Share-based Compensation of the Company Option Activity (Details) (Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	(3,600)	0

Number of share options (or share units) exercised during the current period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration