Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - AOCI, Simon Property Group L.P. (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Simon Property Group L.P.
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Beginning Balance	$ 5,212,913
Ending balance	4,954,796
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	8,567
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	129,993
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	138,560
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Simon Property Group L.P.
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Beginning Balance	(295,007)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	14,018
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	149,622
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	163,640
Ending balance	(131,367)
Currency translation adjustments, attributable to parent
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(28,437)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	118,858
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	90,421
Currency translation adjustments, attributable to parent | Simon Property Group L.P.
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Beginning Balance	(289,866)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(28,646)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	136,806
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	108,160
Ending balance	(181,706)
Accumulated derivative losses, attributable to parent
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	34,400
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	11,135
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	45,535
Accumulated derivative losses, attributable to parent | Simon Property Group L.P.
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Beginning Balance	(17,704)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	39,844
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	12,816
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	52,660
Ending balance	34,956
Net unrealized gains on sale of marketable securities
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	2,604
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	2,604
Net unrealized gains on sale of marketable securities | Simon Property Group L.P.
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Beginning Balance	12,563
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	2,820
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	2,820
Ending balance	$ 15,383