Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Real estate, at cost:
Land	$ 4,798,418	$ 4,797,773
Buildings and improvements	12,509,959	12,496,660
Development costs and construction in progress	953,162	920,654
Leasehold improvements and equipment	131,535	130,077
Total	18,393,074	18,345,164
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(3,181,760)	(3,087,561)
Real estate, net	15,211,314	15,257,603
Cash and cash equivalents	585,823	960,319
Restricted cash	168,379	183,256
Marketable securities	382,987	398,188
Tenant and other receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $34,607 and $37,674	144,204	195,718
Investments in partially owned entities	1,672,482	1,704,297
Real Estate Fund investments	571,306	600,786
Mortgage and mezzanine loans receivable	225,221	225,359
Receivable arising from the straight-lining of rents, net of allowance of $3,678 and $3,165	777,608	760,699
Deferred leasing and financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $233,769 and $224,509	411,130	407,745
Identified intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $363,211 and $350,162	393,771	424,038
Assets related to discontinued operations	260,798	565,962
Other assets	321,104	381,079
Assets	21,126,127	22,065,049
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY
Mortgages payable	9,063,084	8,663,326
Senior unsecured notes	1,358,095	1,358,008
Revolving credit facility debt	0	1,170,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	426,621	484,746
Deferred revenue	586,237	597,380
Deferred compensation plan	109,483	105,200
Deferred tax liabilities	15,453	15,305
Liabilities related to discontinued operations	103,609	420,508
Other liabilities	447,853	402,280
Total liabilities	12,110,435	13,216,753
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests:
Class A units - 11,347,226 and 11,215,682 units outstanding	949,082	898,152
Series D cumulative redeemable preferred units - 1,800,001 units outstanding	46,000	46,000
Total redeemable noncontrolling interests	995,082	944,152
Vornado shareholders' equity:
Preferred shares of beneficial interest: no par value per share; authorized 110,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 52,684,609 and 51,184,609 shares	1,277,719	1,240,278
Common shares of beneficial interest: $.04 par value per share; authorized 250,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 186,935,027 and 186,734,711 shares	7,447	7,440
Additional capital	7,167,959	7,195,438
Earnings less than distributions	(1,479,296)	(1,573,275)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	120,953	(18,946)
Total Vornado shareholders' equity	7,094,782	6,850,935
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	925,828	1,053,209
Total equity	8,020,610	7,904,144
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity	21,126,127	22,065,049
Toys R Us [Member]
Real estate, at cost:
Investments in partially owned entities	474,466	478,041
All Equity Method Investees Excluding Toys [Member]
Real estate, at cost:
Investments in partially owned entities	$ 1,198,016	$ 1,226,256