UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES AND COST METHOD INVESTMENT (Summarized Financial Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Balance Sheet [Abstract]
Investment in real estate assets	$ 2,089,262	$ 2,137,666
Accumulated depreciation	(618,922)	(564,612)
Investment in real estate, net	1,470,340	1,573,054
Developments in progress	36,765	9,210
Net investment in real estate assets	1,507,105	1,582,264
Other assets	201,114	223,347
Total assets	1,708,219	1,805,611
Mortgage and other indebtedness, net	1,248,817	1,266,046
Other liabilities	41,291	46,160
Total liabilities	1,290,108	1,312,206
The Company	216,292	228,313
Other investors	201,819	265,092
Total owners' equity	418,111	493,405
Total liabilities and owners’ equity	1,708,219	1,805,611
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Total revenues	236,607	250,361	$ 253,399
Depreciation and amortization	(80,102)	(83,640)	(79,870)
Other operating expenses	(71,293)	(76,328)	(75,875)
Income from operations	85,212	90,393	97,654
Interest and other income	1,671	1,352	1,337
Interest expense	(51,843)	(55,227)	(75,485)
Gain on extinguishment of debt	0	62,901	0
Gain on sales of real estate assets	555	160,977	2,551
Net income	35,595	260,396	26,057
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	22,939	117,533	18,200
CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	$ 22,939	$ 117,533	$ 18,200