Equity - Changes in Equity, Simon Property Group, L.P. (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
LTIP Units	$ 14,705
Purchase and disposition of noncontrolling interests, net and other	(27,899)
Distributions to limited partners, excluding preferred interests classified as temporary equity	(631,427)
Comprehensive income, excluding $479 attributable to preferred interests in the Operating Partnership and a $919 loss attributable to noncontrolling redeemable interests in properties	566,719
Comprehensive income attributable to preferred interests	479
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling redeemable interests in properties	919
Simon Property Group L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance	4,959,912
Treasury unit purchase	(151,690)
LTIP Units	14,705
Purchase and disposition of noncontrolling interests, net and other	(27,899)
Distributions to limited partners, excluding preferred interests classified as temporary equity	(632,742)
Comprehensive income, excluding $479 attributable to preferred interests in the Operating Partnership and a $919 loss attributable to noncontrolling redeemable interests in properties	566,719
Balance	4,729,005
Comprehensive income attributable to preferred interests	479
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling redeemable interests in properties	919
Simon Property Group L.P. | Preferred Stock or Units
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance	43,405
Purchase and disposition of noncontrolling interests, net and other	(82)
Distributions to limited partners, excluding preferred interests classified as temporary equity	(834)
Comprehensive income, excluding $479 attributable to preferred interests in the Operating Partnership and a $919 loss attributable to noncontrolling redeemable interests in properties	834
Balance	43,323
Simon Property Group L.P. | Simon (Managing General Partner)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance	4,267,043
Limited partner units exchanged to units	12
Treasury unit purchase	(151,690)
Purchase and disposition of noncontrolling interests, net and other	(27,988)
Adjustment to limited partners' interest from change in ownership in the Operating Partnership	33,235
Distributions to limited partners, excluding preferred interests classified as temporary equity	(547,687)
Comprehensive income, excluding $479 attributable to preferred interests in the Operating Partnership and a $919 loss attributable to noncontrolling redeemable interests in properties	491,019
Balance	4,063,944
Simon Property Group L.P. | Limited Partners
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance	644,348
Limited partner units exchanged to units	(12)
LTIP Units	14,705
Adjustment to limited partners' interest from change in ownership in the Operating Partnership	(33,235)
Distributions to limited partners, excluding preferred interests classified as temporary equity	(82,906)
Comprehensive income, excluding $479 attributable to preferred interests in the Operating Partnership and a $919 loss attributable to noncontrolling redeemable interests in properties	74,191
Balance	617,091
Simon Property Group L.P. | Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance	5,116
Purchase and disposition of noncontrolling interests, net and other	171
Distributions to limited partners, excluding preferred interests classified as temporary equity	(1,315)
Comprehensive income, excluding $479 attributable to preferred interests in the Operating Partnership and a $919 loss attributable to noncontrolling redeemable interests in properties	675
Balance	$ 4,647