Unconsolidated Affiliates (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	May 10, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of entities - equity method of accounting		17
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Interest Rate		6.92%		7.33%
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	$ 299,740	$ 77,099
Retirement of debt, number of instruments		2
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Assets [Abstract]
Investment in real estate assets		2,144,269		2,143,187
Accumulated depreciation		(509,082)		(492,864)
Real Estate Investment Property Net, Before Development in Process		1,635,187		1,650,323
Developments in progress		48,495		21,809
Net investment in real estate assets		1,683,682		1,672,132
Other assets		164,980		175,540
Total assets		1,848,662		1,847,672
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Liabilities and Equity [Abstract]
Mortgage and other indebtedness		1,454,672		1,456,622
Other liabilities		38,776		48,538
Total liabilities		1,493,448		1,505,160
The Company		210,439		196,694
Other investors		144,775		145,818
Total owners' equity		355,214		342,512
Total liabilities and owners' equity		1,848,662		1,847,672
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues		60,719	62,294
Depreciation and amortization expense		(19,148)	(20,766)
Interest expense		(19,668)	(21,111)
Other operating expenses		(18,413)	(18,947)
Net income		3,490	1,470
Company's share [Abstract]
Revenues		31,670	33,411
Depreciation and amortization expense		(9,948)	(11,111)
Interest expense		(10,072)	(11,203)
Other operating expenses		(9,031)	(9,831)
Net income		2,619	1,266
CBL/TC, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of Equity Interest in Real Estate Property		60.30%
CBL-TRS Joint Venture LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of Equity Interest in Real Estate Property		50.00%
CBL-TRS Joint Venture II LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of Equity Interest in Real Estate Property		50.00%
El Paso Outlet Outparcels, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of Equity Interest in Real Estate Property		50.00%
Fremaux Town Center JV, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Capacity Available for Specific Purpose Other than for Trade Purchases		46,000
Total amount outstanding on the loans		2,698
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis		LIBOR plus 2.125%
Percentage of Equity Interest in Real Estate Property		65.00%
Joint Venture Partner Interest, Ownership Percentage		35.00%
Total Payments To Acquire Interest In Joint Venture From All Partners		20,500
Guarantors Percentage Obligation for Construction loan		100.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date		Mar. 18, 2016
Number of Extension Options Available		2
CBL Fremaux Member, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Interest in Joint Venture		18,450
Governors Square IB [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of Equity Interest in Real Estate Property		50.00%
Governor's Square Company [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of Equity Interest in Real Estate Property		47.50%
High Pointe Commons Lp [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of Equity Interest in Real Estate Property		50.00%
High Pointe Commons IIHAP LP [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of Equity Interest in Real Estate Property		50.00%
JG Gulf Coast Town Center LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of Equity Interest in Real Estate Property		50.00%
Kentucky Oaks Mall Company [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of Equity Interest in Real Estate Property		50.00%
Mall Of South Carolina LP [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of Equity Interest in Real Estate Property		50.00%
Mall Of South Carolina Outparcel LP [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of Equity Interest in Real Estate Property		50.00%
Port Orange I LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of Equity Interest in Real Estate Property		50.00%
Triangle Town Member LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of Equity Interest in Real Estate Property		50.00%
West Melbourne I LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of Equity Interest in Real Estate Property		50.00%
York Town Center LP [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of Equity Interest in Real Estate Property		50.00%
Renaissaissance Center [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, New Mortgage Loans		16,000
Nonrecourse mortgage loans closed , terms (in years)		10 years
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Interest Rate		3.4895%
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount		15,700
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date		Apr. 05, 2023
Friendly Shopping Center [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, New Mortgage Loans		100,000
Nonrecourse mortgage loans closed , terms (in years)		10 years
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Interest Rate		3.4795%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date		Apr. 05, 2023
Friendly Center, The Shops at Friendly Center and Portfolio of Office Buildings [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount		$ 96,934
Retirement of debt, number of instruments		4