Investments in Partially Owned Entities (Summary of Investments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments
Carrying amount of investments in partially owned entities	$ 1,415,747	$ 1,428,019
7 West 34th Street \| Other liabilities
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments
Equity method ownership percentage	53.00%
Carrying amount of investments in partially owned entities	$ (44,291)	(43,022)
Sale Of Ownership Interest Percent	47.00%
Partially Owned Office Buildings
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments
Carrying amount of investments in partially owned entities	$ 786,387	797,205
Alexanders Inc
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments
Equity method ownership percentage	32.40%
Carrying amount of investments in partially owned entities	$ 127,908	129,324
PREIT
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments
Equity method ownership percentage	8.00%
Carrying amount of investments in partially owned entities	$ 119,643	122,883
India real estate ventures
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments
Carrying amount of investments in partially owned entities	$ 31,519	30,290
India real estate ventures \| Minimum
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments
Equity method ownership percentage	4.10%
India real estate ventures \| Maximum
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments
Equity method ownership percentage	36.50%
UE
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments
Equity method ownership percentage	5.40%
Carrying amount of investments in partially owned entities	$ 24,358	24,523
Other investments
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments
Carrying amount of investments in partially owned entities	$ 325,932	$ 323,794

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66011266&loc=d3e33918-111571

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+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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