Real Estate Fund Investments (Income from the Fund and the Co-Investment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
Mar. 01, 2011	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Details Of Income From Real Estate Funds
(Loss) income from real estate fund investments		$ (8,807)	$ 268
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries		8,274	(6,737)
Fee and Other Income		36,017	34,133
Real estate fund investments
Details Of Income From Real Estate Funds
Net investment income		2,734	7,214
Transfer Tax		(10,630)	0
Net realized (loss) gain on exited investments		(911)	241
Net unrealized loss on held investments		0	(7,187)
(Loss) income from real estate fund investments		(8,807)	268
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries		5,369	(3,503)
Loss from real estate fund investments attributable to the Operating Partnership (2018 includes $4,252 of loss related to One Park Avenue potential additional transfer taxes and reduction in carried interest)		(3,438)	(3,235)
Less loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership		212	202
Loss from real estate fund investments attributable to Vornado		(3,226)	(3,033)
Fee and Other Income		440	$ 1,000
One Park Avenue
Details Of Income From Real Estate Funds
Transfer Tax	$ (3,000)	(4,978)
One Park Avenue \| Real estate fund investments
Details Of Income From Real Estate Funds
Loss from real estate fund investments attributable to the Operating Partnership (2018 includes $4,252 of loss related to One Park Avenue potential additional transfer taxes and reduction in carried interest)		$ (4,252)

The net realized gain (loss) on investments sold during the period, not including gains (losses) on securities separately or otherwise categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity, which, for cash flow reporting, is a component of proceeds from investing activities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585

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Amount of net income (loss) recognized from investments in real estate partnerships and variable interest entities.

+ References

No definition available.

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Amount, after investment expense, of income earned from investments in securities and real estate. Includes, but is not limited to, real estate investment, policy loans, dividends, and interest. Excludes realized gain (loss) on investments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 235
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-16(Column G))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34713774&loc=d3e574960-122915

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- Definition

Amount after tax of income (loss) attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling shareholder, unit holder, partner, or other equity holder of a joint venture.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.19)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

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Amount after tax of income (loss) attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling partner in an operating partnership.

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- Definition

A tax based on the assessed value of real estate by the local government. The tax is usually based on the value of property (including the land).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 720
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6419918&loc=d3e35301-107843

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The net change in the difference between the fair value and the carrying value, or in the comparative fair values, of investments, not including unrealized gains or losses on securities separately or otherwise categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity, held at each balance sheet date and included in earnings for the period.

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Revenue, comprised of base and incentive revenue derived from the management of joint ventures, managing third-party properties, or another entity's operations, and other real estate revenue not otherwise specified in the taxonomy.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

This element represents income from the real estate fund net of amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

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This element represents the income (loss) from the Real Estate Fund before allocation to noncontrolling interests

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No definition available.

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