Organization and Basis of Presentation (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Number of states in which entity operates	27
Subsidiaries [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Number of subsidiaries owned by the company	2
Percentage ownership of the sole general partner in partnership (in hundredths)	1.00%
Percentage of limited partnership interest owned by CBL Holdings II, Inc. in the operating partnership (in hundredths)	82.60%
Combined percentage ownership by the subsidiaries in operating partnership (in hundredths)	83.60%
Parent [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Number of regional malls/open-air centers in which interest is owned by the partnership	77
Number of associated centers in which interest is owned by the partnership	29
Number of community centers in which interest is owned by the partnership	5
Number of office buildings in which interest is owned by the partnership	13
Number of regional mall expansions in which interest is owned by the partnership	1
Number of Regional Mall Open Air Centers Under Redevelopment	1
Number of community center expansions in which interest is owned by the partnership	2
Number of outlet centers under construction in which interest is owned by the partnership	1
Number of outlet center expansions in which interest is owned by the partnership	1
Percentage of Equity Interest in Real Estate Property	75.00%
Percentage ownership interest in qualified subsidiaries (in hundredths)	100.00%
Percentage of non controlling limited partner interest ownership of CBL's Predecessor in the Operating Partnership (in hundredths)	9.80%
Percentage of non controlling limited partner interest of third parties in Operating partnership (in hundredth)	6.60%
Number of company's common stock owned by CBL's Predecessor (in shares)	7.8
Total combined effective interest of CBL's Predecessor in Operating Partnership (in hundredths)	13.90%
Percentage of preferred and common stock owned of the Management Company by the Operating Partnership (in hundredths)	100.00%
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Number of regional malls/open-air centers in which interest is owned by the partnership	10
Number of associated centers in which interest is owned by the partnership	3
Number of community centers in which interest is owned by the partnership	5
Number of office buildings in which interest is owned by the partnership	6
Joint Venture Partner Interest, Ownership Percentage	25.00%