Investments in and Advances To Joint Ventures (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Condensed Combined Statements of Operations
Revenues from operations	$ 196,448	$ 192,992		$ 590,092	$ 583,514
Operating expenses	111,737	61,220		254,611	239,510
Impairment charges	51,245		170,900	68,457	59,277
Depreciation and amortization	56,249	53,052		166,496	159,705
Interest expense	58,169	52,014		175,218	161,488
Loss from continuing operations	(48,043)	(12,598)		(10,952)	(70,202)
Discontinued operations:
(Loss) gain on disposition of real estate, net of tax	(8,033)	889		(15,052)	(2,602)
Non-controlling interests	(3,693)	(1,450)		(3,512)	(38,380)
Net loss attributable to unconsolidated joint ventures	(42,989)	(14,310)		(21,060)	(125,132)
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Member]
Condensed Combined Statements of Operations
Revenues from operations	174,735	160,440		518,279	479,095
Operating expenses	57,988	57,847		172,669	181,256
Impairment charges	63,041	65		63,041	65
Depreciation and amortization	45,211	46,247		140,501	138,789
Interest expense	56,574	52,532		170,580	169,330
Total expenses	222,814	156,691		546,791	489,440
(Loss) income before tax expense and discontinued operations	(48,079)	3,749		(28,512)	(10,345)
Income tax expense (primarily Sonae Sierra Brasil), net	(9,434)	(4,114)		(26,963)	(13,947)
Loss from continuing operations	(57,513)	(365)		(55,475)	(24,292)
Discontinued operations:
[DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriodNetOfTax]	228	(7,583)		(244)	(19,742)
Gain on debt forgiveness	0			2,976
(Loss) gain on disposition of real estate, net of tax	(593)	(13,340)		21,300	(25,303)
Gain loss before gain loss on disposition of real estate net	(57,878)	(21,288)		(31,443)	(69,337)
Gain on disposition of real estate, net		0			17
Net loss	(57,878)	(21,288)		(31,443)	(69,320)
Non-controlling interests	(6,570)	10		(11,564)	(253)
Net loss attributable to unconsolidated joint ventures	(64,448)	(21,278)		(43,007)	(69,573)
Company's share of equity in net loss of joint ventures	$ (6,199)	$ (4,193)		$ 14,240	$ (4,362)