Acquisitions, Dispositions, and Development (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Dispositions [Line Items]
Notes payable (Note 5)	$ 2,580,033,000	$ 3,058,053,000
Proceeds from dispositions, net of transaction costs (Note 2)	(385,598,000)
Partnership Units Received as Part of Consideration in Connection with Sale of Equity Method Investment and Other Assets, Fair Value at Acquisition Date	77,700,000
Restriction Period on Sale of Partnership Units Received, years	one
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Properties, Net of Applicable Income Taxes	476,414,000
Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures	326,905,000	327,692,000
Office Building [Member]
Business Dispositions [Line Items]
Net Consideration Paid to Acquire U.S. Headquarters Building	16,100,000
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Debt Assumed	17,400,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.90%
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares	1,431
Restricted and Other Cash Proceeds Received as Part of the Acquisition of the U.S. Headquarters Building	1,400,000
Notes payable (Note 5)	18,100,000
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Premium	700,000
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Apr. 01, 2015
Taubman Prestige Outlets of Chesterfield [Member]
Business Dispositions [Line Items]
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Interest Acquired	10.00%
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	100.00%
International Plaza [Member]
Business Dispositions [Line Items]
NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionInterestSold	49.90%
Noncash or Part Noncash Divestiture, Total Consideration Received	499,000,000
Proceeds from dispositions, net of transaction costs (Note 2)	337,000,000
Noncash or Part Noncash Divestiture, Amount of Consideration Received	162,000,000
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Properties, Net of Applicable Income Taxes	367,000,000
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Properties, Applicable Income Taxes	10,200,000
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	50.10%
Arizona Mills [Member]
Business Dispositions [Line Items]
Notes payable (Note 5)	167,000,000
Proceeds from dispositions, net of transaction costs (Note 2)	60,000,000
Noncash or Part Noncash Divestiture, Amount of Consideration Received	84,000,000
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Properties, Net of Applicable Income Taxes	109,000,000
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	0.00%	50.00%
Number of Partnership Units Received as Part of Consideration in Connection with Sale of Equity Method Investment and Other Assets	555,150
Value of Partnership Unit Received in Connection with Disposition	$ 154.91
International Market Place [Member]
Business Dispositions [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	93.50%
Area of Real Estate Property	400,000
Construction in Progress, Gross	33,200,000
Construction in Progress, Gross, Company's Share	31,100,000
The Mall at University Town Center [Member]
Business Dispositions [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	50.00%
Area of Real Estate Property	900,000
Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures	106,300,000
The Mall of San Juan [Member]
Business Dispositions [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	80.00%
Area of Real Estate Property	700,000
Construction in Progress, Gross	202,000,000
Construction in Progress, Gross, Company's Share	162,300,000
Zhengzhou Vancouver Times Square [Member] [Member]
Business Dispositions [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	32.00%
Area of Real Estate Property	1,000,000
Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures	39,300,000
Xi'an Saigao City Plaza [Member]
Business Dispositions [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	30.00%
Area of Real Estate Property	1,000,000
Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures	55,500,000
Joint Venture, Ownership Percentage	60.00%
Hanam Union Square [Member]
Business Dispositions [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	30.00%
Area of Real Estate Property	1,700,000
Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures	$ 99,700,000