The annual reduction amount to the Guarantor's Obligations.

No definition available.

Name:	cbl_AnnualReductionsToGuarantorsObligations
Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Annual coverage limit provided by the insurance arrangement for environmental liability claims.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cbl_EnvironmentalLiabilityInsuranceAnnualCoverageLimit.
Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum coverage per environmental liability clean up claim provided by the insurance arrangement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cbl_EnvironmentalLiabiltiyInsuranceMaximumCoveragePerIncident
Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Portion of the loan amount guaranteed by the company based on the guaranty percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cbl_GuaranteedAmountOfOutstandingLoanBasedOnPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Minimum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) the company could be required to make under the guarantee or each group of similar guarantees after reductions.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cbl_GuaranteedMinimumExposureAmount
Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage of third party construction loan guaranteed by the company.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cbl_GuarantorsPercentageObligationForConstructionLoan
Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Company's maximum guaranteed amount after loans were partially paid down.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cbl_MaximumGuaranteeObligationAfterLoansPartiallyPaidDown
Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of extension options available.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cbl_NumberOfExtensionOptionsAvailable
Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of Pending Lawsuits

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cbl_NumberofPendingLawsuits
Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	cbl_PerformanceBondsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Joint venture agreed to reimburse a percentage amount to the Guarantor for Fund Obligations.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cbl_ReimburseObligations
Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) the guarantor could be required to make under the guarantee or each group of similar guarantees before reduction for potential recoveries under recourse or collateralization provisions.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 460

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (b)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6851643&loc=d3e12069-110248

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_GuaranteesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value portion of guarantee, including, but not limited to, financial standby letter of credit, fair value guarantee, guarantee of collection of scheduled contractual cash flows from financial assets, and contracts that contingently require the guarantor to make payments or perform services.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 460

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6851643&loc=d3e12201-110248

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GuaranteesFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of judgment or settlement awarded to (against) the entity in respect of litigation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the current and noncurrent portions of a long-term real estate loan with an initial maturity beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer, to finance building costs. The funds are disbursed as needed or in accordance with a prearranged plan; generally, a portion of the funds is disbursed at inception and the remainder as construction progresses. The money is repaid on completion of the project (generally one to seven years), usually from the proceeds of a mortgage loan. The rate is normally higher than the prime rate, and there is usually an origination fee. The effective yield on these loans tends to be high, and the lender has a security interest in the real property.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 20

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19,20,22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermConstructionLoanCurrentAndNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The value (monetary amount) of the award the plaintiff seeks in the legal matter.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14557-108349

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of letters of credit and other surety bonds that are available for the future payment of malpractice claims.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 954

-SubTopic 450

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6491354&loc=d3e6049-115624

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MalpracticeLossContingencyLettersOfCreditAndSuretyBonds
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended				1 Months Ended
Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014 lawsuit	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2010 Promenade D'Iberville LLC [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Fremaux Town Center JV, LLC [Member] Extension_Options	Dec. 31, 2013 Fremaux Town Center JV, LLC [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Port Orange I LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Port Orange I LLC [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 York Town Center LP [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 JG Gulf Coast Town Center LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 JG Gulf Coast Town Center LLC [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 JG Gulf Coast Town Center LLC [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Fremaux Town Center JV, LLC [Member]	Feb. 28, 2014 Promenade D'Iberville LLC [Member]	Aug. 31, 2013 Promenade D'Iberville LLC [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Retainage allegedly owed under the construction contract			$ 327,000
Litigation settlement, amount													800,000	8,240,000
Number of pending lawsuits	3
Environmental liability insurance, maximum coverage per incident	10,000,000
Environmental liability insurance, annual coverage limit.	50,000,000
Guarantees [Abstract]
Guaranteed percentage of the third party's construction loan and bond line of credit (the loans) (in hundredths)				100.00%		25.00%			100.00%
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property				65.00%		50.00%		50.00%	50.00%		50.00%	65.00%
Initial maximum guaranteed amount of third party's construction loan								22,000,000
Maximum guarantee obligation after loans were partially paid down				47,291,000		15,568,000			6,121,000
Total amount outstanding on the loans				37,586,000		62,271,000			6,121,000
Number of extension options available				2
Guaranteed amount of the outstanding loan								16,400,000
Obligation recorded to reflect estimated fair value of guaranty	747,000	747,000		460,000	460,000	157,000	157,000		0	0
Guaranteed minimum exposure amount								10,000,000
Annual reductions to the guarantor's obligations								800,000
Percentage of guaranty obligation agreed to be reimbursed by joint venture partner (in hundredths)								50.00%
Performance Bonds [Abstract]
Performance bonds, outstanding	$ 27,400,000	$ 23,513,000