Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
REVENUES:
Total revenues	$ 1,060,739	$ 1,053,625	$ 1,002,843
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Depreciation and amortization	291,273	278,911	255,460
General and administrative	50,271	48,867	51,251
Loss on impairment	17,858	70,049	24,379
Other	32,297	28,826	25,078
Income from operations	375,143	330,765
Interest and other income	14,121	10,825	3,953
Interest expense	(239,824)	(231,856)	(242,357)
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt	87,893	(9,108)	265
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	14,803	11,616	8,313
Income tax provision	(4,499)	(1,305)	(1,404)
Gain on sales of real estate assets	5,342	1,980	2,286
Income from continuing operations	252,979	115,317	186,049
Net income	253,033	110,370
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in:
Net income attributable to the Company	219,150	85,204
Net income attributable to common shareholders/unitholders	174,258	40,312
Basic per share/unit data attributable to common shareholders/unitholders:
Income from continuing operations, net of preferred dividends (in dollars per share)	$ 1.02	$ 0.27
Net income attributable to common shareholders/unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.02	$ 0.24
Weighted-average common shares/units outstanding (in shares)			154,762
Diluted per share/unit data attributable to common shareholders/unitholders:
Income from continuing operations, net of preferred dividends/distributions (in dollars per share)	$ 1.02	$ 0.27
Net income attributable to common shareholders/unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.02	$ 0.24
Weighted-average common and potential dilutive common shares/units outstanding (in shares)			154,807
Amounts attributable to common shareholders/unitholders:
Net income attributable to common shareholders/unitholders	174,258	40,312
CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. [Member]
REVENUES:
Minimum rents	682,584	675,870	641,821
Percentage rents	16,876	18,572	17,728
Other rents	22,314	21,974	21,914
Tenant reimbursements	290,561	290,097	279,280
Management, development and leasing fees	12,986	12,439	10,772
Other	35,418	34,673	31,328
Total revenues	1,060,739	1,053,625	1,002,843
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Property operating	149,774	151,127	138,533
Depreciation and amortization	291,273	278,911	255,460
Real estate taxes	89,281	88,701	87,871
Maintenance and repairs	54,842	56,379	50,350
General and administrative	50,271	48,867	51,251
Loss on impairment	17,858	70,049	24,379
Other	32,297	28,826	25,078
Total operating expenses	685,596	722,860	632,922
Income from operations	375,143	330,765	369,921
Interest and other income	14,121	10,825	3,953
Interest expense	(239,824)	(231,856)	(242,357)
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt	87,893	(9,108)	265
Gain on investments	0	2,400	45,072
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	14,803	11,616	8,313
Income tax provision	(4,499)	(1,305)	(1,404)
Income from continuing operations before gain on sales of real estate assets	247,637	113,337	183,763
Gain on sales of real estate assets	5,342	1,980	2,286
Income from continuing operations	252,979	115,317	186,049
Operating loss of discontinued operations	(222)	(6,091)	(12,468)
Gain on discontinued operations	276	1,144	938
Net income	253,033	110,370	174,519
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in:
Operating Partnership	(30,106)	(7,125)	(19,267)
Other consolidated subsidiaries/Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,777)	(18,041)	(23,652)
Net income attributable to the Company	219,150	85,204	131,600
Preferred dividends/Distributions to preferred unitholders	(44,892)	(44,892)	(47,511)
Net income attributable to common shareholders/unitholders	174,258	40,312	84,089
Basic per share/unit data attributable to common shareholders/unitholders:
Income from continuing operations, net of preferred dividends (in dollars per share)	$ 1.02	$ 0.27	$ 0.60
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ (0.03)	$ (0.06)
Net income attributable to common shareholders/unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.02	$ 0.24	$ 0.54
Weighted-average common shares/units outstanding (in shares)	170,247	167,027	154,762
Diluted per share/unit data attributable to common shareholders/unitholders:
Income from continuing operations, net of preferred dividends/distributions (in dollars per share)	$ 1.02	$ 0.27	$ 0.60
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ (0.03)	$ (0.06)
Net income attributable to common shareholders/unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.02	$ 0.24	$ 0.54
Weighted-average common and potential dilutive common shares/units outstanding (in shares)	170,247	167,027	154,807
Amounts attributable to common shareholders/unitholders:
Income from continuing operations, net of preferred distributions	174,212	44,515	93,469
Discontinued operations	46	(4,203)	(9,380)
Net income attributable to common shareholders/unitholders	174,258	40,312	84,089
CBL & Associates Limited Partnership [Member]
REVENUES:
Minimum rents	682,584	675,870	641,821
Percentage rents	16,876	18,572	17,728
Other rents	22,314	21,974	21,914
Tenant reimbursements	290,561	290,097	279,280
Management, development and leasing fees	12,986	12,439	10,772
Other	35,418	34,673	31,328
Total revenues	1,060,739	1,053,625	1,002,843
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Property operating	149,774	151,127	138,533
Depreciation and amortization	291,273	278,911	255,460
Real estate taxes	89,281	88,701	87,871
Maintenance and repairs	54,842	56,379	50,350
General and administrative	50,271	48,867	51,251
Loss on impairment	17,858	70,049	24,379
Other	32,297	28,826	25,078
Total operating expenses	685,596	722,860	632,922
Income from operations	375,143	330,765	369,921
Interest and other income	14,121	10,825	3,953
Interest expense	(239,824)	(231,856)	(242,357)
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt	87,893	(9,108)	265
Gain on investments	0	2,400	45,072
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	14,803	11,616	8,313
Income tax provision	(4,499)	(1,305)	(1,404)
Income from continuing operations before gain on sales of real estate assets	247,637	113,337	183,763
Gain on sales of real estate assets	5,342	1,980	2,286
Income from continuing operations	252,979	115,317	186,049
Operating loss of discontinued operations	(222)	(6,091)	(12,468)
Gain on discontinued operations	276	1,144	938
Net income	253,033	110,370	174,519
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in:
Other consolidated subsidiaries/Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,777)	(18,041)	(23,652)
Net income attributable to the Company	249,256	92,329	150,867
Preferred dividends/Distributions to preferred unitholders	(44,892)	(44,892)	(47,511)
Net income attributable to common shareholders/unitholders	204,364	47,437	103,356
Basic per share/unit data attributable to common shareholders/unitholders:
Income from continuing operations, net of preferred dividends (in dollars per share)	$ 1.02	$ 0.26	$ 0.59
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ (0.02)	$ (0.05)
Net income attributable to common shareholders/unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.02	$ 0.24	$ 0.54
Weighted-average common shares/units outstanding (in shares)	199,660	196,572	190,223
Diluted per share/unit data attributable to common shareholders/unitholders:
Income from continuing operations, net of preferred dividends/distributions (in dollars per share)	$ 1.02	$ 0.26	$ 0.59
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ (0.02)	$ (0.05)
Net income attributable to common shareholders/unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.02	$ 0.24	$ 0.54
Weighted-average common and potential dilutive common shares/units outstanding (in shares)	199,660	196,572	190,268
Amounts attributable to common shareholders/unitholders:
Income from continuing operations, net of preferred distributions	204,318	51,640	112,736
Discontinued operations	46	(4,203)	(9,380)
Net income attributable to common shareholders/unitholders	$ 204,364	$ 47,437	$ 103,356