Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Real estate assets:
Land	$ 854,711	$ 858,619
Buildings and improvements	7,069,967	7,125,512
Real estate investment property, at cost	7,924,678	7,984,131
Accumulated depreciation	(2,069,964)	(2,056,357)
Real estate investment property, net, before developments in progress	5,854,714	5,927,774
Developments in progress	157,879	139,383
Net investment in real estate assets	6,012,593	6,067,157
Cash and cash equivalents	56,190	65,500
Receivables:
Tenant, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,251 and $2,379 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	76,111	79,899
Other, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,249 and $1,241 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	19,001	23,343
Mortgage and other notes receivable	30,201	30,424
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	276,710	277,146
Intangible lease assets and other assets	233,043	242,502
Total assets	6,703,849	6,785,971
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY
Mortgage and other indebtedness	4,799,817	4,857,523
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	305,924	333,875
Total liabilities	5,105,741	5,191,398
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 5 and 12)
Redeemable interests:
Redeemable noncontrolling partnership interests	34,881	34,639
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, 170,266,206 and 170,048,144 issued and outstanding in 2014 and 2013, respectively	1,703	1,700
Partners' capital:
Additional paid-in capital	1,967,970	1,967,644
Accumulated other comprehensive income	7,754	6,325
Dividends in excess of cumulative earnings	(568,426)	(570,781)
Total shareholders' equity	1,409,026	1,404,913
Noncontrolling interests	154,201	155,021
Total equity	1,563,227	1,559,934
Total Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests and Equity	6,703,849	6,785,971
CBL & Associates Limited Partnership [Member]
Real estate assets:
Land	854,711	858,619
Buildings and improvements	7,069,967	7,125,512
Real estate investment property, at cost	7,924,678	7,984,131
Accumulated depreciation	(2,069,964)	(2,056,357)
Real estate investment property, net, before developments in progress	5,854,714	5,927,774
Developments in progress	157,879	139,383
Net investment in real estate assets	6,012,593	6,067,157
Cash and cash equivalents	56,168	65,486
Receivables:
Tenant, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,251 and $2,379 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	76,111	79,899
Other, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,249 and $1,241 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	19,001	23,343
Mortgage and other notes receivable	30,201	30,424
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	277,267	277,701
Intangible lease assets and other assets	232,923	242,383
Total assets	6,704,264	6,786,393
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY
Mortgage and other indebtedness	4,799,817	4,857,523
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	305,876	333,876
Total liabilities	5,105,693	5,191,399
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 5 and 12)
Redeemable interests:
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	6,454	5,883
Redeemable common units	28,427	28,756
Total redeemable interests	34,881	34,639
Partners' capital:
Preferred units	565,212	565,212
General partner	9,885	9,866
Limited partners	964,054	961,175
Accumulated other comprehensive income	6,331	4,923
Total partners' capital	1,545,482	1,541,176
Noncontrolling interests	18,208	19,179
Total capital	1,563,690	1,560,355
Total Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests and Equity	$ 6,704,264	$ 6,786,393