Unconsolidated Affiliates, Redeemable Interests, Noncontrolling Interests and Cost Method Investments (Unconsolidated Affiliates) (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2016	Jan. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) extension_option entity	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of entities - equity method of accounting | entity			20
ASSETS
Investment in real estate assets			$ 2,355,978		$ 2,357,902
Accumulated depreciation			(595,145)		(677,448)
Real estate investment net, before development in process			1,760,833		1,680,454
Held for sale			68,064		0
Developments in progress			15,458		59,592
Net investment in real estate assets			1,844,355		1,740,046
Other assets			199,405		168,540
Total assets			2,043,760		1,908,586
LIABILITIES
Mortgage and other indebtedness			1,560,802		1,546,272
Other liabilities			54,059		51,357
Total liabilities			1,614,861		1,597,629
OWNERS' EQUITY
The Company			224,762		184,868
Other investors			204,137		126,089
Total owners' equity			428,899		310,957
Total liabilities and owners' equity			2,043,760		1,908,586
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Total revenues			64,204	$ 62,472
Depreciation and amortization			(20,610)	(19,481)
Interest income			336	332
Interest expense			(13,489)	(18,794)
Operating expenses			(20,072)	(19,306)
Gain on sales of real estate assets			80,959	815
Net income			91,328	6,038
Mortgage and other indebtedness amount carrying value			1,232,515		1,241,379
The Company/Partners' Capital
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Total revenues			30,264	32,835
Depreciation and amortization			(9,178)	(10,317)
Interest income			256	255
Interest expense			(6,585)	(9,685)
Operating expenses			(8,762)	(9,828)
Gain on sales of real estate assets			26,395	563
Net income			32,390	$ 3,823
Non-recourse loans on operating properties
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Mortgage and other indebtedness amount carrying value			$ 19,355		$ 16,840
Ambassador Infrastructure, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property			65.00%
Ambassador Town Center JV, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property			65.00%
CBL/T-C, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property			50.00%
CBL-TRS Joint Venture, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property			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%
El Paso Outlet Outparcels, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property			50.00%
Fremaux Town Center JV, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property			65.00%
G&I VIII CBL Triangle LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property			10.00%
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Debt instrument, option extension term (in years)			1 year
Amount Financed or Extended			$ 171,092
Number of extension options available | extension_option			2
G&I VIII CBL Triangle LLC | LIBOR
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Stated Interest Rate (as a percentage)			4.00%		5.74%
Governor’s Square IB
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property			50.00%
Governor’s Square Company
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property			47.50%
High Pointe Commons, LP
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property			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%
JG Gulf Coast Town Center LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property			50.00%
JG Gulf Coast Town Center LLC | Non-recourse loans on operating properties
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Mortgage and other indebtedness amount carrying value			$ 190,800
JG Gulf Coast Town Center LLC | Non-recourse loans on operating properties | CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Mortgage and other indebtedness amount carrying value			$ 95,400
Kentucky Oaks Mall Company
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property			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%
Mall of South Carolina Outparcel L.P.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property			50.00%
Port Orange I, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property			50.00%
River Ridge Mall JV, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property			25.00%
West Melbourne I, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property			50.00%
York Town Center, LP
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property			50.00%
Port Orange
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Amount Financed or Extended			$ 58,628
Port Orange | LIBOR
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Stated Interest Rate (as a percentage)			2.00%
Hammock Landing Phase I
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Amount Financed or Extended			$ 43,347		$ 39,475
Hammock Landing Phase I | LIBOR
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Stated Interest Rate (as a percentage)			2.00%
Hammock Landing Phase II
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Amount Financed or Extended			$ 16,757
Hammock Landing Phase II | LIBOR
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Stated Interest Rate (as a percentage)			2.00%
Port Orange and Hammock Landing - Phase I and II
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Percentage Guaranteed by the Operating Partnership	20.00%	25.00%
Debt instrument, option extension term (in years)			1 year