The percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

No definition available.

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

- Definition

The reference rate for the variable rate of the debt instrument, 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_DebtInstrumentDescriptionOfVariableRateBasis
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of all notes and loans payable (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer).

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 7

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

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

- Definition

Cash received for the sale of real estate that is not part of an investing activity during the current period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3179-108585

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 24

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the anticipated net proceeds from the sale of real estate agreed to sell.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Debt Instrument Maturity Date (String)

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_DebtInstrumentMaturityDateString
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	us-types:dateStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The term of the extension available, in years

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The total number of term extensions available to the borrower

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The charge against earnings resulting from the aggregate write down of all assets from their carrying value to their fair value recorded in prior periods.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

Subsequent Events (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 14, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member] Retail NY Hicksville (Broadway Mall) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Subsequent Event [Member] Retail NY Hicksville (Broadway Mall) [Member]	Jan. 31, 2014 New York Manhattan 220 Central Park South Site [Member] Subsequent Event [Member] Extensions
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes And Loans Payable	$ 8,331,993	$ 8,599,222			$ 600,000
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis					LIBOR
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate					2.75%
Debt Instrument Maturity Date (String)					January 2016
Number Of Extensions Available					3
Length Of Extension Available					1 year
Anticipated net proceeds from the sale of real estate			94,000
Cash proceeds from the sale of real estate			92,000
Non-cash impairment charges				$ 13,443