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	Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	$ 7,521.6		$ 7,700.7
Weighted Average Interest Rate	6.25%
KimPru and KimPru II [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	1,094.8		1,185.2
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.57%		5.59%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	52.8	[1]	52.6	[1]
KIR [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	936.8		911.5
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.74%		5.89%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	80.0	[1]	75.6	[1]
UBS Programs [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	708.7		718.9
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.67%		5.66%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	44.5	[1]	47.4	[1]
BIG Shopping Centers [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	444.3		444.5
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.52%		5.52%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	52.4	[1]	57.4	[1]
CPP [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	165.7		166.3
Weighted Average Interest Rate	4.45%		4.45%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	24.0	[1]	27.0	[1]
Kimco Income Fund [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	163.9		164.7
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.45%		5.45%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	29.7	[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)	58.9	[1]	61.9	[1]
RioCan [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	979.5		925.0
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.53%		5.66%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	43.0	[1]	43.3	[1]
Intown [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	620.2		621.8
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.08%		5.09%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	36.6	[1]	39.6	[1]
Other Institutional Programs [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	457.7		514.4
Weighted Average Interest Rate	4.94%		4.90%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	41.6	[1]	45.4	[1]
Other Joint Venture Programs [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable (in Dollars)	$ 1,706.3		$ 1,804.7
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.70%		5.60%
Weighted Average Remaining Term (months)	59.3	[1]	56.9	[1]

[1] Average Remaining term includes extensions