Taubman Centers (TCO) 10-Q 29 Oct 15 2015 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information Document - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Oct. 28, 2015
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	TAUBMAN CENTERS INC.
Entity Central Index Key	890,319
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		60,233,561
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets:
Properties	$ 3,585,896	$ 3,262,505
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,033,056)	(970,045)
Real Estate Investment Property, Net	2,552,840	2,292,460
Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Notes 2 and 4)	420,889	370,004
Cash and cash equivalents	263,911	276,423
Restricted cash (Note 5)	10,798	37,502
Accounts and notes receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,699 and $2,927 in 2015 and 2014	44,364	49,245
Accounts receivable from related parties	3,161	832
Deferred charges and other assets	198,561	188,435
Total Assets	3,494,524	3,214,901
Liabilities:
Notes payable (Note 5)	2,594,073	2,025,505
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	306,892	292,802
Distributions in excess of investments in and net income of Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Notes 2 and 4)	471,129	476,651
Total Liabilities	$ 3,372,094	$ 2,794,958
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10)
Equity:
Series B Non-Participating Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.001 par and liquidation value, 40,000,000 shares authorized, 25,044,939 and 25,117,000 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014	$ 25	$ 25
Common Stock, $0.01 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized, 60,258,750 and 63,324,409 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014	603	633
Additional paid-in capital	649,550	815,961
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Note 13)	(32,837)	(15,068)
Dividends in excess of net income	(504,163)	(483,188)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	113,178	318,363
Noncontrolling interests (Note 7)	9,252	101,580
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	122,430	419,943
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 3,494,524	$ 3,214,901

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Par

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Parenthetical) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 4,699,000	$ 2,927,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	250,000,000	250,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	60,258,750	63,324,409
Common stock, shares outstanding	60,258,750	63,324,409
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred Stock, par or value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference per share	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred Stock, shares authorized	40,000,000	40,000,000
Preferred Stock, shares issued	25,044,939	25,117,000
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding	25,044,939	25,117,000
Series J Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred Stock, par or value	$ 0	$ 0
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference	$ 192,500,000	$ 192,500,000
Preferred Stock, shares authorized	7,700,000	7,700,000
Preferred Stock, shares issued	7,700,000	7,700,000
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding	7,700,000	7,700,000
Series K Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred Stock, par or value	$ 0	$ 0
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference	$ 170,000,000	$ 170,000,000
Preferred Stock, shares authorized	6,800,000	6,800,000
Preferred Stock, shares issued	6,800,000	6,800,000
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding	6,800,000	6,800,000

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Revenues:
Minimum rents	$ 77,484	$ 96,691	$ 228,920	$ 291,113
Percentage rents	5,032	5,263	9,039	11,019
Expense recoveries	47,206	63,527	137,138	187,439
Management, leasing, and development services	3,367	3,135	9,665	8,605
Other	6,894	7,428	16,183	22,631
Total Revenues	139,983	176,044	400,945	520,807
Expenses:
Maintenance, taxes, utilities, and promotion	37,230	52,184	103,970	148,955
Other operating	12,732	18,036	40,630	49,582
Management, leasing, and development services	1,558	1,539	4,099	4,520
General and administrative (Note 9)	8,615	11,369	32,595	34,493
Restructuring charge (Note 2)		3,031		3,031
Interest expense	16,145	23,382	44,451	74,946
Depreciation and amortization	27,156	24,553	77,575	96,521
Operating Expenses	103,436	134,094	303,320	412,048
Nonoperating income (expense) (Notes 2 and 8)	1,010	891	3,712	(3,327)
Income before income tax expense, equity in income of Unconsolidated Joint Ventures, and gain on dispositions, net of tax	37,557	42,841	101,337	105,432
Income tax expense (Note 3)	(584)	(683)	(2,110)	(1,693)
Equity in income of Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Note 4)	15,219	14,479	46,298	41,222
Income before gain on dispositions, net of tax	52,192	$ 56,637	145,525	144,961
Gain on dispositions, net of tax (Note 2)	437		437	476,887
Net income	52,629	$ 56,637	145,962	621,848
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (Note 7)	(15,931)	(16,700)	(43,858)	(178,935)
Net income attributable to Taubman Centers, Inc.	36,698	39,937	102,104	442,913
Distributions to participating securities of TRG (Note 9)	(492)	(471)	(1,477)	(1,409)
Preferred stock dividends	(5,784)	(5,784)	(17,353)	(17,353)
Net income attributable to Taubman Centers, Inc. common shareowners	30,422	33,682	83,274	424,151
Other comprehensive income (Note 13):
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate instruments and other	(10,796)	2,593	(18,341)	(11,994)
Cumulative translation adjustment	(11,433)	(4,282)	(15,458)	(2,432)
Reclassification adjustment for amounts recognized in net income	3,084	2,599	8,919	14,073
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(19,145)	910	(24,880)	(353)
Comprehensive income	33,484	57,547	121,082	621,495
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(10,294)	(16,969)	(36,549)	(178,956)
Comprehensive income attributable to Taubman Centers, Inc.	$ 23,190	$ 40,578	$ 84,533	$ 442,539
Basic earnings per common share (Note 11)	$ 0.50	$ 0.53	$ 1.35	$ 6.71
Diluted earnings per common share (Note 11)	0.50	0.53	1.34	6.60
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.5650	$ 0.5400	$ 1.6950	$ 1.6200
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic	60,713,379	63,317,680	61,778,051	63,249,400

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANG

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY - USD ($)	Total	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ (215,660,000)	$ 25,000	$ 631,000	$ 796,787,000	$ (8,914,000)	$ (908,656,000)	$ (95,533,000)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		39,651,069	63,101,614
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of stock pursuant to Continuing Offer (Notes 9 and 10), shares	0	(35,500)	35,500
Repurchase of common stock (Note 6), Shares			(266)
Repurchase of common stock (Note 6)	$ (17,000)			(17,000)
Share-based compensation under employee and director benefit plans (Note 9)	12,087,000		$ 2,000	12,085,000
Share-based compensation under employee and director benefit plans (Note 9), shares			182,691
Adjustments of noncontrolling interests (Notes 2 and 7)	0			54,000	29,000		(83,000)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	22,346,000						22,346,000
Dividends and distributions	(173,055,000)					(121,268,000)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests							(51,787,000)
Other, Shares		1,431
Other	(108,000)			162,000		(280,000)	10,000
Net income	621,848,000					442,913,000	178,935,000
Unrealized loss on interest rate instruments and other	(11,994,000)				(8,478,000)		(3,516,000)
Cumulative translation adjustment	(2,432,000)				(1,741,000)		(691,000)
Reclassification adjustment for amounts recognized in net income	14,073,000				9,846,000		4,227,000
Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	267,088,000	$ 25,000	$ 633,000	809,071,000	(9,258,000)	(587,291,000)	53,908,000
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2014		39,617,000	63,319,539
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	419,943,000	$ 25,000	$ 633,000	815,961,000	(15,068,000)	(483,188,000)	101,580,000
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		39,617,000	63,324,409
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of stock pursuant to Continuing Offer (Notes 9 and 10), shares		(72,061)	73,295
Issuance of stock pursuant to Continuing Offer (Notes 9 and 10)	0		$ 1,000	(1,000)
Repurchase of common stock (Note 6), Shares			(3,434,703)
Repurchase of common stock (Note 6)	(250,808,000)		$ (34,000)	(250,774,000)
Share-based compensation under employee and director benefit plans (Note 9)	15,363,000		$ 3,000	15,360,000
Share-based compensation under employee and director benefit plans (Note 9), shares			295,749
Adjustments of noncontrolling interests (Notes 2 and 7)	(9,296,000)			68,993,000	(198,000)		(78,091,000)
Dividends and distributions	(173,434,000)					(122,648,000)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests							(50,786,000)
Other	(420,000)			11,000		(431,000)
Net income	145,962,000					102,104,000	43,858,000
Unrealized loss on interest rate instruments and other	(18,341,000)				(12,953,000)		(5,388,000)
Cumulative translation adjustment	(15,458,000)				(10,917,000)		(4,541,000)
Reclassification adjustment for amounts recognized in net income	8,919,000				6,299,000		2,620,000
Balance at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 122,430,000	$ 25,000	$ 603,000	$ 649,550,000	$ (32,837,000)	$ (504,163,000)	$ 9,252,000
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2015		39,544,939	60,258,750

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 145,962	$ 621,848
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	77,575	96,521
Provision for bad debts	$ 2,209	2,284
Gain on dispositions		(486,620)
Discontinuation of hedge accounting (Note 2)		5,507
Other	$ 11,497	7,637
Increase (decrease) in cash attributable to changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables, restricted cash, deferred charges, and other assets	(4,777)	4,665
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	886	(2,300)
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities	233,352	249,542
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Additions to properties	(335,169)	(292,523)
Cash drawn from (provided to) escrow related to a center construction project (Note 5)	25,061	(39,630)
Proceeds from dispositions, net of transaction costs (Note 2)		385,598
Contributions to Unconsolidated Joint Ventures	(73,746)	(44,109)
Distributions from Unconsolidated Joint Ventures in excess of income	136	6,591
Other	719	7,304
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities	$ (382,999)	23,231
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Payments to revolving lines of credit, net		(121,845)
Debt proceeds	$ 1,131,347	115,969
Debt payments	(561,680)	(105,099)
Debt issuance costs	(12,884)	(5,430)
Repurchase of common stock	(250,808)	(17)
Issuance of common stock and/or partnership units in connection with incentive plans	4,594	(792)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(50,786)	(51,787)
Distributions to participating securities of TRG	(1,477)	(1,409)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests		22,346
Cash dividends to preferred shareowners	(17,353)	(17,353)
Cash dividends to common shareowners	(103,818)	(102,624)
Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities	137,135	(268,041)
Net Increase (Decrease) In Cash and Cash Equivalents	(12,512)	4,732
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	276,423	40,993
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$ 263,911	$ 45,725

Interim Financial Statements

Interim Financial Statements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]
Interim Financial Statements	Interim Financial Statements General Taubman Centers, Inc. (the Company or TCO) is a Michigan corporation that operates as a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT). The Taubman Realty Group Limited Partnership (the Operating Partnership or TRG) is a majority-owned partnership subsidiary of TCO that owns direct or indirect interests in all of the Company’s real estate properties. In this report, the term “Company" refers to TCO, the Operating Partnership, and/or the Operating Partnership's subsidiaries as the context may require. The Company engages in the ownership, management, leasing, acquisition, disposition, development, and expansion of regional and super-regional retail shopping centers and interests therein. The Company’s owned portfolio as of September 30, 2015 included 19 urban and suburban shopping centers operating in 10 states and Puerto Rico. Taubman Properties Asia LLC and its subsidiaries (Taubman Asia), which is the platform for the Company’s operations and developments in China and South Korea, is headquartered in Hong Kong. The unaudited interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 . In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements for the interim periods have been made. The results of interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year. Dollar amounts presented in tables within the notes to the financial statements are stated in thousands, except share data or as otherwise noted. Consolidation The consolidated financial statements of the Company include all accounts of the Company, the Operating Partnership, and its consolidated subsidiaries, including The Taubman Company LLC (the Manager) and Taubman Asia. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. The entities included in these consolidated financial statements are separate legal entities and maintain records and books of account separate from any other entity. However, inclusion of these separate entities in the consolidated financial statements does not mean that the assets and credit of each of these legal entities are available to satisfy the debts or other obligations of any other such legal entity included in the consolidated financial statements. Investments in entities not controlled but over which the Company may exercise significant influence (Unconsolidated Joint Ventures or UJVs) are accounted for under the equity method. The Company has evaluated its investments in the Unconsolidated Joint Ventures under guidance for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity and has concluded that the ventures are not variable interest entities. Accordingly, the Company accounts for its interests in these entities under general accounting standards for investments in real estate ventures (including guidance for determining effective control of a limited partnership or similar entity). The Company’s partners or other owners in these Unconsolidated Joint Ventures have substantive participating rights including approval rights over annual operating budgets, capital spending, financing, admission of new partners/members, or sale of the properties and the Company has concluded that the equity method of accounting is appropriate for these interests. Specifically, the Company’s 79% and 50.1% investments in Westfarms and International Plaza, respectively, are through general partnerships in which the other general partners have participating rights over annual operating budgets, capital spending, refinancing, or sale of the property. Ownership In addition to the Company’s common stock, there were three classes of preferred stock outstanding (Series B, J, and K) as of September 30, 2015 . Dividends on the 6.5% Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (Series J Preferred Stock) and the 6.25% Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (Series K Preferred Stock) are cumulative and are paid on the last day of each calendar quarter. The Company owns corresponding Series J and Series K Preferred Equity interests in the Operating Partnership that entitle the Company to income and distributions (in the form of guaranteed payments) in amounts equal to the dividends payable on the Company’s Series J and Series K Preferred Stock. The Company also is obligated to issue to partners in the Operating Partnership other than the Company, upon subscription, one share of nonparticipating Series B Preferred Stock per each Operating Partnership unit . The Series B Preferred Stock entitles its holders to one vote per share on all matters submitted to the Company’s shareowners and votes together with the common stock on all matters as a single class. The holders of Series B Preferred Stock are not entitled to dividends or earnings. The Series B Preferred Stock is convertible into the Company’s common stock at a ratio of 14,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock for one share of common stock . Outstanding voting securities of the Company at September 30, 2015 consisted of 25,044,939 shares of Series B Preferred Stock and 60,258,750 shares of common stock. The Operating Partnership At September 30, 2015 , the Operating Partnership’s equity included two classes of preferred equity (Series J and K) and the net equity of the partnership unitholders. Net income and distributions of the Operating Partnership are allocable first to the preferred equity interests, and the remaining amounts to the general and limited partners in the Operating Partnership in accordance with their percentage ownership. The Series J and Series K Preferred Equity are owned by the Company and are eliminated in consolidation. The Company's ownership in the Operating Partnership at September 30, 2015 consisted of a 71% managing general partnership interest, as well as the Series J and Series K Preferred Equity interests. The Company's average ownership percentage in the Operating Partnership for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was 71% and 72% , respectively. At September 30, 2015 , the Operating Partnership had 85,320,909 partnership units outstanding, of which the Company owned 60,258,750 units.

Dispositions, Acquisition, and

Dispositions, Acquisition, and Developments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Dispositions, Acquisition, and Development [Abstract]
Dispositions Acquisition, and Development [Text Block]	Dispositions, Acquisition, and Developments Dispositions Sale of Centers to Starwood In October 2014, the Company completed the disposition of a portfolio of seven centers to an affiliate of the Starwood Capital Group (Starwood). The following centers were sold: MacArthur Center in Norfolk, Virginia, Stony Point Fashion Park in Richmond, Virginia, Northlake Mall in Charlotte, North Carolina, The Mall at Wellington Green in Wellington, Florida, The Shops at Willow Bend in Plano, Texas, The Mall at Partridge Creek in Clinton Township, Michigan, and Fairlane Town Center in Dearborn, Michigan. The results of the seven centers are in the Company's continuing operations for all periods prior to the October 2014 sale, pursuant to the Company's previous adoption of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-08, "Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity" beginning January 1, 2014. The Company incurred expenses of $5.5 million , $5.2 million at TRG's beneficial share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 related to the discontinuation of hedge accounting on the swap previously designated to hedge the MacArthur Center note payable (Note 8). Expenses incurred during the three months ended September 30, 2014 related to the discontinuation of hedge accounting were immaterial. The Company also incurred disposition costs of $0.5 million and $1.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, related to the sale of the centers to Starwood. These expenses are classified as Nonoperating Income (Expense) on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income. As a result of the sale, the Company underwent a restructuring plan to reduce its workforce across various areas of the organization during the third quarter of 2014. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had incurred $3.0 million of expenses related to the reduction in workforce. These expenses are classified as Restructuring Charge on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income. As of September 30, 2015 , substantially all of the restructuring costs have been paid. International Plaza In January 2014, the Company sold a total of 49.9% of the Company's interests in the entity that owns International Plaza, including certain governance rights, for $499 million (excluding transaction costs), which consisted of $337 million of cash and approximately $162 million of beneficial interest in debt. The Company's ownership in the center decreased to a noncontrolling 50.1% interest, which is accounted for under the equity method subsequent to the disposition. During 2014, a gain of $368 million (net of tax of $9.7 million ) was recognized as a result of the sale. During the three months ended September 30, 2015, an adjustment of $0.4 million was made, reducing the tax recognized as a result of the sale. Arizona Mills/Oyster Bay In January 2014, the Company completed the sale of its 50% interest in Arizona Mills, an Unconsolidated Joint Venture, and land in Syosset, New York related to the former Oyster Bay project, to Simon Property Group (SPG). The consideration, excluding transaction costs, consisted of $60 million of cash and 555,150 partnership units in Simon Property Group Limited Partnership. The number of partnership units received was determined based on a value of $154.91 per unit. The fair value of the partnership units recognized for accounting purposes was $77.7 million , after considering the one -year restriction on the sale of these partnership units (Note 12). The number of partnership units subsequently increased to 590,124 , in lieu of the Company's participation in a distribution of certain partnership units of another entity by SPG and Simon Property Group Limited Partnership. The increase in the number of partnership units was neutral to the market value of the Company's holdings as of the transaction date. The Company's investment in the partnership units is classified within Deferred Charges and Other Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. As a result of the sale, the Company was relieved of its $84 million share of the $167 million mortgage loan outstanding on Arizona Mills at the time of the sale. A gain of $109 million was recognized as a result of the transaction. Acquisition Purchase of U.S. Headquarters Building In February 2014, the Company purchased the U.S. headquarters building located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan for approximately $16.1 million from an affiliate of the Taubman family. In exchange for the building, the Company assumed the $17.4 million , 5.90% fixed rate loan on the building, issued 1,431 Operating Partnership units (and a corresponding number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock), and received $1.4 million in escrowed and other cash from the affiliate. In March 2015, the Company refinanced the loan on the building (Note 5). U.S. Development International Market Place International Market Place, a 0.4 million square foot center, is under construction in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii. The center will be anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue and is expected to open in August 2016. The Company owns a 93.5% interest in the project, which is subject to a participating ground lease. As of September 30, 2015 , the Company's capitalized costs for the project were $216.7 million ( $203.1 million at TRG's share). The Mall of San Juan The Mall of San Juan, a 0.6 million square foot center in San Juan, Puerto Rico, opened in March 2015. The center is anchored by Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue. As of September 30, 2015 , the Company owned a 95% interest in the center subsequent to the acquisition of an additional 15% interest in April 2015. The additional interest was acquired at cost. In connection with the acquisition, the noncontrolling owner used $9.3 million of previously contributed capital to fund its obligation to reimburse the Company for certain shared infrastructure costs, which was classified as a reduction of the Noncontrolling interests and an offsetting reduction of Properties on the Consolidated Balance Sheet (Note 14). Asia Development CityOn.Xi'an The Company has a joint venture with Beijing Wangfujing Department Store (Group) Co., Ltd (Wangfujing), one of China's largest department store chains, which will own a 60% controlling interest in and manage an approximately 1.0 million square foot shopping center, CityOn.Xi'an, to be located at Xi'an Saigao City Plaza, a large-scale mixed-use development under construction in Xi'an, China. Through this joint venture, the Company will beneficially own a 30% interest in the shopping center, which is scheduled to open in spring 2016. As of September 30, 2015 , the Company's share of total project costs were $93.8 million , as decreased by $1.8 million for the change in exchange rates. This investment is classified within Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. CityOn.Zhengzhou The Company also has a second joint venture with Wangfujing which owns a majority interest in and will manage an approximately 1.0 million square foot multi-level shopping center, CityOn.Zhengzhou, under construction in Zhengzhou, China. Through this joint venture, the Company beneficially owns a 32% interest in the shopping center, which is scheduled to open in fall 2016. As of September 30, 2015 , the Company's share of total project costs were $58.1 million , as decreased by $1.2 million for the change in exchange rates. This investment is classified within Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Hanam Union Square The Company's joint venture with Shinsegae Group, South Korea's largest retailer, is developing an approximately 1.7 million square foot shopping center, Hanam Union Square, under construction in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, which is scheduled to open in early fall 2016. The Company has partnered with a major institution in Asia for a 49% ownership interest in Hanam Union Square. The institutional partner owns 14.7% of the project, bringing the Company's effective ownership to 34.3% . As of September 30, 2015 , the Company's share of total project costs were $203.3 million , as decreased by $13.7 million for the change in exchange rates. This investment is classified within Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Income Tax Expense The Company’s income tax expense (benefit) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 consisted of the following: Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30 2015 2014 2015 2014 Federal current $ 1,092 $ 313 $ 1,848 $ 7,851 Federal deferred 134 (26 ) 29 1,139 Foreign current (178 ) 399 588 980 Foreign deferred (24 ) (180 ) (48 ) State current (856 ) 1 (601 ) 1,520 State deferred (21 ) (4 ) (11 ) (16 ) Total income tax expense $ 147 $ 683 $ 1,673 $ 11,426 Less income tax (expense) benefit allocated to Gain on Dispositions (1) 437 437 (9,733 ) Income tax expense as reported on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income $ 584 $ 683 $ 2,110 $ 1,693 (1) Amount represents the income taxes incurred as part of the Company's sale of interests in International Plaza in January 2014. The tax on the sale is classified within Gain on Dispositions, Net of Tax on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income. During the three months ended September 30, 2015, an adjustment of $0.4 million was made to reduce the tax recognized as a result of the sale. Deferred Taxes Deferred tax assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows: 2015 2014 Deferred tax assets: Federal $ 1,371 $ 1,382 Foreign 1,847 1,806 State 994 471 Total deferred tax assets $ 4,212 $ 3,659 Valuation allowances (2,112 ) (1,703 ) Net deferred tax assets $ 2,100 $ 1,956 Deferred tax liabilities: Federal $ 609 $ 592 Foreign 476 473 State 109 89 Total deferred tax liabilities $ 1,194 $ 1,154 The Company believes that it is more likely than not the results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to recognize the net deferred tax assets. These future operations are primarily dependent upon the Manager’s profitability, the timing and amounts of gains on peripheral land sales, the profitability of Taubman Asia's operations, and other factors affecting the results of operations of the Taxable REIT Subsidiaries. The valuation allowances relate to net operating loss carryforwards and tax basis differences where there is uncertainty regarding their realizability.

Investments in Unconsolidated J

Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures	Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures General Information The Company owns beneficial interests in joint ventures that own shopping centers. The Operating Partnership is the sole direct or indirect managing general partner or managing member of Fair Oaks, International Plaza, Stamford Town Center, Sunvalley, The Mall at University Town Center, and Westfarms. The Operating Partnership also provides certain management, leasing, and/or development services to the other shopping centers noted below. Shopping Center Ownership as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 CityOn.Xi'an (under construction) Note 2 CityOn.Zhengzhou (under construction) Note 2 Fair Oaks 50% Hanam Union Square (under construction) Note 2 International Plaza 50.1 The Mall at Millenia 50 Stamford Town Center 50 Sunvalley 50 The Mall at University Town Center 50 Waterside Shops 50 Westfarms 79 The Company's carrying value of its Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures differs from its share of the partnership or members’ equity reported in the combined balance sheet of the Unconsolidated Joint Ventures due to (i) the Company's cost of its investment in excess of the historical net book values of the Unconsolidated Joint Ventures and (ii) the Operating Partnership’s adjustments to the book basis, including intercompany profits on sales of services that are capitalized by the Unconsolidated Joint Ventures. The Company's additional basis allocated to depreciable assets is recognized on a straight-line basis over 40 years . The Operating Partnership’s differences in bases are amortized over the useful lives or terms of the related assets and liabilities. In its Consolidated Balance Sheet, the Company separately reports its investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures for which accumulated distributions have exceeded investments in and net income of the Unconsolidated Joint Ventures. The net equity of certain joint ventures is less than zero because distributions are usually greater than net income, as net income includes non-cash charges for depreciation and amortization. In addition, any distributions related to refinancing of the centers further decrease the net equity of the centers. Combined Financial Information Combined balance sheet and results of operations information is presented in the following table for the Unconsolidated Joint Ventures, followed by the Operating Partnership's beneficial interest in the combined operations information. The combined information of the Unconsolidated Joint Ventures as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 excluded the balances of CityOn.Xi'an, CityOn.Zhengzhou, and Hanam Union Square which are currently under construction (Note 2). Beneficial interest is calculated based on the Operating Partnership's ownership interest in each of the Unconsolidated Joint Ventures. September 30 December 31 Assets: Properties $ 1,619,256 $ 1,580,926 Accumulated depreciation and amortization (581,144 ) (548,646 ) $ 1,038,112 $ 1,032,280 Cash and cash equivalents 33,738 49,765 Accounts and notes receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,528 and $1,590 in 2015 and 2014 33,616 38,788 Deferred charges and other assets 38,462 33,200 $ 1,143,928 $ 1,154,033 Liabilities and accumulated deficiency in assets: Notes payable (1) $ 2,004,712 $ 1,989,546 Accounts payable and other liabilities 73,789 103,161 TRG's accumulated deficiency in assets (522,627 ) (525,759 ) Unconsolidated Joint Venture Partners' accumulated deficiency in assets (411,946 ) (412,915 ) $ 1,143,928 $ 1,154,033 TRG's accumulated deficiency in assets (above) $ (522,627 ) $ (525,759 ) TRG's investment in properties under construction (Note 2) 289,372 232,091 TRG basis adjustments, including elimination of intercompany profit 129,511 132,058 TCO's additional basis 53,504 54,963 Net investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures $ (50,240 ) $ (106,647 ) Distributions in excess of investments in and net income of Unconsolidated Joint Ventures 471,129 476,651 Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures $ 420,889 $ 370,004 (1) As the balances presented exclude those of centers under development, the Notes Payable amount excludes the construction loan outstanding for Hanam Union Square of $52.1 million ( $17.9 million at TRG's share) at September 30, 2015 . See Note 5 regarding this loan. Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30 2015 2014 2015 2014 Revenues $ 91,000 $ 80,671 $ 271,332 $ 238,190 Maintenance, taxes, utilities, promotion, and other operating expenses $ 28,922 $ 25,040 $ 85,203 $ 75,486 Interest expense 21,390 18,518 63,937 55,065 Depreciation and amortization 13,899 11,417 40,305 32,613 Total operating costs $ 64,211 $ 54,975 $ 189,445 $ 163,164 Nonoperating income (expense) (1 ) (22 ) 4 (25 ) Net income $ 26,788 $ 25,674 $ 81,891 $ 75,001 Net income attributable to TRG $ 14,636 $ 14,258 $ 45,124 $ 41,319 Realized intercompany profit, net of depreciation on TRG’s basis adjustments 1,071 707 2,634 1,363 Depreciation of TCO's additional basis (488 ) (486 ) (1,460 ) (1,460 ) Equity in income of Unconsolidated Joint Ventures $ 15,219 $ 14,479 $ 46,298 $ 41,222 Beneficial interest in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures’ operations: Revenues less maintenance, taxes, utilities, promotion, and other operating expenses $ 35,308 $ 31,762 $ 105,725 $ 92,336 Interest expense (11,431 ) (10,006 ) (34,199 ) (29,805 ) Depreciation and amortization (8,658 ) (7,277 ) (25,228 ) (21,309 ) Equity in income of Unconsolidated Joint Ventures $ 15,219 $ 14,479 $ 46,298 $ 41,222

Beneficial Interest in Debt and

Beneficial Interest in Debt and Interest Expense	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Beneficial interest in Debt and Interest Expense	Beneficial Interest in Debt and Interest Expense The Operating Partnership's beneficial interest in the debt, capitalized interest, and interest expense of its consolidated subsidiaries and its Unconsolidated Joint Ventures is summarized in the following table. The Operating Partnership's beneficial interest in the consolidated subsidiaries excludes debt and interest related to the noncontrolling interest in Cherry Creek Shopping Center ( 50% ), International Market Place ( 6.5% ), and The Mall of San Juan ( 20% prior to April 2015, and subsequently 5% ), as well as the noncontrolling interests in The Mall at Wellington Green ( 10% ) and MacArthur Center ( 5% ) through the disposition of the centers in October 2014 (Note 2). At 100% At Beneficial Interest Consolidated Subsidiaries Unconsolidated Joint Ventures Consolidated Subsidiaries Unconsolidated Joint Ventures Debt as of: September 30, 2015 $ 2,594,073 $ 2,056,778 $ 2,439,329 $ 1,109,397 December 31, 2014 2,025,505 1,989,546 1,852,749 1,085,991 Capitalized interest: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 $ 24,569 (1) $ 289 $ 23,693 $ 145 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 18,844 (1) 2,836 18,136 1,430 Interest expense: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 $ 44,451 $ 63,937 $ 39,357 $ 34,199 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 74,946 55,065 68,687 29,805 (1) The Company capitalizes interest costs incurred in funding its equity contributions to development projects accounted for as Unconsolidated Joint Ventures. The capitalized interest cost is included in the Company's basis in its investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures. Such capitalized interest reduces interest expense in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income and in the table above is included within Consolidated Subsidiaries. 2015 Financings In September 2015, a 12 -year, $1 billion non-recourse refinancing was completed for The Mall at Short Hills. The interest-only loan bears interest at an all-in fixed rate of 3.56% . The proceeds from the borrowing were used to repay the existing $540 million , 5.47% fixed rate loan, which was scheduled to mature in December 2015, and to pay off the Company's revolving lines of credit, with the remaining net proceeds held for general corporate purposes. In August 2015, a $330.9 million construction facility was completed for International Market Place, a consolidated joint venture. The construction facility has an initial three -year term with two , one-year extension options, and no draws on the loan are permitted after the original maturity date. The loan is interest-only during the initial three -year term and bears interest at LIBOR plus 1.75% , which may be reduced to LIBOR plus 1.60% upon the achievement of certain performance measures. During the extension period, debt service payments also include principal payments based on an assumed interest rate of 6.0% and a 30-year amortization. In July 2015, the Company's joint venture closed on a non-recourse construction facility for Hanam Union Square. The Company has an effective 34.3% interest in the Unconsolidated Joint Venture. The financing consists of a five -year, 520 billion Korean Won denominated construction facility (approximately $439 million U.S. dollars using the September 30, 2015 exchange rate) and a five -year U.S. dollar financing of $52.1 million . The U.S. dollar denominated portion of the financing is secured by an approximately $53 million standby letter of credit, which was drawn from the Korean Won denominated portion of the construction facility, thereby reducing the availability under the Korean Won denominated construction facility to approximately $386 million U.S. dollars as of September 30, 2015. The Korean Won denominated portion of the financing bears interest at the Korea Development Bank Five-Year Bond Yield plus 1.06% and is fixed upon each draw. Using bond yields as of September 30, 2015 , the rate would be approximately 2.93% . The U.S. dollar denominated floating rate facility bears interest at three-month LIBOR plus 1.60% . A cross-currency interest rate swap was executed in August 2015 to fix the interest rate on the U.S. dollar portion of the financing and swap the U.S. dollar denomination from U.S. dollars to Korean Won. As a result of the swap, the effective interest rate of the U.S. dollar portion of the financing is 3.12% (Note 8). As of September 30, 2015, the U.S. dollar denominated portion of the financing was fully drawn, while no amounts were outstanding under the Korean Won denominated portion. In March 2015, the Company completed a $12.0 million non-recourse refinancing for its U.S. headquarters building. The loan is interest-only for the entire nine -year term, bears interest at LIBOR plus 1.40% , and is prepayable at any time. The rate on the loan is fixed at 3.49% as a result of an interest rate swap (Note 8). The proceeds from the new loan and available cash were used to pay off the existing $ 17.0 million , 5.90% fixed rate loan. Debt Covenants and Guarantees Certain loan agreements contain various restrictive covenants, including the following corporate covenants on the Company’s unsecured primary revolving line of credit, unsecured term loan, and the construction facilities on The Mall at University Town Center, The Mall of San Juan, and International Market Place: a minimum net worth requirement, a maximum total leverage ratio, a maximum secured leverage ratio, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, a maximum recourse secured debt ratio, and a maximum payout ratio. In addition, the Company’s primary revolving line of credit and term loan have unencumbered pool covenants, which currently apply to Beverly Center, Dolphin Mall, and Twelve Oaks Mall on a combined basis. These covenants include a minimum number and minimum value of eligible unencumbered assets, a maximum unencumbered leverage ratio, a minimum unencumbered interest coverage ratio, and a minimum unencumbered asset occupancy ratio. As of September 30, 2015 , the corporate total leverage ratio was the most restrictive covenant. The Company was in compliance with all of its covenants and loan obligations as of September 30, 2015 . The maximum payout ratio covenant limits the payment of distributions generally to 95% of funds from operations, as defined in the loan agreements, except as required to maintain the Company’s tax status, pay preferred distributions, and for distributions related to the sale of certain assets. In connection with the financing of the construction facility at International Market Place, the Operating Partnership has provided an unconditional guarantee of 50% of the construction loan principal balance and all accrued but unpaid interest during the term of the loan. The Operating Partnership has also provided a guarantee as to the completion of construction of the center. The maximum amount of the construction facility is $330.9 million . The outstanding balance of the International Market Place construction financing facility as of September 30, 2015 was $39.1 million . Accrued but unpaid interest as of September 30, 2015 was $0.1 million . The principal guaranty may be reduced to 25% of the outstanding principal balance upon stabilization and achievement of certain performance measures. The principal guaranty may be released upon achievement of further restrictive performance measures. The Company believes the likelihood of a payment under the guarantees to be remote. In connection with the financing of the construction facility at The Mall at University Town Center, which is owned by an Unconsolidated Joint Venture, the Operating Partnership provided an unconditional guarantee of 25% of the construction loan principal balance and 50% of all accrued but unpaid interest during the term of the loan. The maximum amount of the construction facility is $225 million . The outstanding balance of The Mall at University Town Center construction financing facility as of September 30, 2015 was $218.8 million . Accrued but unpaid interest as of September 30, 2015 was $0.3 million . The principal guarantee may be reduced to 12.5% of the outstanding principal balance upon achievement of certain performance measures. Upon stabilization, the unconditional guarantee may be released. The Company believes the likelihood of a payment under the guarantee to be remote. In connection with the financing of the construction facility at The Mall of San Juan, the Operating Partnership has provided an unconditional guarantee of the construction loan principal balance and all accrued but unpaid interest during the term of the loan. In addition, the Operating Partnership has provided a guarantee as to the completion of the center. The maximum amount of the construction facility is $320 million . The outstanding balance of The Mall of San Juan construction financing facility as of September 30, 2015 was $244.0 million . Accrued but unpaid interest as of September 30, 2015 was $0.2 million . The Company believes the likelihood of a payment under the guarantees to be remote. In connection with the additional $175 million financing at International Plaza, which is owned by an Unconsolidated Joint Venture, the Operating Partnership provided an unconditional and several guarantee of 50.1% of all obligations and liabilities related to an interest rate swap that was required on the debt for the term of the loan. As of September 30, 2015 , the interest rate swap was in a liability position of $3.8 million and had unpaid interest of $0.2 million . The Company believes the likelihood of a payment under the guarantee to be remote. Other The Company is required to escrow cash balances for specific uses stipulated by certain of its lenders. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , the Company’s cash balances restricted for these uses were $10.8 million and $37.5 million , respectively. As of September 30, 2015 , $8.5 million of the $10.8 million of restricted cash was required under a certain debt agreement to be in escrow for a major construction project.

Equity Transactions

Equity Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity Transactions [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	Equity Transactions In August 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to $200 million of its outstanding common stock. In March 2015, the Company's Board of Directors increased the authorization by $250 million , bringing the total authorization to $450 million . The Company plans to repurchase shares from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, depending on market prices and other conditions. As of September 30, 2015 , the Company repurchased 4,221,774 shares of its common stock at an average price of $71.80 per share for a total of $303.1 million under the authorization. As of September 30, 2015 , $146.9 million remained available under the repurchase program. All shares repurchased have been cancelled. For each share of the Company’s stock repurchased, one of the Company’s Operating Partnership units was redeemed. Repurchases of common stock were financed through general corporate funds, including borrowings under existing revolving lines of credit.

Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling Interests	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Noncontrolling Interests	Noncontrolling Interests Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests The Company's president of Taubman Asia (the Asia President) has an ownership interest in Taubman Asia, a consolidated subsidiary. The Asia President is entitled to 10% of Taubman Asia's dividends, with 85% of his dividends being withheld as contributions to capital. These withholdings will continue until he contributes and maintains his capital consistent with a 10% ownership interest, including all capital funded by the Operating Partnership for Taubman Asia's operating and investment activities subsequent to the Asia President obtaining his ownership interest. The Operating Partnership will have a preferred investment in Taubman Asia to the extent the Asia President has not yet contributed capital commensurate with his ownership interest. This preferred investment will accrue an annual preferential return equal to the Operating Partnership's average borrowing rate (with the preferred investment and accrued return together being referred to herein as the preferred interest). The Taubman Asia operating agreement provides that so long as the Taubman Asia President is employed by Taubman Asia on April 1, 2016, then during the month ended April 30, 2016, he will have the right to exercise an option to put up to 40% of his ownership interest for cash in December 2016 at a valuation determined as of October 31, 2016. In addition, Taubman Asia has the ability to call, and the Asia President has the ability to put, the Asia President’s ownership interest upon specified terminations of the Asia President’s employment, although such put or call right may not be exercised for specified time periods after certain termination events. The redemption price for the ownership interest is 50% (increasing to 100% as early as June 2017) of the fair value of the ownership interest less the amount required to return the Operating Partnership's preferred interest. The Company has determined that the Asia President's ownership interest in Taubman Asia qualifies as an equity award, considering its specific redemption provisions, and accounts for it as a contingently redeemable noncontrolling interest, with a carrying value of zero at both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 . Any adjustments to the redemption value are recorded through equity. The Company owns a 93.5% controlling interest in a joint venture that is redeveloping International Market Place in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii. The 6.5% joint venture partner has no obligation nor the right to contribute capital. The Company is entitled to a preferential return on its capital contributions. The Company has the right to purchase the joint venture partner's interest and the joint venture partner has the right to require the Company to purchase the joint venture partner's interest after the third anniversary of the opening of the center, and annually thereafter. The purchase price of the joint venture partner's interest will be based on fair value. Considering the redemption provisions, the Company accounts for the joint venture partner's interest as a contingently redeemable noncontrolling interest with a carrying value of zero at both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 . Any adjustments to the redemption value are recorded through equity. Equity Balances of Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interests The net equity balance of the nonredeemable noncontrolling interests as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 included the following: 2015 2014 Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests: Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures $ (23,277 ) $ (14,796 ) Noncontrolling interests in partnership equity of TRG 32,529 116,376 $ 9,252 $ 101,580 Income Allocable to Noncontrolling Interests Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 included the following: 2015 2014 Net income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests: Noncontrolling share of income of consolidated joint ventures $ 2,780 $ 2,643 Noncontrolling share of income of TRG 13,151 14,057 $ 15,931 $ 16,700 Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 included the following: 2015 2014 Net income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests: Noncontrolling share of income of consolidated joint ventures $ 8,043 $ 8,013 Noncontrolling share of income of TRG 35,815 170,922 $ 43,858 $ 178,935 Equity Transactions The following schedule presents the effects of changes in Taubman Centers, Inc.’s ownership interest in consolidated subsidiaries on Taubman Centers, Inc.’s equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 : 2015 2014 Net income attributable to Taubman Centers, Inc. common shareowners $ 83,274 $ 424,151 Transfers from the noncontrolling interest: Increase in Taubman Centers, Inc.’s paid-in capital for adjustments of noncontrolling interest (1) 68,993 54 Net transfers from noncontrolling interests 68,993 54 Change from net income attributable to Taubman Centers, Inc. and transfers from noncontrolling interests $ 152,267 $ 424,205 (1) In 2015 and 2014 adjustments of the noncontrolling interest were made as a result of changes in the Company's ownership of the Operating Partnership in connection with the Company's share-based compensation under employee and director benefit plans (Note 9), issuances of stock pursuant to the Continuing Offer (Note 10), and stock repurchases (Note 6). Finite Life Entities Accounting Standards Codification Topic 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity” establishes standards for classifying and measuring as liabilities certain financial instruments that embody obligations of the issuer and have characteristics of both liabilities and equity. At September 30, 2015 , the Company held a controlling interest in a consolidated entity with a specified termination date in 2083 . The noncontrolling owners' interest in this entity is to be settled upon termination by distribution or transfer of either cash or specific assets of the underlying entity. The estimated fair value of this noncontrolling interest was approximately $430 million at September 30, 2015 , compared to a book value of $(23.3) million that is classified in Noncontrolling Interests in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. The fair value of the noncontrolling interest was calculated as the noncontrolling interest's ownership shares of the underlying property's fair value. The property's fair value was estimated by considering its in-place net operating income, current market capitalization rate, and mortgage debt outstanding.

Derivative and Hedging Activiti

Derivative and Hedging Activities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative and Hedging Activities	Derivative and Hedging Activities Risk Management Objective and Strategies for Using Derivatives The Company uses derivative instruments, such as interest rate swaps and interest rate caps, primarily to manage exposure to interest rate risks inherent in variable rate debt and refinancings. The Company may also enter into forward starting swaps or treasury lock agreements to set the effective interest rate on a planned fixed-rate financing. The Company’s interest rate swaps involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. Interest rate caps involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty if interest rates rise above the strike rate on the contract in exchange for an up-front premium. In a forward starting swap or treasury lock agreement that the Company cash settles in anticipation of a fixed rate financing or refinancing, the Company will receive or pay an amount equal to the present value of future cash flow payments based on the difference between the contract rate and market rate on the settlement date. The Company does not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes and currently does not have any derivatives that are not designated as hedging instruments under the accounting requirements for derivatives and hedging. As of September 30, 2015 , the Company had the following outstanding derivatives that were designated and are expected to be effective as cash flow hedges of the interest payments and/or the currency exchange rate on the associated debt. Instrument Type Ownership Notional Amount Swap Rate Credit Spread on Loan Total Swapped Rate on Loan Maturity Date Consolidated Subsidiaries: Receive variable (LIBOR) /pay-fixed swap (1) 100 % $ 200,000 1.64 % 1.35 % (1) 2.99 % (1) February 2019 Receive variable (LIBOR) /pay-fixed swap (1) 100 % 175,000 1.65 % 1.35 % (1) 3.00 % (1) February 2019 Receive variable (LIBOR) /pay-fixed swap (1) 100 % 100,000 1.64 % 1.35 % (1) 2.99 % (1) February 2019 Receive variable (LIBOR) /pay-fixed swap (2) 100 % 12,000 2.09 % 1.40 % 3.49 % March 2024 Unconsolidated Joint Ventures: Receive variable (LIBOR) /pay-fixed swap (3) 50 % 135,214 2.40 % 1.70 % 4.10 % April 2018 Receive variable (LIBOR) /pay-fixed swap (3) 50 % 135,214 2.40 % 1.70 % 4.10 % April 2018 Receive variable (LIBOR) /pay-fixed swap (4) 50.1 % 172,959 1.83 % 1.75 % 3.58 % December 2021 Receive variable (LIBOR) USD/pay-fixed KRW cross-currency interest rate swap (5) 34.3 % 52,065 USD / 60,500,000 KRW 1.52 % 1.60 % 3.12 % September 2020 (1) The hedged forecasted transaction for each of these swaps is the first previously unhedged one-month LIBOR -indexed interest payments accrued and made each month on a debt principal amount equal to the swap notional amount, regardless of the specific debt agreement from which they may flow. The Company is currently using these swaps to manage interest rate risk on the $475 million TRG Term Loan. The credit spread on this loan can also vary within a range of 1.35% to 1.90% , depending on the Company's leverage ratio at the measurement date. (2) The notional amount on this swap is equal to the outstanding principal balance of the floating rate loan on the U.S. headquarters building. (3) The notional amount on each of these swaps is equal to 50% of the outstanding principal balance of the loan on Fair Oaks. (4) The notional amount on this swap is equal to the outstanding principal balance of the floating rate loan on International Plaza. (5) In August 2015, in connection with the closing of the $52.1 million U.S. dollar loan for Hanam Union Square, the Company's joint venture with Shinsegae Group entered into a cross-currency interest rate swap to fix the interest rate on the loan and swap the related principal and interest payments from U.S. dollars to Korean Won in order to reduce the impact of fluctuations in interest rates and exchange rates on the cash flows of the joint venture. The currency swap exchange rate is 1,162.0 . Cash Flow Hedges For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the unrealized gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of Other Comprehensive Income (OCI). The ineffective portion of the change in fair value, if any, is recognized directly in earnings. Net realized gains or losses resulting from derivatives that were settled in conjunction with planned fixed-rate financings or refinancings continue to be included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) during the term of the hedged debt transaction. Amounts reported in AOCI related to currently outstanding interest rate derivatives are recognized as an adjustment to income as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable-rate debt. Realized gains or losses on settled derivative instruments included in AOCI are recognized as an adjustment to income over the term of the hedged debt transaction. Amounts reported in AOCI related to the cross-currency interest rate swap are recognized as an adjustment to income as transaction gains or losses arising from the remeasurement of foreign currency denominated loans are recognized and as actual interest and principal obligations are repaid. The Company expects that approximately $10.0 million of the AOCI of Taubman Centers, Inc. and the noncontrolling interests will be reclassified from AOCI and recognized as a reduction of income in the following 12 months. The following tables present the effect of derivative instruments on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 . The tables include the amount of gains or losses on outstanding derivative instruments recognized in OCI in cash flow hedging relationships and the location and amount of gains or losses reclassified from AOCI into income resulting from outstanding derivative instruments and settled derivative instruments associated with hedged debt. During the three months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company had $0.3 million of hedge ineffectiveness related to the swaps used to hedge the TRG term loan which was recorded in Nonoperating Income (Expense) on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income. In addition, during the three months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recorded a loss of $0.2 million in Equity in Income of Unconsolidated Joint Ventures on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income related to the Hanam Union Square swap prior to its hedge inception in September 2015. During the three months ended September 30, 2014 , the Company did not have any hedge ineffectiveness or amounts that were excluded from the assessment of hedge ineffectiveness recorded in earnings. Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion) Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion) Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion) Three Months Ended September 30 Three Months Ended September 30 2015 2014 2015 2014 Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships: Interest rate contracts – consolidated subsidiaries $ (5,108 ) $ 3,692 Interest Expense $ (1,825 ) $ (1,810 ) Interest rate contracts – UJVs (2,434 ) 1,266 Equity in Income of UJVs (1,128 ) (789 ) Cross-currency interest rate swap – UJV (170 ) Equity in Income of UJVs (131 ) Total derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships $ (7,712 ) $ 4,958 $ (3,084 ) $ (2,599 ) During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company had $0.5 million of hedge ineffectiveness related to the swaps used to hedge the TRG term loan which was recorded in Nonoperating Income (Expense) on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income. In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recorded a loss of $0.2 million in Equity in Income of Unconsolidated Joint Ventures on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income related to the Hanam Union Square swap prior to its hedge inception in September 2015. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 , the Company had an immaterial amount of hedge ineffectiveness related to the swap on MacArthur Center (prior to discontinuation of hedge accounting (Note 2)) recorded as Nonoperating Income (Expense) on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income. Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion) Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion) Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion) Nine Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30 2015 2014 2015 2014 Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships: Interest rate contract – consolidated subsidiary (1) Nonoperating Income (Expense) (1) $ (4,880 ) Interest rate contracts – consolidated subsidiaries (1) $ (6,900 ) $ (4,043 ) Interest Expense (1) $ (5,412 ) (6,853 ) Interest rate contracts – UJVs (2,352 ) 1,008 Equity in Income of UJVs (3,376 ) (2,340 ) Cross-currency interest rate swap – UJV (170 ) Equity in Income of UJVs (131 ) Total derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships $ (9,422 ) $ (3,035 ) $ (8,919 ) $ (14,073 ) (1) Includes MacArthur Center swap for the period that it was effective as a hedge until June 2014, when hedge accounting was discontinued. The Company records all derivative instruments at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The following table presents the location and fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 . Fair Value Consolidated Balance Sheet Location September 30 December 31 Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Asset derivative: Interest rate contract – UJV Investment in UJVs $ 109 Total assets designated as hedging instruments $ — $ 109 Liability derivatives: Interest rate contracts – consolidated subsidiaries Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities $ (11,439 ) $ (4,044 ) Interest rate contracts – UJVs Investment in UJVs (7,397 ) (5,154 ) Cross-currency interest rate swap – UJV Investment in UJVs (53 ) Total liabilities designated as hedging instruments $ (18,889 ) $ (9,198 ) MacArthur Center Swap in Connection with Starwood Disposition In June 2014, in connection with the discontinuation of hedge accounting on the MacArthur Center swap, the Company accelerated the reclassification of amounts in AOCI to earnings as a result of it becoming probable that the center's debt would be early extinguished and the hedged interest payments would not occur. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the accelerated amount was a loss of $4.9 million . The Company also recorded a gain of $0.2 million and a loss of $0.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, for changes in the fair value of this swap subsequent to the June 2014 discontinuation of hedge accounting. These amounts are classified as Nonoperating Income (Expense) on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income. Contingent Features All of the Company's outstanding derivatives contain provisions that state if the hedged entity defaults on its indebtedness above a certain threshold, then the derivative obligation could also be declared in default. The cross default thresholds vary for each agreement, ranging from $0.1 million of any indebtedness to $50 million of recourse indebtedness on the Company or the Operating Partnership's indebtedness. As of September 30, 2015, the Company is not in default on any indebtedness that would trigger a credit-risk-related default on its current outstanding derivatives. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , the fair value of derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that were in a liability position was $18.9 million and $9.2 million , respectively. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , the Company was not required to post any collateral related to these agreements. If the Company breached any of these provisions it would be required to settle its obligations under the agreements at their fair value. See Note 5 regarding guarantees and Note 12 for fair value information on derivatives.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Share-Based Compensation	Share-Based Compensation The Taubman Company 2008 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan (2008 Omnibus Plan), as amended, which is shareowner approved, provides for the award to directors, officers, employees, and other service providers of the Company of restricted shares, restricted units of limited partnership in the Operating Partnership, options to purchase shares or Operating Partnership units, unrestricted shares or Operating Partnership units, and other awards to acquire up to an aggregate of 8.5 million Company common shares or Operating Partnership units. In addition, non-employee directors have the option to defer their compensation under a deferred compensation plan. Non-option awards granted after an amendment of the 2008 Omnibus Plan in 2010 are deducted at a ratio of 1.85 Company common shares or Operating Partnership units, while non-option awards granted prior to the amendment are deducted at a ratio of 2.85 . Options are deducted on a one-for-one basis. The amount available for future grants is adjusted when the number of contingently issuable shares or units are settled, for grants that are forfeited, and for options that expire without being exercised. Prior to the adoption of the 2008 Omnibus Plan, the Company provided share-based compensation through an incentive option plan and non-employee directors' stock grant and deferred compensation plans. The compensation cost charged to income for the Company’s share-based compensation plans was $1.3 million and $8.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, a reversal of $2.7 million and $2.0 million , respectively, of prior period share-based compensation expense was recognized upon the announcement of an executive management transition as a reduction of General and Administrative expense on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income. The compensation cost charged to income for the Company’s share-based compensation plans was $3.9 million and $ 11.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , respectively. Compensation cost capitalized as part of properties and deferred leasing costs was $0.2 million and $1.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , respectively, and $0.4 million and $1.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , respectively. The Company estimated the grant-date fair values of options, performance share units, and restricted share units using the methods discussed in the separate sections below for each type of grant. Expected volatility and dividend yields are based on historical volatility and yields of the Company’s common stock, respectively, as well as other factors. The risk-free interest rates used are based on the U.S. Treasury yield curves in effect at the times of grants. The Company assumes no forfeitures of options or performance share units due to the small number of participants and low turnover rate. Options A summary of option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 is presented below: Number of Options Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) Range of Exercise Prices Outstanding at January 1, 2015 521,293 $ 39.20 1.6 $ 26.56 - $ 51.15 Exercised (228,750 ) 29.72 Outstanding at September 30, 2015 292,543 $ 46.60 1.7 $ 35.50 - $ 51.15 Fully vested options at September 30, 2015 292,543 $ 46.60 1.7 No options were granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The aggregate intrinsic value (the difference between the period end stock price and the option exercise price) of in-the-money options outstanding was $6.6 million as of September 30, 2015 . The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $10.0 million and $1.4 million , respectively. Cash received from option exercises for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $6.8 million and $1.8 million , respectively. As of September 30, 2015 , all options outstanding were fully vested, and there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to options. Under both the prior option plan and the 2008 Omnibus Plan, vested unit options can be exercised by tendering mature units with a market value equal to the exercise price of the unit options. In 2002, Robert S. Taubman, the Company’s chief executive officer, exercised options for 3.0 million units by tendering 2.1 million mature units and deferring receipt of 0.9 million units under the unit option deferral election. As the Operating Partnership pays distributions, the deferred option units receive their proportionate share of the distributions in the form of cash payments. Under an amendment executed in January 2011, beginning in December 2017 (unless Mr. Taubman retires earlier), the deferred partnership units will be issued in ten annual installments. The deferred units are accounted for as participating securities of the Operating Partnership. Performance Share Units In March 2015, the Company granted Performance Share Units (PSU) under the 2008 Omnibus Plan. Each PSU represents the right to receive, upon vesting, shares of the Company’s common stock ranging from 0-300% of the PSU based on the Company’s market performance relative to that of a peer group, plus a cash payment equal to the aggregate cash dividends that would have been paid on such shares of common stock from the date of grant of the award to the vesting date . The units vest in March 2018 if continuous service has been provided, or upon retirement or certain other events (such as death or disability) if earlier. The Company estimated the value of these PSU granted using a Monte Carlo simulation, considering the Company’s common stock price at the grant date, historical returns of the Company and the peer group of companies, a risk-free interest rate of 1.12% and a measurement period of approximately three years. The resulting weighted average grant-date fair value was $112.30 per PSU. A summary of PSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 is presented below: Number of Performance Share Units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Outstanding at January 1, 2015 254,651 $ 132.86 Vested (43,575 ) (1) 97.44 Granted 50,256 112.30 Forfeited (5,854 ) 174.95 Outstanding at September 30, 2015 255,478 $ 134.52 (1) Based on the Company's market performance relative to that of a peer group, the actual number of shares of common stock issued upon vesting during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was zero . None of the PSU outstanding at September 30, 2015 were vested. As of September 30, 2015 , there was $10.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested PSU outstanding. This cost is expected to be recognized over an average period of 1.7 years. Restricted Share Units In March 2015, Restricted Share Units (RSU) were issued under the 2008 Omnibus Plan and represent the right to receive upon vesting one share of the Company’s common stock, plus a cash payment equal to the aggregate cash dividends that would have been paid on such shares of common stock from the date of grant of the award to the vesting date . The units vest in March 2018, if continuous service has been provided, or upon retirement or certain other events (such as death or disability) if earlier. The Company estimated the values of these RSU using the Company’s common stock price at the grant date. The Company’s valuation was a grant-date fair value of $74.36 per RSU. A summary of RSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 is presented below: Number of Restricted Share Units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Outstanding at January 1, 2015 293,651 $ 67.00 Vested (94,835 ) 65.56 Granted 100,682 74.36 Forfeited (13,884 ) 69.90 Outstanding at September 30, 2015 285,614 $ 69.92 None of the RSU outstanding at September 30, 2015 were vested. As of September 30, 2015 , there was $7.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested RSU outstanding. This cost is expected to be recognized over an average period of 1.9 years.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Cash Tender At the time of the Company's initial public offering and acquisition of its partnership interest in the Operating Partnership in 1992, the Company entered into an agreement (as later amended and restated, the Cash Tender Agreement) with A. Alfred Taubman, as trustee of the A. Alfred Taubman Restated Revocable Trust (the Revocable Trust) and TRA Partners (now Taubman Ventures Group LLC or TVG), each of whom owned an interest in the Operating Partnership, whereby each of the revocable trust and TVG has the right to tender to the Company partnership units in the Operating Partnership (provided that the aggregate value is at least $50 million ) and cause the Company to purchase the tendered interests at a purchase price based on a market valuation of the Company on the trading date immediately preceding the date of the tender. Control of TVG is shared by the Revocable Trust and entities affiliated with the children of A. Alfred Taubman (Robert S. Taubman, William S. Taubman, and Gayle Taubman Kalisman). At the election of the person making a tender, partnership units in the Operating Partnership held by members of A. Alfred Taubman’s family and partnership units held by entities in which his family members hold interests may be included in such a tender. Upon the death of A. Alfred Taubman in April 2015, the successor trustees of the trust (Robert S. Taubman, William S. Taubman and Gayle Taubman Kalisman) act on behalf of the trust. The Company will have the option to pay for these interests from available cash, borrowed funds, or from the proceeds of an offering of the Company's common stock. Generally, the Company expects to finance these purchases through the sale of new shares of its stock. The tendering partner will bear all market risk if the market price at closing is less than the purchase price and will bear the costs of sale. Any proceeds of the offering in excess of the purchase price will be for the sole benefit of the Company. The Company accounts for the Cash Tender Agreement as a freestanding written put option. As the option put price is defined by the current market price of the Company's stock at the time of tender, the fair value of the written option defined by the Cash Tender Agreement is considered to be zero . Based on a market value at September 30, 2015 of $69.08 per share for the Company's common stock, the aggregate value of interests in the Operating Partnership that may be tendered under the Cash Tender Agreement was $1.7 billion . The purchase of these interests at September 30, 2015 would have resulted in the Company owning an additional 28% interest in the Operating Partnership. Continuing Offer The Company has made a continuing, irrevocable offer to all present holders (other than certain excluded holders, currently TVG and the Revocable Trust), permitted assignees of all present holders, those future holders of partnership interests in the Operating Partnership as the Company may, in its sole discretion, agree to include in the continuing offer, all existing optionees under the previous option plan, and all existing and future optionees under the 2008 Omnibus Plan to exchange shares of common stock for partnership interests in the Operating Partnership (the Continuing Offer). Under the Continuing Offer agreement, one unit of the Operating Partnership interest is exchangeable for one share of the Company's common stock . Upon a tender of Operating Partnership units, the corresponding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, if any, will automatically be converted into the Company’s common stock at a ratio of 14,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock for one share of common stock . Litigation The Company carries liability insurance to mitigate its exposure to certain losses, including those relating to personal injury claims. We believe the Company's insurance policy terms and conditions and limits are appropriate and adequate given the relative risk of loss and industry practice. However, there are certain types of losses, such as punitive damage awards, that may not be covered by insurance, and not all potential losses are insured against. Other See Note 5 for the Operating Partnership's guarantees of certain notes payable, including guarantees relating to Unconsolidated Joint Ventures, Note 7 for contingent features relating to certain joint venture agreements, Note 8 for contingent features relating to derivative instruments, and Note 9 for obligations under existing share-based compensation plans.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per share amounts are based on the weighted average of common shares outstanding for the respective periods. Diluted earnings per share amounts are based on the weighted average of common shares outstanding plus the dilutive effect of potential common stock. Potential common stock includes outstanding partnership units exchangeable for common shares under the Continuing Offer (Note 10), outstanding options for partnership units, PSU, RSU, deferred shares under the Non-Employee Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan, and unissued partnership units under a unit option deferral election (Note 9). In computing the potentially dilutive effect of potential common stock, partnership units are assumed to be exchanged for common shares under the Continuing Offer, increasing the weighted average number of shares outstanding. The potentially dilutive effects of partnership units outstanding and/or issuable under the unit option deferral elections are calculated using the if-converted method, while the effects of other potential common stock are calculated using the treasury method. Contingently issuable shares are included in diluted EPS based on the number of shares, if any, that would be issuable if the end of the reporting period were the end of the contingency period. Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30 2015 2014 2015 2014 Net income attributable to Taubman Centers, Inc. common shareowners (Numerator): Basic $ 30,422 $ 33,682 $ 83,274 $ 424,151 Impact of additional ownership of TRG 109 121 305 4,151 Diluted $ 30,531 $ 33,803 $ 83,579 $ 428,302 Shares (Denominator) – basic 60,713,379 63,317,680 61,778,051 63,249,400 Effect of dilutive securities 712,736 770,062 795,906 1,626,651 Shares (Denominator) – diluted 61,426,115 64,087,742 62,573,957 64,876,051 Earnings per common share - basic $ 0.50 $ 0.53 $ 1.35 $ 6.71 Earnings per common share – diluted $ 0.50 $ 0.53 $ 1.34 $ 6.60 The calculation of diluted earnings per share in certain periods excluded certain potential common stock including outstanding partnership units and unissued partnership units under a unit option deferral election, both of which may be exchanged for common shares of the Company under the Continuing Offer. The table below presents the potential common stock excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share as they were anti-dilutive in the period presented. Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30 2015 2014 2015 2014 Weighted average noncontrolling partnership units outstanding 3,983,268 4,369,590 4,058,747 4,352,233 Unissued partnership units under unit option deferral elections 871,262 871,262 871,262

Fair Value Disclosures

Fair Value Disclosures	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Disclosures	Fair Value Disclosures This note contains required fair value disclosures for assets and liabilities remeasured at fair value on a recurring basis and financial instruments carried at other than fair value, as well as assumptions employed in deriving these fair values. Recurring Valuations Derivative Instruments The fair value of interest rate hedging instruments is the amount that the Company would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the reporting date. The Company’s valuations of its derivative instruments are determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative, and therefore fall into Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The valuations reflect the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and use observable market-based inputs, including forward curves. The fair values of interest rate hedging instruments also incorporate credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both the Company’s own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty's nonperformance risk. Other The Company's valuation of an insurance deposit utilizes unadjusted quoted prices determined by active markets for the specific securities the Company has invested in, and therefore falls into Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. For assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, quantitative disclosure of the fair value for each major category of assets and liabilities is presented below: Fair Value Measurements as of September 30, 2015 Using Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2014 Using Description Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Significant Other Observable Inputs Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Significant Other Observable Inputs Insurance deposit $ 14,359 $ 13,059 Total assets $ 14,359 $ — $ 13,059 $ — Derivative interest rate contracts (Note 8) $ (11,439 ) $ (4,044 ) Total liabilities $ (11,439 ) $ (4,044 ) The insurance deposit shown above represents an escrow account maintained in connection with a property and casualty insurance arrangement for the Company’s shopping centers, and is classified within Deferred Charges and Other Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Corresponding deferred revenue relating to amounts billed to tenants for this arrangement has been classified within Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Financial Instruments Carried at Other Than Fair Values Simon Property Group Limited Partnership Units As of September 30, 2015 , the Company owned 590,124 partnership units in Simon Property Group Limited Partnership (Note 2). The fair value of the partnership units, which is derived from SPG's common stock price and therefore falls into level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, was $108.4 million at September 30, 2015 and $105.2 million at December 31, 2014 . The partnership units were classified as Deferred Charges and Other Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and had a book value of $77.7 million at both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 . Notes Payable The fair value of notes payable is estimated using cash flows discounted at current market rates and therefore falls into Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. When selecting discount rates for purposes of estimating the fair value of notes payable at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , the Company employed the credit spreads at which the debt was originally issued. For debt refinanced prior to 2010, excluding debt assumed from acquisitions, an additional 0.75% credit spread was added to the discount rate at both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 to attempt to account for current market conditions. This additional spread is an estimate and is not necessarily indicative of what the Company could obtain in the market at the reporting date. The Company does not believe that the use of different interest rate assumptions would have resulted in a materially different fair value of notes payable as of September 30, 2015 or December 31, 2014 . To further assist financial statement users, the Company has included with its fair value disclosures an analysis of interest rate sensitivity. The estimated fair values of notes payable at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows: 2015 2014 Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Notes payable $ 2,594,073 $ 2,587,905 $ 2,025,505 $ 2,056,474 The fair values of the notes payable are dependent on the interest rates used in estimating the values. An overall 1% increase in rates employed in making these estimates would have decreased the fair values of the debt shown above at September 30, 2015 by $111.4 million or 4.3% . Cash Equivalents and Notes Receivable The fair value of cash equivalents and notes receivable approximates their carrying value due to their short maturity. The fair value of cash equivalents is derived from quoted market prices and therefore falls into Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of notes receivable is estimated using cash flows discounted at current market rates and therefore falls into Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. See Note 8 regarding additional information on derivatives.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Changes in the balance of each component of AOCI for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 are as follows: Taubman Centers, Inc. AOCI Noncontrolling Interests AOCI Cumulative translation adjustment Unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate instruments and other Total Cumulative translation adjustment Unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate instruments and other Total January 1, 2015 $ (101 ) $ (14,967 ) $ (15,068 ) $ (41 ) $ 5,879 $ 5,838 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (10,917 ) (12,953 ) (23,870 ) (4,541 ) (5,388 ) (9,929 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCI 6,299 6,299 2,620 2,620 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) $ (10,917 ) $ (6,654 ) $ (17,571 ) $ (4,541 ) $ (2,768 ) $ (7,309 ) Adjustments due to changes in ownership 1 (199 ) (198 ) (1 ) 199 198 September 30, 2015 $ (11,017 ) $ (21,820 ) $ (32,837 ) $ (4,583 ) $ 3,310 $ (1,273 ) Changes in the balance of each component of AOCI for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 are as follows: Taubman Centers, Inc. AOCI Noncontrolling Interests AOCI Cumulative translation adjustment Unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate instruments and other Total Cumulative translation adjustment Unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate instruments and other Total January 1, 2014 $ 5,040 $ (13,954 ) $ (8,914 ) $ 2,011 $ 6,141 $ 8,152 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (1,741 ) (8,478 ) (10,219 ) (691 ) (3,516 ) (4,207 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCI 9,846 9,846 4,227 4,227 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) $ (1,741 ) $ 1,368 $ (373 ) $ (691 ) $ 711 $ 20 Adjustments due to changes in ownership 7 22 29 (7 ) (22 ) (29 ) September 30, 2014 $ 3,306 $ (12,564 ) $ (9,258 ) $ 1,313 $ 6,830 $ 8,143 The following table presents reclassifications out of AOCI for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 : Details about AOCI Components Amounts reclassified from AOCI Affected line item in Consolidated Statement of Operations Losses on interest rate instruments and other: Realized loss on interest rate contracts - consolidated subsidiaries $ 5,412 Interest Expense Realized loss on interest rate contracts - UJVs 3,376 Equity in Income of UJVs Realized loss on cross-currency interest rate contract - UJV 131 Equity in Income of UJVs Total reclassifications for the period $ 8,919 The following table presents reclassifications out of AOCI for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 : Details about AOCI Components Amounts reclassified from AOCI Affected line item in Consolidated Statement of Operations Losses on interest rate instruments and other: Discontinuation of hedge accounting - consolidated subsidiary $ 4,880 Nonoperating Income (Expense) Realized loss on interest rate contracts - consolidated subsidiaries 6,853 Interest Expense Realized loss on interest rate contracts - UJVs 2,340 Equity in Income of UJVs Total reclassifications for the period $ 14,073

Cash Flow Disclosures and Non-C

Cash Flow Disclosures and Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block]	Cash Flow Disclosures and Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities Interest paid for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , net of amounts capitalized of $24.6 million and $18.8 million , respectively, was $43.7 million and $70.5 million , respectively. Income taxes paid for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were $2.1 million and $9.9 million , respectively. The following non-cash investing and financing activities occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 . Nine Months Ended September 30 2015 2014 Recapitalization of The Mall of San Juan joint venture (Note 2) $ 9,296 Receipt of Simon Property Group Limited Partnership units in connection with the sale of Arizona Mills (Note 2) $ 77,711 Issuance of TRG partnership units in connection with the purchase of the U.S. headquarters building (Note 2) 91 Assumption of debt in connection with the purchase of the U.S. headquarters building (Note 2) 18,215 Other non-cash additions to properties 75,880 53,018 Other non-cash additions to properties primarily represent accrued construction and tenant allowance costs. Various assets and liabilities were also adjusted upon the disposition of interests in International Plaza and the deconsolidation of the Company's remaining interest (Note 2).

New Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	New Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers". This standard provides a single comprehensive model to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and gains and losses arising from transfers of non-financial assets including sales of property, plant, and equipment, real estate, and intangible assets. ASU No. 2014-09 supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. In August 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2015-14, which deferred the effective date of ASU No. 2014-09 one year to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 for public entities. ASU No. 2015-14 permits public entities to adopt ASU No. 2014-09 early, but not before the original effective date of annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. ASU No. 2014-09 may be applied either retrospectively or as a cumulative effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the application of this ASU and its effect on the Company's financial position and results of operations. In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, “Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis”. This standard amends certain guidance applicable to the consolidation of various legal entities, including variable interest entities. The Company is currently evaluating the application of this ASU, however the effect of the ASU on the Company's consolidated financial statements is not expected to be material.

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	The Company’s income tax expense (benefit) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 consisted of the following: Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30 2015 2014 2015 2014 Federal current $ 1,092 $ 313 $ 1,848 $ 7,851 Federal deferred 134 (26 ) 29 1,139 Foreign current (178 ) 399 588 980 Foreign deferred (24 ) (180 ) (48 ) State current (856 ) 1 (601 ) 1,520 State deferred (21 ) (4 ) (11 ) (16 ) Total income tax expense $ 147 $ 683 $ 1,673 $ 11,426 Less income tax (expense) benefit allocated to Gain on Dispositions (1) 437 437 (9,733 ) Income tax expense as reported on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income $ 584 $ 683 $ 2,110 $ 1,693 (1) Amount represents the income taxes incurred as part of the Company's sale of interests in International Plaza in January 2014. The tax on the sale is classified within Gain on Dispositions, Net of Tax on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income. During the three months ended September 30, 2015, an adjustment of $0.4 million was made to reduce the tax recognized as a result of the sale.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities	Deferred tax assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows: 2015 2014 Deferred tax assets: Federal $ 1,371 $ 1,382 Foreign 1,847 1,806 State 994 471 Total deferred tax assets $ 4,212 $ 3,659 Valuation allowances (2,112 ) (1,703 ) Net deferred tax assets $ 2,100 $ 1,956 Deferred tax liabilities: Federal $ 609 $ 592 Foreign 476 473 State 109 89 Total deferred tax liabilities $ 1,194 $ 1,154

Investments in Unconsolidated23

Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Beneficial Interests In Joint Ventures	The Company owns beneficial interests in joint ventures that own shopping centers. The Operating Partnership is the sole direct or indirect managing general partner or managing member of Fair Oaks, International Plaza, Stamford Town Center, Sunvalley, The Mall at University Town Center, and Westfarms. The Operating Partnership also provides certain management, leasing, and/or development services to the other shopping centers noted below. Shopping Center Ownership as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 CityOn.Xi'an (under construction) Note 2 CityOn.Zhengzhou (under construction) Note 2 Fair Oaks 50% Hanam Union Square (under construction) Note 2 International Plaza 50.1 The Mall at Millenia 50 Stamford Town Center 50 Sunvalley 50 The Mall at University Town Center 50 Waterside Shops 50 Westfarms 79
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Text Block	Combined Financial Information Combined balance sheet and results of operations information is presented in the following table for the Unconsolidated Joint Ventures, followed by the Operating Partnership's beneficial interest in the combined operations information. The combined information of the Unconsolidated Joint Ventures as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 excluded the balances of CityOn.Xi'an, CityOn.Zhengzhou, and Hanam Union Square which are currently under construction (Note 2). Beneficial interest is calculated based on the Operating Partnership's ownership interest in each of the Unconsolidated Joint Ventures. September 30 December 31 Assets: Properties $ 1,619,256 $ 1,580,926 Accumulated depreciation and amortization (581,144 ) (548,646 ) $ 1,038,112 $ 1,032,280 Cash and cash equivalents 33,738 49,765 Accounts and notes receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,528 and $1,590 in 2015 and 2014 33,616 38,788 Deferred charges and other assets 38,462 33,200 $ 1,143,928 $ 1,154,033 Liabilities and accumulated deficiency in assets: Notes payable (1) $ 2,004,712 $ 1,989,546 Accounts payable and other liabilities 73,789 103,161 TRG's accumulated deficiency in assets (522,627 ) (525,759 ) Unconsolidated Joint Venture Partners' accumulated deficiency in assets (411,946 ) (412,915 ) $ 1,143,928 $ 1,154,033 TRG's accumulated deficiency in assets (above) $ (522,627 ) $ (525,759 ) TRG's investment in properties under construction (Note 2) 289,372 232,091 TRG basis adjustments, including elimination of intercompany profit 129,511 132,058 TCO's additional basis 53,504 54,963 Net investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures $ (50,240 ) $ (106,647 ) Distributions in excess of investments in and net income of Unconsolidated Joint Ventures 471,129 476,651 Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures $ 420,889 $ 370,004 (1) As the balances presented exclude those of centers under development, the Notes Payable amount excludes the construction loan outstanding for Hanam Union Square of $52.1 million ( $17.9 million at TRG's share) at September 30, 2015 . See Note 5 regarding this loan. Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30 2015 2014 2015 2014 Revenues $ 91,000 $ 80,671 $ 271,332 $ 238,190 Maintenance, taxes, utilities, promotion, and other operating expenses $ 28,922 $ 25,040 $ 85,203 $ 75,486 Interest expense 21,390 18,518 63,937 55,065 Depreciation and amortization 13,899 11,417 40,305 32,613 Total operating costs $ 64,211 $ 54,975 $ 189,445 $ 163,164 Nonoperating income (expense) (1 ) (22 ) 4 (25 ) Net income $ 26,788 $ 25,674 $ 81,891 $ 75,001 Net income attributable to TRG $ 14,636 $ 14,258 $ 45,124 $ 41,319 Realized intercompany profit, net of depreciation on TRG’s basis adjustments 1,071 707 2,634 1,363 Depreciation of TCO's additional basis (488 ) (486 ) (1,460 ) (1,460 ) Equity in income of Unconsolidated Joint Ventures $ 15,219 $ 14,479 $ 46,298 $ 41,222 Beneficial interest in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures’ operations: Revenues less maintenance, taxes, utilities, promotion, and other operating expenses $ 35,308 $ 31,762 $ 105,725 $ 92,336 Interest expense (11,431 ) (10,006 ) (34,199 ) (29,805 ) Depreciation and amortization (8,658 ) (7,277 ) (25,228 ) (21,309 ) Equity in income of Unconsolidated Joint Ventures $ 15,219 $ 14,479 $ 46,298 $ 41,222

Beneficial Interest in Debt a24

Beneficial Interest in Debt and Interest Expense (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Operating Partnership's beneficial interest	The Operating Partnership's beneficial interest in the debt, capitalized interest, and interest expense of its consolidated subsidiaries and its Unconsolidated Joint Ventures is summarized in the following table. The Operating Partnership's beneficial interest in the consolidated subsidiaries excludes debt and interest related to the noncontrolling interest in Cherry Creek Shopping Center ( 50% ), International Market Place ( 6.5% ), and The Mall of San Juan ( 20% prior to April 2015, and subsequently 5% ), as well as the noncontrolling interests in The Mall at Wellington Green ( 10% ) and MacArthur Center ( 5% ) through the disposition of the centers in October 2014 (Note 2). At 100% At Beneficial Interest Consolidated Subsidiaries Unconsolidated Joint Ventures Consolidated Subsidiaries Unconsolidated Joint Ventures Debt as of: September 30, 2015 $ 2,594,073 $ 2,056,778 $ 2,439,329 $ 1,109,397 December 31, 2014 2,025,505 1,989,546 1,852,749 1,085,991 Capitalized interest: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 $ 24,569 (1) $ 289 $ 23,693 $ 145 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 18,844 (1) 2,836 18,136 1,430 Interest expense: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 $ 44,451 $ 63,937 $ 39,357 $ 34,199 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 74,946 55,065 68,687 29,805 (1) The Company capitalizes interest costs incurred in funding its equity contributions to development projects accounted for as Unconsolidated Joint Ventures. The capitalized interest cost is included in the Company's basis in its investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures. Such capitalized interest reduces interest expense in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income and in the table above is included within Consolidated Subsidiaries.

Noncontrolling Interests (Table

Noncontrolling Interests (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net equity balance of noncontrolling interests	The net equity balance of the nonredeemable noncontrolling interests as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 included the following: 2015 2014 Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests: Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures $ (23,277 ) $ (14,796 ) Noncontrolling interests in partnership equity of TRG 32,529 116,376 $ 9,252 $ 101,580
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 included the following: 2015 2014 Net income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests: Noncontrolling share of income of consolidated joint ventures $ 2,780 $ 2,643 Noncontrolling share of income of TRG 13,151 14,057 $ 15,931 $ 16,700 Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 included the following: 2015 2014 Net income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests: Noncontrolling share of income of consolidated joint ventures $ 8,043 $ 8,013 Noncontrolling share of income of TRG 35,815 170,922 $ 43,858 $ 178,935
Effects of changes in ownership interest in consolidated subsidiaries on equity	The following schedule presents the effects of changes in Taubman Centers, Inc.’s ownership interest in consolidated subsidiaries on Taubman Centers, Inc.’s equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 : 2015 2014 Net income attributable to Taubman Centers, Inc. common shareowners $ 83,274 $ 424,151 Transfers from the noncontrolling interest: Increase in Taubman Centers, Inc.’s paid-in capital for adjustments of noncontrolling interest (1) 68,993 54 Net transfers from noncontrolling interests 68,993 54 Change from net income attributable to Taubman Centers, Inc. and transfers from noncontrolling interests $ 152,267 $ 424,205 (1) In 2015 and 2014 adjustments of the noncontrolling interest were made as a result of changes in the Company's ownership of the Operating Partnership in connection with the Company's share-based compensation under employee and director benefit plans (Note 9), issuances of stock pursuant to the Continuing Offer (Note 10), and stock repurchases (Note 6).

Derivative and Hedging Activi26

Derivative and Hedging Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges	As of September 30, 2015 , the Company had the following outstanding derivatives that were designated and are expected to be effective as cash flow hedges of the interest payments and/or the currency exchange rate on the associated debt. Instrument Type Ownership Notional Amount Swap Rate Credit Spread on Loan Total Swapped Rate on Loan Maturity Date Consolidated Subsidiaries: Receive variable (LIBOR) /pay-fixed swap (1) 100 % $ 200,000 1.64 % 1.35 % (1) 2.99 % (1) February 2019 Receive variable (LIBOR) /pay-fixed swap (1) 100 % 175,000 1.65 % 1.35 % (1) 3.00 % (1) February 2019 Receive variable (LIBOR) /pay-fixed swap (1) 100 % 100,000 1.64 % 1.35 % (1) 2.99 % (1) February 2019 Receive variable (LIBOR) /pay-fixed swap (2) 100 % 12,000 2.09 % 1.40 % 3.49 % March 2024 Unconsolidated Joint Ventures: Receive variable (LIBOR) /pay-fixed swap (3) 50 % 135,214 2.40 % 1.70 % 4.10 % April 2018 Receive variable (LIBOR) /pay-fixed swap (3) 50 % 135,214 2.40 % 1.70 % 4.10 % April 2018 Receive variable (LIBOR) /pay-fixed swap (4) 50.1 % 172,959 1.83 % 1.75 % 3.58 % December 2021 Receive variable (LIBOR) USD/pay-fixed KRW cross-currency interest rate swap (5) 34.3 % 52,065 USD / 60,500,000 KRW 1.52 % 1.60 % 3.12 % September 2020 (1) The hedged forecasted transaction for each of these swaps is the first previously unhedged one-month LIBOR -indexed interest payments accrued and made each month on a debt principal amount equal to the swap notional amount, regardless of the specific debt agreement from which they may flow. The Company is currently using these swaps to manage interest rate risk on the $475 million TRG Term Loan. The credit spread on this loan can also vary within a range of 1.35% to 1.90% , depending on the Company's leverage ratio at the measurement date. (2) The notional amount on this swap is equal to the outstanding principal balance of the floating rate loan on the U.S. headquarters building. (3) The notional amount on each of these swaps is equal to 50% of the outstanding principal balance of the loan on Fair Oaks. (4) The notional amount on this swap is equal to the outstanding principal balance of the floating rate loan on International Plaza. (5) In August 2015, in connection with the closing of the $52.1 million U.S. dollar loan for Hanam Union Square, the Company's joint venture with Shinsegae Group entered into a cross-currency interest rate swap to fix the interest rate on the loan and swap the related principal and interest payments from U.S. dollars to Korean Won in order to reduce the impact of fluctuations in interest rates and exchange rates on the cash flows of the joint venture. The currency swap exchange rate is 1,162.0 .
Effect of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion) Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion) Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion) Three Months Ended September 30 Three Months Ended September 30 2015 2014 2015 2014 Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships: Interest rate contracts – consolidated subsidiaries $ (5,108 ) $ 3,692 Interest Expense $ (1,825 ) $ (1,810 ) Interest rate contracts – UJVs (2,434 ) 1,266 Equity in Income of UJVs (1,128 ) (789 ) Cross-currency interest rate swap – UJV (170 ) Equity in Income of UJVs (131 ) Total derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships $ (7,712 ) $ 4,958 $ (3,084 ) $ (2,599 ) Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion) Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion) Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion) Nine Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30 2015 2014 2015 2014 Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships: Interest rate contract – consolidated subsidiary (1) Nonoperating Income (Expense) (1) $ (4,880 ) Interest rate contracts – consolidated subsidiaries (1) $ (6,900 ) $ (4,043 ) Interest Expense (1) $ (5,412 ) (6,853 ) Interest rate contracts – UJVs (2,352 ) 1,008 Equity in Income of UJVs (3,376 ) (2,340 ) Cross-currency interest rate swap – UJV (170 ) Equity in Income of UJVs (131 ) Total derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships $ (9,422 ) $ (3,035 ) $ (8,919 ) $ (14,073 ) (1) Includes MacArthur Center swap for the period that it was effective as a hedge until June 2014, when hedge accounting was discontinued.
Location and fair value of derivative instruments as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet	The Company records all derivative instruments at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The following table presents the location and fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 . Fair Value Consolidated Balance Sheet Location September 30 December 31 Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Asset derivative: Interest rate contract – UJV Investment in UJVs $ 109 Total assets designated as hedging instruments $ — $ 109 Liability derivatives: Interest rate contracts – consolidated subsidiaries Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities $ (11,439 ) $ (4,044 ) Interest rate contracts – UJVs Investment in UJVs (7,397 ) (5,154 ) Cross-currency interest rate swap – UJV Investment in UJVs (53 ) Total liabilities designated as hedging instruments $ (18,889 ) $ (9,198 )

Share-Based Compensation (Table

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	A summary of option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 is presented below: Number of Options Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) Range of Exercise Prices Outstanding at January 1, 2015 521,293 $ 39.20 1.6 $ 26.56 - $ 51.15 Exercised (228,750 ) 29.72 Outstanding at September 30, 2015 292,543 $ 46.60 1.7 $ 35.50 - $ 51.15 Fully vested options at September 30, 2015 292,543 $ 46.60 1.7
Schedule of Nonvested Performance-based Units Activity [Table Text Block]	A summary of PSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 is presented below: Number of Performance Share Units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Outstanding at January 1, 2015 254,651 $ 132.86 Vested (43,575 ) (1) 97.44 Granted 50,256 112.30 Forfeited (5,854 ) 174.95 Outstanding at September 30, 2015 255,478 $ 134.52 (1) Based on the Company's market performance relative to that of a peer group, the actual number of shares of common stock issued upon vesting during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was zero
Schedule of Nonvested Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]	A summary of RSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 is presented below: Number of Restricted Share Units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Outstanding at January 1, 2015 293,651 $ 67.00 Vested (94,835 ) 65.56 Granted 100,682 74.36 Forfeited (13,884 ) 69.90 Outstanding at September 30, 2015 285,614 $ 69.92

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic and diluted earnings per share	Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30 2015 2014 2015 2014 Net income attributable to Taubman Centers, Inc. common shareowners (Numerator): Basic $ 30,422 $ 33,682 $ 83,274 $ 424,151 Impact of additional ownership of TRG 109 121 305 4,151 Diluted $ 30,531 $ 33,803 $ 83,579 $ 428,302 Shares (Denominator) – basic 60,713,379 63,317,680 61,778,051 63,249,400 Effect of dilutive securities 712,736 770,062 795,906 1,626,651 Shares (Denominator) – diluted 61,426,115 64,087,742 62,573,957 64,876,051 Earnings per common share - basic $ 0.50 $ 0.53 $ 1.35 $ 6.71 Earnings per common share – diluted $ 0.50 $ 0.53 $ 1.34 $ 6.60
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	The table below presents the potential common stock excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share as they were anti-dilutive in the period presented. Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30 2015 2014 2015 2014 Weighted average noncontrolling partnership units outstanding 3,983,268 4,369,590 4,058,747 4,352,233 Unissued partnership units under unit option deferral elections 871,262 871,262 871,262

Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)

Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	For assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, quantitative disclosure of the fair value for each major category of assets and liabilities is presented below: Fair Value Measurements as of September 30, 2015 Using Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2014 Using Description Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Significant Other Observable Inputs Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Significant Other Observable Inputs Insurance deposit $ 14,359 $ 13,059 Total assets $ 14,359 $ — $ 13,059 $ — Derivative interest rate contracts (Note 8) $ (11,439 ) $ (4,044 ) Total liabilities $ (11,439 ) $ (4,044 )
Estimated fair value of notes payable	The estimated fair values of notes payable at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows: 2015 2014 Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Notes payable $ 2,594,073 $ 2,587,905 $ 2,025,505 $ 2,056,474

Accumulated Other Comprehensi30

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components [Line Items]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	Changes in the balance of each component of AOCI for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 are as follows: Taubman Centers, Inc. AOCI Noncontrolling Interests AOCI Cumulative translation adjustment Unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate instruments and other Total Cumulative translation adjustment Unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate instruments and other Total January 1, 2015 $ (101 ) $ (14,967 ) $ (15,068 ) $ (41 ) $ 5,879 $ 5,838 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (10,917 ) (12,953 ) (23,870 ) (4,541 ) (5,388 ) (9,929 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCI 6,299 6,299 2,620 2,620 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) $ (10,917 ) $ (6,654 ) $ (17,571 ) $ (4,541 ) $ (2,768 ) $ (7,309 ) Adjustments due to changes in ownership 1 (199 ) (198 ) (1 ) 199 198 September 30, 2015 $ (11,017 ) $ (21,820 ) $ (32,837 ) $ (4,583 ) $ 3,310 $ (1,273 )	Changes in the balance of each component of AOCI for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 are as follows: Taubman Centers, Inc. AOCI Noncontrolling Interests AOCI Cumulative translation adjustment Unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate instruments and other Total Cumulative translation adjustment Unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate instruments and other Total January 1, 2014 $ 5,040 $ (13,954 ) $ (8,914 ) $ 2,011 $ 6,141 $ 8,152 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (1,741 ) (8,478 ) (10,219 ) (691 ) (3,516 ) (4,207 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCI 9,846 9,846 4,227 4,227 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) $ (1,741 ) $ 1,368 $ (373 ) $ (691 ) $ 711 $ 20 Adjustments due to changes in ownership 7 22 29 (7 ) (22 ) (29 ) September 30, 2014 $ 3,306 $ (12,564 ) $ (9,258 ) $ 1,313 $ 6,830 $ 8,143
OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentOnDerivativesIncludedInNetIncomeNetOfTax [Table Text Block]	The following table presents reclassifications out of AOCI for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 : Details about AOCI Components Amounts reclassified from AOCI Affected line item in Consolidated Statement of Operations Losses on interest rate instruments and other: Realized loss on interest rate contracts - consolidated subsidiaries $ 5,412 Interest Expense Realized loss on interest rate contracts - UJVs 3,376 Equity in Income of UJVs Realized loss on cross-currency interest rate contract - UJV 131 Equity in Income of UJVs Total reclassifications for the period $ 8,919	The following table presents reclassifications out of AOCI for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 : Details about AOCI Components Amounts reclassified from AOCI Affected line item in Consolidated Statement of Operations Losses on interest rate instruments and other: Discontinuation of hedge accounting - consolidated subsidiary $ 4,880 Nonoperating Income (Expense) Realized loss on interest rate contracts - consolidated subsidiaries 6,853 Interest Expense Realized loss on interest rate contracts - UJVs 2,340 Equity in Income of UJVs Total reclassifications for the period $ 14,073

Cash Flow Disclosures and Non31

Cash Flow Disclosures and Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block]	The following non-cash investing and financing activities occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 . Nine Months Ended September 30 2015 2014 Recapitalization of The Mall of San Juan joint venture (Note 2) $ 9,296 Receipt of Simon Property Group Limited Partnership units in connection with the sale of Arizona Mills (Note 2) $ 77,711 Issuance of TRG partnership units in connection with the purchase of the U.S. headquarters building (Note 2) 91 Assumption of debt in connection with the purchase of the U.S. headquarters building (Note 2) 18,215 Other non-cash additions to properties 75,880 53,018

Interim Financial Statements (D

Interim Financial Statements (Details)	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Westfarms [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage (in hundredths)	79.00%	79.00%
International Plaza [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage (in hundredths)	50.10%	50.10%

Interim Financial Statements (O

Interim Financial Statements (Operating Partnership) (Details) - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
The Operating Partnership [Abstract]
Number of urban and suburban shopping centers in the Company's owned portfolio	19
Number of states in which Company operates	10
Number Of Classes Of Preferred Stock	three
Common stock, shares outstanding	60,258,750		63,324,409
Number Of Classes Of Preferred Equity	two
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	71.00%
Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Limited Partnership (LP), Managing Member or General Partner, Ownership Interest	71.00%	72.00%
Units of Partnership Interest, Amount	85,320,909
Number Of Operating Partnership Units Outstanding Owned By Company	60,258,750
Series J Preferred Stock [Member]
The Operating Partnership [Abstract]
Dividend rate (in hundredths)	6.50%
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	7,700,000		7,700,000
Series K Preferred Stock [Member]
The Operating Partnership [Abstract]
Dividend rate (in hundredths)	6.25%
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	6,800,000		6,800,000
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
The Operating Partnership [Abstract]
Units of Partnership Interest, Terms of Conversion	one share of nonparticipating Series B Preferred Stock per each Operating Partnership unit
Preferred Stock, voting rights	one vote per share
Convertible Preferred Stock, Terms of Conversion	ratio of 14,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock for one share of common stock
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	25,044,939		25,117,000

Dispositions, Acquisition, an34

Dispositions, Acquisition, and Developments (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands, ft² in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)ft²	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)ft²shares	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Dispositions, Acquisition, and Development [Line items]
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Properties, Net of Applicable Income Taxes	$ 437		$ 437	$ 476,887
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Properties, Applicable Income Taxes	437		437	$ (9,733)
Notes Payable	$ 2,594,073		$ 2,594,073		$ 2,025,505
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	71.00%		71.00%
Starwood Transaction [Member]
Dispositions, Acquisition, and Development [Line items]
Number of centers disposed				seven
Gain (Loss) on Discontinuation of Cash Flow Hedge Due to Forecasted Transaction Probable of Not Occurring, Inclusive of the Adjustment to Fair Value				$ (5,500)
Gain (Loss) on Discontinuation of Cash Flow Hedge Due to Forecasted Transaction Probable of Not Occurring, Inclusive of Adjustments to Fair Value, At Beneficial Interest				(5,200)
Disposition Costs Incurred		$ 500		1,000
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date		3,000		$ 3,000
International Plaza [Member]
Dispositions, Acquisition, and Development [Line items]
Noncash Or Part Noncash, Acquisition Interest Sold				49.90%
Noncash or Part Noncash Divestiture, Total Consideration Received				$ 499,000
Proceeds from dispositions, net of transaction costs (Note 2)				337,000
Noncash or Part Noncash Divestiture, Amount of Consideration Received				162,000
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Properties, Net of Applicable Income Taxes				368,000
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Properties, Applicable Income Taxes			$ 400	$ (9,700)
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	50.10%		50.10%
Notes Payable	$ 175,000		$ 175,000
Arizona Mills [Member]
Dispositions, Acquisition, and Development [Line items]
Noncash Or Part Noncash, Acquisition Interest Sold				50.00%
Noncash or Part Noncash Divestiture, Amount of Consideration Received				$ 84,000
Notes Payable		167,000		167,000
Arizona Mills and Oyster Bay [Domain]
Dispositions, Acquisition, and Development [Line items]
Noncash or Part Noncash Divestiture, Total Consideration Received				60,000
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Properties, Net of Applicable Income Taxes				$ 109,000
Value of Partnership Unit Received in Connection with Disposition | $ / shares				$ 154.91
SPG Units [Member]
Dispositions, Acquisition, and Development [Line items]
Number of Partnership Units Received as Part of Consideration in Connection with Sale of Equity Method Investment and Other Assets, Original Number of Units Received, Prior to Equity Transaction | shares				555,150
Partnership Units Received as Part of Consideration in Connection with Sale of Equity Method Investment and Other Assets, Fair Value at Acquisition Date		$ 77,711		$ 77,711
Restriction Period on Sale of Partnership Units Received, years				one
Number of Partnership Units Received as Part of Consideration in Connection with Sale of Equity Method Investment and Other Assets, total units after equity transaction | shares			590,124
International Market Place [Member]
Dispositions, Acquisition, and Development [Line items]
Area of Real Estate Property | ft²	0.4		0.4
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	93.50%		93.50%
Construction in Progress, Gross	$ 216,700		$ 216,700
Construction in Progress, Gross, Company's Share	$ 203,100		$ 203,100
The Mall of San Juan [Member]
Dispositions, Acquisition, and Development [Line items]
Area of Real Estate Property | ft²	0.6		0.6
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	95.00%		95.00%
Joint Venture Acquisition, Interest Acquired	15.00%		15.00%
Recapitalization of The Mall of San Juan Joint Venture			$ 9,296
CityOn.Xi'an [Member]
Dispositions, Acquisition, and Development [Line items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	30.00%		30.00%
Area of Real Estate Property | ft²	1		1
Joint Venture, Ownership Percentage	60.00%		60.00%
Company’s Share of Project Costs in Equity Method Investments	$ 93,800		$ 93,800
Increase (Decrease) in Project Costs Due to Foreign Currency Rate Change	$ (1,800)		$ (1,800)
CityOn.Zhengzhou [Member]
Dispositions, Acquisition, and Development [Line items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	32.00%		32.00%
Area of Real Estate Property | ft²	1		1
Company’s Share of Project Costs in Equity Method Investments	$ 58,100		$ 58,100
Increase (Decrease) in Project Costs Due to Foreign Currency Rate Change	$ (1,200)		$ (1,200)
Hanam Union Square [Member]
Dispositions, Acquisition, and Development [Line items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	34.30%		34.30%
Area of Real Estate Property | ft²	1.7		1.7
Joint Venture, Ownership Percentage	49.00%		49.00%
Company’s Share of Project Costs in Equity Method Investments	$ 203,300		$ 203,300
Increase (Decrease) in Project Costs Due to Foreign Currency Rate Change	$ (13,700)		$ (13,700)
Outside Partner, Ownership Percentage	14.70%		14.70%
Office Building [Member]
Dispositions, Acquisition, and Development [Line items]
Notes Payable	$ 12,000		$ 12,000		$ 17,000
Net Consideration Paid to Acquire U.S. Headquarters Building				$ 16,100
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Debt Assumed				$ 17,400
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.90%		5.90%	5.90%
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares | shares				1,431
Restricted and Other Cash Proceeds Received as Part of the Acquisition of the U.S. Headquarters Building		$ 1,400		$ 1,400

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Income tax expense (benefit) [Abstract]
Federal current	$ 1,092	$ 313	$ 1,848	$ 7,851
Federal deferred	134	(26)	29	1,139
Foreign current	(178)	$ 399	588	980
Foreign deferred	(24)		(180)	(48)
State current	(856)	$ 1	(601)	1,520
State deferred	(21)	(4)	(11)	(16)
Total income tax expense	147	$ 683	1,673	11,426
Less income tax (expense) benefit allocated to Gain on Dispositions (1)	437		437	(9,733)
Income tax expense as reported on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income	584	$ 683	2,110	1,693
Deferred tax assets:
Deferred tax assets	4,212		4,212		$ 3,659
Valuation allowances	(2,112)		(2,112)		(1,703)
Net deferred tax assets	2,100		2,100		1,956
Deferred tax liabilities:
Deferred tax liabilities	1,194		1,194		1,154
Domestic Country [Member]
Deferred tax assets:
Deferred tax assets	1,371		1,371		1,382
Deferred tax liabilities:
Deferred tax liabilities	609		609		592
Foreign Country [Member]
Deferred tax assets:
Deferred tax assets	1,847		1,847		1,806
Deferred tax liabilities:
Deferred tax liabilities	476		476		473
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Deferred tax assets:
Deferred tax assets	994		994		471
Deferred tax liabilities:
Deferred tax liabilities	$ 109		109		$ 89
International Plaza [Member]
Income tax expense (benefit) [Abstract]
Less income tax (expense) benefit allocated to Gain on Dispositions (1)			$ 400	$ (9,700)

Investments in Unconsolidated36

Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Depreciable Basis In Years	40 years
Equity of certain joint ventures	less than zero
Fair Oaks [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage (in hundredths)	50.00%	50.00%
International Plaza [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage (in hundredths)	50.10%	50.10%
The Mall at Millenia [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage (in hundredths)	50.00%	50.00%
Stamford Town Center [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage (in hundredths)	50.00%	50.00%
Sunvalley [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage (in hundredths)	50.00%	50.00%
The Mall at University Town Center [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage (in hundredths)	50.00%	50.00%
Waterside Shops [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage (in hundredths)	50.00%	50.00%
Westfarms [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage (in hundredths)	79.00%	79.00%

Investments in Unconsolidated37

Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Combined Financial Information Balance Sheet) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets:
Properties	$ 1,619,256	$ 1,580,926
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(581,144)	(548,646)
Properties, net	1,038,112	1,032,280
Cash and cash equivalents	33,738	49,765
Allowance for doubtful accounts	2,528	1,590
Accounts and notes receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,528 and $1,590 in 2015 and 2014	33,616	38,788
Deferred charges and other assets	38,462	33,200
Total Assets	1,143,928	1,154,033
Liabilities and accumulated deficiency in assets:
Notes payable (1)	2,004,712	1,989,546
Accounts payable and other liabilities	73,789	103,161
TRG's accumulated deficiency in assets	(522,627)	(525,759)
Unconsolidated Joint Venture Partners' accumulated deficiency in assets	(411,946)	(412,915)
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Liabilities and Equity	1,143,928	1,154,033
TRG's accumulated deficiency in assets (above)	(522,627)	(525,759)
TRG's investment in properties under construction (Note 2)	289,372	232,091
TRG basis adjustments, including elimination of intercompany profit	129,511	132,058
TCO's additional basis	53,504	54,963
Net investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures	(50,240)	(106,647)
Distributions in excess of investments in and net income of Unconsolidated Joint Ventures	471,129	476,651
Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures	420,889	$ 370,004
Hanam Union Square - Construction Loan (USD) [Member] | Hanam Union Square [Member]
Construction Loan	52,100
Liabilities and accumulated deficiency in assets:
Construction Loan, At Beneficial Interest	$ 17,900

Investments in Unconsolidated38

Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Combined Financial Information Income Statement) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity method investment, summarized financial information, income statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 91,000	$ 80,671	$ 271,332	$ 238,190
Maintenance, taxes, utilities, promotion, and other operating expenses	28,922	25,040	85,203	75,486
Interest expense	21,390	18,518	63,937	55,065
Depreciation and amortization	13,899	11,417	40,305	32,613
Total operating costs	64,211	54,975	189,445	163,164
Nonoperating income (expense)	(1)	(22)	4	(25)
Net income	26,788	25,674	81,891	75,001
Net income attributable to TRG	14,636	14,258	45,124	41,319
Realized intercompany profit, net of depreciation on TRG’s basis adjustments	1,071	707	2,634	1,363
Depreciation of TCO's additional basis	(488)	(486)	(1,460)	(1,460)
Equity in income of Unconsolidated Joint Ventures	15,219	14,479	46,298	41,222
Beneficial interest in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures’ operations:
Revenues less maintenance, taxes, utilities, promotion, and other operating expenses	35,308	31,762	105,725	92,336
Interest expense	(11,431)	(10,006)	(34,199)	(29,805)
Depreciation and amortization	$ (8,658)	$ (7,277)	$ (25,228)	$ (21,309)

Beneficial Interest in Debt a39

Beneficial Interest in Debt and Interest Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
At 100% [Abstract]
Notes Payable	$ 2,594,073		$ 2,594,073			$ 2,025,505
Equity Method investment, Summarized Financial Information, Noncurrent Liabilities, Excluding Centers Under Development	2,056,778		2,056,778			1,989,546
Capitalized interest, consolidated subsidiaries at 100%			24,569	$ 18,844
Capitalized interest, unconsolidated joint ventures @100%			289	2,836
Interest expense, consolidated subsidiaries at 100%	16,145	$ 23,382	44,451	74,946
Interest Expense, Unconsolidated Joint Ventures, at 100%			63,937	55,065
At beneficial interest [Abstract]
Debt Consolidated Subsidiaries At Beneficial Interest	2,439,329		2,439,329			1,852,749
Debt, unconsolidated joint ventures at beneficial interest	1,109,397		1,109,397			$ 1,085,991
Capitalized interest, consolidated subsidiaries at beneficial interest			23,693	18,136
Capitalized Interest, Unconsolidated Joint Ventures at Beneficial Interest			145	1,430
Interest expense, consolidated subsidiaries at beneficial interest			39,357	68,687
Interest expense, unconsolidated joint ventures at beneficial interest	$ 11,431	$ 10,006	$ 34,199	$ 29,805
Cherry Creek Shopping Center [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	50.00%		50.00%
International Market Place [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	6.50%		6.50%
The Mall of San Juan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	5.00%		5.00%		20.00%
Mall At Wellington Green [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners		10.00%		10.00%
Mac Arthur Center Member
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners		5.00%		5.00%

Beneficial Interest in Debt a40

Beneficial Interest in Debt and Interest Expense (Specific Debt Instrument Detail) (Details) $ in Thousands, ₩ in Billions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015KRW (₩)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable		$ 2,594,073		$ 2,025,505
Office Building [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Term (in years)	nine
Notes Payable		$ 12,000		$ 17,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				5.90%	5.90%
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	LIBOR
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.40%
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	3.49%	3.49%
Short Hills [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Term (in years)	12
Notes Payable		$ 1,000,000	$ 540,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			5.47%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	3.56%	3.56%
International Market Place [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Term (in years)	three
Construction Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		$ 330,900
Construction Facility		$ 39,100
Number of Extension Options	two
Length Of Extension Option	one-year
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	LIBOR
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.75%
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis, Upon Achievement of Performance Incentives	1.60%
Assumed Interest Rate of Debt Service Payments	6.00%	6.00%
Period Over Which Principal Balance Is Amortized	30-year
Hanam Union Square [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	34.30%	34.30%
Hanam Union Square [Member] | Hanam Union Square - Construction Loan (KRW) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Term (in years)	five
Construction Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	₩ 520	$ 439,000
Construction Facility | ₩	₩ 0
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount		53,000
Debt Instrument, Unused Borrowing Capacity, Amount		$ 386,000
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	Korea Development Bank Five-Year Bond Yield
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.06%
Construction Facility, Interest Rate at Period End	2.93%	2.93%
Hanam Union Square [Member] | Hanam Union Square - Construction Loan (USD) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Term (in years)	five
Construction Facility		$ 52,100
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	three-month LIBOR
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.60%
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	3.12%	3.12%

Beneficial Interest in Debt a41

Beneficial Interest in Debt and Interest Expense (Debt Covenants and Guarantees) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Other Restrictions on Payment of Dividends	0.95
Notes Payable	$ 2,594,073	$ 2,025,505
Restricted cash	10,798	$ 37,502
Cash in escrow related to construction project	$ 8,500
International Market Place [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Unconditional Guaranty Liability, Principal Balance, Percent	50.00%
Unconditional Guaranty Liability, Interest, Percent	100.00%
Construction Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 330,900
Construction Loan	39,100
Interest Payable	$ 100
Unconditional Guaranty Liability Upon Achievement of Performance Inventives, Principal Balance, Percent,	25.00%
The Mall at University Town Center [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Unconditional Guaranty Liability, Principal Balance, Percent	25.00%
Unconditional Guaranty Liability, Interest, Percent	50.00%
Construction Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 225,000
Construction Loan	218,800
Interest Payable	$ 300
Unconditional Guaranty Liability Upon Achievement of Performance Inventives, Principal Balance, Percent,	12.50%
The Mall of San Juan [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Unconditional Guaranty Liability, Principal Balance, Percent	100.00%
Unconditional Guaranty Liability, Interest, Percent	100.00%
Construction Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 320,000
Construction Loan	244,000
Interest Payable	$ 200
International Plaza [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Unconditional Guaranty Liability, Principal Balance, Percent	50.10%
Unconditional Guaranty Liability, Interest, Percent	50.10%
Derivative, Net Liability Position, Aggregate Fair Value	$ 3,800
Notes Payable	175,000
Interest Payable	$ 200

Equity Transactions (Details)

Equity Transactions (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Equity Transactions [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	$ 450	$ 200
Stock Repurchase, Additional Authorization	$ 250
Stock Repurchased and Retired Since Program Inception, shares	4,221,774
Stock Acquired and Retired Since Program Inception, Average Cost Per Share	$ 71.80
Stock Repurchased And Retired, Value	$ 303.1
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	$ 146.9

Noncontrolling Interests (Detai

Noncontrolling Interests (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Ownership percentage in consolidated subsidiary (in hundredths)	71.00%		71.00%
Noncontrolling Interest in Net Income (Loss) Joint Venture Partners, Nonredeemable	$ 2,780,000	$ 2,643,000	$ 8,043,000	$ 8,013,000
Noncontrolling Interest in Net Income (Loss) Operating Partnerships, Nonredeemable	13,151,000	14,057,000	35,815,000	170,922,000
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	15,931,000	16,700,000	43,858,000	178,935,000
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests:
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures	(23,277,000)		(23,277,000)		$ (14,796,000)
Noncontrolling interests in partnership equity of TRG	32,529,000		32,529,000		116,376,000
Noncontrolling interests	9,252,000		9,252,000		101,580,000
Effects of changes in ownership interest in consolidated subsidiaries on equity [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Taubman Centers, Inc. common shareowners	$ 30,422,000	$ 33,682,000	83,274,000	424,151,000
Increase in Taubman Centers, Inc.’s paid-in capital for adjustments of noncontrolling interest (1)			(9,296,000)	0
Change from net income attributable to Taubman Centers, Inc. and transfers from noncontrolling interests			$ 152,267,000	424,205,000
Taubman Asia [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Percentage of dividends to which the President is entitled (in hundredths)			10.00%
Percentage of President's dividends withheld as contributions to capital (in hundredths)			85.00%
Percentage of noncontrolling interests (in hundredths)	10.00%		10.00%
Temporary Equity, Redemption Percentage	40.00%		40.00%
Temporary Equity, Redemption Percentage 2014 - June 2017			50.00%
Temporary Equity, Redemption Percentage beginning June 2017			100.00%
Temporary Equity, Carrying Amount, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 0		$ 0		0
International Market Place [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Percentage of noncontrolling interests (in hundredths)	6.50%		6.50%
Temporary Equity, Carrying Amount, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0
Ownership percentage in consolidated subsidiary (in hundredths)	93.50%		93.50%
Finite Life Entities [Member]
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests:
Noncontrolling interests	$ (23,300,000)		$ (23,300,000)
Finite Life Entities [Abstract]
Terminaton date of partnership agreement			Jan. 1, 2083
Estimated Fair Value Of Noncontrolling Interests	$ 430,000,000		$ 430,000,000
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Effects of changes in ownership interest in consolidated subsidiaries on equity [Abstract]
Increase in Taubman Centers, Inc.’s paid-in capital for adjustments of noncontrolling interest (1)			68,993,000	54,000
Net transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests			$ 68,993,000	$ 54,000

Derivative and Hedging Activi44

Derivative and Hedging Activities (Interest Rate Derivatives) (Details) ₩ in Thousands, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015KRW (₩)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Cash flow hedges of interest rate risk [Abstract]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	71.00%	71.00%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Cash flow hedges of interest rate risk [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	one-month LIBOR
Consolidated Subsidiaries Interest Rate Swap 1 [Domain]
Cash flow hedges of interest rate risk [Abstract]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	100.00%	100.00%
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 200,000
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	1.64%	1.64%
Derivative, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.35%	1.35%
Total Swapped Rate On Loan	2.99%	2.99%
Derivative, Maturity Date	Feb. 1, 2019
Unsecured Debt		$ 475,000
Derivative, Lower Range of Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.35%	1.35%
Derivative, Higher Range of Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.90%	1.90%
Consolidated Subsidiaries Interest Rate Swap 2 [Domain]
Cash flow hedges of interest rate risk [Abstract]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	100.00%	100.00%
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 175,000
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	1.65%	1.65%
Derivative, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.35%	1.35%
Total Swapped Rate On Loan	3.00%	3.00%
Derivative, Maturity Date	Feb. 1, 2019
Unsecured Debt		$ 475,000
Derivative, Lower Range of Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.35%	1.35%
Derivative, Higher Range of Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.90%	1.90%
Consolidated Subsidiaries Interest Rate Swap 3 [Domain]
Cash flow hedges of interest rate risk [Abstract]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	100.00%	100.00%
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 100,000
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	1.64%	1.64%
Derivative, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.35%	1.35%
Total Swapped Rate On Loan	2.99%	2.99%
Derivative, Maturity Date	Feb. 1, 2019
Unsecured Debt		$ 475,000
Derivative, Lower Range of Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.35%	1.35%
Derivative, Higher Range of Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.90%	1.90%
Consolidated Subsidiaries Interest Rate Swap 4 [Domain]
Cash flow hedges of interest rate risk [Abstract]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	100.00%	100.00%
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 12,000
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	2.09%	2.09%
Derivative, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.40%	1.40%
Total Swapped Rate On Loan	3.49%	3.49%
Derivative, Maturity Date	Mar. 1, 2024
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures Interest Rate Swap 1 [Member]
Cash flow hedges of interest rate risk [Abstract]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	50.00%	50.00%
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 135,214
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	2.40%	2.40%
Derivative, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.70%	1.70%
Total Swapped Rate On Loan	4.10%	4.10%
Derivative, Maturity Date	Apr. 1, 2018
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures Interest Rate Swap 2 (Member)
Cash flow hedges of interest rate risk [Abstract]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	50.00%	50.00%
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 135,214
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	2.40%	2.40%
Derivative, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.70%	1.70%
Total Swapped Rate On Loan	4.10%	4.10%
Derivative, Maturity Date	Apr. 1, 2018
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures Interest Rate Swap3 [Member]
Cash flow hedges of interest rate risk [Abstract]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	50.10%	50.10%
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 172,959
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	1.83%	1.83%
Derivative, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.75%	1.75%
Total Swapped Rate On Loan	3.58%	3.58%
Derivative, Maturity Date	Dec. 1, 2021
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures Interest Rate Swap 4 [Member]
Cash flow hedges of interest rate risk [Abstract]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	34.30%	34.30%
Derivative, Notional Amount	₩ 60,500,000	$ 52,065
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	1.52%	1.52%
Derivative, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.60%	1.60%
Total Swapped Rate On Loan	3.12%	3.12%
Derivative, Maturity Date	Sep. 1, 2020
Swapped Foreign Currency Exchange Rate	1,162

Derivative and Hedging Activi45

Derivative and Hedging Activities (Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Effect of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months, Net	$ (10,000)		$ (10,000)
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Effect of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net	(7,712)	$ 4,958	(9,422)	$ (3,035)
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	(3,084)	(2,599)	(8,919)	(14,073)
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Equity Method Investments [Member]
Effect of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	(1,128)	(789)	(3,376)	(2,340)
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Equity Method Investments [Member]
Effect of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	(131)		(131)
Consolidated Properties [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Other comprehensive income [Member]
Effect of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net	(5,108)	3,692	(6,900)	(4,043)
Consolidated Properties [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Member]
Effect of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net				(4,880)
Consolidated Properties [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Interest expense [Member]
Effect of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	(1,825)	(1,810)	(5,412)	(6,853)
Unconsolidated Properties [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Other comprehensive income [Member]
Effect of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net	(2,434)	$ 1,266	(2,352)	$ 1,008
Unconsolidated Properties [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Other comprehensive income [Member]
Effect of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net	(170)		(170)
Unsecured Debt [Member]
Effect of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Derivative, Net Hedge Ineffectiveness Gain (Loss)	(300)		(500)
Hanam Union Square [Member] | Unsecured Debt [Member] | Equity Method Investments [Member]
Effect of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Derivative, Net Hedge Ineffectiveness Gain (Loss)	$ (200)		$ (200)

Derivative and Hedging Activi46

Derivative and Hedging Activities (Location and Fair Value of Derivative Instruments as Reported in the Consoiidated Balance Sheet) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Location and fair value of derivative instruments as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet [Abstract]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability		$ (18,889)		$ (9,198)
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset		$ 0		109
Interest Rate Contracts Ujvs Member | Equity Method Investments [Member]
Location and fair value of derivative instruments as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet [Abstract]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset				109
Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Location and fair value of derivative instruments as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet [Abstract]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability		$ (11,439)		(4,044)
Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Equity Method Investments [Member]
Location and fair value of derivative instruments as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet [Abstract]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability		(7,397)		$ (5,154)
Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Equity Method Investments [Member]
Location and fair value of derivative instruments as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet [Abstract]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability		$ (53)
Default Option, Range, Minimum [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest Rate Recourse Provisions		0.1
Default Option, Range, Maximum [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest Rate Recourse Provisions		50
Starwood Transaction [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Discontinuation of Cash Flow Hedge Due to Forecasted Transaction Probable of Not Occurring, Net			$ (4,900)
Derivative, Gain on Derivative	$ 200
Derivative, Loss on Derivative			$ 600

Share-Based Compensation (Detai

Share-Based Compensation (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)Rate$ / sharesshares	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)Rate$ / sharesshares	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014$ / sharesshares
Share-based compensation, allocation and classification in financial statements [Abstract]
Compensation cost charged to income for the Company's share-based compensation plans | $	$ 1.3	$ 3.9	$ 8.9	$ 11.2
Reversal of Prior Period Share Based Compensation Expense | $	2.7		2
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs, Capitalized Amount | $	$ 0.2	$ 0.4	$ 1.6	1.5
2008 Omnibus Plan [Member]
Deferred compensation arrangements [Abstract]
Aggregate number of Company common shares or Operating Partnership units approved for awards under the 2008 Omnibus Plan, amended (in shares)	8,500,000		8,500,000
The ratio at which non-option awards granted after the May 2010 amendment are deducted from the shares available for grant | Rate	1.85		1.85
The ratio at which non-option awards granted prior to the May 2010 amendment are deducted from the shares available for grant | Rate	2.85		2.85
The ratio at which options awards granted are deducted from the shares available for grant			one-for-one
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Summary of option activity [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at January 1, 2015			521,293
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period			(228,750)
Outstanding at September 30, 2015	292,543		292,543		521,293
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $ / shares			$ 29.72
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	$ 46.60		$ 46.60		$ 39.20
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term			1 year 7 months 28 days		1 year 7 months 6 days
Fully vested options at September 30, 2015	292,543		292,543
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	$ 46.60		$ 46.60
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term			1 year 7 months 28 days
Summary of option activity, additional disclosures [Abstract]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross			0
Aggregate intrinsic value of in-the-money options outstanding | $	$ 6.6		$ 6.6
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value | $			10	1.4
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Cash Received from Exercise of Stock Options | $			6.8	$ 1.8
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Stock Options | $	0		$ 0
2014 Option Modification [Domain]
Summary of option activity [Roll Forward]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit | $ / shares			$ 35.50		$ 26.56
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit | $ / shares			$ 51.15		$ 51.15
Unissued Partnership Units Under Unit Option Deferral Election Member
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Aggregate Disclosures [Abstract]
Options exercised under unit option deferral election plan (in shares)			3,000,000
The number of mature units tendered for the exercise of previously issued stock options under the unit option deferral election plan (in shares)			2,100,000
The number of units deferred under the unit option deferral election upon the exercise of previously issued stock options (in shares)			900,000
Date at which deferred partnership units begin to be issued			December 2,017
Number of Annual Installments during which Deferred Partnership Units will be issued			ten
Performance Shares [Member]
Summary of non-option activity, additional disclosures [Abstract]
Awards under the 2008 Omnibus Plan			Each PSU represents the right to receive, upon vesting, shares of the Company’s common stock ranging from 0-300% of the PSU based on the Company’s market performance relative to that of a peer group, plus a cash payment equal to the aggregate cash dividends that would have been paid on such shares of common stock from the date of grant of the award to the vesting date
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate			1.12%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Vesting Period			3 years
Weighted average grant-date fair value | $ / shares			$ 112.30
Right to Receive Upon Vesting Shares of Common Stock as Percentage of PSU, Actual Vested During Period			0
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized | $	$ 10.5		$ 10.5
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition			1 year 8 months 1 day
Summary of non-option activity [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at January 1, 2015			254,651
Vested			(43,575)
Granted			50,256
Forfeited			(5,854)
Outstanding at September 30, 2015	255,478		255,478		254,651
Outstanding at beginning of period, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares			$ 132.86
Vested, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares			97.44
Granted, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares			112.30
Forfeited, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares			174.95
Outstanding at end of period, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 134.52		$ 134.52		$ 132.86
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Summary of non-option activity, additional disclosures [Abstract]
Awards under the 2008 Omnibus Plan			represent the right to receive upon vesting one share of the Company’s common stock, plus a cash payment equal to the aggregate cash dividends that would have been paid on such shares of common stock from the date of grant of the award to the vesting date
Weighted average grant-date fair value | $ / shares			$ 74.36
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized | $	$ 7.9		$ 7.9
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition			1 year 10 months 13 days
Summary of non-option activity [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at January 1, 2015			293,651
Vested			(94,835)
Granted			100,682
Forfeited			(13,884)
Outstanding at September 30, 2015	285,614		285,614		293,651
Outstanding at beginning of period, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares			$ 67
Vested, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares			65.56
Granted, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares			74.36
Forfeited, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares			69.90
Outstanding at end of period, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 69.92		$ 69.92		$ 67

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)$ / shares
Cash tender [Abstract]
Minimum aggregate value of Operating Partnership units to be tendered	$ 50
Fair Value of Written Option, Cash Tender Agreement	zero
Market value per common share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 69.08
Approximate aggregate value of interests in the Operating Partnership that may be tendered	$ 1,700
Additional interest the Company would have owned in the Operating Partnership upon purchase of interests (in hundredths)	28.00%
Continuing offer [Abstract]
Common Stock, Conversion Basis	one unit of the Operating Partnership interest is exchangeable for one share of the Company's common stock
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Continuing offer [Abstract]
Convertible Preferred Stock, Terms of Conversion	ratio of 14,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock for one share of common stock

Earnings Per Share (Details)

Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Net income attributable to Taubman Centers, Inc. common shareowners (Numerator):
Basic	$ 30,422	$ 33,682	$ 83,274	$ 424,151
Impact of additional ownership of TRG	109	121	305	4,151
Diluted	$ 30,531	$ 33,803	$ 83,579	$ 428,302
Shares (Denominator) – basic	60,713,379	63,317,680	61,778,051	63,249,400
Effect of dilutive securities	712,736	770,062	795,906	1,626,651
Shares (Denominator) – diluted	61,426,115	64,087,742	62,573,957	64,876,051
Earnings per common share - basic	$ 0.50	$ 0.53	$ 1.35	$ 6.71
Earnings per common share – diluted	$ 0.50	$ 0.53	$ 1.34	$ 6.60
Weighted average noncontrolling partnership units outstanding
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	3,983,268	4,369,590	4,058,747	4,352,233
Unissued partnership units under unit option deferral elections
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	871,262	871,262	871,262

Fair Value Disclosures (Fair Va

Fair Value Disclosures (Fair Value Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Abstract]
Insurance deposit	$ 14,359	$ 13,059
Total assets	14,359	13,059
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Abstract]
Total assets	0	0
Derivative interest rate contracts (Note 8)	(11,439)	(4,044)
Total liabilities	$ (11,439)	$ (4,044)

Fair Value Disclosures (Details

Fair Value Disclosures (Details) - SPG Units [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Number of Partnership Units Received as Part of Consideration in Connection with Sale of Equity Method Investment and Other Assets, total units after equity transaction	590,124
Partnership Units Received as Part of Consideration in Connection with Sale of Equity Method Investment and Other Assets, Fair Value at Reporting Date	$ 108,400	$ 105,200
Partnership Units Received as Part of Consideration in Connection with Sale of Equity Method Investment and Other Assets, Book Value	$ 77,711	$ 77,711

Fair Value Disclosures (Estimat

Fair Value Disclosures (Estimated Fair Value of Notes Payable) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Notes Payable	$ 2,594,073	$ 2,025,505
Estimated fair values of notes payable [Abstract]
Additional Credit Spread Included In Discount Rate To Estimate Fair Value Of Notes Payable	0.75%	0.75%
Notes Payable Fair Values Hypothetical Percent Increase In Interest Rates	1.00%
Impact Of Overall One Percent Increase In Interest Rates Decrease In Fair Values Of Notes Payable	$ 111,400
Impact Of Overall One Percent Increase In Interest Rates Decrease In Fair Values Of Notes Payable Percent	4.30%
Consolidated Properties [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Notes Payable	$ 2,594,073	$ 2,025,505
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 2,587,905	$ 2,056,474

Accumulated Other Comprehensi53

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	$ (32,837)		$ (32,837)		$ (15,068)
Reclassification adjustment for amounts recognized in net income	3,084	$ 2,599	8,919	$ 14,073
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	(11,017)	3,306	(11,017)	3,306	(101)	$ 5,040
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax	(21,820)	(12,564)	(21,820)	(12,564)	(14,967)	(13,954)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(32,837)	(9,258)	(32,837)	(9,258)	(15,068)	(8,914)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss), before Reclassification and Tax			(10,917)	(1,741)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, before Tax			(12,953)	(8,478)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent			(23,870)	(10,219)
Reclassification adjustment for amounts recognized in net income			6,299	9,846
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent			(10,917)	(1,741)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent			(6,654)	1,368
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent			(17,571)	(373)
Other Comprehensive income Loss Adjustment Foreign Currency Attributable To Parent			1	7
Other comprehensive income (loss), adjustments, attributable to parent			(199)	22
Other comprehensive income (loss), total adjustments attributable to parent			(198)	29
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	(4,583)	1,313	(4,583)	1,313	(41)	2,011
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax	3,310	6,830	3,310	6,830	5,879	6,141
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	$ (1,273)	$ 8,143	(1,273)	8,143	$ 5,838	$ 8,152
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss), before Reclassification and Tax			(4,541)	(691)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, before Tax			(5,388)	(3,516)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest			(9,929)	(4,207)
Reclassification adjustment for amounts recognized in net income			2,620	4,227
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest			(4,541)	(691)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest			(2,768)	711
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest			(7,309)	20
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Adjustment Foreign Currency Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest			(1)	(7)
Other comprehensive income (loss), adjustments, attributable to noncontrolling interests			199	(22)
Other comprehensive income (loss), total adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interests			198	(29)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components [Line Items]
Reclassification adjustment for amounts recognized in net income			8,919	14,073
Amount of gain/loss on interest rate contract reclassfied from AOCI			5,412	6,853
Amount of gain/loss on interest rate contract reclassfied from AOCI for unconsolidated joint ventures			3,376	2,340
Amount of gain/loss on cross-currency interest rate contract reclassified from AOCI for Unconsolidated Joint Ventures			$ 131
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net				$ 4,880

Cash Flow Disclosures and Non54

Cash Flow Disclosures and Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Interest Costs Capitalized	$ 24,569	$ 18,844
Interest Paid, Net	43,700	70,500
Income Taxes Paid, Net	$ 2,100	9,900
Issuance of partnership units in connection with the purchase of the U.S. headquarters building		91
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Debt Assumed including Unamortized Premium		18,215
Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid	$ 75,880	53,018
The Mall of San Juan [Member]
Recapitalization of The Mall of San Juan Joint Venture	$ 9,296
SPG Units [Member]
Partnership Units Received as Part of Consideration in Connection with Sale of Equity Method Investment and Other Assets, Book Value		$ 77,711