The book value of noncontrolling interests in finite life entities. The noncontrolling interests in these entities are to be settled upon termination by distribution or transfer of either cash or specific assets of the underlying equity.

Name:	tco_BookValueOfNoncontrollingInterestsInFiniteLifeEntities
Namespace Prefix:	tco
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the amount of contributions to redeemable noncontrolling interest during the period.

+ Details

Name:	tco_ContributionsToRedeemableNoncontrollingInterest
Namespace Prefix:	tco
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	tco_EffectsOfChangesInOwnershipInterestInConsolidatedSubsidiariesOnEquityAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	tco
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The estimated fair value of noncontrolling interests in finite life entities. The noncontrolling interests in these entities are to be settled upon termination by distribution or transfer of either cash or specific assets of the underlying equity.

+ Details

Name:	tco_EstimatedFairValueOfNoncontrollingInterestsInFiniteLifeEntities
Namespace Prefix:	tco
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	tco_FiniteLifeEntitiesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	tco
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interest.

+ Details

Name:	tco_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNonredeemableNoncontrollingInterest
Namespace Prefix:	tco
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Net income attributable to common shareowners, net of transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests.

+ Details

Name:	tco_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasicNetOfTransfersToFromNoncontrollingInterest
Namespace Prefix:	tco
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The percentage of dividends to which the President is entitled.

+ Details

Name:	tco_PercentageOfDividendsToWhichPresidentIsEntitled
Namespace Prefix:	tco
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The percentage of President's dividends withheld as contributions to capital.

+ Details

Name:	tco_PercentageOfPresidentsDividendsWithheldAsContributionsToCapital
Namespace Prefix:	tco
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ Details

Name:	tco_ReconciliationOfRedeemableNoncontrollingInterestsRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	tco
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total of all Stockholders' Equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors owners, and affiliates of the entity which is directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent, and accounted for as a contingently redeemable noncontrolling interest.

+ Details

Name:	tco_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterest
Namespace Prefix:	tco
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	tco_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	tco
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Terminaton date of partnership agreement

+ Details

Name:	tco_TerminatonDateOfPartnershipAgreement
Namespace Prefix:	tco
Data Type:	xbrli:gYearItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	tco_TransfersToFromNoncontrollingInterestAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	tco
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Change in additional paid in capital as a result of a reallocation of a subsidiary's stockholders' equity to noncontrolling interest due to the subsidiary issuing stock. This reallocation is from a capital transaction.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalReallocationOfMinorityInterest
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 27
-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 20
-Article 7

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 26

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph A3
-Appendix A

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterest
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Decrease in noncontrolling interest as a result of redeeming or purchasing the interests of noncontrolling shareholders.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph c(2)

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

For banks, carrying amount of the equity interests owned by noncontrolling shareholders, partners, or other equity holders in joint ventures included in the entity's consolidated financial statements.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestInJointVentures
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

For banks, amount of net income (loss) for the period allocated to noncontrolling shareholders, partners, or other equity holders in joint ventures included in the entity's consolidated financial statements.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestInNetIncomeLossJointVenturePartners
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestInNetIncomeLossOfConsolidatedEntitiesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of net income (loss) for the period allocated to noncontrolling partners in an operating partnership included in the entity's consolidated financial statements.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestInNetIncomeLossOperatingPartnerships
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of net income (loss) for the period allocated to noncontrolling shareholders, partners, or other equity holders in one or more of the entities consolidated into the reporting entity's financial statements other than joint ventures, limited partnerships, operating partnerships or interests held by preferred unit holders.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestInNetIncomeLossOtherMinorityInterests
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of net income (loss) for the period allocated to noncontrolling preferred unit holders in an entity included in the reporting entity's consolidated financial statements.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestInNetIncomeLossPreferredUnitHolders
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount of the equity interests owned by noncontrolling partners in an operating partnership included in the entity's consolidated financial statements.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestInOperatingPartnerships
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount of the equity interests owned by noncontrolling preferred unit holders in an entity included in the reporting entity's consolidated financial statements.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestInPreferredUnitHolders
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The equity interest of noncontrolling shareholders, partners or other equity holders in consolidated entity.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The consolidating entity's interest in net assets of the subsidiary, expressed as a percentage.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The portion of net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest (if any) deducted in order to derive the portion attributable to the parent.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph a

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph c(1)

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph A1, A4, A5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Net income after adjustments for dividends on preferred stock (declared in the period) and/or cumulative preferred stock (accumulated for the period).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Noncontrolling Interests (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
Noncontrolling Interests (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Reconciliation of redeemable noncontrolling interests [Roll Forward]
Balance			$ 0
Contributions			292,000
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	(230,000)		(292,000)
Balance	0		0
Finite Life Entities [Abstract]
Estimated fair value of noncontrolling interests in finite life entities	208,000,000		208,000,000
Book value of noncontrolling interests in finite life entities	(71,500,000)		(71,500,000)
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests:
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures	(73,174,000)		(73,174,000)		(100,355,000)
Noncontrolling interests in partnership equity of TRG	(64,437,000)		(64,437,000)		(93,012,000)
Preferred equity of TRG	29,217,000		29,217,000		29,217,000
Noncontrolling interests	(108,394,000)		(108,394,000)		(164,150,000)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Noncontrolling share of income (loss) of consolidated joint ventures	3,015,000	1,968,000	6,462,000	3,981,000
Noncontrolling share of income (loss) of TRG	4,506,000	4,428,000	10,195,000	8,310,000
TRG Series F preferred distributions	615,000	615,000	1,230,000	1,230,000
Net income (loss) attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	8,136,000	7,011,000	17,887,000	13,521,000
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	(230,000)		(292,000)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	7,906,000	7,011,000	17,595,000	13,521,000
Effects of changes in ownership interest in consolidated subsidiaries on equity [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to Taubman Centers, Inc. common shareowners	8,344,000	7,453,000	19,060,000	13,736,000
Transfers (to) from the noncontrolling interest -
Decrease in Taubman Centers, Inc.’s paid-in capital for the adjustments of noncontrolling interest			(40,762,000)	(623,000)
Net transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests			40,762,000	623,000
Change from net income (loss) attributable to Taubman Centers, Inc. and transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests			$ (21,702,000)	$ 13,113,000
Taubman Asia [Member]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests [Abstract]
Percentage of dividends to which the President is entitled (in hundredths)			10.00%
Percentage of President's dividends withheld as contributions to capital (in hundredths)			85.00%
Outlet Joint Venture [Member]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests [Abstract]
Ownership percentage in consolidated subsidiary (in hundredths)	90.00%		90.00%
Percentage of noncontrolling interests (in hundredths)	10.00%		10.00%
Consolidated Joint Venture 1 [Member]
Finite Life Entities [Abstract]
Terminaton date of partnership agreement	2081		2081
Consolidated Joint Venture 2 [Member]
Finite Life Entities [Abstract]
Terminaton date of partnership agreement	2083		2083