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, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Mortgages and Notes Payable	$ 7,227.0		$ 7,700.7
Weighted Average Interest Rate	6.16%
KimPru and KimPru II [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	1,103.0		1,185.2
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.53%		5.59%
Weighted Average Remaining Term	47 months 6 days	[1]	52 months 18 days	[1]
KIR [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	916.7		911.5
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.44%		5.89%
Weighted Average Remaining Term	68 months 3 days	[1]	75 months 18 days	[1]
UBS Programs [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	695.1		718.9
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.40%		5.66%
Weighted Average Remaining Term	42 months 3 days	[1]	47 months 12 days	[1]
BIG Shopping Centers [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	444.0		444.5
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.52%		5.52%
Weighted Average Remaining Term	48 months 15 days	[1]	57 months 12 days	[1]
CPP [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	142.3		166.3
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.21%		4.45%
Weighted Average Remaining Term	34 months	[1]	27 months	[1]
Kimco Income Fund [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	162.2		164.7
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.45%		5.45%
Weighted Average Remaining Term	23 months 21 days	[1]	32 months 21 days	[1]
SEB Immobilien [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	243.8		243.7
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.11%		5.34%
Weighted Average Remaining Term	58 months 9 days	[1]	61 months 27 days	[1]
RioCan [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	922.5		925.0
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.42%		5.66%
Weighted Average Remaining Term	38 months 27 days	[1]	43 months 9 days	[1]
Intown [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	616.9		621.8
Weighted Average Interest Rate	4.42%		5.09%
Weighted Average Remaining Term	40 months 27 days	[1]	39 months 18 days	[1]
Other Institutional Programs [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	355.2		514.4
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.26%		4.90%
Weighted Average Remaining Term	37 months 6 days	[1]	45 months 12 days	[1]
Other Joint Venture Programs [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	$ 1,625.3		$ 1,804.7
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.69%		5.60%
Weighted Average Remaining Term	59 months 27 days	[1]	56 months 27 days	[1]

[1] Average Remaining Term includes extension options