Investments in Unconsolidated Entities - Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Our Share of:
Our net Investment in unconsolidated entities, at equity	$ 2,374,693	$ 2,367,583
Unconsolidated properties | Maximum
Our Share of:
Estimated life of investment property	40 years
Equity Method Investees excluding Klepierre, Aeropostale and HBS | Unconsolidated properties
Assets:
Investment properties, at cost	$ 17,851,775	17,549,078
Less - accumulated depreciation	6,034,375	5,892,960
Investment properties at cost, net	11,817,400	11,656,118
Cash and cash equivalents	758,716	778,455
Tenant receivables and accrued revenue, net	337,507	348,139
Deferred costs and other assets	368,558	351,098
Total assets	13,282,181	13,133,810
Liabilities and Partners' Deficit:
Mortgages	14,290,665	14,237,576
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, intangibles, and deferred revenues	834,650	867,003
Other liabilities	352,123	325,078
Total liabilities	15,477,438	15,429,657
Preferred units	67,450	67,450
Partners' deficit	(2,262,707)	(2,363,297)
Total liabilities and equity	13,282,181	13,133,810
Our Share of:
Partners' deficit	(990,000)	(1,018,755)
Add: Excess Investment	1,777,705	1,791,691
Our net Investment in unconsolidated entities, at equity	$ 787,705	$ 772,936