Equity (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance			$ 6,822,632
Issuance of limited partner units			84,910
Long-term incentive performance units			24,969
Spin-off of Washington Prime			(812,763)
Purchase and disposition of noncontrolling interests, net			47,409
Distributions to limited partners, excluding preferred interests classified as temporary equity			(945,357)
Comprehensive income, excluding $957 attributable to preferred distributions on temporary equity preferred units			893,808
Balance	6,115,608		6,115,608
Preferred Units
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance			44,390
Purchase and disposition of noncontrolling interests, net			(164)
Distributions to limited partners, excluding preferred interests classified as temporary equity			(1,669)
Comprehensive income, excluding $957 attributable to preferred distributions on temporary equity preferred units			1,669
Balance	44,226		44,226
Comprehensive income, attributable to preferred distributions on temporary equity preferred units			957
Simon (Managing General Partner)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance			5,805,016
Limited partner units exchanged to units			1,190
Spin-off of Washington Prime			(694,457)
Purchase and disposition of noncontrolling interests, net			36,844
Adjustment to limited partners' interest from change in ownership in the Operating Partnership			70,374
Distributions to limited partners, excluding preferred interests classified as temporary equity			(792,223)
Comprehensive income, excluding $957 attributable to preferred distributions on temporary equity preferred units			762,294
Balance	5,189,038		5,189,038
Limited Partners
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance			968,962
Issuance of limited partner units			84,910
Limited partner units exchanged to units			(1,190)
Long-term incentive performance units			24,969
Spin-off of Washington Prime			(118,306)
Purchase and disposition of noncontrolling interests, net			(1)
Adjustment to limited partners' interest from change in ownership in the Operating Partnership			(70,374)
Distributions to limited partners, excluding preferred interests classified as temporary equity			(133,858)
Comprehensive income, excluding $957 attributable to preferred distributions on temporary equity preferred units			128,875
Balance	883,987		883,987
Noncontrolling interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance	(1,306)	(931)	4,264	(877)
Purchase and disposition of noncontrolling interests, net	4,600	(2)	10,730
Distributions to limited partners, excluding preferred interests classified as temporary equity			(17,607)
Comprehensive income, excluding $957 attributable to preferred distributions on temporary equity preferred units			970
Balance	$ (1,643)	$ (1,029)	$ (1,643)	$ (877)