Shareholders' Equity and Partners' Capital (Distributions - Operating Partnership) (Details) (CBL & Associates Limited Partnership [Member], USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Oct. 16, 2013 Redeemable Common Units [Member]	Jul. 16, 2013 Redeemable Common Units [Member]	Apr. 16, 2013 Redeemable Common Units [Member]	Jan. 15, 2014 Redeemable Common Units [Member] Subsequent Event [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Common Units [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Common Units [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Common Units [Member]	Oct. 16, 2013 Common Units [Member]	Jul. 16, 2013 Common Units [Member]	Apr. 16, 2013 Common Units [Member]	Jan. 15, 2014 Common Units [Member] Subsequent Event [Member]
Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items]
Cash distributions paid	$ 8,861	$ 8,205					$ 157,531	$ 169,766	$ 164,387
Distributions declared, amount			$ 732.2000	$ 732.2000	$ 732.2000	$ 0.7322				$ 237.4000	$ 237.4000	$ 237.4000	$ 0.2552