details pertaining to both weighted-average remaining contractual life of options, which are outstanding and exercisable. The weighted-average price as of the balance sheet date at which grantees could acquire the underlying shares with respect to all outstanding stock options, which are in the customized range of exercise prices. 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These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalseOutstanding and Exercisable26false0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimitus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse46.9846.98falsetruefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalThe floor of a customized range of exercise prices for purposes of disclosing shares potentially issuable under outstanding stock option awards on all stock option plans and other required information pertaining to awards in the customized range.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 123R -Paragraph 64 falsetrueExercise price, lower end of the range (in dollars per share)27false0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimitus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse50.1750.17falsetruefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalThe ceiling of a customized range of exercise prices for purposes of disclosing shares potentially issuable under outstanding stock option awards on all stock option plans and other required information pertaining to awards in the customized range.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 123R -Paragraph 64 falsetrueExercise price, high end of the range (in dollars per share)28false0spg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingAndExercisableNumberspgfalsenainstantThis element represents details pertaining to both options, which are outstanding and exercisable. Options, outstanding refer...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse2570025700falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesThis element represents details pertaining to both options, which are outstanding and exercisable. Options, outstanding refer to the number of shares reserved for issuance pertaining to the outstanding stock options as of the balance sheet date for all option plans in the customized range of exercise prices. Options, exercisable refer to the number of shares reserved for issuance pertaining to the outstanding exercisable stock options as of the balance sheet date in the customized range of exercise prices for which the market and performance vesting condition has been satisfied.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseOutstanding and Exercisable, options (in shares)29false0spg_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingAndExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTermspgfalsenainstantThis element represents details pertaining to both weighted-average remaining contractual life of options, which are...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse3.173.17falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:decimalItemTypedecimalThis element represents details pertaining to both weighted-average remaining contractual life of options, which are outstanding and exercisable. The weighted-average period remaining as of the balance-sheet date until option expiration pertaining to the outstanding stock options for all option plans in the customized range of exercise prices, which may be expressed in a variety of ways (for example, years, months). It also includes the weighted average remaining life of the exercisable stock options as of the balance sheet date for all option plans in the customized range of exercise prices.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseOutstanding and Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)30false0spg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingAndExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePricespgfalsenainstantThis element represents details pertaining to both weighted-average remaining contractual life of options, which are...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse50.1750.17falsetruefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalThis element represents details pertaining to both weighted-average remaining contractual life of options, which are outstanding and exercisable. The weighted-average price as of the balance sheet date at which grantees could acquire the underlying shares with respect to all outstanding stock options, which are in the customized range of exercise prices. It includes weighted-average exercise price as of the balance sheet date for those equity-based payment arrangements, which are exercisable and outstanding.No authoritative reference available.falsetrueOutstanding and Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share (in dollars per share)127Equity (Details 5) (USD $)UnKnownNoRoundingNoRoundingUnKnowntruetrue