Real Estate Held for Investment, net and Other Real Estate Owned (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Real Estate Properties
Aggregate estimated fair value of properties acquired through foreclosure			$ 185,800,000
Land assets from noncontrolling partner contributions	27,300,000		27,300,000
Operating property
Real estate held for investment, net	1,249,681,000		1,249,681,000		1,228,134,000
Other Real Estate Owned
Income from sales of residential property	13,266,000	0	19,999,000	0
Real Estate Held for Investment (REHI)
Real Estate Held for Investment, net
Land held for investment and development	738,459,000		738,459,000		711,072,000
Operating property
Buildings and improvements	382,919,000		382,919,000		379,644,000
Land	153,568,000		153,568,000		154,445,000
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	(25,265,000)		(25,265,000)		(17,027,000)
Real estate held for investment, net	1,249,681,000		1,249,681,000		1,228,134,000
REHI operating income and expenses
REHI operating income	14,756,000	6,687,000	29,150,000	14,149,000
REHI operating expenses	14,557,000	8,745,000	28,067,000	19,291,000
Other Real Estate Owned (OREO)
Other Real Estate Owned
Carrying value of OREO assets sold			149,700,000
Income from sales of residential property			20,000,000
Net impairment charges recorded to OREO properties	1,300,000	2,800,000	3,900,000	3,400,000
Net expenses related to holding costs for OREO properties	7,900,000	9,300,000	16,400,000	16,500,000
Tanger Outlets
Real Estate Properties
Contributed cost of land	$ 11,600,000		$ 11,600,000
Percentage of ownernship acquired	40.00%		40.00%