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

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

+ Details

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

- 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=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

Cash received for the sale of real estate that is not part of an investing activity during the current period.

+ References

Reference 1: 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=98514028&loc=d3e3179-108585

+ Details

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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

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

- Definition

Percentage of ownership sold, in equity method investments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=vno_TCGUrbanInfrastructureHoldingsPrivateLimitedMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=vno_IndiaPropertyFundMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Investments in Partially Owned Entities (India Real Estate Ventures) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net gains on sale of real estate and a lease position		$ 3,489	$ 5,074	$ 65,396
TCG Urban Infrastructure Holdings Private Limited
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Cash proceeds from sale of real estate	$ 18,742
Net gains on sale of real estate and a lease position	$ 1,885
Ownership sold, percentage	25.00%
India Property Fund
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method ownership percentage		36.50%
Cash proceeds from sale of real estate		$ 23,895
Net gains on sale of real estate and a lease position		$ 533