Income Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations, net of income attributable to noncontrolling interests									$ 347,392	$ 511,478	$ 641,520
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income attributable to noncontrolling interests									269,868	150,824	6,363
Net income attributable to Vornado									617,260	662,302	647,883
Preferred share dividends									(76,937)	(65,531)	(55,534)
Discount on redemption of preferred shares and units									8,948	5,000	4,382
NET INCOME attributable to common shareholders	62,633	232,393	20,510	233,735	69,508	41,135	91,913	399,215	549,271	601,771	596,731
Earnings allocated to unvested participating securities									(202)	(221)	(120)
Numerator for basic income per share									549,069	601,550	596,611
Convertible preferred share dividends - Numerator									113	124	160
Numerator for diluted income per share									$ 549,182	$ 601,674	$ 596,771
Denominator for basic income per share - weighted average shares									185,810	184,308	182,340
Employee stock options and restricted share awards (in shares)									670	1,658	1,748
Convertible preferred shares - Denominator									50	55	71
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted, Total									186,530	186,021	184,159
Income from continuing operations, net (in dollars per share)									$ 1.50	$ 2.44	$ 3.24
Income from discontinued operations, net (in dollars per share)									$ 1.45	$ 0.82	$ 0.03
Net income per common share	$ 0.34	$ 1.25	$ 0.11	$ 1.26	$ 0.38	$ 0.22	$ 0.50	$ 2.17	$ 2.95	$ 3.26	$ 3.27
Income from continuing operations, net (in dollars per share)									$ 1.49	$ 2.42	$ 3.21
Income from discontinued operations, net									$ 1.45	$ 0.81	$ 0.03
Net income per common share	$ 0.33	$ 1.24	$ 0.11	$ 1.25	$ 0.37	$ 0.22	$ 0.49	$ 2.12	$ 2.94	$ 3.23	$ 3.24