Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Real estate, at cost:
Land	$ 4,558,181	$ 4,535,042
Buildings and improvements	12,709,356	12,510,244
Development costs and construction in progress	230,823	217,505
Leasehold improvements and equipment	128,651	124,910
Total	17,627,011	17,387,701
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(3,095,037)	(2,715,046)
Real estate, net	14,531,974	14,672,655
Cash and cash equivalents	606,553	690,789
Restricted cash	98,068	200,822
Marketable securities	741,321	766,116
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $43,241 and $62,979	171,798	157,146
Investments in partially owned entities	1,740,459	1,375,006
Real Estate Fund investments	346,650	144,423
Mezzanine loans receivable, net	133,948	202,412
Receivable arising from the straight-lining of rents, net of allowance of $4,046 and $7,316	728,626	695,486
Deferred leasing and financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $245,087 and $219,965	376,292	354,864
Identified intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $359,944 and $335,113	319,704	346,157
Assets related to discontinued operations	251,202	519,285
Due from officers	13,127	13,187
Other assets	386,765	379,123
Assets	20,446,487	20,517,471
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY
Notes and mortgages payable	8,558,275	8,255,101
Senior unsecured notes	1,357,661	1,082,928
Exchangeable senior debentures	497,898	491,000
Convertible senior debentures	10,168	186,413
Revolving credit facility debt	138,000	874,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	423,512	438,479
Deferred credit	516,259	575,836
Deferred compensation plan	95,457	91,549
Deferred tax liabilities	13,315	13,278
Liabilities related to discontinued operations	14,153	267,652
Other liabilities	152,665	82,856
Total liabilities	11,777,363	12,359,092
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests:
Class A units - 12,160,771 and 12,804,202 units outstanding	934,677	1,066,974
Series D cumulative redeemable preferred units - 9,000,001 and 10,401,001 units outstanding	226,000	261,000
Total redeemable noncontrolling interests	1,160,677	1,327,974
Vornado shareholders' equity:
Preferred shares of beneficial interest: no par value per share; authorized 110,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 42,186,709 and 32,340,009 shares	1,021,660	783,088
Common shares of beneficial interest: $.04 par value per share; authorized, 250,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 185,080,020 and 183,661,875 shares	7,373	7,317
Additional capital	7,127,258	6,932,728
Earnings less than distributions	(1,401,704)	(1,480,876)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	73,729	73,453
Total Vornado shareholders' equity	6,828,316	6,315,710
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	680,131	514,695
Total equity	7,508,447	6,830,405
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity	20,446,487	20,517,471
Toys R Us [Member]
Real estate, at cost:
Investments in partially owned entities	506,809	447,334
All Equity Method Investees Excluding Toys [Member]
Real estate, at cost:
Investments in partially owned entities	$ 1,233,650	$ 927,672