Area of a real estate property.

No definition available.

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- Definition

This element represents the carrying value of a short-term real estate loan to finance building costs. The funds are disbursed as needed or in accordance with a prearranged plan; generally, a portion of the funds is disbursed at inception and the remainder as construction progresses. The money is repaid on completion of the project, usually from the proceeds of a mortgage loan. The rate is normally higher than the prime rate, and there is usually an origination fee. The effective yield on these loans tends to be high, and the lender has a security interest in the real property. Note that there are separate concepts for the current and noncurrent portions of long-term construction loans.

+ References

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- 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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- 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

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- 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))
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

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Balance Type:	na
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- 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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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

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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=66011266&loc=d3e33918-111571

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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)
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- 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.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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-Paragraph 28
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The carrying amount of the outstanding balance due under the mortgage loan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-04.(c) Schedule IV)
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of the contractual principal due at the origination of the mortgage loan (face amount).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 948
-SubTopic 310
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-29)
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-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-04.(c) Schedule IV)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27047687&loc=d3e5864-122674

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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

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

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3179-108585

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of real estate investment property which may include the following: (1) land available-for-sale; (2) land available-for-development; (3) investments in building and building improvements; (4) tenant allowances; (5) developments in-process; (6) rental properties; and (7) other real estate investments.

+ 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 210.7-03.1(d))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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

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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

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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

Estimated total cost for proposed development.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vno_EstimatedDevelopmentCost
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- 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

Property Plant And Equipment Financing Transaction Price Per Square Feet

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	us-types:perUnitItemType
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

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Period Type:

- Details

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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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- Details

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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
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Investments in Partially Owned Entities (Warner Building,280 Park Avenue,7West 34th Street, 606 Broadway, West 93rdStreet) (Details)						3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 03, 2016 USD ($) Extensions ResidentialUnits	May 20, 2016 USD ($) ft² RenewalOptions	May 16, 2016 USD ($) ft² $ / ft²	May 11, 2016 USD ($) ft² Extensions	May 06, 2016 USD ($) ft²	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments
Principal amount of mortgage loans							$ 9,278,263,000	$ 9,513,713,000
Real estate, at cost							18,339,958,000	18,090,137,000	$ 16,822,358,000	$ 15,392,968,000
Net gains on sale of real estate and a lease position							5,074,000	65,396,000	507,192,000
Gain on sale, recognized							$ 175,735,000	$ 251,821,000	$ 13,568,000
The Warner Building \| Joint Venture \| Office
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments
Principal amount of mortgage loans					$ 273,000,000
Equity method ownership percentage					55.00%
Square Footage Of Real Estate Property \| ft²					622,000
Interest Rate, End of Period (in percentage)					3.65%
Debt Instrument Maturity Date (String)					June 2023
Fixed interest rate, duration					2 years
Debt amortization, duration					30 years
The Warner Building \| Joint Venture \| Office \| First Mortgages
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments
Principal amount of mortgage loans					$ 293,000,000
Interest Rate, End of Period (in percentage)					6.26%
Debt Instrument Maturity Date (String)					May 2016
280 Park Avenue \| Joint Venture \| Office
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments
Principal amount of mortgage loans				$ 900,000,000
Equity method ownership percentage				50.00%
Square Footage Of Real Estate Property \| ft²				1,249,000
Number Of Extensions Available \| Extensions				4
Length Of Extension Available				1 year
Debt Term				3 years
280 Park Avenue \| Joint Venture \| Office \| LIBOR
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments
Interest Rate, End of Period (in percentage)							2.66%
Description of variable rate basis				LIBOR
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate				2.00%
280 Park Avenue \| Joint Venture \| Office \| First Mortgages
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments
Principal amount of mortgage loans				$ 721,000,000
Interest Rate, End of Period (in percentage)				6.35%
Debt Instrument Maturity Date (String)				June 2016
7 West 34th Street \| Joint Venture \| Office
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments
Principal amount of mortgage loans			$ 300,000,000
Equity method ownership percentage			53.00%
Square Footage Of Real Estate Property \| ft²			479,000
Interest Rate, End of Period (in percentage)			3.65%
Debt Term			10 years
Ownership sold, percentage			47.00%
Value of property			$ 561,000,000
Value of property, per square foot \| $ / ft²			1,176
Net proceeds from sale			$ 127,382,000
Net gains on sale of real estate and a lease position			203,324,000
Gain on sale, recognized						$ 159,511,000
Deferred Gain on Sale of Property			43,813,000
Net gain, Total			$ 90,017,000
Debt Instrument Maturity Date (String)			June 2026
606 Broadway \| Joint Venture \| Office and Retail Property
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments
Real estate, at cost		$ 19,650,000
Equity method ownership percentage		50.00%
Square Footage Of Real Estate Property \| ft²		34,000
Estimated Development Cost		$ 104,000,000
Interest Rate, End of Period (in percentage)							3.66%
Number Of Extensions Available \| RenewalOptions		2
Length Of Extension Available		1 year
Construction Loan		$ 65,000,000
Mortgage loan outstanding							$ 25,800,000
Debt Instrument Maturity Date (String)		May 2019
606 Broadway \| Joint Venture \| Office and Retail Property \| LIBOR
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments
Description of variable rate basis		LIBOR
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		3.00%
50-70 West 93rd Street \| Joint Venture \| Residential Properties
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments
Principal amount of mortgage loans	$ 80,000,000
Equity method ownership percentage	49.90%
Number Of Units \| ResidentialUnits	326
Interest Rate, End of Period (in percentage)							2.40%
Number Of Extensions Available \| Extensions	2
Length Of Extension Available	1 year
Debt Term	3 years
50-70 West 93rd Street \| Joint Venture \| Residential Properties \| LIBOR
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments
Description of variable rate basis	LIBOR
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.70%
50-70 West 93rd Street \| Joint Venture \| Residential Properties \| First Mortgages
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments
Principal amount of mortgage loans	$ 44,980,000
Debt Instrument Maturity Date (String)	September 2016
50-70 West 93rd Street \| Joint Venture \| Residential Properties \| First Mortgages \| LIBOR
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments
Description of variable rate basis	LIBOR
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.90%
50-70 West 93rd Street \| Joint Venture \| Residential Properties \| Second Mortgage
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments
Principal amount of mortgage loans	$ 18,481,000
Debt Instrument Maturity Date (String)	September 2016
50-70 West 93rd Street \| Joint Venture \| Residential Properties \| Second Mortgage \| LIBOR
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments
Description of variable rate basis	LIBOR
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.65%