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

A valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 11B

-Subparagraph (c)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7512638&loc=SL6953423-111524

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The percentage points (also referred to as 'margin') added to the reference rate as stated in the loan agreement and used to compute the variable rate on the loans receivable. For instance, the loan agreement might state that the interest rate the borrower is obligated to pay is the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus three quarters (3/4) of a percentage point adjusted quarterly (each three months). LIBOR in this example is the index or reference rate, 3/4 percentage point is the margin, the reference rate plus the margin is the fully indexed rate. This element would be used to report separately the margin.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansReceivableBasisSpreadOnVariableRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The reference rate for the variable rate of the loans receivable, such as LIBOR or the US Treasury rate and the maturity of the reference rate used, such as three months or six months LIBOR.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount representing an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the entity (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date. Such amount may include accrued interest receivable in accordance with the terms of the note. The note also may contain provisions and related items including a discount or premium, payable on demand, secured, or unsecured, interest bearing or noninterest bearing, among a myriad of other features and characteristics. Excludes amounts related to receivables held-for-sale.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.10(3))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph 3

-Article 9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Net amount of the investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, credit card receivables, notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets. Excludes trade accounts receivable with contractual maturity of one year or less and arose from the sale of goods or services.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 3

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of liabilities not separately disclosed in the balance sheet.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 15

-Article 9

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.15)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents interest and other investment loss income net of tax incuding impairment losses, mark-to-market adjustments for derivatives or mark-to-market investments in deferred compensation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

LIBOR Floor

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_LiborFloor
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The percentage of ownership in the Mezzanine Loan Investment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_MezzanineLoanOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Mezzanine Loan Receivable Interest Rate

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Mezzanine Loans Receiveable - Maturity End Date

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_MezzanineLoansReceivableMaturityDateRangeEnd
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Mezzanine Loans Receivable Maturity Date Range Start

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_MezzanineLoansReceivableMaturityDateRangeStart
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	us-types:dateStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

No authoritative reference available.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_NotesReceivableGrossIncludingFutureCommitments
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents Number Of Story In Office Tower

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_NumberOfStoryInOfficeTower
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the percentage of interest in mortgage interest / mezzanine loan sold for a consideration.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

No authoritative reference available.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

Mezzanine Loans Receivable (Narratives) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended				0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2013 NY 701 Seventh Avenue [Member]	Oct. 31, 2012 NY 701 Seventh Avenue [Member] Story	Dec. 31, 2013 NY 701 Seventh Avenue [Member]	Oct. 31, 2012 NY 701 Seventh Avenue [Member] Vornado Realty Trust [Member]	Apr. 17, 2013 Other Mezzanine Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Mezzanine Loan Ownership Percentage					25.00%
Mortgage and mezzanine loan for the acquisition and redevelopment					$ 475,000
Number Of Story In Office Tower					10
Loans Receivable Description Of Variable Rate Basis					LIBOR
Loans Receivable, Basis Spread on Variable Rate					10.20%
LIBOR Floor (in percentage)					1.00%
Mezzanine Loans Receivable - Carrying Amount					375,000		93,750
Percentage Of Participation In Mortgage Interest Sold				25.00%
Other liabilities	437,073	400,934				59,375
Proceeds From Collection Of Notes Receivable Including Prepayment Penalty								55,358
Interest And Other investment (Loss) Income Net	(24,699)	(260,945)	148,783					5,267
Mortgage and mezzanine loans receivable	170,972	225,359						50,091
Mezzanine Loan Receivable Weighted Average Interest Rate	11.00%	10.30%
Mezzanine Loans Receiveable - Maturity Start Date	August 2014
Mezzanine Loans Receiveable - Maturity End Date	May 2016
Valuation allowance	$ (5,845)