Debt Instrument, Period of Extension Option

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
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Period Type:	duration

- 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

Guarantors Percentage Obligation for Land Loan

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Loan Guaranty, Fee Income Percentage

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cbl_LoanGuarantyFeeIncomePercentage
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

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

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
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- 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

Contingencies Guarantees (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014 West Melbourne I LLC - Phase I [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 West Melbourne I LLC - Phase I [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 West Melbourne I LLC - Phase II [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 West Melbourne I LLC - Phase II [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Port Orange I LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Port Orange I LLC [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 JG Gulf Coast Town Center LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 JG Gulf Coast Town Center LLC [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Fremaux Town Center JV, 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 West Melbourne I and Port Orange I [Member] Extension_Options
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Company's Ownership Interest			50.00%		50.00%		50.00%		50.00%			65.00%
Outstanding Balance			$ 40,819		$ 7,113		$ 62,271		$ 6,121			$ 37,586
Percentage Guaranteed by the Company			25.00%		100.00%		25.00%		100.00%			100.00%
Maximum Guaranteed Amount			10,205		10,757		15,568		6,121			47,291
Obligation recorded to reflect estimated fair value of guaranty	$ 747	$ 747	$ 65	$ 65	$ 65	$ 65	$ 157	$ 157	$ 0	$ 0		$ 460	$ 460
Number of extension options available												2		2
Debt instrument, option extension term												1 year		1 year
Property loan obligation guaranteed by Company (percent)						25.00%
Loan guaranty, fee income percentage											1.00%