Investment In Real Estate Joint Ventures And Partnerships (Combined Condensed Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Investment In Real Estate Joint Ventures And Partnerships [Line Items]
Property	$ 4,659,001		$ 4,777,794
Accumulated Depreciation	(1,030,027)		(971,249)
Property, net	3,751,334	[1]	3,806,545	[1]
Total Assets	4,672,437		4,807,855
Debt, net	2,605,737	[1]	2,589,448	[1]
Other liabilities, net	106,671		111,383
Total Liabilities	2,829,715		2,827,598
Accumulated equity	1,842,722		1,980,257		2,010,630	2,106,656
Total Liabilities and Equity	4,672,437		4,807,855
Equity Method Investments [Member]
Investment In Real Estate Joint Ventures And Partnerships [Line Items]
Property	2,102,657		2,142,524
Accumulated Depreciation	(283,705)		(247,996)
Property, net	1,818,952		1,894,528
Other assets, net	182,047		168,091
Total Assets	2,000,999		2,062,619
Debt, net	559,838		552,552
Amounts payable to Weingarten Realty Investors and affiliates	170,969		202,092
Other liabilities, net	51,679		45,331
Total Liabilities	782,486		799,975
Accumulated equity	1,218,513		1,262,644
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 2,000,999		$ 2,062,619

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