Equity - Temporary Equity (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) item $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) shares
Redeemable preferred stock
Preferred stock stated dividend rate percentage	8.375%	8.375%
Limited partners’ preferred interest in the Operating Partnership and noncontrolling redeemable interests in properties	$ 137,762	$ 25,537
Simon Property Group L.P.
Redeemable preferred stock
Limited partners’ preferred interest in the Operating Partnership and noncontrolling redeemable interests in properties	$ 137,762	25,537
7.5% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units
Redeemable preferred stock
Number of series of units classified into temporary equity | item	1
Noncontrolling interests redeemable at amounts in excess of fair value	$ 0	$ 0
Preferred stock stated dividend rate percentage	7.50%	7.50%
Temporary equity, shares authorized | shares	260,000	260,000
Temporary equity, shares issued | shares	255,373	255,373
Temporary equity, shares outstanding | shares	255,373	255,373
Cumulative quarterly distributions on preferred units (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 7.50
Temporary equity redemption price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	100.00
Liquidation preference (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 100.00
Limited partners’ preferred interest in the Operating Partnership and noncontrolling redeemable interests in properties	$ 25,537	$ 25,537
7.5% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units | Simon Property Group L.P.
Redeemable preferred stock
Number of series of units classified into temporary equity | item	1
Noncontrolling interests redeemable at amounts in excess of fair value	$ 0	$ 0
Preferred stock stated dividend rate percentage	7.50%	7.50%
Temporary equity, shares authorized | shares	260,000	260,000
Temporary equity, shares issued | shares	255,373	255,373
Temporary equity, shares outstanding | shares	255,373	255,373
Cumulative quarterly distributions on preferred units (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 7.50
Temporary equity redemption price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	100.00
Liquidation preference (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 100.00
Limited partners’ preferred interest in the Operating Partnership and noncontrolling redeemable interests in properties	$ 25,537	$ 25,537
Other noncontrolling redeemable interest
Redeemable preferred stock
Limited partners’ preferred interest in the Operating Partnership and noncontrolling redeemable interests in properties	112,225
Other noncontrolling redeemable interest | Simon Property Group L.P.
Redeemable preferred stock
Limited partners’ preferred interest in the Operating Partnership and noncontrolling redeemable interests in properties	$ 112,225