Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Real estate, at cost:
Land	$ 44,971	$ 44,971
Buildings and leasehold improvements	864,609	860,833
Development and construction in progress	2,212	1,103
Total	911,792	906,907
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(160,826)	(136,460)
Real estate, net	750,966	770,447
Cash and cash equivalents	353,396	506,619
Restricted cash	90,395	88,769
Short-term investments	0	5,000
Marketable securities	31,206	0
Tenant and other receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,219 and $1,039, respectively	1,953	2,552
Receivable arising from the straight-lining of rents	173,694	169,536
Deferred lease and other property costs, net, including unamortized leasing fees to Vornado of $39,910 and $42,678, respectively	54,461	58,244
Deferred debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $16,834 and $14,638, respectively	5,522	7,470
Assets related to discontinued operations	0	137,418
Other assets	20,217	25,252
Total assets	1,481,810	1,771,307
Liabilities and Equity
Mortgages payable	1,065,916	1,080,932
Amounts due to Vornado	46,445	41,340
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	33,621	34,577
Liabilities related to discontinued operations	0	250,000
Other liabilities, including $2,348 of deferred income from the sale of Kings Plaza in 2012	3,675	1,213
Total liabilities	1,149,657	1,408,062
Commitments and contingencies
Preferred stock: $1.00 par value per share; authorized, 3,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding, none
Common stock: $1.00 par value per share; authorized, 10,000,000 shares; issued, 5,173,450 shares; outstanding, 5,105,936 shares	5,173	5,173
Additional capital	29,352	31,801
Retained earnings	296,797	322,201
Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,206	0
Alexander's equity before treasury stock	332,528	359,175
Treasury stock: 67,514 shares, at cost	(375)	(375)
Total Alexander's equity	332,153	358,800
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiary	0	4,445
Total equity	332,153	363,245
Total liabilities and equity	$ 1,481,810	$ 1,771,307