Organization (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 Subsidiaries States
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Number of community centers in which interest is owned by the partnership	1
Number of outlet centers under construction in which interest is owned by the partnership	1
Number of mall redevelopments under construction	2
Louisville Outlet Shoppes [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Joint venture, ownership percentage	35.00%
Subsidiaries [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Number of states in which entity operates	27
Percentage ownership interest in qualified subsidiaries (in hundredths)	100.00%
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%
Parent [Member]
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 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
Percentage ownership of the sole general partner in 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)	3.4
Total combined effective interest of CBL's Predecessor in Operating Partnership (in hundredths)	10.80%
Parent [Member] | Louisville Outlet Shoppes [Member] | Woodstock GA Investments LLC [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Joint venture, ownership percentage	65.00%
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
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