Investments in and Advances To Joint Ventures (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Condensed Combined Statements of Operations
Revenues from operations	$ 194,544	$ 191,821	$ 191,017	$ 193,636	$ 193,458	$ 188,371	$ 188,873	$ 192,355	$ 771,018	$ 763,057	$ 755,986
Operating expenses									337,612	317,205	235,271
Impairment charges									101,815	84,855	12,745
Depreciation and amortization									222,655	209,847	204,222
Interest expense									229,718	215,322	211,617
Income tax expense (primarily Sonae Sierra Brasil), net									(351)	(50,199)	8,279
Other income									(5,002)	(24,211)	(29,003)
Loss from continuing operations									(42,582)	(164,050)	(230,856)
Discontinued operations:
Gain (loss) on disposition of real estate, net of tax									40,163	5,775	(24,027)
Non-controlling interests									3,543	38,363	47,047
Net loss attributable to unconsolidated joint ventures	5,206	(42,989)	(13,383)	35,312	(84,226)	(14,310)	(86,575)	(24,247)	(15,854)	(209,358)	(356,593)
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Member]
Condensed Combined Statements of Operations
Revenues from operations									697,103	649,225	759,225
Operating expenses									235,370	247,408	292,375
Impairment charges									213,296	65	218,479
Depreciation and amortization									182,545	182,667	212,146
Interest expense									227,597	226,304	276,156
Total expenses									858,808	656,444	999,156
Loss before other items									(161,705)	(7,219)	(239,931)
Income tax expense (primarily Sonae Sierra Brasil), net									(38,850)	(20,449)	(10,013)
Other income										10,591	7,153
Loss from continuing operations									(200,555)	(17,077)	(242,791)
Discontinued operations:
Loss from discontinued operations									(57,947)	(20,247)	(205,565)
Gain on debt forgiveness									2,976
Gain (loss) on disposition of real estate, net of tax									18,705	(26,674)	(19,448)
Loss before gain (loss) on disposition of real estate, net									(236,821)	(63,998)	(467,804)
Gain (loss) on disposition of real estate, net									1,733	17	(25,973)
Net loss									(235,088)	(63,981)	(493,777)
Non-controlling interests									(16,132)	(458)	(1,178)
Net loss attributable to unconsolidated joint ventures									(251,220)	(64,439)	(494,955)
Company's share of equity in net (loss) income of joint ventures									$ (12,979)	$ 6,319	$ (34,522)