Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Real estate assets:
Land	$ 882,723	$ 905,339
Buildings and improvements	7,100,354	7,228,293
Real estate investment property, at cost	7,983,077	8,133,632
Accumulated depreciation	(2,017,610)	(1,972,031)
Real estate investment property, net, before developments in progress	5,965,467	6,161,601
Held for sale	0	29,425
Developments in progress	161,841	137,956
Net investment in real estate assets	6,127,308	6,328,982
Cash and cash equivalents	74,588	78,248
Receivables:
Tenant, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,204 and $1,977 in 2013 and 2012, respectively	77,914	78,963
Other, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,283 and $1,270 in 2013 and 2012, respectively	20,696	8,467
Mortgage and other notes receivable	24,976	25,967
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	279,666	259,810
Intangible lease assets and other assets	261,517	309,299
Total assets	6,866,665	7,089,736
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY
Mortgage and other indebtedness	4,867,717	4,745,683
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	348,237	358,874
Total liabilities	5,215,954	5,104,557
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 5 and 12)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests:
Redeemable noncontrolling partnership interests	37,170	40,248
Redeemable noncontrolling preferred joint venture interest	0	423,834
Total redeemable noncontrolling interests	37,170	464,082
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 15,000,000 shares authorized:
7.375% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, 1,815,000 shares outstanding	18	18
6.625% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, 690,000 shares outstanding	7	7
Common stock, $.01 par value, 350,000,000 shares authorized, 169,905,892 and 161,309,652 issued and outstanding in 2013 and 2012, respectively	1,699	1,613
Partners' capital:
Additional paid-in capital	1,967,067	1,773,630
Accumulated other comprehensive income	6,466	6,986
Dividends in excess of cumulative earnings	(526,739)	(453,561)
Total shareholders' equity	1,448,518	1,328,693
Noncontrolling interests	165,023	192,404
Total equity	1,613,541	1,521,097
Total Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests and Equity	6,866,665	7,089,736
CBL & Associates Limited Partnership [Member]
Real estate assets:
Land	882,723	905,339
Buildings and improvements	7,100,354	7,228,293
Real estate investment property, at cost	7,983,077	8,133,632
Accumulated depreciation	(2,017,610)	(1,972,031)
Real estate investment property, net, before developments in progress	5,965,467	6,161,601
Held for sale	0	29,425
Developments in progress	161,841	137,956
Net investment in real estate assets	6,127,308	6,328,982
Cash and cash equivalents	74,578	78,244
Receivables:
Tenant, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,204 and $1,977 in 2013 and 2012, respectively	77,914	78,963
Other, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,283 and $1,270 in 2013 and 2012, respectively	20,696	8,467
Mortgage and other notes receivable	24,976	25,967
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	280,220	260,363
Intangible lease assets and other assets	261,397	309,239
Total assets	6,867,089	7,090,225
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY
Mortgage and other indebtedness	4,867,717	4,745,683
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	348,237	358,800
Total liabilities	5,215,954	5,104,483
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 5 and 12)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests:
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	6,633	6,413
Redeemable common units	30,537	33,835
Redeemable noncontrolling preferred joint venture interest	0	423,834
Total redeemable noncontrolling interests	37,170	464,082
Partners' capital:
Preferred units	565,212	565,212
General partner	10,702	9,904
Limited partners	1,010,964	877,363
Accumulated other comprehensive income	5,087	5,685
Total partners' capital	1,591,965	1,458,164
Noncontrolling interests	22,000	63,496
Total capital	1,613,965	1,521,660
Total Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests and Equity	$ 6,867,089	$ 7,090,225