Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Real estate, at cost:
Land	$ 4,553,978	$ 4,399,419
Buildings and improvements	12,895,355	12,062,001
Development costs and construction in progress	920,662	116,126
Leasehold improvements and equipment	125,364	126,211
Total	18,495,359	16,703,757
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(3,097,074)	(2,894,374)
Real estate, net	15,398,285	13,809,383
Cash and cash equivalents	960,319	606,553
Restricted cash	183,256	98,068
Marketable securities	398,188	741,321
Tenant and other receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $37,674 and $43,241	195,718	171,798
Investments in partially owned entities	1,704,297	1,740,459
Real Estate Fund investments	600,786	346,650
Mortgage and mezzanine loans receivable	225,359	133,948
Receivable arising from the straight-lining of rents, net of allowance of $3,165 and $3,290	765,518	702,360
Deferred leasing and financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $225,163 and $237,730	408,092	364,753
Identified intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $356,379 and $343,318	370,602	287,844
Assets related to discontinued operations	374,476	1,049,643
Due from officers	0	13,127
Other assets	381,079	380,580
Assets	21,965,975	20,446,487
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY
Mortgages payable	8,768,182	8,072,880
Senior unsecured notes	1,358,008	1,357,661
Revolving credit facility debt	1,170,000	138,000
Exchangeable senior debentures	0	497,898
Convertible senior debentures	0	10,168
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	484,746	423,512
Deferred revenue	498,510	515,816
Deferred compensation plan	105,200	95,457
Deferred tax liabilities	15,305	13,315
Liabilities related to discontinued operations	315,448	506,960
Other liabilities	402,280	145,696
Total liabilities	13,117,679	11,777,363
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests:
Class A units - 11,215,682 and 12,160,771 units outstanding	898,152	934,677
Series D cumulative redeemable preferred units - 1,800,001 and 9,000,001 units outstanding	46,000	226,000
Total redeemable noncontrolling interests	944,152	1,160,677
Vornado shareholders' equity:
Preferred shares of beneficial interest: no par value per share; authorized 110,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 51,184,609 and 42,186,709 shares	1,240,278	1,021,660
Common shares of beneficial interest: $.04 par value per share; authorized, 250,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 186,734,711 and 185,080,020 shares	7,440	7,373
Additional capital	7,195,438	7,127,258
Earnings less than distributions	(1,573,275)	(1,401,704)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	(18,946)	73,729
Total Vornado shareholders' equity	6,850,935	6,828,316
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	1,053,209	680,131
Total equity	7,904,144	7,508,447
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity	21,965,975	20,446,487
Toys R Us [Member]
Real estate, at cost:
Investments in partially owned entities	478,041	506,809
All Equity Method Investees Excluding Toys [Member]
Real estate, at cost:
Investments in partially owned entities	$ 1,226,256	$ 1,233,650