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

The number of shares converted in a noncash (or part noncash) transaction. Noncash is defined as transactions during a period that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4332-108586

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4304-108586

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4313-108586

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConversionOfStockSharesConverted1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of new shares issued in the conversion of stock in a noncash (or part noncash) transaction. Noncash is defined as transactions during a period that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4313-108586

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4332-108586

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4304-108586

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConversionOfStockSharesIssued1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

+ Details

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

- Definition

The number of units or percentage investment held by one or more members or limited partners of the LLC or LP.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 272
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6373374&loc=d3e70478-108055

+ Details

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

- Definition

The number of real estate properties owned as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
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

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

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

- Definition

The number of securities classified as temporary equity that have been issued and are held by the entity's shareholders. Securities outstanding equals securities issued minus securities held in treasury. Temporary equity is a security with redemption features that are outside the control of the issuer, is not classified as an asset or liability in conformity with GAAP, and is not mandatorily redeemable. Includes any type of security that is redeemable at a fixed or determinable price or on a fixed or determinable date or dates, is redeemable at the option of the holder, or has conditions for redemption which are not solely within the control of the issuer. If convertible, the issuer does not control the actions or events necessary to issue the maximum number of shares that could be required to be delivered under the conversion option if the holder exercises the option to convert the stock to another class of equity. If the security is a warrant or a rights issue, the warrant or rights issue is considered to be temporary equity if the issuer cannot demonstrate that it would be able to deliver upon the exercise of the option by the holder in all cases. Includes stock with put option held by ESOP and stock redeemable by holder only in the event of a change in control of the issuer.

+ 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 210.5-02.27(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph b
-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TemporaryEquitySharesOutstanding
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This amount represents Cash Considerations Transferred During Spin Off.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_CashConsiderationsTransferredDuringSpinOff
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage ownership in Real Estate Properties

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents duration information technology, human resources, tax and public reporting services being provided to Urban Edge.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

Organization and Business (Details) ft² in Millions		12 Months Ended
Organization and Business (Details) ft² in Millions	Jan. 15, 2015 USD ($) Properties shares	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) ft² Properties ResidentialUnits Rooms	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) Properties	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Organization and Business [Abstract]
Common limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership		93.70%
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Cash Considerations Transferred During Spin Off (in US Dollars) \| $		$ 225,000,000	$ 0	$ 0
Urban Edge Properties [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of new shares issued during spin off for every 2 shares of Vornado \| shares	1
Urban Edge Properties [Member] \| Discontinued Operations [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Cash Considerations Transferred During Spin Off (in US Dollars) \| $	$ 225,000,000
Partnership Units received during spin off \| shares	5,717,184
Equity method ownership percentage	5.40%
Maximum [Member] \| Urban Edge Properties [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Duration Of Administrative Services	2 years
Maximum [Member] \| Urban Edge Properties [Member] \| Discontinued Operations [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Duration Of Administrative Services	2 years
Toys R Us [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Equity method ownership percentage		32.50%
Alexanders Inc [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Equity method ownership percentage		32.40%
Retail Segment Strip Shopping Centers [Member] \| Discontinued Operations [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Real Estate Properties			22
Retail Segment Strip Shopping Centers [Member] \| Urban Edge Properties [Member] \| Discontinued Operations [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Real Estate Properties	79
Retail Segment Regional Malls [Member] \| Urban Edge Properties [Member] \| Discontinued Operations [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Real Estate Properties	3
Vornado Realty Trust [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of shares convered during spin off for 1 share of UE \| shares	2
Real Estate Fund [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Equity method ownership percentage		25.00%
New York Segment [Member] \| Alexanders Inc [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Equity method ownership percentage		32.40%
New York Segment [Member] \| New York City Metropolitan Area [Member] \| Alexanders Inc [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Real Estate Properties		7
New York Segment [Member] \| New York City Metropolitan Area [Member] \| Lexington Avenue 731 [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Square Footage Of Real Estate Property \| ft²		1.3
New York Segment [Member] \| Manhattan [Member] \| Hotel Pennsylvania [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property (in number of residential units) \| Rooms		1,700
Warehouse [Member] \| Urban Edge Properties [Member] \| Discontinued Operations [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Real Estate Properties	1
Office Building [Member] \| San Francisco [Member] \| 555 California Street [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Real Estate Properties		3
Square Footage Of Real Estate Property \| ft²		1.8
Contolling Interest In Real Estate Properties Percent		70.00%
Office Building [Member] \| New York Segment [Member] \| Manhattan [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Real Estate Properties		35
Square Footage Of Real Estate Property \| ft²		21.3
Office Building [Member] \| Washington DC Segment [Member] \| Washington Dc Northern Virginia [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Real Estate Properties		57
Square Footage Of Real Estate Property \| ft²		15.8
Retail Properties [Member] \| New York Segment [Member] \| Manhattan [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Real Estate Properties		65
Square Footage Of Real Estate Property \| ft²		2.6
Merchandise Mart Properties [Member] \| Merchandise Mart Chicago [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Square Footage Of Real Estate Property \| ft²		3.6
Residential Properties [Member] \| New York Segment [Member] \| Manhattan [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Real Estate Properties		11
Number of Units in Real Estate Property (in number of residential units) \| ResidentialUnits		1,711
Residential Properties [Member] \| Washington DC Segment [Member] \| Washington Dc Northern Virginia [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Real Estate Properties		7
Number of Units in Real Estate Property (in number of residential units) \| ResidentialUnits		2,414