Income Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Income Per Share [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income attributable to noncontrolling interests	$ 50,314	$ 107,919	$ 437,576	$ 402,591
Income from discontinued operations, net of income attributable to noncontrolling interests	3,448	(3,667)	137,430	(11,681)
Net income attributable to Vornado	53,762	104,252	575,006	390,910
Preferred share dividends	(17,627)	(13,442)	(47,743)	(41,975)
Discount on preferred share and unit redemptions	5,000	4,382	5,000	4,382
NET INCOME attributable to common shareholders	41,135	95,192	532,263	353,317
Earnings allocated to unvested participating securities	(48)	(29)	(199)	(79)
Numerator for basic income (loss) per share	41,087	95,163	532,064	353,238
Convertible preferred share dividends - Numerator	0	0	94	121
Numerator for diluted income (loss) per share	$ 41,087	$ 95,163	$ 532,158	$ 353,359
Denominator for basic income (loss) per share - weighted average shares	184,398	182,462	184,220	182,014
Employee stock options and restricted share awards	1,667	1,706	1,764	1,741
Convertible preferred shares - Denominator	0	0	55	71
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted, Total	186,065	184,168	186,039	183,826
Income from continuing operations, net	$ 0.20	$ 0.54	$ 2.14	$ 2.00
Income from discontinued operations, net - Basic	$ 0.02	$ (0.02)	$ 0.75	$ (0.06)
Net income per common share	$ 0.22	$ 0.52	$ 2.89	$ 1.94
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net - Diluted	$ 0.20	$ 0.54	$ 2.12	$ 1.98
Income from discontinued operations, net - Diluted	$ 0.02	$ (0.02)	$ 0.74	$ (0.06)
Net income per common share	$ 0.22	$ 0.52	$ 2.86	$ 1.92