Note 4 - Property Acquisitions, Developments and Other Investments (Detail) - Acquisition of Operating Properties (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Purchase Price - Cash	$ 455,280		$ 256,652
Purchase Price - Debt Assumed	179,198		117,912
Purchase Price - Total	634,478		374,564
GLA	3,086,000	[1]	2,488,000
Columbia Crossing [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash			4,100
Purchase Price - Total			4,100
GLA			31,000
Turnpike Plaza [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash			7,920
Purchase Price - Total			7,920
GLA			53,000
Center Court [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash			9,955
Purchase Price - Debt Assumed			15,445
Purchase Price - Total			25,400
GLA			106,000
Flowery Branch [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash			4,427
Purchase Price - Debt Assumed			9,273
Purchase Price - Total			13,700
GLA			93,000
Garden State Pavilions [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash			18,250
Purchase Price - Total			18,250
GLA			257,000
Village Crossroads [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash			29,240
Purchase Price - Total			29,240
GLA			185,000
University Town Center [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash			17,750	[2]
Purchase Price - Total			17,750	[2]
GLA			101,000	[2]
Gateway Station [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash			6,625	[3]
Purchase Price - Debt Assumed			18,832	[3]
Purchase Price - Total			25,457	[3]
GLA			280,000	[3]
Park Hill Plaza [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash			17,251
Purchase Price - Debt Assumed			8,199
Purchase Price - Total			25,450
GLA			112,000
Island Gate [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash			8,750
Purchase Price - Total			8,750
GLA			60,000
Village Center West [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash			3,995
Purchase Price - Debt Assumed			6,105
Purchase Price - Total			10,100
GLA			30,000
Belleville Road S.C. [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash			1,900	[4]
Purchase Price - Total			1,900	[4]
GLA				[4]
Grand Oaks Village [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash			19,051
Purchase Price - Debt Assumed			5,949
Purchase Price - Total			25,000
GLA			86,000
Market At Southpark [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash			30,000
Purchase Price - Total			30,000
GLA			190,000
Jetton Village Shoppes [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash			5,110
Purchase Price - Debt Assumed			8,250
Purchase Price - Total			13,360
GLA			81,000
Brennan Station [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash			20,225
Purchase Price - Debt Assumed			9,125
Purchase Price - Total			29,350
GLA			136,000
Woodruff Outparcel [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash			1,183	[5]
Purchase Price - Total			1,183	[5]
GLA			119,000	[5]
Westridge Square [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash			26,125
Purchase Price - Total			26,125
GLA			215,000
Highlands Ranch [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash			7,035
Purchase Price - Debt Assumed			20,599
Purchase Price - Total			27,634
GLA			123,000
North Valley Plaza [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash			7,260
Purchase Price - Debt Assumed			16,135
Purchase Price - Total			23,395
GLA			168,000
College Park S. C. [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash			10,500
Purchase Price - Total			$ 10,500
GLA			62,000

[1] Gross leasable area ("GLA")

[2] This property was acquired from a joint venture in which the Company has a 13.4% noncontrolling interest. The Company evaluated this transaction pursuant to the FASB's Consolidation guidance and as such recorded a gain of $0.6 million from the fair value adjustment associated with its original 13.4% ownership due to a change in control.

[3] The Company purchased the leasehold improvements at this property for which it previously owned the land.

[4] The Company acquired the land at this site for which it previously held a ground lease.

[5] The Company purchased this out parcel next to an existing property that the Company previously owned.