Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. [Member]
Real estate assets:
Land	$ 858,619	$ 905,339
Buildings and improvements	7,125,512	7,228,293
Real estate investment property, at cost	7,984,131	8,133,632
Accumulated depreciation	(2,056,357)	(1,972,031)
Real estate investment property, net, before developments in progress	5,927,774	6,161,601
Held for sale	0	29,425
Developments in progress	139,383	137,956
Net investment in real estate assets	6,067,157	6,328,982
Cash and cash equivalents	65,500	78,248
Receivables:
Tenant, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	79,899	78,963
Other, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	23,343	8,467
Mortgage and other notes receivable	30,424	25,967
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	277,146	259,810
Intangible lease assets and other assets	242,502	309,299
Total assets	6,785,971	7,089,736
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Mortgage and other indebtedness	4,857,523	4,745,683
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	333,875	358,874
Total liabilities	5,191,398	5,104,557
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable interests:
Redeemable noncontrolling partnership interests	34,639	40,248
Redeemable noncontrolling preferred joint venture interest	0	423,834
Total redeemable interests	34,639	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, 170,048,144 and 161,309,652 issued and outstanding in 2013 and 2012, respectively	1,700	1,613
Additional paid-in capital	1,967,644	1,773,630
Accumulated other comprehensive income	6,325	6,986
Dividends in excess of cumulative earnings	(570,781)	(453,561)
Total shareholders' equity	1,404,913	1,328,693
Noncontrolling interests	155,021	192,404
Total equity	1,559,934	1,521,097
Common units:
Total Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests and Equity/Capital	6,785,971	7,089,736
CBL & Associates Limited Partnership [Member]
Real estate assets:
Land	858,619	905,339
Buildings and improvements	7,125,512	7,228,293
Real estate investment property, at cost	7,984,131	8,133,632
Accumulated depreciation	(2,056,357)	(1,972,031)
Real estate investment property, net, before developments in progress	5,927,774	6,161,601
Held for sale	0	29,425
Developments in progress	139,383	137,956
Net investment in real estate assets	6,067,157	6,328,982
Cash and cash equivalents	65,486	78,244
Receivables:
Tenant, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	79,899	78,963
Other, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	23,343	8,467
Mortgage and other notes receivable	30,424	25,967
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	277,701	260,363
Intangible lease assets and other assets	242,383	309,239
Total assets	6,786,393	7,090,225
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Mortgage and other indebtedness	4,857,523	4,745,683
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	333,876	358,800
Total liabilities	5,191,399	5,104,483
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable interests:
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	5,883	6,413
Redeemable common units	28,756	33,835
Redeemable noncontrolling preferred joint venture interest	0	423,834
Total redeemable interests	34,639	464,082
Preferred Stock, $.01 par value, 15,000,000 shares authorized:
Accumulated other comprehensive income	4,923	5,685
Partners' capital:
Preferred units	565,212	565,212
Common units:
General partner	9,866	9,904
Limited partners	961,175	877,363
Total partners' capital	1,541,176	1,458,164
Noncontrolling interests	19,179	63,496
Total capital	1,560,355	1,521,660
Total Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests and Equity/Capital	$ 6,786,393	$ 7,090,225