Income Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Per Share [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations, net of income attributable to noncontrolling interests									$ 78,193	$ 340,877	$ 507,428
Income from discontinued operations, net of income attributable to noncontrolling interests									397,778	276,383	154,874
Net income attributable to Vornado									475,971	617,260	662,302
Preferred share dividends									(82,807)	(76,937)	(65,531)
Preferred unit and share redemptions									(1,130)	8,948	5,000
Net (Loss) Income Attributable to Common Shareholders	(68,887)	83,005	145,926	231,990	62,633	232,393	20,510	233,735	392,034	549,271	601,771
Earnings allocated to unvested participating securities									(110)	(202)	(221)
Numerator for basic income per share									391,924	549,069	601,550
Convertible preferred share dividends									0	113	124
Numerator for diluted income per share									$ 391,924	$ 549,182	$ 601,674
Denominator for basic income per share - weighted average shares									186,941	185,810	184,308
Employee stock options and restricted share awards (in shares)									768	670	1,658
Convertible preferred shares									0	50	55
Denominator for diluted income per share - weighted average shares and assumed conversions (in shares)									187,709	186,530	186,021
INCOME PER COMMON SHARE - BASIC:
(Loss) income from continuing operations, net (in dollars per share)									$ (0.03)	$ 1.46	$ 2.42
Income from discontinued operations, net (in dollars per share)									$ 2.13	$ 1.49	$ 0.84
Net income per common share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.37)	$ 0.44	$ 0.78	$ 1.24	$ 0.34	$ 1.25	$ 0.11	$ 1.26	$ 2.10	$ 2.95	$ 3.26
INCOME PER COMMON SHARE - DILUTED:
(Loss) income from continuing operations, net (in dollars per share)									$ (0.03)	$ 1.46	$ 2.40
Income from discontinued operations, net (in dollars per share)									$ 2.12	$ 1.48	$ 0.83
Net income per common share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.37)	$ 0.44	$ 0.78	$ 1.24	$ 0.33	$ 1.24	$ 0.11	$ 1.25	$ 2.09	$ 2.94	$ 3.23