Fee and Other Income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Fee and Other Income [Abstract]
BMS cleaning fees	$ 16,664	$ 15,510
Signage Revenue	6,481	4,590
Management and leasing fees	5,258	4,754
Lease termination fees	60,026	411
Other income	8,796	8,013
Fee and other income	97,225	33,278
Management fee income from Interstate Properties	202	199
Stop & Shop [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation settlement date	2/6/2013
Proceed pursuant to a settlement agreement	124,000
Complaint regarding rent allocation	6,000
Accounts Receivable - collected upon settlement of litigation	47,900
Gain related to litigation settlement	$ 59,599

The net proceeds or assets obtained in excess of (less than) the net carrying amount of assets recorded, or assets distributed and liabilities assumed less than (in excess of) estimated litigation liability extinguished, in settlement of a litigation matter. Represents (for other than an insurance entity in its normal claims settlement process), the amount of income (expense) recognized in the period to settle pending or threatened litigation and insurance claims.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14326-108349

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossRelatedToLitigationSettlement
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the gross amount awarded, to be received by, or to be remitted to the entity in settlement of litigation occurring during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationSettlementGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The collections in the period which reduce the recorded receivable pertaining to a loss contingency accrual.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 9

-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.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyRelatedReceivableCarryingValueReceipts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The effective date of a duly executed litigation settlement agreement.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14557-108349

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14326-108349

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14435-108349

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12

-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.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencySettlementAgreementDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Other real estate revenue not otherwise specified in the taxonomy.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1(e))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherRealEstateRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Revenue from renting space for public and private signs (for example, advertising on taxies, buses, subways and billboards).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1(c))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SignageRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Stop & Shop complaint regarding rent allocated to East Brunswick, Jersey City, Middletown, Union, and Woodbridge leases

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_ComplaintRegardingRentAllocation
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Revenue, comprised of base and incentive revenue derived from the management of joint ventures, managing third-party properties, or another entity's operations, and other real estate revenue not otherwise specified in the taxonomy.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_FeeAndOtherIncome
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	vno_FeeAndOtherIncomeAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the Fee Income and Other Revenue earned from the management of properties owned by a related party during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_FeeAndOtherIncomeFromRelatedParties
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the revenue received due to early termination of leases.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_LeaseTerminationFees
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the revenue earned from the management of joint ventures, managing third-party properties, or another entity's operations and revenues earned from leasing space for third-party properties.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_ManagementAndLeasingFees
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the fees earned from providing cleaning services to the tenants.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_TenantCleaningFees
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration