Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 259,613		$ 267,263		$ 763,274		$ 793,448
Property operating expenses	(74,468)	[1]	(75,768)	[1]	(220,175)	[1]	(228,498)	[1]
Interest expense	(62,433)		(70,133)		(183,687)		(208,216)
Other expense	(5,871)		(7,446)		(19,188)		(22,795)
Gain on sales of real estate assets	1,659		2,890		1,753		3,602
Segment profit (loss)	118,500		116,806		341,977		337,541
Depreciation and amortization expense	(67,186)		(70,720)		(198,123)		(209,925)
General and administrative expense	(10,171)		(10,092)		(35,964)		(33,133)
Interest and other income	822		595		3,193		1,752
Gain on extinguishment of debt	(178)		0		(178)		(581)
Loss on impairment of real estate	(21,654)		(51,304)		(21,654)		(51,304)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(2,062)		(989)		(5,401)		(4,222)
Income tax (provision) benefit	(1,195)		(4,653)		(1,234)		1,770
Income (loss) from continuing operations	21,356		(18,379)		93,774		51,504
Total assets	6,890,316		7,422,495		6,890,316		7,422,495		6,719,428
Capital expenditures	78,728	[2]	68,677	[2]	232,772	[2]	172,075	[2]
Malls [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	229,781		239,746		678,676		710,570
Property operating expenses	(73,864)	[1]	(76,638)	[1]	(219,798)	[1]	(232,337)	[1]
Interest expense	(56,028)		(62,063)		(163,387)		(179,890)
Other expense	0		0		0		0
Gain on sales of real estate assets	1,132		2,411		1,132		2,415
Segment profit (loss)	101,021		103,456		296,623		300,758
Total assets	6,226,745		6,434,775		6,226,745		6,434,775
Capital expenditures	39,118	[2]	43,583	[2]	160,390	[2]	95,992	[2]
Associated Centers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	10,612		10,829		31,453		32,506
Property operating expenses	(2,664)	[1]	(2,743)	[1]	(7,790)	[1]	(8,488)	[1]
Interest expense	(2,077)		(2,296)		(6,387)		(6,553)
Other expense	0		0		0		0
Gain on sales of real estate assets	202		(7)		202		310
Segment profit (loss)	6,073		5,783		17,478		17,775
Total assets	303,534		323,248		303,534		323,248
Capital expenditures	1,103	[2]	1,784	[2]	4,583	[2]	5,197	[2]
Community Centers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	4,391		3,873		12,314		11,451
Property operating expenses	(1,240)	[1]	(1,377)	[1]	(4,932)	[1]	(2,775)	[1]
Interest expense	(627)		(1,613)		(1,947)		(4,827)
Other expense	0		0		0		0
Gain on sales of real estate assets	36		486		133		865
Segment profit (loss)	2,560		1,369		5,568		4,714
Total assets	240,724		295,703		240,724		295,703
Capital expenditures	1,772	[2]	3,618	[2]	12,478	[2]	6,280	[2]
All Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	14,829	[3]	12,815	[3]	40,831	[3]	38,921	[3]
Property operating expenses	3,300	[1],[3]	4,990	[1],[3]	12,345	[1],[3]	15,102	[1],[3]
Interest expense	(3,701)	[3]	(4,161)	[3]	(11,966)	[3]	(16,946)	[3]
Other expense	(5,871)	[3]	(7,446)	[3]	(19,188)	[3]	(22,795)	[3]
Gain on sales of real estate assets	289	[3]	0	[3]	286	[3]	12	[3]
Segment profit (loss)	8,846	[3]	6,198	[3]	22,308	[3]	14,294	[3]
Total assets	119,313	[3]	368,769	[3]	119,313	[3]	368,769	[3]
Capital expenditures	$ 36,735	[2],[3]	$ 19,692	[2],[3]	$ 55,321	[2],[3]	$ 64,606	[2],[3]

[1] Property operating expenses include property operating, real estate taxes and maintenance and repairs.

[2] Amounts include acquisitions of real estate assets and investments in unconsolidated affiliates. Developments in progress are included in the All Other category.

[3] The All Other category includes mortgage and other notes receivable, office buildings, the Management Company and the Company’s subsidiary that provides security and maintenance services.