The amount of consideration paid for acquisition, including issuance of units of the Operating partnership.

No definition available.

Name:	spg_AcquisitionConsiderationPaid
Namespace Prefix:	spg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

In a business combination achieved in stages, this element represents the amount of gain or loss recognized by the entity as a result of re-measuring to fair value the equity interest in the acquiree it held before the business combination. Also includes the difference between the carrying value and the sales price for consolidated investment property and equity method investments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	spg_AcquisitionOfControllingInterestSaleOrDisposalOfAssetsAndInterestsInUnconsolidatedEntitiesGainOrLoss
Namespace Prefix:	spg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total cost of acquisition of real estate including the assumption of existing indebtedness.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	spg_CostOfAcquisitionIncludingAssumptionOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	spg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the number of properties that are disposed during the period by the entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	spg_NumberOfPropertiesDisposed
Namespace Prefix:	spg_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of properties in which additional interest is acquired.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	spg_NumberOfPropertiesInWhichAdditionalInterestAcquired
Namespace Prefix:	spg_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the percentage of consideration paid in cash.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	spg_PercentageOfConsiderationPaidInCash
Namespace Prefix:	spg_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the percentage of consideration paid in units.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	spg_PercentageOfConsiderationPaidInUnits
Namespace Prefix:	spg_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	spg_RealEstateAcquisitionsAndDispositionsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	spg_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Area of a real estate property.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:areaItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of cash paid to acquire the entity.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 68

-Subparagraph f(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141

-Paragraph 51

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityCashPaid
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The total cost of the acquired entity including the cash paid to shareholders of acquired entities, fair value of debt and equity securities issued to shareholders of acquired entities, the fair value of the liabilities assumed, and direct costs of the acquisition.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141

-Paragraph 51

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityPurchasePrice
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage of voting equity interests acquired in the business combination.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7659399&loc=d3e1392-128463

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 68

-Subparagraph c

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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 Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 159

-Paragraph 18

-Subparagraph f

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: 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

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

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 18

-Paragraph 20

-Subparagraph a (1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Gross amount of debt extinguished.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended			12 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended							1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 Consolidated retail properties property	Dec. 31, 2012 Consolidated retail properties property	Jun. 30, 2013 Unconsolidated retail properties property	Dec. 31, 2012 Unconsolidated retail properties property	Jun. 30, 2013 Consolidated and Unconsolidated Retail Properties	Dec. 31, 2012 Consolidated and Unconsolidated Retail Properties	May 03, 2012 The Domain in Austin, TX property	Mar. 22, 2012 The Mills acquisition SPG-FCM property	Jun. 30, 2013 Klepierre	May 21, 2012 Klepierre	Mar. 14, 2012 Klepierre	Jan. 06, 2012 Del Amo Fashion Center	Jun. 04, 2012 Outlet centers Destin, Florida sqft	May 30, 2013 Outlet centers Portland, Oregon sqft	Dec. 04, 2012 Grand Prairie, Texas and Livermore California outlets property	Jun. 30, 2013 Grand Prairie, Texas and Livermore California outlets	Jun. 30, 2013 Community/Lifestyle Centers property
Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions
Number of properties in which additional interest is acquired											26							2		3
Number of properties disposed				2	9	1	4			2										3
Gain upon acquisition of controlling interests, sale or disposal of assets and interests in unconsolidated entities, and impairment charge on investment in unconsolidated entities, net	$ 68,068,000	$ 88,835,000	$ 494,837,000					$ 61,500,000	$ 15,500,000	$ 12,400,000							$ 27,300,000
Acquisition, consideration paid																		260,900,000
Purchase price of business acquired															50,000,000
Ownership interest (as a percent)												28.90%	28.90%		50.00%				100.00%
Ownership interests acquired (as a percent)														28.70%		50.00%	100.00%	50.00%
Area of lifestyle center acquired (in square feet)																465,000	390,000
Aggregate cash purchase price for acquisition																	146,700,000
Cost of acquisition including assumption of debt											1,500,000,000			2,000,000,000		70,500,000
Percentage of consideration paid in cash																		90.00%
Percentage of consideration paid in units																		10.00%
Extinguishment of construction loans																		$ 162,500,000