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

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

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- 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

- Definition

Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

+ Details

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

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of principal amount of debt redeemed.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentageOfPrincipalAmountRedeemed
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in loans that are classified as working capital and are not otherwise defined in the taxonomy.

+ 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 (a)

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

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherLoans
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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 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 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 7

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

The number of units in a real estate property owned as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfUnitsInRealEstateProperty
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, the carrying value of notes payable which were initially due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer, and which are not otherwise defined in the taxonomy.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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(a))

-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 20, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash outflow for incremental, external costs directly pertaining to an early extinguishment of debt, including legal costs and prepayment penalties, and excluding interest and repayment of debt principal.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash inflow from a debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 14

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3255-108585

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash outflow to repay long-term debt that is not secured by collateral. Excludes repayments of tax exempt unsecured debt.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3291-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

Debt Instrument Maturity Date (String)

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_DebtInstrumentMaturityDateString
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	invest: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

Amount of debt refinanced

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Number Of Apartment Buildings

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_NumberOfApartmentBuildings
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
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:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=vno_NewYorkManhattan220CentralParkSouthSiteMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=vno_NewYorkOffice100West33rdStreetMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=vno_NewYorkOfficeManhattanMallMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=vno_WashingtonDcOfficeRiverHouseApartmentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionLoanCategoryAxis=us-gaap_FirstMortgageMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionLoanCategoryAxis=us-gaap_SecondMortgageMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=vno_NotesAndMortgagesPayableFixedRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=vno_NotesAndMortgagesPayableVariableRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=vno_NewYork150West34thStreetMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=vno_TotalNotesAndMortgagesPayableMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=vno_StandbyCommitmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=vno_SeniorUnsecuredNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=vno_SeniorUnsecuredNotesFourPointsTwoFivePercentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=vno_UnsecuredRevolvingCreditFacilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Debt (Narratives) (Details) ft² in Thousands				1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
Debt (Narratives) (Details) ft² in Thousands	Sep. 22, 2015 USD ($)	Jul. 28, 2015 USD ($) ft²	Jun. 02, 2015 USD ($) Extensions	Apr. 30, 2015 USD ($) Properties ResidentialUnits	Jan. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) ft²	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) ft²	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net proceeds from borrowings									$ 2,876,460,000	$ 1,713,285,000
Mortgages payable (in US Dollars)						$ 9,159,413,000			9,159,413,000		$ 8,263,165,000
Mezzanine loan contract termination fee						$ 15,000,000		$ 0	$ 15,000,000	$ 0
New York Manhattan 220 Central Park South Site [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Square Footage Of Real Estate Property \| ft²						392			392
New York Office 100 West 33rd Street [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Square Footage Of Real Estate Property \| ft²		851
New York Manhattan Mall [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Square Footage Of Real Estate Property \| ft²		256
Washington DC River House Apartments [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes And Loans Payable Refinanced Amount (in US Dollars)				$ 308,000,000
Number Of Apartment Buildings \| Properties				3
Number Of Units \| ResidentialUnits				1,670
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis				LIBOR
Spread Over LIBOR (in percentage)				1.28%
Debt Instrument Maturity				2025
Net proceeds from borrowings				$ 43,000,000
Washington DC River House Apartments [Member] \| Mortgages Maturing April 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate, End of Period (in percentage)							5.43%
Debt Instrument Maturity							April 2015
Mortgages payable (in US Dollars)							$ 195,000,000
Washington DC River House Apartments [Member] \| Mortgages Maturing 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis							LIBOR
Spread Over LIBOR (in percentage)							1.53%
Debt Instrument Maturity							2018
Mortgages payable (in US Dollars)							$ 64,000,000
Notes And Mortgages Payable Fixed Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate, End of Period (in percentage)						4.43%			4.43%
Mortgages payable (in US Dollars)						$ 6,341,271,000			$ 6,341,271,000		6,499,396,000
Notes And Mortgages Payable Variable Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate, End of Period (in percentage)						2.01%			2.01%
Mortgages payable (in US Dollars)						$ 2,818,142,000			$ 2,818,142,000		$ 1,763,769,000
Notes And Mortgages Payable Variable Rate [Member] \| New York Manhattan 220 Central Park South Site [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	LIBOR
Spread Over LIBOR (in percentage)	2.00%
Debt Instrument Maturity	2020
Mortgages payable (in US Dollars)	$ 950,000,000
Increase in loan amount	350,000,000
Notes And Mortgages Payable Variable Rate [Member] \| New York Office 100 West 33rd Street [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes And Loans Payable Refinanced Amount (in US Dollars)		$ 580,000,000
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis		LIBOR
Spread Over LIBOR (in percentage)		1.65%
Debt Instrument Maturity		July 2020
Net proceeds from borrowings		$ 242,000,000
Square Footage Of Real Estate Property \| ft²		1,100
Notes And Mortgages Payable Variable Rate [Member] \| 150 West 34th Street [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis			LIBOR
Spread Over LIBOR (in percentage)			2.25%
Debt Instrument Maturity			2018
Mortgages payable (in US Dollars)			$ 205,000,000
Number Of Extensions Available \| Extensions			2
Length Of Extension Available			1 year
Total Notes And Mortgages Payable [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate, End of Period (in percentage)						3.69%			3.69%
Standby Commitment [Member] \| New York Manhattan 220 Central Park South Site [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mezzanine loan financing (in US Dollars)	500,000,000
Mezzanine loan contract termination fee	$ 15,000,000
Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate, End of Period (in percentage)						3.68%			3.68%
Senior Unsecured Notes 4.25% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption of senior unsecured notes					$ 500,000,000
Interest Rate, End of Period (in percentage)					4.25%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date					Apr. 01, 2015
Redemption Price, Percentage of Principal Amount Redeemed					100.00%
Unsecured Revolving Credit Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate, End of Period (in percentage)