Income Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Income Per Share [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income attributable to noncontrolling interests	$ 198,285	$ 283,636
Income from discontinued operations, net of income attributable to noncontrolling interests	53,237	129,027
Net income attributable to Vornado	251,522	412,663
Preferred share dividends	(17,787)	(13,448)
NET INCOME attributable to common shareholders	233,735	399,215
Earnings allocated to unvested participating securities	(69)	(46)
Numerator for basic income (loss) per share	233,666	399,169
Interest on 3.875% exchangeable senior debentures	6,626	6,534
Convertible preferred share dividends - Numerator	29	32
Numerator for diluted income (loss) per share	$ 240,321	$ 405,735
Denominator for basic income (loss) per share - weighted average shares	185,370	183,988
3.875% Exchangeable Senior Debentures	5,736	5,736
Employee stock options and restricted share awards	730	1,749
Convertible preferred shares - Denominator	50	56
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted, Total	191,886	191,529
Income from continuing operations, net	$ 0.97	$ 1.47
Income from discontinued operations, net - Basic	$ 0.29	$ 0.70
Net income per common share	$ 1.26	$ 2.17
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net - Diluted	$ 0.97	$ 1.45
Income from discontinued operations, net - Diluted	$ 0.28	$ 0.67
Net income per common share	$ 1.25	$ 2.12