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	Jun. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	$ 7,360.6		$ 7,700.7
Weighted Average Interest Rate	6.28%
KimPru and KimPru II [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	1,109.9		1,185.2
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.54%		5.59%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	49.9	[1]	52.6	[1]
KIR [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	941.9		911.5
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.73%		5.89%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	62.8	[1]	75.6	[1]
UBS Programs [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	705.4		718.9
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.67%		5.66%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	41.6	[1]	47.4	[1]
BIG Shopping Centers [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	444.1		444.5
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.52%		5.52%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	51.5	[1]	57.4	[1]
CPP [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	143.0		166.3
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.20%		4.45%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	37.0	[1]	27.0	[1]
Kimco Income Fund [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	163.1		164.7
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.45%		5.45%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	26.7	[1]	32.7	[1]
SEB Immobilien [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	243.7		243.7
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.34%		5.34%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	55.9	[1]	61.9	[1]
RioCan [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	937.2		925.0
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.52%		5.66%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	40.1	[1]	43.3	[1]
Intown [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	618.5		621.8
Weighted Average Interest Rate	4.29%		5.09%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	44.0	[1]	39.6	[1]
Other Institutional Programs [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	365.3		514.4
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.27%		4.90%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	40.0	[1]	45.4	[1]
Other Joint Venture Programs [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	$ 1,688.5		$ 1,804.7
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.54%		5.60%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	55.0	[1]	56.9	[1]

[1] Average Remaining Term includes extension options