Unconsolidated Affiliates, Noncontrolling Interests and Cost Method Investments (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010		Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint Venture Allocated Other Operating Expenses	$ 2,119
Revenues	37,290		38,814		114,237	116,187
Depreciation and amortization expense	(12,481)		(13,713)		(37,581)	(40,957)
Interest expense	(12,903)		(14,228)		(39,140)	(41,929)
Other operating expenses	(10,842)	[1]	(12,535)	[1]	(33,647)	(36,162)
Gain (loss) on sales of real estate assets	79		(1)		1,744	1,289
Operating income of discontinued operations	0		(19)		0	151
Net income (loss)	1,143		(1,682)		5,613	(1,421)
Company's share [Abstract]
Revenues	20,683		17,884		63,667	60,195
Depreciation and amortization expense	(7,020)		(5,681)		(21,132)	(20,885)
Interest expense	(7,195)		(5,658)		(21,655)	(21,269)
Other operating expenses	(5,599)	[1]	(8,047)	[1]	(18,024)	(18,800)
Loss on sales of real estate assets	120		(47)		1,366	73
Operating income of discontinued operations	0		(9)		0	76
Net income (loss)	989		(1,558)		4,222	(610)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Non-controlling Interest [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance					223,605
Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling preferred joint venture interest					15,436	15,454
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling preferred joint venture interest					31,545	43,993
Ending Balance	$ 197,214				$ 197,214
CBL-TRS Joint Venture LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Company's Interest	50.00%				50.00%
CBL-TRS Joint Venture II LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Company's Interest	50.00%				50.00%
Governors Square IB [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Company's Interest	50.00%				50.00%
Governor's Square Company [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Company's Interest	47.50%				47.50%
High Pointe Commons Lp [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Company's Interest	50.00%				50.00%
High Pointe Commons IIHAP LP [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Company's Interest	50.00%				50.00%
Imperial Valley Mall LP [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Company's Interest	60.00%				60.00%
Imperial Valley Peripheral LP [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Company's Interest	60.00%				60.00%
JG Gulf Coast Town Center LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Company's Interest	50.00%				50.00%
Kentucky Oaks Mall Company [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Company's Interest	50.00%				50.00%
Mall Of South Carolina LP [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Company's Interest	50.00%				50.00%
Mall Of South Carolina Outparcel LP [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Company's Interest	50.00%				50.00%
Port Orange I LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Company's Interest	50.00%				50.00%
Triangle Town Member LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Company's Interest	50.00%				50.00%
West Melbourne I LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Company's Interest	50.00%				50.00%
York Town Center LP [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Company's Interest	50.00%				50.00%

[1] (1)The Company's share of other operating expense for the three months ended September 30, 2010 includes an adjustment of $2,119 to reduce earnings previously allocated to it based on the terms of certain joint venture agreements. There is no effect of this adjustment on any other period presented.