Investment In Real Estate Joint Ventures And Partnerships (Combined Condensed Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
ASSETS
Property	$ 4,229,249		$ 4,289,276
Accumulated depreciation	(1,068,733)		(1,058,040)
Property, net	3,162,052	[1]	3,353,850	[1]
Total Assets	3,869,172		4,223,929
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Debt, net	2,096,067	[1]	2,299,844	[1]
Other liabilities, net	120,789		127,572
Total Liabilities	2,299,241		2,535,951
Equity	1,569,931		1,687,978		1,667,740	1,740,155
Total Liabilities and Equity	3,869,172		4,223,929
Unconsolidated Real Estate Joint Ventures [Member]
ASSETS
Property	1,403,593		1,401,982
Accumulated depreciation	(269,827)		(261,454)
Property, net	1,133,766		1,140,528
Other assets, net	139,814		142,638
Total Assets	1,273,580		1,283,166
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Debt, net	450,693		453,390
Amounts payable to Weingarten Realty Investors and Affiliates	29,314		30,214
Other liabilities, net	26,227		29,711
Total Liabilities	506,234		513,315
Equity	767,346		769,851
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 1,273,580		$ 1,283,166

[1] Consolidated variable interest entities' assets held as collateral and debt included in the above balances (see Note 16):