Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010		Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 270,011		$ 260,670		$ 801,247		$ 780,053
Property operating expenses	(77,178)	[1]	(74,895)	[1]	(233,208)	[1]	(226,840)	[1]
Interest expense	(70,643)		(71,178)		(209,771)		(216,052)
Other expense	(7,446)		(6,351)		(22,795)		(19,467)
Gain (loss) on sales of real estate assets	2,890		562		3,637		2,577
Segment profit (loss)	117,634		108,808		339,110		320,271
Depreciation and amortization expense	(71,404)		(71,814)		(211,496)		(211,035)
General and administrative expense	(10,092)		(10,495)		(33,133)		(31,890)
Interest and other income	598		832		1,755		2,831
Gain on extinguishment of debt	0		0		581		0
Loss on impairment of real estate	(51,304)		0		(55,761)		0
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates	989		(1,558)		4,222		(610)
Income tax (provision) benefit	(4,653)		1,264		1,770		5,052
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(18,232)		27,037		47,048		84,619
Total assets	7,422,495		7,615,480		7,422,495		7,615,480		7,506,554
Capital expenditures	68,677	[2]	44,118	[2]	172,075		126,894
Malls [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	240,986		233,691		714,428		700,285
Property operating expenses	(77,797)	[1]	(74,589)	[1]	(236,222)	[1]	(232,178)	[1]
Interest expense	(62,464)		(57,463)		(181,120)		(173,404)
Other expense	0		0		0		0
Gain (loss) on sales of real estate assets	2,411		(72)		2,415		1,042
Segment profit (loss)	103,136		101,567		299,501		295,745
Total assets	6,434,775		6,526,150		6,434,775		6,526,150
Capital expenditures	43,583	[2]	27,837	[2]	95,992	[2]	83,699	[2]
Associated Centers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	10,829		10,691		32,506		31,545
Property operating expenses	(2,743)	[1]	(2,797)	[1]	(8,488)	[1]	(8,375)	[1]
Interest expense	(2,296)		(1,921)		(6,553)		(5,899)
Other expense	0		0		0		0
Gain (loss) on sales of real estate assets	(7)		0		310		0
Segment profit (loss)	5,783		5,973		17,775		17,271
Total assets	323,248		328,504		323,248		328,504
Capital expenditures	1,784	[2]	2,413	[2]	5,197	[2]	7,578	[2]
Community Centers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	5,381		4,521		15,392		12,659
Property operating expenses	(1,628)	[1]	(4,480)	[1]	(3,600)	[1]	(3,695)	[1]
Interest expense	(1,722)		(1,180)		(5,152)		(3,533)
Other expense	0		0		0		0
Gain (loss) on sales of real estate assets	486		540		900		1,522
Segment profit (loss)	2,517		(599)		7,540		6,953
Total assets	295,703		67,427		295,703		67,427
Capital expenditures	3,618	[2]	120	[2]	6,280	[2]	2,852	[2]
All Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	12,815	[3]	11,767	[3]	38,921	[3]	35,564	[3]
Property operating expenses	4,990	[1],[3]	6,971	[1],[3]	15,102	[1],[3]	17,408	[1],[3]
Interest expense	(4,161)	[3]	(10,614)	[3]	(16,946)	[3]	(33,216)	[3]
Other expense	(7,446)	[3]	(6,351)	[3]	(22,795)	[3]	(19,467)	[3]
Gain (loss) on sales of real estate assets	0	[3]	94	[3]	12	[3]	13	[3]
Segment profit (loss)	6,198	[3]	1,867	[3]	14,294	[3]	302	[3]
Total assets	368,769	[3]	693,399	[3]	368,769	[3]	693,399	[3]
Capital expenditures	$ 19,692	[2],[3]	$ 13,748	[2],[3]	$ 64,606	[2],[3]	$ 32,765	[2],[3]

[1] (1)Property operating expenses include property operating, real estate taxes and maintenance and repairs.

[2] (3)Amounts include acquisitions of real estate assets and investments in unconsolidated affiliates. Developments in progress are included in the All Other category.

[3] (2)The All Other category includes mortgage notes receivable, Office Buildings, the Management Company and the Company’s subsidiary that provides security and maintenance services.