Note 5 - Investments and Advances in Real Estate Joint Ventures (Detail) - Joint Venture Investments Accounted For Under The Equity Method - Investment Details (Prior Period) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Kim Pruand Kim PruII [Member]
Average Ownership Interest		15.00%
Number of Properties		65
Gross Investment In Real Estate		$ 2,915,100,000
The Company's Investment		145,300,000
The Company's Share of Income/(Loss)	(15,700,000)
KIR [Member]
Average Ownership Interest		45.00%
Number of Properties		59
Gross Investment In Real Estate		1,546,600,000
The Company's Investment		156,100,000
The Company's Share of Income/(Loss)	7,500,000
UBS Programs [Member]
Average Ownership Interest		17.90%
Number of Properties		43
Gross Investment In Real Estate		1,366,600,000
The Company's Investment		68,300,000
The Company's Share of Income/(Loss)	400,000
BIG Shopping Centers [Member]
Average Ownership Interest		36.50%
Number of Properties		22
Gross Investment In Real Estate		507,200,000
The Company's Investment		42,400,000
The Company's Share of Income/(Loss)	200,000
CPP [Member]
Average Ownership Interest		55.00%
Number of Properties		5
Gross Investment In Real Estate		378,100,000
The Company's Investment		115,100,000
The Company's Share of Income/(Loss)	1,300,000
Kimco Income Fund [Member]
Average Ownership Interest		15.20%
Number of Properties		12
Gross Investment In Real Estate		281,700,000
The Company's Investment		12,400,000
The Company's Share of Income/(Loss)	400,000
SEB Immobilien [Member]
Average Ownership Interest		15.00%
Number of Properties		11
Gross Investment In Real Estate		300,100,000
The Company's Investment		3,400,000
The Company's Share of Income/(Loss)	700,000
Other Institutional Programs [Member]
Number of Properties		68
Gross Investment In Real Estate		838,100,000
The Company's Investment		35,100,000
The Company's Share of Income/(Loss)	300,000
Rio Can [Member]
Average Ownership Interest		50.00%
Number of Properties		45
Gross Investment In Real Estate		1,380,700,000
The Company's Investment		61,500,000
The Company's Share of Income/(Loss)	9,100,000
Intown [Member]
Number of Properties		138
Gross Investment In Real Estate		820,100,000
The Company's Investment		99,400,000
The Company's Share of Income/(Loss)	(5,400,000)
Latin America [Member]
Number of Properties		130
Gross Investment In Real Estate		1,191,100,000
The Company's Investment		344,800,000
The Company's Share of Income/(Loss)	9,200,000
Other Joint Venture Programs [Member]
Number of Properties		91
Gross Investment In Real Estate		2,029,300,000
The Company's Investment		298,900,000
The Company's Share of Income/(Loss)	6,600,000
Equity InIncome OfJoint Ventures Net [Member]
Number of Properties		689
Gross Investment In Real Estate		13,554,700,000
The Company's Investment		1,382,700,000
The Company's Share of Income/(Loss)	$ 14,619,000