Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Real estate, at cost:
Land	$ 4,677,940	$ 4,666,929
Buildings and improvements	12,720,139	12,709,356
Development costs and construction in progress	118,811	122,075
Leasehold improvements and equipment	128,391	128,651
Total	17,645,281	17,627,011
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(3,173,515)	(3,095,037)
Real estate, net	14,471,766	14,531,974
Cash and cash equivalents	614,359	606,553
Restricted cash	117,423	98,068
Marketable securities	754,510	741,321
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $42,785 and $43,241	191,184	171,798
Real Estate Fund investments	324,514	346,650
Mezzanine loans receivable	133,143	133,948
Receivable arising from the straight-lining of rents, net of allowance of $3,986 and $4,046	750,017	728,626
Deferred leasing and financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $218,111 and $245,087	387,481	376,292
Identified intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $361,856 and $359,944	304,385	319,704
Assets related to discontinued operations	0	251,202
Due from officers	0	13,127
Other assets	337,983	386,765
Assets	20,269,729	20,446,487
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY
Notes and mortgages payable	8,434,938	8,558,275
Senior unsecured notes	1,357,748	1,357,661
Exchangeable senior debentures	499,680	497,898
Convertible senior debentures	10,233	10,168
Revolving credit facility debt	0	138,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	453,578	423,512
Deferred revenue	500,266	516,259
Deferred compensation plan	99,810	95,457
Deferred tax liabilities	13,380	13,315
Liabilities related to discontinued operations	0	14,153
Other liabilities	139,660	152,665
Total liabilities	11,509,293	11,777,363
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests:
Class A units - 12,172,197 and 12,160,771 units outstanding	1,024,899	934,677
Series D cumulative redeemable preferred units - 9,000,001 units outstanding	226,000	226,000
Total redeemable noncontrolling interests	1,250,899	1,160,677
Vornado shareholders' equity:
Preferred shares of beneficial interest: no par value per share; authorized 110,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 42,184,609 and 42,186,709 shares	1,021,555	1,021,660
Common shares of beneficial interest: $.04 par value per share; authorized 250,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 185,642,051 and 185,080,020 shares	7,396	7,373
Additional capital	7,058,212	7,127,258
Earnings less than distributions	(1,312,670)	(1,401,704)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	67,174	73,729
Total Vornado shareholders' equity	6,841,667	6,828,316
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	667,870	680,131
Total equity	7,509,537	7,508,447
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity	20,269,729	20,446,487
Toys R Us [Member]
Real estate, at cost:
Investments in partially owned entities	597,860	506,809
All Equity Method Investees Excluding Toys [Member]
Real estate, at cost:
Investments in partially owned entities	$ 1,285,104	$ 1,233,650