Total amount available under the debt instrument

No definition available.

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Number of mortgage loans closed during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate Payment of Monthly Principal Amortization

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

This element represents the expected term of the loans.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Number of Debt Instruments Retired

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Weighted Average Maturity (Years)

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all debt, including all short-term borrowings, long-term debt, and capital lease obligations.

+ References

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

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- Definition

The reference rate for the variable rate of the debt instrument, such as LIBOR or the US Treasury rate and the maturity of the reference rate used, such as three months or six months LIBOR.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

When presenting a range of interest rates, the highest stated (contractual) rate for funds borrowed under the debt agreement as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

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When presenting a range of interest rates, the lowest stated (contractual) rate for funds borrowed under the debt agreement as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

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- Definition

Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

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

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- Definition

The amount of debt premium that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument that has yet to be amortized.

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- Definition

Reflects the calculation as of the balance sheet date of the average interest rate weighted by the amount of debt outstanding by type or by instrument at that time.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Gross amount of debt extinguished.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity.

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- Definition

Amount borrowed under the credit facility as of the balance sheet date.

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

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- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

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- Definition

Amount of long-term debt, sinking fund requirements, and other securities redeemable at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

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Amount of long-term debt, sinking fund requirements, and other securities redeemable at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

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Amount of long-term debt, sinking fund requirements, and other securities redeemable at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

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Amount of long-term debt, sinking fund requirements, and other securities redeemable at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

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Amount of long-term debt, sinking fund requirements, and other securities redeemable at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

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Amount of long-term debt, sinking fund requirements, and other securities redeemable at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

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- Definition

The carrying amount of the outstanding balance due under the mortgage loan.

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-Paragraph c

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- Definition

The stated interest rate on the mortgage loan receivable or the weighted average interest rate on a group of loans.

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Total amount of new mortgage loans on real estate during the reporting period.

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Mortgages on Operating Properties (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended					9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Mortgages on Operating Properties [Abstract]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, New Mortgage Loans			$ 342,190
Mortgage loans closed			5
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum			0.00%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum			0.00%
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis		LIBOR plus a range of 155 to 210 basis points
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate		0.00%				0.00%
Number of Debt Instruments Retired		2		14
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	106,895	121,980	30,763	381,568
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt		178			0	178	581
Weighted average maturity of mortgage and other indebtedness (in years)		4.88				4.88		4.69
Schedule of principal repayments [Abstract]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months		187,072				187,072
2013		625,011				625,011
2014		446,768				446,768
2015		516,711				516,711
2016		778,870				778,870
Thereafter		2,138,298				2,138,298
Total payments		4,692,730				4,692,730
Net unamortized premiums		8,660				8,660
Mortgage and other indebtedness		4,701,390				4,701,390		4,489,355
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding		167,209				167,209
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate Payment of Monthly Principal Amortization		19,863				19,863
Northwoods Mall [Member]
Mortgages on Operating Properties [Abstract]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, New Mortgage Loans				73,000
Nonrecourse mortgage loans closed , terms (in years)				10 years
Interest rate on mortgage loan (in hundredths)				5.075%
Statesboro Crossing [Member]
Mortgages on Operating Properties [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis		one-month LIBOR plus a spread of 1.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date		Feb. 15, 2013
Columbia Place [Member]
Mortgages on Operating Properties [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date						Sep. 01, 2013
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages		27,265				27,265
Schedule of principal repayments [Abstract]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages		27,265				27,265
CBL Center [Member]
Mortgages on Operating Properties [Abstract]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount		12,818
CBL Center II [Member]
Mortgages on Operating Properties [Abstract]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount		9,078
CBL Center I and II [Member]
Mortgages on Operating Properties [Abstract]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, New Mortgage Loans		22,000
Nonrecourse mortgage loans closed , terms (in years)		10 years
Interest rate on mortgage loan (in hundredths)		5.00%
The Forum at Grand View [Member]
Mortgages on Operating Properties [Abstract]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount		2,023
Statesboro Crossing [Member]
Mortgages on Operating Properties [Abstract]
Debt Instrument Maximum Borrowing Capacity		$ 13,568		$ 20,911