Debt (Convertible and Exchangeable) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Convertible Senior Debentures [Member] \| Convertible Senior Debenture 2.85% [Member]
Principal Amount of Debt Component	$ 10,233		$ 10,233
Unamortized discount	0		(65)
Carrying amount of debt component	10,233		10,168
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Carrying Amount of Equity Component	956		956
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	5.45%		5.45%
Debt Instrument Maturity	04/12
Debt Instrument Convertible Conversion Price Per Share	$ 155.79
Coupon Interest Of Debt (Discount) Premium	73	73
Discount Amortization Original Of Debt (Discount) Premium	11	11
Discount Amortization ASC470-20 Of Debt (Discount) Premium	54	52
Amortization of Debt Discount (Premium)	138	136
Convertible Senior Debentures [Member] \| Convertible Senior Debenture 3.63% [Member]
Coupon Interest Of Debt (Discount) Premium	0	1,623
Discount Amortization Original Of Debt (Discount) Premium	0	196
Discount Amortization ASC470-20 Of Debt (Discount) Premium	0	526
Amortization of Debt Discount (Premium)	0	2,345
Exchangeable Senior Debentures [Member] \| Exchangeable Senior Debenture 3.88% [Member]
Principal Amount of Debt Component	499,982		499,982
Unamortized discount	(302)		(2,084)
Carrying amount of debt component	499,680		497,898
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	$ 86.40
Coupon Interest Of Debt (Discount) Premium	4,844	4,844
Discount Amortization Original Of Debt (Discount) Premium	421	399
Discount Amortization ASC470-20 Of Debt (Discount) Premium	1,361	1,291
Amortization of Debt Discount (Premium)	$ 6,626	$ 6,534

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.8)

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

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 21

-Paragraph 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 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 5

-Section 03

-Paragraph 8

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

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

- 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

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

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

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-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number APB14-1

-Paragraph 31

-Subparagraph b

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 20

-Article 5

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 9

+ Details

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

- 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)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928298&loc=SL6031897-161870

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number APB14-1

-Paragraph 31

-Subparagraph a

-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.

+ Details

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

- 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

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

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

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

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number APB14-1

-Paragraph 31

-Subparagraph b

-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 AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 21

-Paragraph 16, 20

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1A

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28541-108399

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584090&loc=d3e28878-108400

+ Details

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

- Definition

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

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_ConvertibleDebtGross
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Coupon Interest Of Debt Discount Premium

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_CouponInterestOfDebtDiscountPremium
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- 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.

+ Details

Name:	vno_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPricePerShare
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Debt Instrument Maturity Date (String)

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Discount Amortization ASC470-20 Of Debt (Discount) Premium

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_DiscountAmortizationAsc47020OfDebtDiscountPremium
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Discount Amortization Original Of Debt (Discount) Premium

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_DiscountAmortizationOriginalOfDebtDiscountPremium
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration