Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2015
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation Policy	Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements are unaudited and include the accounts of Vornado and its consolidated subsidiaries, including the Operating Partnership. All intercompany amounts have been eliminated. In our opinion, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and changes in cash flows have been made. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted. These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q of the SEC and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2014, as filed with the SEC. We have made estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year. Certain prior year balances have been reclassified in order to conform to the current period presentation. Beginning in the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company classifies signage revenue within “property rentals”. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, $8,873,000 and $18,191,000, respectively, related to signage revenue has been reclassified from “fee and other income” to “property rentals” to conform to the current period presentation.
Real Estate [Policy Text Block]	The Fund is accounted for under ASC 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies (“ASC 946”) and its investments are reported on its balance sheet at fair value, with changes in value each period recognized in earnings. We consolidate the accounts of the Fund into our consolidated financial statements, retaining the fair value basis of accounting.
Revenue Recognition [Policy Text Block]	Condominium Units Held For Sale: Pursuant to ASC 605-35-25-88, Revenue Recognition: Completed Contract Method, revenue from condominium unit sales is recognized upon closing of the sale, as all conditions for full profit recognition have not been met until that time. We use the relative sales value method to allocate costs to individual condominium units.
Income Tax [Policy Text Block]	Income Taxes: We operate in a manner intended to enable us to continue to qualify as a REIT under Sections 856-860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Under those sections, a REIT which distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income as a dividend to its shareholders each year and which meets certain other conditions will not be taxed on that portion of its taxable income which is distributed to its shareholders. We distribute to our shareholders 100% of our taxable income and therefore, no provision for Federal income taxes is required. We have elected to treat certain consolidated subsidiaries, and may in the future elect to treat newly formed subsidiaries, as taxable REIT subsidiaries pursuant to an amendment to the Internal Revenue Code that became effective January 1, 2001. Taxable REIT subsidiaries may participate in non-real estate related activities and/or perform non-customary services for tenants and are subject to Federal and State income tax at regular corporate tax rates. At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, our taxable REIT subsidiaries had deferred tax assets of $95,419,000 and $94,100,000, respectively, which are included in “other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. Prior to the quarter ended June 30, 2015, there was a full valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets because we had not determined that it is more-likely-than-not that we would use the net operating loss carryforwards to offset future taxable income. During the second quarter of 2015, we began to enter into agreements to sell residential condominium units at 220 CPS and as of June 30, 2015, we had entered into agreements to sell approximately 40% of the project for aggregate sales proceeds of $1.4 billion. Based on these agreements, among other factors, we have concluded that it is more-likely-than-not that we will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the deferred tax assets. Accordingly, during the second quarter of 2015, we reversed $90,030,000 of the allowance for deferred tax assets and recognized an income tax benefit in our consolidated statements of income in the three and six months ended June 30, 2015.
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests Policy [Text Block]	Redeemable noncontrolling interests on our consolidated balance sheets are comprised primarily of Class A Operating Partnership units that are held by third parties and are recorded at the greater of their carrying amount or redemption value at the end of each reporting period. Changes in the value from period to period are charged to “additional capital” in our consolidated statements of changes in equity. Redeemable noncontrolling interests exclude our Series G-1 through G-4 convertible preferred units and Series D-13 cumulative redeemable preferred units, as they are accounted for as liabilities in accordance with ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities and Equity, because of their possible settlement by issuing a variable number of Vornado common shares.
Fair Value Measurement Policy [Policy Text Block]	In determining fair value, we utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible, as well as consider counterparty credit risk in our assessment of fair value. Considerable judgment is necessary to interpret Level 2 and 3 inputs in determining the fair value of our financial and non-financial assets and liabilities. Accordingly, our fair value estimates, which are made at the end of each reporting period, may be different than the amounts that may ultimately be realized upon sale or disposition of these assets. Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets consist of (i) marketable securities, (ii) real estate fund investments, (iii) the assets in our deferred compensation plan (for which there is a corresponding liability on our consolidated balance sheet), (iv) mandatorily redeemable instruments (Series G-1 through G-4 convertible preferred units and Series D-13 cumulative redeemable preferred units), and (v) an interest rate swap. Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis on our consolidated balance sheets consist primarily of real estate assets required to be measured for impairment at December 31, 2014. There are no assets remaining at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at June 30, 2015. The fair values of real estate assets required to be measured for impairment were determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including (i) discounted cash flow analysis, which considers, among other things, leasing assumptions, growth rates, discount rates and terminal capitalization rates, (ii) income capitalization approach, which considers prevailing market capitalization rates, and (iii) comparable sales activity. Financial Assets and Liabilities not Measured at Fair Value Financial assets and liabilities that are not measured at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets include cash equivalents (primarily money market funds, which invest in obligations of the United States government), mortgage and mezzanine loans receivable and our secured and unsecured debt. Estimates of the fair value of these instruments are determined by the standard practice of modeling the contractual cash flows required under the instrument and discounting them back to their present value at the appropriate current risk adjusted interest rate, which is provided by a third-party specialist. For floating rate debt, we use forward rates derived from observable market yield curves to project the expected cash flows we would be required to make under the instrument. The fair value of cash equivalents and borrowings under our revolving credit facility is classified as Level 1, and the fair value of our mortgage and mezzanine loans receivable as of December 31, 2014 is classified as Level 3. There are no mortgage and mezzanine loans receivable outstanding as of June 30, 2015. The fair value of our secured and unsecured debt are classified as Level 2.

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are unaudited and include the accounts of Vornado and its consolidated subsidiaries, including the Operating Partnership. All intercompany amounts have been eliminated. In our opinion, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and changes in cash flows have been made. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted. These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q of the SEC and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2014, as filed with the SEC.

We have made estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.

Certain prior year balances have been reclassified in order to conform to the current period presentation. Beginning in the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company classifies signage revenue within “property rentals”. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, $8,873,000 and $18,191,000, respectively, related to signage revenue has been reclassified from “fee and other income” to “property rentals” to conform to the current period presentation.

Real Estate [Policy Text Block]

The Fund is accounted for under ASC 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies (“ASC 946”) and its investments are reported on its balance sheet at fair value, with changes in value each period recognized in earnings. We consolidate the accounts of the Fund into our consolidated financial statements, retaining the fair value basis of accounting.

Revenue Recognition [Policy Text Block]

Condominium Units Held For Sale: Pursuant to ASC 605-35-25-88, Revenue Recognition: Completed Contract Method, revenue from condominium unit sales is recognized upon closing of the sale, as all conditions for full profit recognition have not been met until that time. We use the relative sales value method to allocate costs to individual condominium units.

Income Tax [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes: We operate in a manner intended to enable us to continue to qualify as a REIT under Sections 856-860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Under those sections, a REIT which distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income as a dividend to its shareholders each year and which meets certain other conditions will not be taxed on that portion of its taxable income which is distributed to its shareholders. We distribute to our shareholders 100% of our taxable income and therefore, no provision for Federal income taxes is required.

We have elected to treat certain consolidated subsidiaries, and may in the future elect to treat newly formed subsidiaries, as taxable REIT subsidiaries pursuant to an amendment to the Internal Revenue Code that became effective January 1, 2001. Taxable REIT subsidiaries may participate in non-real estate related activities and/or perform non-customary services for tenants and are subject to Federal and State income tax at regular corporate tax rates.

At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, our taxable REIT subsidiaries had deferred tax assets of $95,419,000 and $94,100,000, respectively, which are included in “other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. Prior to the quarter ended June 30, 2015, there was a full valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets because we had not determined that it is more-likely-than-not that we would use the net operating loss carryforwards to offset future taxable income. During the second quarter of 2015, we began to enter into agreements to sell residential condominium units at 220 CPS and as of June 30, 2015, we had entered into agreements to sell approximately 40% of the project for aggregate sales proceeds of $1.4 billion. Based on these agreements, among other factors, we have concluded that it is more-likely-than-not that we will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the deferred tax assets. Accordingly, during the second quarter of 2015, we reversed $90,030,000 of the allowance for deferred tax assets and recognized an income tax benefit in our consolidated statements of income in the three and six months ended June 30, 2015.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests Policy [Text Block]

Redeemable noncontrolling interests on our consolidated balance sheets are comprised primarily of Class A Operating Partnership units that are held by third parties and are recorded at the greater of their carrying amount or redemption value at the end of each reporting period. Changes in the value from period to period are charged to “additional capital” in our consolidated statements of changes in equity.

Redeemable noncontrolling interests exclude our Series G-1 through G-4 convertible preferred units and Series D-13 cumulative redeemable preferred units, as they are accounted for as liabilities in accordance with ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities and Equity, because of their possible settlement by issuing a variable number of Vornado common shares.

Fair Value Measurement Policy [Policy Text Block]

In determining fair value, we utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible, as well as consider counterparty credit risk in our assessment of fair value. Considerable judgment is necessary to interpret Level 2 and 3 inputs in determining the fair value of our financial and non-financial assets and liabilities. Accordingly, our fair value estimates, which are made at the end of each reporting period, may be different than the amounts that may ultimately be realized upon sale or disposition of these assets.

Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets consist of (i) marketable securities, (ii) real estate fund investments, (iii) the assets in our deferred compensation plan (for which there is a corresponding liability on our consolidated balance sheet), (iv) mandatorily redeemable instruments (Series G-1 through G-4 convertible preferred units and Series D-13 cumulative redeemable preferred units), and (v) an interest rate swap.

Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis

Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis on our consolidated balance sheets consist primarily of real estate assets required to be measured for impairment at December 31, 2014. There are no assets remaining at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at June 30, 2015. The fair values of real estate assets required to be measured for impairment were determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including (i) discounted cash flow analysis, which considers, among other things, leasing assumptions, growth rates, discount rates and terminal capitalization rates, (ii) income capitalization approach, which considers prevailing market capitalization rates, and (iii) comparable sales activity.

Financial Assets and Liabilities not Measured at Fair Value

Financial assets and liabilities that are not measured at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets include cash equivalents (primarily money market funds, which invest in obligations of the United States government), mortgage and mezzanine loans receivable and our secured and unsecured debt. Estimates of the fair value of these instruments are determined by the standard practice of modeling the contractual cash flows required under the instrument and discounting them back to their present value at the appropriate current risk adjusted interest rate, which is provided by a third-party specialist. For floating rate debt, we use forward rates derived from observable market yield curves to project the expected cash flows we would be required to make under the instrument. The fair value of cash equivalents and borrowings under our revolving credit facility is classified as Level 1, and the fair value of our mortgage and mezzanine loans receivable as of December 31, 2014 is classified as Level 3. There are no mortgage and mezzanine loans receivable outstanding as of June 30, 2015. The fair value of our secured and unsecured debt are classified as Level 2.

- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for income taxes, which may include its accounting policies for recognizing and measuring deferred tax assets and liabilities and related valuation allowances, recognizing investment tax credits, operating loss carryforwards, tax credit carryforwards, and other carryforwards, methodologies for determining its effective income tax rate and the characterization of interest and penalties in the financial statements.

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- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for revenue recognition. If the entity has different policies for different types of revenue transactions, the policy for each material type of transaction is generally disclosed. If a sales transaction has multiple element arrangements (for example, delivery of multiple products, services or the rights to use assets) the disclosure may indicate the accounting policy for each unit of accounting as well as how units of accounting are determined and valued. The disclosure may encompass important judgment as to appropriateness of principles related to recognition of revenue. The disclosure also may indicate the entity's treatment of any unearned or deferred revenue that arises from the transaction.

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