Organization and Basis of Presentation (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013
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)	84.20%
Combined percentage ownership by the subsidiaries in operating partnership (in hundredths)	85.20%
Total Shareholder Equity [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	28
Number of community centers in which interest is owned by the partnership	7
Number of office buildings in which interest is owned by the partnership	8
Number of outlet centers under construction in which interest is owned by the partnership	2
Number of regional mall expansions in which interest is owned by the partnership	4
Number of regional mall redevelopments in which interest is owned by the partnership	3
Number of associated centers under redevelopment in which interest is owned by the partnership	1
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)	9.10%
Percentage of non controlling limited partner interest of third parties in Operating partnership (in hundredth)	5.70%
Number of company's common stock owned by CBL's Predecessor (in shares)	3.2
Total combined effective interest of CBL's Predecessor in Operating Partnership (in hundredths)	10.70%
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	9
Number of associated centers in which interest is owned by the partnership	4
Number of community centers in which interest is owned by the partnership	4
Number of office buildings in which interest is owned by the partnership	7
Number of community centers under development in which interest is owned by the partnership	1