Note 4 - 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	Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Mortgages and Notes Payable	$ 6,938.9		$ 7,067.5
KimPru and KimPru II [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	1,009.2		1,010.2
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.54%		5.54%
Weighted Average Remaining Term	41 months 18 days	[1]	44 months 15 days	[1]
KIR [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	927.5		914.6
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.11%		5.22%
Weighted Average Remaining Term	80 months	[1]	78 months 18 days	[1]
UBS Programs [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	656.0		691.9
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.40%		5.40%
Weighted Average Remaining Term	35 months 21 days	[1]	39 months 3 days	[1]
BIG Shopping Centers [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	406.3		443.8
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.52%		5.52%
Weighted Average Remaining Term	42 months 15 days	[1]	45 months 15 days	[1]
CPP [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	140.8		141.5
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.18%		5.19%
Weighted Average Remaining Term	28 months	[1]	31 months	[1]
Kimco Income Fund [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	160.6		161.4
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.45%		5.45%
Weighted Average Remaining Term	17 months 24 days	[1]	20 months 21 days	[1]
SEB Immobilien [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	243.8		243.8
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.11%		5.11%
Weighted Average Remaining Term	52 months 9 days	[1]	55 months 9 days	[1]
RioCan [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	904.0		923.2
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.06%		5.16%
Weighted Average Remaining Term	41 months 27 days	[1]	41 months 6 days	[1]
Intown [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	612.1		614.4
Weighted Average Interest Rate	4.48%		4.46%
Weighted Average Remaining Term	43 months 6 days	[1]	46 months 3 days	[1]
Other Institutional Programs [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	300.7		310.5
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.25%		5.24%
Weighted Average Remaining Term	36 months 15 days	[1]	39 months	[1]
Other Joint Venture Programs [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	$ 1,577.9		$ 1,612.2
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.73%		5.70%
Weighted Average Remaining Term	59 months 12 days	[1]	57 months 24 days	[1]

[1] Average Remaining Term includes extension options