Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020 shares
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)	0
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000946155
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Small Reporting Company	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false