For an unclassified balance sheet, the valuation allowance relating to a written agreement to receive money (at a specified future date(s), consisting of principal as well as any accrued interest) for the portion that is expected to be uncollectible.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 7

-Article 9

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7(d))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AllowanceForNotesReceivable
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Reflects the net positive or negative amount derived from subtracting from net proceeds of sale the carrying amounts, net of allocated reserves, of notes receivable transferred to a third party in a transaction that qualifies for sales treatment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Statement of Position (SOP)

-Number 01-6

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 860

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 5

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6942082&loc=d3e107425-111719

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfNotesReceivable
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

For an unclassified balance sheet, an amount representing an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the Entity (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date, net of any write-downs taken for collection uncertainty on the part of the holder. Such amount may include accrued interest receivable in accordance with the terms of the note. The note also may contain provisions and related items including a discount or premium, payable on demand, secured, or unsecured, interest bearing or noninterest bearing, among a myriad of other features and characteristics. This amount does not include amounts related to receivables held-for-sale.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 3

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the sale of a borrowing supported by a written promise to pay an obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 15, 16

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3179-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfNotesReceivable
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face amount of mezzanine loan contributed to a joint venture

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_FaceAmountOfMezzanineLoanContributedToJointVenture
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Income recognized from reversal of loan loss reserves

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_IncomeFromReversalOfLoanLossReserve
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total income from mezzanine loan including reversal of loan loss reserve and previously unrecognized interest income.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_IncomeFromReversalOfLoanLossReserveAndRecognitionOfPreviouslyUnrecognizedInterestIncome
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the portion of interest and investment income on Mezzanine loan that was previously not recognized.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_InterestIncomeOnNotesReceivablePreviouslyUnrecognized
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Mezzanine Loan Receivable Interest Rate

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_MezzanineLoanReceivableInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Mezzanine Loans Receiveable - Maturity End Date

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_MezzanineLoansReceivableMaturityDateRangeEnd
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Mezzanine Loans Receivable Maturity Date Range Start

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_MezzanineLoansReceivableMaturityDateRangeStart
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Mezzanine Loans Receivable (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended		2 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Mar. 02, 2011 Tharaldson Lodging Companies [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Park Avenue [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Park Avenue [Member]
Mezzanine Loan Receivable - Interest Rate	9.53%
Valuation allowance	$ 0	$ (73,216)
Notes receivable, net	133,948	202,412	60,416		1,480
Mezzanine Loans Receiveable - Maturity Start Date	August 2014
Mezzanine Loans Receiveable - Maturity End Date	May 2016
Gain Loss on Sale of Notes Receivable			10,474
Proceeds from Sale of Notes Receivable			70,890
Face Amount of Mezzanine Loan Contributed to Joint Venture				73,750
Income From Reversal Of Loan Loss Reserve				63,145
Interest Income On Notes Receivable Previously Unrecognized				9,125
Income From Reversal Of Loan Loss Reserve And Recognition Of Previously Unrecognized Interest Income				$ 72,270