Unconsolidated Affiliates and Noncontrolling Interests (Unconsolidated Affiliates) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) entity	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of entities - equity method of accounting | entity	17
ASSETS
Investment in real estate assets	$ 2,142,570		$ 2,137,666
Accumulated depreciation	(580,084)		(564,612)
Real estate investment net, before development in process	1,562,486		1,573,054
Developments in progress	11,182		9,210
Net investment in real estate assets	1,573,668		1,582,264
Other assets	212,682		223,347
Total assets	1,786,350		1,805,611
LIABILITIES
Mortgage and other indebtedness, net	1,260,645		1,266,046
Other liabilities	41,864		46,160
Total liabilities	1,302,509		1,312,206
OWNERS' EQUITY
The Company	224,340		228,313
Other investors	259,501		265,092
Total owners' equity	483,841		493,405
Total liabilities and owners' equity	1,786,350		$ 1,805,611
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Total revenues	59,699	$ 64,204
Depreciation and amortization	(20,629)	(20,610)
Interest income	400	336
Interest expense	(12,838)	(13,489)
Operating expenses	(18,748)	(20,072)
Income from continuing operations before gain on sales of real estate assets	7,884	10,369
Gain on sales of real estate assets	(71)	80,959
Net income	$ 7,813	91,328
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%
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%
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%
JG Gulf Coast Town Center LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property	50.00%
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%
Parent Company
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Net income	$ 5,373	$ 32,390