Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT
Document Type	10-K
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)	0
Entity Public Float		$ 0
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000946155
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY