Consolidated Statement of Capital (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance	$ 5,481,882
Comprehensive Income:
Net income	659,567
Net unrealized loss on derivative instruments	(4,389)
SL Green's share of joint venture net unrealized gain on derivative instruments	319
Unrealized gains on marketable securities	2,094
Comprehensive Income	657,591
Preferred distributions	(22,634)
Issuance of units	20,222
Consolidation of joint venture interest	(468)
Redemption of units and DRIP proceeds	20
Deferred compensation plan & stock award, net	(3,692)
Amortization of deferred compensation plan	24,025
Contributions - net proceeds from common stock offering	531,488
Contributions - proceeds from stock options exercised	8,116
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(143,474)
Cash distribution declared ($0.30 per common unit, none of which represented a return of capital for federal income tax purposes)	(25,723)
Balance	6,527,353
Series C preferred units
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance	274,022
Comprehensive Income:
Net income	16,725
Preferred distributions	(16,725)
Balance	274,022
Series D preferred units
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance	96,321
Comprehensive Income:
Net income	5,909
Preferred distributions	(5,909)
Balance	96,321
General Partner | Common Units
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance	4,573,565
Balance (in units)	78,307
Comprehensive Income:
Net income	614,424
Redemption of units and DRIP proceeds	886
Redemption of units and DRIP proceeds (in units)	13
Deferred compensation plan & stock award, net	(3,692)
Deferred compensation plan & stock award, net (in units)	249
Amortization of deferred compensation plan	24,025
Contributions - net proceeds from common stock offering	531,488
Contributions - net proceeds from common stock offering (in units)	6,957
Contributions - proceeds from stock options exercised	8,116
Contributions - proceeds from stock options exercised (in units)	180
Cash distribution declared ($0.30 per common unit, none of which represented a return of capital for federal income tax purposes)	(25,151)
Balance	5,723,661
Balance (in units)	85,706
Limited Partners | Common Units
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance	42,556
Balance (in units)	1,249
Comprehensive Income:
Net income	13,945
Issuance of units	20,222
Issuance of units (in units)	674
Consolidation of joint venture interest	(1,001)
Redemption of units and DRIP proceeds	(866)
Redemption of units and DRIP proceeds (in units)	(13)
Cash distribution declared ($0.30 per common unit, none of which represented a return of capital for federal income tax purposes)	(572)
Balance	74,284
Balance (in units)	1,910
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance	(23,042)
Comprehensive Income:
Net unrealized loss on derivative instruments	(4,389)
SL Green's share of joint venture net unrealized gain on derivative instruments	319
Unrealized gains on marketable securities	2,094
Balance	(25,018)
Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance	518,460
Comprehensive Income:
Net income	8,564
Consolidation of joint venture interest	533
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(143,474)
Balance	384,083
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive Income:
Net income	659,567
Net unrealized loss on derivative instruments	(4,389)
SL Green's share of joint venture net unrealized gain on derivative instruments	319
Unrealized gains on marketable securities	2,094
Comprehensive Income	$ 657,591