Investment In Real Estate Joint Ventures And Partnerships (Combined Condensed Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Jun. 30, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Property	$ 4,827,374		$ 4,777,794
Accumulated Depreciation	(1,025,170)		(971,249)
Property, net	3,802,204	[1]	3,806,545	[1]
Total Assets	4,755,778		4,807,855
Debt, net	2,615,976	[1]	2,589,448	[1]
Other liabilities, net	109,287		111,383
Total Liabilities	2,834,192		2,827,598
Accumulated equity	1,921,586		1,980,257		2,031,499	2,106,656
Total Liabilities and Equity	4,755,778		4,807,855
Equity Method Investments [Member]
Property	2,129,542		2,142,524
Accumulated Depreciation	(271,200)		(247,996)
Property, net	1,858,342		1,894,528
Other assets, net	172,392		168,091
Total Assets	2,030,734		2,062,619
Debt, net	559,892		552,552
Amounts payable to Weingarten Realty Investors and affiliates	178,875		202,092
Other liabilities, net	48,431		45,331
Total Liabilities	787,198		799,975
Accumulated equity	1,243,536		1,262,644
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 2,030,734		$ 2,062,619

[1] Consolidated Variable Interest Entities' Assets and Liabilities included in the above balances (See Note 3):