Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 250,672		$ 267,169
Property operating expenses	(74,363)	[1]	(80,493)	[1]
Interest expense	(60,060)		(68,213)
Other expense	(6,758)		(8,303)
Gain (loss) on sales of real estate assets	587		809
Segment profit (loss)	110,078		110,969
Depreciation and amortization expense	(63,157)		(67,699)
General and administrative expense	(13,800)		(11,800)
Interest and other income	1,075		545
Gain on extinguishment of debt	0		581
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	1,266		1,778
Income tax benefit	228		1,770
Income from continuing operations	35,690		36,144
Total assets	6,632,108		7,457,341		6,719,428
Malls [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	222,630		238,906
Property operating expenses	(74,603)	[1]	(81,518)	[1]
Interest expense	(52,628)		(56,862)
Other expense	0		0
Gain (loss) on sales of real estate assets	493		13
Segment profit (loss)	95,892		100,539
Total assets	5,734,961		6,475,575
Capital expenditures	22,578	[2]	15,239	[2]
Associated Centers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	10,305		11,107
Property operating expenses	(2,552)	[1]	(2,973)	[1]
Interest expense	(2,196)		(1,911)
Other expense	0		0
Gain (loss) on sales of real estate assets	0		354
Segment profit (loss)	5,557		6,577
Total assets	304,588		323,074
Capital expenditures	1,540	[2]	198	[2]
Community Centers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	4,393		4,121
Property operating expenses	(2,533)	[1]	(1,188)	[1]
Interest expense	(693)		(1,180)
Other expense	0		0
Gain (loss) on sales of real estate assets	97		430
Segment profit (loss)	1,264		2,183
Total assets	238,804		66,360
Capital expenditures	7,664	[2]	1,391	[2]
All Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	13,344	[3]	13,035	[3]
Property operating expenses	5,325	[1],[3]	5,186	[1],[3]
Interest expense	(4,543)	[3]	(8,260)	[3]
Other expense	(6,758)	[3]	(8,303)	[3]
Gain (loss) on sales of real estate assets	(3)	[3]	12	[3]
Segment profit (loss)	7,365	[3]	1,670	[3]
Total assets	353,755		592,332
Capital expenditures	$ 3,706	[2],[3]	$ 20,849	[2],[3]

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

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

[3] The All Other category includes mortgage and other notes receivable, office buildings, the Management Company and the Company’s subsidiary that provides security and maintenance services.