Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 263,086	$ 257,653	$ 531,236	$ 519,383
Property operating expenses	(75,522)	(74,165)	(156,030)	(151,945)
Interest expense	70,915	72,494	139,128	144,874
Other expense	7,046	6,415	15,349	13,116
Gain (loss) on sales of real estate assets	(62)	1,149	747	2,015
Depreciation and amortization expense	72,111	68,772	140,092	139,221
General and administrative expense	11,241	10,321	23,041	21,395
Interest and other income	612	948	1,157	1,999
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	581	0
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	1,455	409	3,233	948
Income tax benefit	(4,653)	(1,911)	(6,423)	(3,788)
Income from continuing operations	28,452	29,903	65,280	57,582
Total assets	7,445,597	7,656,977	7,445,597	7,656,977	7,506,554
Capital expenditures	65,721	48,960
Malls [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	234,536	231,091	473,442	466,594
Property operating expenses	(76,900)	(79,065)	(158,425)	(157,589)
Interest expense	(61,794)	(57,680)	(118,656)	(115,941)
Other expense	0	0	0	0
Gain (loss) on sales of real estate assets	(9)	1,150	4	1,114
Segment profit (loss)	95,833	95,496	196,365	194,178
Total assets	6,438,327	6,574,654	6,438,327	6,574,654
Capital expenditures	37,170	31,668	52,409	55,862
Associated Centers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	10,570	10,483	21,677	20,854
Property operating expenses	(2,772)	(2,716)	(5,745)	(5,578)
Interest expense	(2,346)	(1,934)	(4,257)	(3,978)
Other expense	0	0	0	0
Gain (loss) on sales of real estate assets	(37)	0	317	0
Segment profit (loss)	5,415	5,833	11,992	11,298
Total assets	323,470	327,793	323,470	327,793
Capital expenditures	3,215	3,096	3,413	5,165
Community Centers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	4,909	4,426	10,011	8,138
Property operating expenses	(776)	2,634	(1,972)	785
Interest expense	(2,250)	(1,628)	(3,430)	(2,353)
Other expense	0	0	0	0
Gain (loss) on sales of real estate assets	(16)	(2)	414	982
Segment profit (loss)	1,867	5,430	5,023	7,552
Total assets	65,036	67,633	65,036	67,633
Capital expenditures	1,271	1,696	2,662	2,732
All Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	13,071	11,653	26,106	23,797
Property operating expenses	4,926	4,982	10,112	10,437
Interest expense	(4,525)	(11,252)	(12,785)	(22,602)
Other expense	(7,046)	(6,415)	(15,349)	(13,116)
Gain (loss) on sales of real estate assets	0	1	12	(81)
Segment profit (loss)	6,426	(1,031)	8,096	(1,565)
Total assets	618,764	686,897	618,764	686,897
Capital expenditures	$ 24,065	$ 12,500	$ 44,914	$ 19,017