Organization and Basis of Presentation - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands, shares in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) subsidiary state shares	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) subsidiary state shares	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Number of states in which entity operates | state	26		26
Number of wholly owned subsidiaries | subsidiary	36		36
Operating expense reimbursements | $		$ 2,086		$ 6,597
Gain on sales of real estate assets | $	$ 8,056	$ 7,880	$ 13,811	$ 15,998
CBL & Associates Limited Partnership
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Number of wholly owned subsidiaries | subsidiary	2		2
Ownership of the sole general partner in partnership (as a percent)			1.00%
Limited partnership interest owned by CBL Holdings II, Inc. in the operating partnership (as a percent)			85.60%
Combined ownership by the subsidiaries in operating partnership (as a percent)	86.60%		86.60%
Consolidated Properties
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Non-controlling limited partner interest ownership of CBL's Predecessor in the Operating Partnership (as a percent)			9.10%
Non-controlling limited partner interest of third parties in Operating partnership (as a percent)	4.30%		4.30%
Common stock owned by CBL's Predecessor (shares) | shares	4.3		4.3
Total combined effective interest of CBL's Predecessor in Operating Partnership (as a percent)	11.20%		11.20%
Consolidated Properties | CBL Holdings
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Ownership interest in qualified subsidiaries (as a percent)	100.00%		100.00%