Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 262,437		$ 251,844		$ 528,414		$ 498,313
Property operating expenses	(70,883)	[1]	(71,736)	[2]	(149,694)	[2]	(143,687)	[2]
Interest expense	(57,205)		(61,400)		(117,033)		(121,231)
Other expense	(8,190)		(6,559)		(14,846)		(13,317)
Gain on sales of real estate assets	457		0		1,000		94
Segment profit (loss)	126,616		112,149		247,841		220,172
Depreciation and amortization expense	(70,515)		(67,156)		(142,070)		(129,414)
General and administrative expense	(12,875)		(11,993)		(26,299)		(25,793)
Interest and other income	661		1,295		1,388		2,370
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(9,108)		0		(9,108)		0
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(2,729)		(2,073)		(5,348)		(3,339)
Loss on impairment	(21,038)		0		(21,038)		0
Gain on investments	2,400		0		2,400		0
Income tax (provision) benefit	(757)		(267)		(583)		(39)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	18,113		36,101		57,879		70,635
Total assets	7,034,643		6,913,611		7,034,643		6,913,611		7,089,736
Payments for Capital Improvements	134,798	[3]	118,556	[3]	196,607	[3]	154,044	[3]
Malls [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	225,741		227,579		464,352		448,892
Property operating expenses	(71,038)	[1]	(71,539)	[2]	(152,004)	[2]	(145,934)	[2]
Interest expense	(51,459)		(54,830)		(104,396)		(107,358)
Other expense	0		0		0		0
Gain on sales of real estate assets	0				295		0
Segment profit (loss)	103,244		101,210		208,247		195,600
Total assets	6,021,614		6,228,312		6,021,614		6,228,312
Payments for Capital Improvements	82,610	[3]	98,694	[3]	102,167	[3]	121,272	[3]
Associated Centers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	11,348		10,600		22,431		20,841
Property operating expenses	(2,634)	[1]	(2,598)	[2]	(5,431)	[2]	(5,126)	[2]
Interest expense	(2,047)		(2,115)		(4,093)		(4,310)
Other expense	0		0		0		0
Gain on sales of real estate assets	0				0		0
Segment profit (loss)	6,667		5,887		12,907		11,405
Total assets	290,856		303,899		290,856		303,899
Payments for Capital Improvements	6,460	[3]	1,940	[3]	7,466	[3]	3,480	[3]
Community Centers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	4,226		2,715		7,885		5,543
Property operating expenses	(883)	[1]	(1,702)	[2]	(1,417)	[2]	(2,502)	[2]
Interest expense	(544)		(629)		(1,121)		(1,298)
Other expense	0		0		0		0
Gain on sales of real estate assets	0				0		97
Segment profit (loss)	2,799		384		5,347		1,840
Total assets	243,642		240,850		243,642		240,850
Payments for Capital Improvements	1,414	[3]	3,042	[3]	2,598	[3]	10,706	[3]
All Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	21,122	[2]	10,950	[1]	33,746	[1]	23,037	[1]
Property operating expenses	3,672	[1],[2]	4,103	[1],[2]	9,158	[1],[2]	9,875	[1],[2]
Interest expense	(3,155)	[2]	(3,826)	[1]	(7,423)	[1]	(8,265)	[1]
Other expense	(8,190)	[2]	(6,559)	[1]	(14,846)	[1]	(13,317)	[1]
Gain on sales of real estate assets	457	[2]			705	[1]	(3)	[1]
Segment profit (loss)	13,906	[2]	4,668	[1]	21,340	[1]	11,327	[1]
Total assets	478,531	[1]	140,550	[1]	478,531	[1]	140,550	[1]
Payments for Capital Improvements	$ 44,314	[2],[3]	$ 14,880	[1],[3]	$ 84,376	[1],[3]	$ 18,586	[1],[3]

[1] (1) 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.

[2] (2) Property operating expenses include property operating, real estate taxes and maintenance and repairs.

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