The aggregate amount of noncash, equity-based employee remuneration. This may include the value of stock or unit options, amortization of restricted stock or units, and adjustment for officers' compensation. As noncash, this element is an add back when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 28

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAbstract
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- Details

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Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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- Definition

Aggregate incentive awards earned under the annual incentive program by senior executive management team.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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- Definition

Minimum amount of comparable FFO required for the year compared to prior year in order to have the ability to earn annual cash incentive payments and/or equity awards

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
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- Details

Name:	vno_OutPerformancePlanAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	vno_
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Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

Percentage of shareholder return required under any plan before any payments will be awarded

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

Minimum percentage of shareholder return per year before any payout is made under the out performance plan

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Minimum percentage of shareholder return for three years before any payout is made under the out performance plan

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Required percentage of shareholder return under the Relative plan. If this percentage is not met, then the total award is reduced based on the absolute TSR plan

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

Amortization period of the stock based compensation plan

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
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- Definition

Fair value of the stock based compensation plan as of grant date

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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- Definition

The aggregate notional amount of the out performance plan

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Percentage of total awards to be vested in year five

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

Percentage of total awards to be vested in year four

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	vno_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

Percentage of total awards to be vested in year three

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	vno_
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Incentive Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
Incentive Compensation (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 30, 2012	Mar. 30, 2012 Out Performance Plan [Member]	Mar. 30, 2012 Out Performance Plan [Member] Relative Component [Member]	Mar. 30, 2012 Out Performance Plan [Member] Absolute Component [Member]	Mar. 30, 2012 Annual Incentive Program [Member]
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Share Based Compensation	$ 8,438,000	$ 6,919,000	$ 15,047,000	$ 14,065,000
Annual Incentive Plan [Abstract]
Minimum Comparable Funds From Operations To Prior Year									80.00%
Maximum Percentage Of Comparable Funds From Operations As Incentive Awards					1.25%
Out Performance Plan [Abstract]
Out Performance Plan Notional Amount						40,000,000
Required Shareholder Return Per Year								7.00%
Required Shareholder Return Three Year								21.00%
Required Shareholder Return Under Relative Component							6.00%
Percentage Of Shareholder Return Under Which No Awards Will Be Earned								0.00%
Awards vesting in three years						33.00%
Awards vesting in four years						33.00%
Awards vesting in five years						34.00%
Share Based Compensation By Share Based Payment Award Grant Date Fair Value Adjusted For Estimated Forfeitures						$ 12,250,000
Share Based Compensation By Share Based Payment Award Amortization Period						5 years