Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 98,156	$ 288,927
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization (including amortization of deferred financing costs)	153,869	148,918
Impairment losses	20,842	1,514
Net unrealized gain on Real Estate Fund investments	(14,169)	(13,516)
Straight-lining of rental income	(13,236)	(18,868)
Distributions of income from partially owned entities	12,966	10,627
Amortization of below-market leases, net	(12,144)	(16,815)
Other non-cash adjustments	11,885	18,569
Net (gain) loss on disposition of wholly owned and partially owned assets	(9,635)	36,724
Equity in net income of partially owned entities, including Toys R Us	(1,979)	(22,525)
Net gains on sale of real estate	0	(202,329)
Return of capital from Real Estate Fund investments	0	56,664
Non-cash impairment loss on J.C. Penney common shares	0	39,487
Loss from the mark-to-market of J.C. Penney derivative position	0	22,540
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Real Estate Fund investments	(123)	(13,668)
Accounts receivable, net	(7,624)	51,514
Prepaid assets	53,841	67,814
Other assets	(18,297)	(15,326)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	31,554	(21,908)
Other liabilities	3,225	(3,416)
Net cash provided by operating activities	309,131	414,927
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Proceeds from sales of real estate and related investments	120,270	499,369
Development costs and construction in progress	(90,653)	(35,334)
Proceeds from repayments of mortgage and mezzanine loans receivable and other	69,347	631
Additions to real estate	(53,103)	(57,460)
Restricted cash	52,256	14,149
Investments in partially owned entities	(16,633)	(39,892)
Distributions of capital from partially owned entities	1,277	5,544
Funding of J.C. Penney derivative collateral	0	(58,522)
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities	0	160,300
Return of J.C. Penney derivative collateral	0	38,900
Net cash provided by investing activities	82,761	527,685
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	600,000	1,499,375
Repayments of borrowings	(233,198)	(2,529,836)
Dividends paid on common shares	(136,761)	(136,342)
Debt issuance and other costs	(20,752)	(9,080)
Dividends paid on preferred shares	(20,368)	(23,161)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(10,474)	(172,142)
Proceeds received from exercise of employee share options	3,676	1,609
Repurchase of shares related to stock compensation agreements and/or related tax withholdings	(578)	(307)
Proceeds from the issuance of preferred shares	0	290,710
Purchases of outstanding preferred units and shares	0	(262,500)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	0	24,566
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	181,545	(1,317,108)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	573,437	(374,496)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	583,290	960,319
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1,156,727	585,823
Supplemental Disclosure Of Cash Flow Information:
Cash payments for interest, excluding capitalized interest of $13,622 and $8,260	100,209	116,141
Cash payments for income taxes	1,214	1,825
Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities:
Elimination of a mortgage and mezzanine loan asset and liability	59,375	0
Toys R Us [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in net income of partially owned entities, including Toys R Us	(1,847)	(1,759)
All Equity Method Investees Excluding Toys [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in net income of partially owned entities, including Toys R Us	$ (132)	$ (20,766)