Unconsolidated Affiliates, Redeemable Interests, Noncontrolling Interests and Cost Method Investments (Unconsolidated Affiliates) (Details 1) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) entity	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) entity	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of entities - equity method of accounting | entity		19		19
ASSETS
Investment in real estate assets		$ 2,300,650		$ 2,300,650		$ 2,266,252
Accumulated depreciation		(660,584)		(660,584)		(619,558)
Real estate investment net, before development in process		1,640,066		1,640,066		1,646,694
Developments in progress		86,038		86,038		75,877
Net investment in real estate assets		1,726,104		1,726,104		1,722,571
Other assets		170,984		170,984		170,554
Total assets		1,897,088		1,897,088		1,893,125
LIABILITIES
Mortgage and other indebtedness		1,533,361		1,533,361		1,512,826
Other liabilities		49,225		49,225		42,517
Total liabilities		1,582,586		1,582,586		1,555,343
OWNERS' EQUITY
The Company		182,249		182,249		198,261
Other investors		132,253		132,253		139,521
Total owners' equity		314,502		314,502		337,782
Total liabilities and owners' equity		1,897,088		1,897,088		1,893,125
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Total revenues		62,098	$ 61,781	187,681	$ 185,002
Depreciation and amortization		(20,313)	(19,776)	(59,435)	(57,793)
Interest income		331	336	998	1,015
Interest expense		(18,616)	(18,861)	(55,999)	(56,165)
Operating expenses		(18,918)	(17,788)	(55,692)	(53,457)
Gain on sales of real estate assets		710	1,119	2,144	1,119
Net income		5,292	6,811	19,697	19,721
The Company/Partners' Capital
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Total revenues		32,660	32,371	98,453	96,389
Depreciation and amortization		(10,734)	(10,537)	(31,354)	(30,654)
Interest income		255	257	767	775
Interest expense		(9,601)	(9,719)	(28,873)	(28,872)
Operating expenses		(9,638)	(9,134)	(28,511)	(27,298)
Gain on sales of real estate assets		566	698	1,730	698
Net income		$ 3,508	$ 3,936	$ 12,212	$ 11,038
Ambassador Infrastructure, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property		65.00%		65.00%
Ambassador Town Center JV, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property		65.00%		65.00%
CBL/T-C, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property		50.00%		50.00%
CBL-TRS Joint Venture, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property		50.00%		50.00%
CBL-TRS Joint Venture II, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property		50.00%		50.00%
El Paso Outlet Outparcels, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property		50.00%		50.00%
Fremaux Town Center JV, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property		65.00%		65.00%
Governor’s Square IB
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property		50.00%		50.00%
Governor’s Square Company
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property		47.50%		47.50%
High Pointe Commons, LP
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property		50.00%		50.00%
High Pointe Commons II-HAP, LP
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property		50.00%		50.00%
JG Gulf Coast Town Center LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property		50.00%		50.00%
Kentucky Oaks Mall Company
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property		50.00%		50.00%
Mall of South Carolina L.P.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property		50.00%		50.00%
Mall of South Carolina Outparcel L.P.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property		50.00%		50.00%
Port Orange I, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property		50.00%		50.00%
Triangle Town Member LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property		50.00%		50.00%
West Melbourne I, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property		50.00%		50.00%
York Town Center, LP
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property		50.00%		50.00%
Secured Debt | Gulf Coast Town Center Debt Due July 2017 | LIBOR
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Loan agreement, basis spread on variable rate (as a percentage)	2.00%
Non-recourse loans on operating properties | JG Gulf Coast Town Center LLC
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Mortgage and other indebtedness amount carrying value		$ 190,800		$ 190,800
CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Mortgage and other indebtedness amount carrying value		1,319,138		1,319,138		696,396
CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. | Non-recourse loans on operating properties
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Mortgage and other indebtedness amount carrying value		16,910		16,910		$ 17,121
CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. | Non-recourse loans on operating properties | JG Gulf Coast Town Center LLC
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Mortgage and other indebtedness amount carrying value		$ 95,400		$ 95,400