Area of a real estate property.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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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

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of gain on the sale of property that does not qualify for gain recognition as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 605
-SubTopic 40
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.U.Q2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6955272&loc=d3e221323-122791

+ Details

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

- 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

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The net realized gain (loss) on investments sold during the period, not including gains (losses) on securities separately or otherwise categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity, which, for cash flow reporting, is a component of proceeds from investing activities.

+ 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 (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

The difference between the carrying value and the sale price of real estate or properties that were intended to be sold or held for capital appreciation or rental income. This element refers to the gain (loss) included in earnings and not to the cash proceeds of the sale. This element is a noncash adjustment to net income when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

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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 02
-Paragraph 19, 20, 22
-Article 5

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash inflow from sale of buildings.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Investing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3179-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfBuildings
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
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

Duration over which the debt is amortized.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Duration for which the loan has a fixed interest rate.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Percentage of ownership sold, in equity method investments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_Equitymethodinvestmentsoldpercentage
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents gain loss on sale of assets from continuing operations.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_GainLossOnSaleOfContinuingAssets
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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

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

- Definition

The value of property on which a sale transaction is based on.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentFinancingTransactionValue
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=vno_MortgageLoanAtThreePointSixFivePercentMatures2023Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=vno_MortgageLoanAtTwoPointFourFivePercentMatures2019Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=vno_SevenWest34thStreetMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=vno_MortgageLoanAtThreePointSixFivePercentMatures2026Member
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Investments in Partially Owned Entities (Warner Building,280 Park Avenue,7West 34th Street) (Details)					6 Months Ended
	May 27, 2016 USD ($)	May 16, 2016 USD ($) ft²	May 11, 2016 USD ($) ft² Extensions	May 06, 2016 USD ($) ft²	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Notes And Loans Payable					$ 9,746,818,000
Net gain on sale					2,210,000
Gain on sale, recognized					160,225,000
The Warner Building [Member] \| Mortgage Loan at 3.65% matures 2023
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Notes And Loans Payable					$ 293,000,000
Interest Rate, End of Period (in percentage)				3.65%	6.26%
Debt Instrument Maturity					May 2016
Fixed interest rate, duration				2 years
The Warner Building [Member] \| Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Notes And Loans Payable				$ 273,000,000
Equity method ownership percentage				55.00%
Square Footage Of Real Estate Property \| ft²				621,000
Debt amortization, duration				30 years
280 Park Avenue [Member] \| Mortgage Loan at 2.45% matures 2019
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Interest Rate, End of Period (in percentage)			2.45%
Spread Over LIBOR (in percentage)			2.00%
Number Of Extensions Available \| Extensions			4
Length Of Extension Available			1 year
Term of loan			3 years
280 Park Avenue [Member] \| Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Notes And Loans Payable			$ 900,000,000		$ 721,000,000
Equity method ownership percentage			50.00%
Square Footage Of Real Estate Property \| ft²			1,250,000
Interest Rate, End of Period (in percentage)					6.35%
Debt Instrument Maturity					Jun 2016
7 West 34th Street [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method ownership percentage					53.00%
Deferred gain					$ 43,813,000
7 West 34th Street [Member] \| Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method ownership percentage	53.00%
Ownership sold, percentage	47.00%
Value of property	$ 561,000,000
Net proceeds from sale	127,382,000
Net gain on sale	203,324,000
Gain on sale, recognized	159,511,000
Deferred gain	43,813,000
Net gain, Total	$ 90,017,000
7 West 34th Street [Member] \| Joint Venture [Member] \| Mortgage Loan at 3.65% matures 2026
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Notes And Loans Payable		$ 300,000,000
Square Footage Of Real Estate Property \| ft²		477,000
Interest Rate, End of Period (in percentage)		3.65%
Term of loan		10 years