Organization and Basis of Presentation (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Number of states in which entity operates	27
Subsidiaries [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Number of subsidiaries owned by the company	2
Percentage ownership of the sole general partner in partnership (in hundredths)	1.00%
Percentage of limited partnership interest owned by CBL Holdings II, Inc. in the operating partnership (in hundredths)	84.20%
Combined percentage ownership by the subsidiaries in operating partnership (in hundredths)	85.20%
Total Shareholders' Equity
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Number of regional malls/open-air centers in which interest is owned by the partnership	75
Number of mixed-use centers owned	1
Number of associated centers in which interest is owned by the partnership	25
Number of community centers in which interest is owned by the partnership	7
Number of office buildings in which interest is owned by the partnership	8
Number of outlet centers under construction in which interest is owned by the partnership	1
Number of regional mall expansions in which interest is owned by the partnership	3
Number of regional mall redevelopments in which interest is owned by the partnership	2
Percentage ownership interest in qualified subsidiaries (in hundredths)	100.00%
Percentage of non controlling limited partner interest ownership of CBL's Predecessor in the Operating Partnership (in hundredths)	9.10%
Percentage of non controlling limited partner interest of third parties in Operating partnership (in hundredth)	5.70%
Number of company's common stock owned by CBL's Predecessor (in shares)	3.2
Total combined effective interest of CBL's Predecessor in Operating Partnership (in hundredths)	10.70%
Noncontrolling Interests
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Number of regional malls/open-air centers in which interest is owned by the partnership	9
Number of associated centers in which interest is owned by the partnership	4
Number of community centers in which interest is owned by the partnership	4
Number of office buildings in which interest is owned by the partnership	5
Number of community centers under development in which interest is owned by the partnership	1