Investment In Real Estate Joint Ventures And Partnerships (Combined Condensed Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Investment In Real Estate Joint Ventures And Partnerships [Line Items]
Property	$ 4,263,222		$ 4,688,526
Accumulated depreciation	(981,443)		(1,059,531)
Property, net	3,696,192	[1]	3,702,236	[1]
Total Assets	4,512,541		4,588,226
Debt, net (primarily mortgages payable)	2,497,561	[1]	2,531,837	[1]
Other liabilities, net	115,285		107,919
Total Liabilities	2,708,282		2,764,644
Accumulated equity	1,804,259		1,823,582		1,957,578	1,980,257
Total Liabilities and Equity	4,512,541		4,588,226
Unconsolidated Real Estate Joint Ventures [Member]
Investment In Real Estate Joint Ventures And Partnerships [Line Items]
Property	2,024,964		2,108,745
Accumulated depreciation	(297,029)		(296,496)
Property, net	1,727,935		1,812,249
Other assets, net	170,266		173,130
Total Assets	1,898,201		1,985,379
Debt, net (primarily mortgages payable)	554,038		556,920
Amounts payable to Weingarten Realty Investors and affiliates	109,599		170,007
Other liabilities, net	41,253		41,907
Total Liabilities	704,890		768,834
Accumulated equity	1,193,311		1,216,545
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 1,898,201		$ 1,985,379

[1] Consolidated Variable Interest Entities' Assets and Liabilities included in the above balances (See Note 17):