The percentage rate used to calculate distribution payments on preferred units.

No definition available.

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- Definition

The increased rate for distribution payments on preferred units.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Annual Preferred Units Distribution Rate Decrease

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The annual preferred distribution rate increase on the PJV units increases to 9.0% beginning July 1, 2013, if CWJV does not redeem the PJV units with qualifying property.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The annual reduction amount to the Guarantor's Obligations.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The Obligation reflects the estimated fair value of the guaranty.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Minimum per share fair value of company's common stock upon redemption of the PJV units. If the fair value of the Company's common stock is greater than $32.00 per share, then such excess (but in no case greater than $26,000 in the aggregate) shall be added to the aggregate preferred liquidation value payable on account of the PJV units.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Portion of the loan amount guaranteed by the company based on the guaranty percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Minimum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) the company could be required to make under the guarantee or each group of similar guarantees after reductions.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Percentage of third party construction loan guaranteed by the company.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The Percentage amount of the equity interests owned by noncontrolling shareholders, partners, or other equity holders in joint ventures.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying value of a short-term or long-term real estate loan on the purchase of land.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Company's maximum guaranteed amount after loans were partially paid down.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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- Definition

Joint venture agreed to reimburse a percentage amount to the Guarantor for Fund Obligations.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Outstanding amount on a debt security, in which the authorized issuer owes the holders a debt and is obliged to repay the principal and interest (the coupon) at a later date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

This element represents the carrying value of a short-term real estate loan to finance building costs. The funds are disbursed as needed or in accordance with a prearranged plan; generally, a portion of the funds is disbursed at inception and the remainder as construction progresses. The money is repaid on completion of the project, usually from the proceeds of a mortgage loan. The rate is normally higher than the prime rate, and there is usually an origination fee. The effective yield on these loans tends to be high, and the lender has a security interest in the real property. Note that there are separate concepts for the current and noncurrent portions of long-term construction loans.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20

-Article 5

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

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)

-Number AAG-DEP

-Chapter 8

-Paragraph 52

-IssueDate 2006-05-01

-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.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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- Definition

Maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) the guarantor could be required to make under the guarantee or each group of similar guarantees before reduction for potential recoveries under recourse or collateralization provisions.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)

-Number 45

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph b

-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.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 460

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (b)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6851643&loc=d3e12069-110248

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- Details

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- Definition

This item represents a non-contingent liability for the fair value of an obligation to stand ready to perform over the term of a guaranty issued in the event that specified triggering events or conditions occur.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.15)

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 4

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-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph b, d

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 460

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-Paragraph 3

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.15)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

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- Definition

This element represents the current and noncurrent portions of a long-term real estate loan with an initial maturity beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer, to finance building costs. The funds are disbursed as needed or in accordance with a prearranged plan; generally, a portion of the funds is disbursed at inception and the remainder as construction progresses. The money is repaid on completion of the project (generally one to seven years), usually from the proceeds of a mortgage loan. The rate is normally higher than the prime rate, and there is usually an origination fee. The effective yield on these loans tends to be high, and the lender has a security interest in the real property.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

The value (monetary amount) of the award the plaintiff seeks in the legal matter.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14326-108349

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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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Contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2010 Promenade Diberville LLC [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 CW Joint Venture [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 CW Joint Venture [Member] Maximum [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Lee Summit [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 West Melbourne I LLC [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Port Orange I LLC [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 York Town Center LP [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Retainage allegedly owed under the construction contract			$ 327
Annual preferred distribution (in hundredths)				5.00%
Annual preferred distribution rate Increase (in hundredths)				6.00%
Annual preferred distribution rate on PJV units increase (in hundredths)	9.00%			9.00%
Fair value of Company's common stock, minimum (in dollars per share)				$ 32.00
Annual Preferred Units Distribution Rate Decrease				6.00%
Excess added to aggregate preferred liquidation value on PJV units, Maximum					26,000
Guarantees [Abstract]
Guaranteed percentage of the third party's construction loan and bond line of credit (the loans) (in hundredths)						27.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Initial maximum guaranteed amount of third party's construction loan									22,000
Maximum guarantee obligation after loans were partially paid down						18,615	45,654	64,950
Total amount outstanding on the loans						60,797	45,654	64,950
Guaranteed amount of the outstanding loan						16,415			18,000
Estimated fair value of guaranty						192	478	961
Percentage of interest owned in unconsolidated affiliate (in hundredths)							50.00%	50.00%	50.00%
Construction loan							42,487
Land loan							3,167
Guaranteed minimum exposure amount									10,000
Annual reductions to the guarantor's obligations									800
Percentage of guaranty obligation agreed to be reimbursed by joint venture partner (in hundredths)									50.00%
Performance Bonds [Abstract]
Total outstanding amount on performance bonds	$ 22,555	$ 11,156