Note 5 - Investments and Advances in Real Estate Joint Ventures (Detail) - Joint Venture Investments Accounted For Under The Equity Method - Debt Details (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	$ 7,676.3		$ 7,962.6
Weighted Average Interest Rate	6.20%
KimPru and KimPru II [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	1,191.4		1,388.0
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.58%		5.56%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	55.4	[1]	59.8	[1]
KIR [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	923.8		954.7
Weighted Average Interest Rate	6.23%		6.54%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	66.1	[1]	53.1	[1]
UBS Programs [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	740.1		733.6
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.62%		5.70%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	49.2	[1]	54.8	[1]
BIG Shopping Centers [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	444.7		407.2
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.52%		5.47%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	60.4	[1]	72.5	[1]
CPP [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	166.9		168.7
Weighted Average Interest Rate	4.42%		4.45%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	30.1	[1]	39.3	[1]
Kimco Income Fund [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	165.5		167.8
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.45%		5.45%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	35.7	[1]	44.7	[1]
SEB Immobilien [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	206.8		193.5
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.64%		5.67%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	65.8	[1]	71.4	[1]
RioCan [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	903.9		968.5
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.84%		5.84%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	42.9	[1]	52.0	[1]
Intown [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	623.3		628.0
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.19%		5.19%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	42.6	[1]	46.8	[1]
Other Institutional Programs [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	548.8		550.8
Weighted Average Interest Rate	4.96%		5.08%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	47.7	[1]	56.6	[1]
Other Joint Venture Programs [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	$ 1,761.1		$ 1,801.8
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.49%		5.08%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	59.4	[1]	50.5	[1]

[1] Average Remaining term includes extensions