Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 14.F)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27013229&loc=d3e301413-122809

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (h)(1)(i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 14

-Section F

+ Details

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

- Details

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

- Definition

The period of time during which the performance of the stock will be evaluated to calculate the earning of the stock based awards.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	vno_OutPerformancePlanAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of shareholder return required under any plan before any payments will be awarded.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Minimum percentage of shareholder return per year before any payout is made under the out performance plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Minimum percentage of shareholder return for three years before any payout is made under the out performance plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Required percentage of shareholder return under the Relative plan. If this percentage is not met, then the total award is reduced based on the absolute TSR plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents Share Based Compensation Arrangement Awards Holding Period After Vesting.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Percentage of total awards to be vested in year five.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Percentage of total awards to be vested in year four.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Percentage of total awards to be vested in year three.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

Incentive Compensation (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share Based Compensation Expense (in dollars)	$ 8,315	$ 9,201	$ 28,389	$ 25,796
Out Performance Plan 2014 [Member]
Out Performance Plan [Abstract]
Duration Of Performance Measurement Period			3 years
Award vesting in three years			33.00%
Award vesting in four years			33.00%
Award vesting in five years			34.00%
Out Performance Plan 2014 [Member] \| Absolute [Member]
Out Performance Plan [Abstract]
Required Shareholder Return Per Year			7.00%
Required Shareholder Return Three Year			21.00%
Out Performance Plan 2014 [Member] \| Relative [Member]
Out Performance Plan [Abstract]
Required Shareholder Return Under Relative Component			6.00%
Percentage Of Shareholder Return Under Which No Awards Will Be Earned			0.00%
Out Performance Plan [Member]
Out Performance Plan [Abstract]
OPP awards held by executives after vesting, period			1 year