Incentive Compensation (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share Based Compensation Expense	$ 7,466	$ 6,609
Out Performance Plan [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Duration Of First Performance Measurement Period	2 years
Duration Of Second Performance Measurement Period	3 years
Award vesting in three years	33.00%
Award versting in four years	33.00%
Award vesting in five years	34.00%
Out Performance Plan And Absolute Component [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Required Shareholder Return Two Year	14.00%
Required Shareholder Return Three Year	21.00%
Percentage Of Shareholder Return Under Which No Awards Will Be Earned	0.00%
Out Performance Plan And Relative Component [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Required Shareholder Return Under Relative Component	6.00%

Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (h)(1)(i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph g(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 14

-Section F

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph 64

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 14.F)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6793087&loc=d3e301413-122809

+ Details

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

- Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The first period of time during which the performance of the stock will be evaluated to calculate the earning of the stock based awards

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_DurationOfFirstPerformanceMeasurementPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The second period of time during which the performance of the stock will be evaluated to calculate the earning of the stock based awards

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_DurationOfSecondPerformanceMeasurementPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of shareholder return required under any plan before any payments will be awarded.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Minimum percentage of shareholder return for three years before any payout is made under the out performance plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_RequiredShareholderReturnThreeYear
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Minimum cumulative percentage of shareholder return for the two years before any payout is made under the out performance plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_RequiredShareholderReturnTwoYear
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Required percentage of shareholder return under the Relative plan. If this percentage is not met, then the total award is reduced based on the absolute TSR plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_RequiredShareholderReturnUnderRelativeComponent
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of total awards to be vested in year five.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_ShareBasedCompensationByShareBasedPaymentAwardVestingPeriodYearFive
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of total awards to be vested in year four.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_ShareBasedCompensationByShareBasedPaymentAwardVestingPeriodYearFour
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of total awards to be vested in year three.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration