Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Real estate, at cost:
Land	$ 2,420,054	$ 2,591,261
Buildings and improvements	7,933,030	7,953,163
Development costs and construction in progress	1,604,637	1,490,614
Moynihan Train Hall development expenditures	0	914,960
Leasehold improvements and equipment	130,222	124,014
Total	12,087,943	13,074,012	$ 16,237,883	$ 14,756,295
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(3,169,446)	(3,015,958)
Real estate, net	8,918,497	10,058,054
Right-of-use assets	367,365	379,546
Cash and cash equivalents	1,624,482	1,515,012	570,916	1,817,655
Restricted cash	105,887	92,119
Marketable securities	0	33,313	152,198
Tenant and other receivables	77,658	95,733
Investments in partially owned entities	3,491,107	3,999,165
Real estate fund investments	3,739	222,649
220 Central Park South condominium units ready for sale	128,215	408,918
Receivable arising from the straight-lining of rents	674,075	742,206
Deferred leasing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $196,972 and $196,229	372,919	353,986
Identified intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $93,113 and $98,587	23,856	30,965
Other assets	434,022	355,347
Assets	16,221,822	18,287,013
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY
Mortgages payable, net	5,580,549	5,639,897
Senior unsecured notes, net	446,685	445,872
Unsecured term loan, net	796,762	745,840
Unsecured revolving credit facilities	575,000	575,000
Lease liabilities	401,008	498,254
Moynihan Train Hall obligation	0	914,960
Special dividend/distribution payable	0	398,292
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	427,202	440,049
Deferred revenue	40,110	59,429
Deferred compensation plan	105,564	103,773
Other liabilities	294,520	265,754
Total liabilities	8,667,400	10,087,120
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests:
Total redeemable noncontrolling interests / partnership units	606,267	888,915
Shareholders' / Partners' equity:
Preferred shares of beneficial interest: no par value per share; authorized 110,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 48,793,402 and 36,795,640 shares	1,182,339	891,214
Common shares of beneficial interest: $0.04 par value per share; authorized 250,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 191,354,679 and 190,985,677 shares	7,633	7,618
Additional capital	8,192,507	7,827,697
Earnings less than distributions	(2,774,182)	(1,954,266)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(75,099)	(40,233)
Total Vornado and Vornado Realty L.P. shareholders' equity	6,533,198	6,732,030
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	414,957	578,948
Total equity	6,948,155	7,310,978	5,107,883	5,007,701
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests / partnership units and equity	16,221,822	18,287,013
Class A
Redeemable noncontrolling interests:
Class A units - 13,583,607 and 13,298,956 units outstanding	507,212	884,380
Partnership Interest
Redeemable noncontrolling interests:
Class A units - 13,583,607 and 13,298,956 units outstanding	507,212	884,380
Series D cumulative redeemable preferred units - 141,401 units outstanding	4,535	4,535
Total redeemable noncontrolling interests / partnership units	511,747	888,915	783,562
Subsidiaries
Redeemable noncontrolling interests:
Total redeemable noncontrolling interests / partnership units	94,520	0
Vornado Realty L.P.
Real estate, at cost:
Land	2,420,054	2,591,261
Buildings and improvements	7,933,030	7,953,163
Development costs and construction in progress	1,604,637	1,490,614
Moynihan Train Hall development expenditures	0	914,960
Leasehold improvements and equipment	130,222	124,014
Total	12,087,943	13,074,012
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(3,169,446)	(3,015,958)
Real estate, net	8,918,497	10,058,054
Right-of-use assets	367,365	379,546
Cash and cash equivalents	1,624,482	1,515,012	570,916	1,817,655
Restricted cash	105,887	92,119	145,989	97,157
Marketable securities	0	33,313
Tenant and other receivables	77,658	95,733
Investments in partially owned entities	3,491,107	3,999,165
Real estate fund investments	3,739	222,649
220 Central Park South condominium units ready for sale	128,215	408,918
Receivable arising from the straight-lining of rents	674,075	742,206
Deferred leasing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $196,972 and $196,229	372,919	353,986
Identified intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $93,113 and $98,587	23,856	30,965
Other assets	434,022	355,347
Assets	16,221,822	18,287,013
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY
Mortgages payable, net	5,580,549	5,639,897
Senior unsecured notes, net	446,685	445,872
Unsecured term loan, net	796,762	745,840
Unsecured revolving credit facilities	575,000	575,000
Lease liabilities	401,008	498,254
Moynihan Train Hall obligation	0	914,960
Special dividend/distribution payable	0	398,292
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	427,202	440,049
Deferred revenue	40,110	59,429
Deferred compensation plan	105,564	103,773
Other liabilities	294,520	265,754
Total liabilities	8,667,400	10,087,120
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests:
Total redeemable noncontrolling interests / partnership units	606,267	888,915
Shareholders' / Partners' equity:
Partners' capital	9,382,479	8,726,529
Earnings less than distributions	(2,774,182)	(1,954,266)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(75,099)	(40,233)
Total Vornado and Vornado Realty L.P. shareholders' equity	6,533,198	6,732,030
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	414,957	578,948
Total equity	6,948,155	7,310,978	$ 5,107,883	$ 5,007,701
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests / partnership units and equity	16,221,822	18,287,013
Vornado Realty L.P. | Partnership Interest
Redeemable noncontrolling interests:
Class A units - 13,583,607 and 13,298,956 units outstanding	507,212	884,380
Series D cumulative redeemable preferred units - 141,401 units outstanding	4,535	4,535
Total redeemable noncontrolling interests / partnership units	511,747	888,915
Vornado Realty L.P. | Subsidiaries
Redeemable noncontrolling interests:
Total redeemable noncontrolling interests / partnership units	$ 94,520	$ 0