Area of a real estate property.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:areaItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of write-down of assets recognized in the income statement. Includes, but is not limited to, losses from tangible assets, intangible assets and goodwill.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=8077374&loc=d3e2420-110228

+ Details

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

- Details

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

- Definition

Amount of difference between the carrying amount and the sales price of real estate properties sold as part of discontinued operations.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- 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=31042434&loc=d3e3179-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents gross proceeds from the sale of real estate.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents net proceeds from the sale of real estate.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

No authoritative reference available.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

Dispositions (Narratives) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Feb. 24, 2014 Retail Properties Segment [Member] Retail NY Hicksville (Broadway Mall) [Member]	Mar. 17, 2014 Retail Properties Segment [Member] Retail CA Los Angeles Beverly Connection [Member] sqft	Mar. 02, 2014 Retail Properties Segment [Member] Retail Springfield Mall [Member] sqft	Mar. 31, 2014 Retail Properties Segment [Member] Retail Springfield Mall [Member]	Mar. 02, 2014 Retail Properties Segment [Member] Retail Springfield Mall [Member] Pennsylevenia Real Estate Investment Trust [Member]
Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Gross proceeds from the sale of real estate			$ 94,000	$ 260,000	$ 465,000
Net proceeds from the sale of real estate			92,174
Square Footage Of Real Estate Property				335,000	1,350,000
Net gains on sale of real estate				40,000
Cash proceeds from the sale of real estate					340,000
Operating Partnership Units Value Received From Buyer							125,000
Impairment losses	$ 20,842	$ 1,514				$ 20,000