Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011		Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 255,598		$ 262,119		$ 506,270		$ 529,288
Property operating expenses	(73,737)	[1]	(75,152)	[1]	(148,100)	[1]	(155,645)	[1]
Interest expense	(61,400)		(70,914)		(121,460)		(139,127)
Other expense	(6,559)		(7,046)		(13,317)		(15,349)
Gain (loss) on sales of real estate assets	2,543		(97)		3,130		712
Segment profit (loss)	116,445		108,910		226,523		219,879
Depreciation and amortization expense	(68,126)		(71,839)		(131,283)		(139,538)
General and administrative expense	(11,993)		(11,241)		(25,793)		(23,041)
Interest and other income	1,298		612		2,373		1,157
Gain on extinguishment of debt	0		0		0		(581)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(2,073)		(1,455)		(3,339)		(3,233)
Income tax (provision) benefit	(267)		4,653		(39)		6,423
Income from continuing operations	39,430		32,550		75,120		68,694
Total assets	6,913,611		7,445,597		6,913,611		7,445,597		6,719,428
Capital expenditures	118,556	[2]	65,721	[2]	154,044	[2]	103,398	[2]
Malls [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	228,381		223,364		451,011		462,270
Property operating expenses	(73,585)	[1]	(71,628)	[1]	(148,188)	[1]	(153,146)	[1]
Interest expense	(54,933)		(57,862)		(107,561)		(114,724)
Other expense	0		0		0		0
Gain (loss) on sales of real estate assets	2,543		(9)		3,036		4
Segment profit (loss)	102,406		93,865		198,298		194,404
Total assets	6,228,312		6,438,327		6,228,312		6,438,327
Capital expenditures	98,694	[2]	37,170	[2]	121,272	[2]	52,409	[2]
Associated Centers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	10,536		9,634		20,841		20,741
Property operating expenses	(2,574)	[1]	(2,457)	[1]	(5,126)	[1]	(5,430)	[1]
Interest expense	(2,114)		(2,346)		(4,310)		(4,257)
Other expense	0		0		0		0
Gain (loss) on sales of real estate assets	0		(37)		0		317
Segment profit (loss)	5,848		4,794		11,405		11,371
Total assets	303,899		323,470		303,899		323,470
Capital expenditures	1,940	[2]	3,215	[2]	3,480	[2]	3,413	[2]
Community Centers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	4,023		4,214		8,416		8,335
Property operating expenses	(1,298)	[1]	(2,295)	[1]	(3,831)	[1]	(3,483)	[1]
Interest expense	(631)		(2,572)		(1,324)		(3,752)
Other expense	0		0		0		0
Gain (loss) on sales of real estate assets	0		(51)		97		379
Segment profit (loss)	2,094		(704)		3,358		1,479
Total assets	240,850		65,036		240,850		65,036
Capital expenditures	3,042	[2]	1,271	[2]	10,706	[2]	2,662	[2]
All Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	12,658	[3]	24,907	[3]	26,002	[3]	37,942	[3]
Property operating expenses	3,720	[1],[3]	1,228	[1],[3]	9,045	[1],[3]	6,414	[1],[3]
Interest expense	(3,722)	[3]	(8,134)	[3]	(8,265)	[3]	(16,394)	[3]
Other expense	(6,559)	[3]	(7,046)	[3]	(13,317)	[3]	(15,349)	[3]
Gain (loss) on sales of real estate assets	0	[3]	0	[3]	(3)	[3]	12	[3]
Segment profit (loss)	6,097	[3]	10,955	[3]	13,462	[3]	12,625	[3]
Total assets	140,550	[3]	618,764	[3]	140,550	[3]	618,764	[3]
Capital expenditures	$ 14,880	[2],[3]	$ 24,065	[2],[3]	$ 18,586	[2],[3]	$ 44,914	[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.