Variable Interest Entities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 jvs	Dec. 31, 2011 jvs
Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Debt associated with tenancy-in-common arrangement	21.0
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Number of VIE real estate joint ventures	2
Number of neighborhood/community shopping centers	30
Texas [Member] | Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Number of neighborhood/community shopping centers	22
Georgia [Member] | Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Number of neighborhood/community shopping centers	3
Tennessee [Member] | Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Number of neighborhood/community shopping centers	2
Florida [Member] | Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Number of neighborhood/community shopping centers	2
North Carolina [Member] | Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Number of neighborhood/community shopping centers	1
Through Secured Loans [Member] | Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Number of VIE real estate joint ventures	2	2
Through Guaranty On Debt [Member] | Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Number of VIE real estate joint ventures		1