Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 265,977		$ 246,469
Property operating expenses	(78,811)	[1]	(71,951)	[1]
Interest expense	(59,828)		(59,831)
Other expense	(6,656)		(6,758)
Gain on sales of real estate assets	543		94
Segment profit (loss)	121,225		108,023
Depreciation and amortization expense	(71,555)		(62,258)
General and administrative expense	(13,424)		(13,800)
Interest and other income	727		1,075
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(2,619)		(1,266)
Income tax (provision) benefit	174		228
Income (loss) from continuing operations	39,766		34,534
Total assets	6,990,077		6,632,108		7,089,736
Capital expenditures	61,809	[2]	35,488	[2]
Malls [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	238,611		221,313
Property operating expenses	(80,966)	[1]	(74,395)	[1]
Interest expense	(52,937)		(52,528)
Other expense	0		0
Gain on sales of real estate assets	295		0
Segment profit (loss)	105,003		94,390
Total assets	6,232,324		5,734,961
Capital expenditures	19,557	[2]	22,578	[2]
Associated Centers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	11,083		10,241
Property operating expenses	(2,797)	[1]	(2,528)	[1]
Interest expense	(2,046)		(2,195)
Other expense	0		0
Gain on sales of real estate assets	0		0
Segment profit (loss)	6,240		5,518
Total assets	296,418		304,588
Capital expenditures	1,006	[2]	1,540	[2]
Community Centers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	3,659		2,828
Property operating expenses	(534)	[1]	(800)	[1]
Interest expense	(577)		(669)
Other expense	0		0
Gain on sales of real estate assets	0		97
Segment profit (loss)	2,548		1,456
Total assets	190,113		238,804
Capital expenditures	1,184	[2]	7,664	[2]
All Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	12,624	[3]	12,087	[3]
Property operating expenses	5,486	[1],[3]	5,772	[1],[3]
Interest expense	(4,268)	[3]	(4,439)	[3]
Other expense	(6,656)	[3]	(6,758)	[3]
Gain on sales of real estate assets	248	[3]	(3)	[3]
Segment profit (loss)	7,434	[3]	6,659	[3]
Total assets	271,222		353,755	[3]
Capital expenditures	$ 40,062	[2],[3]	$ 3,706	[2],[3]

[1] (1) 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.

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

[3] 2) Property operating expenses include property operating, real estate taxes and maintenance and repairs.