Unconsolidated Affiliates and Cost Method Investments (Details)	Dec. 31, 2013 entities	Dec. 31, 2013 CBL TC LLC [Member] CoolSprings Galleria, Oak Park Mall, West County Center and Pearland Town Center [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 CBL-TRS Joint Venture LLC [Member] Friendly Center [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 CBL-TRS Joint Venture II LLC [Member] Renaissance Center [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 El Paso Outlet Outparcels, LLC [Member] The Outlet Shoppes at El Paso vacant land [Member]	Jan. 31, 2013 Fremaux Town Center JV, LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Fremaux Town Center JV, LLC [Member] Fremaux Town Center [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Governors Square Ib [Member] Governor's Plaza [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Governors Square Company [Member] Governor's Square [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 High Pointe Commons Lp [Member] High Point Commons [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 High Pointe Commons Ii Hap Lp [Member] High Point Commons - Christmas Tree Shop [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Kentucky Oaks Mall Company [Member] Kentucky Oaks Mall [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Mall Of South Carolina L P [Member] Coastal Grand - MyrtleBeach [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Mall Of South Carolina Outparcel L P [Member] Coastal Grand, Myrtle Beach - Coastal Grand Crossing and Vacant Land [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Port Orange I LLC [Member] The Pavilion at Port Orange - Phase I [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 York Town Center LP [Member] York Town Center [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of entities - equity method of accounting	17
Joint venture, ownership percentage		60.30%	50.00%	50.00%	50.00%	35.00%	65.00%	50.00%	47.50%	50.00%	50.00%	50.00%	50.00%	50.00%	50.00%	50.00%