Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Apr. 30, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	AMBASE CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000020639
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		40,737,751
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2016