Debt (Convertible and Exchangeable) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	5.45%
Convertible Senior Debentures [Member] \| Convertible Senior Debenture 2.85% Due 2027 [Member]
Principal Amount of Debt Component	$ 10,233	$ 10,233
Unamortized discount	(65)	(319)
Carrying amount of debt component	10,168	9,914
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Carrying Amount of Equity Component	956	956
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage		5.45%
Debt Instrument Maturity	04/12
Debt Instrument Convertible Conversion Price Per Share	$ 157.18
Number Of Shares On Which Aggregate Consideration To Be Delivered Upon Conversion Is Determined	65
Coupon Interest Of Debt (Discount) Premium	292	553	33,743
Discount Amortization Original Of Debt (Discount) Premium	45	80	4,596
Discount Amortization ASC470-20 Of Debt (Discount) Premium	209	374	21,514
Amortization of Debt Discount (Premium)	546	1,007	59,853
Convertible Senior Debentures [Member] \| Convertible Senior Debenture 3.63% Due 2026 [Member]
Principal Amount of Debt Component	0	179,052
Unamortized discount	0	(2,553)
Carrying amount of debt component	0	176,499
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Carrying Amount of Equity Component	0	9,604
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage		5.32%
Coupon Interest Of Debt (Discount) Premium	5,674	13,015	32,654
Discount Amortization Original Of Debt (Discount) Premium	694	1,520	3,606
Discount Amortization ASC470-20 Of Debt (Discount) Premium	1,859	4,069	9,651
Amortization of Debt Discount (Premium)	8,227	18,604	45,911
Exchangeable Senior Debentures [Member] \| Exchangeable Senior Debenture 3.88% Due 2025 [Member]
Principal Amount of Debt Component	499,982	499,982
Unamortized discount	(2,084)	(8,982)
Carrying amount of debt component	497,898	491,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Carrying Amount of Equity Component	32,301	32,301
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	5.32%	5.32%
Debt Instrument Maturity	04/12
Debt Instrument Convertible Conversion Price Per Share	$ 87.17
Number Of Shares On Which Aggregate Consideration To Be Delivered Upon Conversion Is Determined	5,736
Coupon Interest Of Debt (Discount) Premium	19,374	19,374	19,428
Discount Amortization Original Of Debt (Discount) Premium	1,628	1,544	1,464
Discount Amortization ASC470-20 Of Debt (Discount) Premium	5,270	4,999	4,741
Amortization of Debt Discount (Premium)	$ 26,272	$ 25,917	$ 25,633

The component of interest expense representing the noncash expenses charged against earnings in the period to amortize debt discount and premium associated with the related debt instruments. Excludes amortization of financing costs. Alternate caption: Noncash Interest Expense.

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

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

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- Definition

Including current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of long-term borrowings as of the balance sheet date before deducting unamortized discount or premiums (if any). May include notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, which had initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

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-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

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-Section 02

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

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- Definition

The carrying amount of the equity component of convertible debt which may be settled in cash upon conversion.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 470

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (a)

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- Definition

Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Publisher FASB

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-Topic 210

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-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

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- Definition

The amount of debt discount that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument that has yet to be amortized.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

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-Paragraph 31

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

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 21

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-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.

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- Definition

his element represents the Principal amount of the debt component of the convertible and exchangeable senior debentures

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Coupon Interest Of Debt Discount Premium

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- Definition

The number of equity instruments that the holder of the debt instrument would receive if the debt was converted to equity.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Debt Instrument Maturity Date (String)

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- Definition

Discount Amortization ASC470-20 Of Debt (Discount) Premium

+ References

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	vno_
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- Definition

Discount Amortization Original Of Debt (Discount) Premium

+ References

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	vno_
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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of shares on which the aggregate consideration to be delivered upon conversion is determined

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	vno_
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