CBL & Associates Properties (CBL) 10-Q 11 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	4-May-15
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	CBL & ASSOCIATES PROPERTIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	910612
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		170,494,794
CBL & Associates Limited Partnership
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	CBL & Associates Limited Partnership
Entity Central Index Key	915140
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Real estate assets:
Land	$849,076	$847,829
Buildings and improvements	7,228,732	7,221,387
Real estate investment property, at cost	8,077,808	8,069,216
Accumulated depreciation	-2,284,224	-2,240,007
Real estate investment property, net, before developments in progress	5,793,584	5,829,209
Developments in progress	105,120	117,966
Net investment in real estate assets	5,898,704	5,947,175
Cash and cash equivalents	37,978	37,938
Receivables:
Tenant, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,829 and $2,368 in 2015 and 2014, respectively	81,052	81,338
Other, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,239 and $1,285 in 2015 and 2014, respectively	21,440	22,577
Mortgage and other notes receivable	19,609	19,811
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	280,971	281,449
Intangible lease assets and other assets	203,846	226,011
Total assets	6,543,600	6,616,299
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY
Mortgage and other indebtedness	4,669,711	4,700,460
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	314,979	328,352
Total liabilities	4,984,690	5,028,812
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Redeemable interests:
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	37,468	37,559
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 15,000,000 shares authorized:
Common stock, $.01 par value, 350,000,000 shares authorized, 170,492,985 and 170,260,273 issued and outstanding in 2015 and 2014, respectively	1,705	1,703
Partners' capital:
Additional paid-in capital	1,958,570	1,958,198
Accumulated other comprehensive income	607	13,411
Dividends in excess of cumulative earnings	-577,024	-566,785
Total shareholders' equity	1,383,883	1,406,552
Noncontrolling interests	137,559	143,376
Total equity	1,521,442	1,549,928
Total Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests and Equity	6,543,600	6,616,299
CBL & Associates Limited Partnership
Real estate assets:
Land	849,076	847,829
Buildings and improvements	7,228,732	7,221,387
Real estate investment property, at cost	8,077,808	8,069,216
Accumulated depreciation	-2,284,224	-2,240,007
Real estate investment property, net, before developments in progress	5,793,584	5,829,209
Developments in progress	105,120	117,966
Net investment in real estate assets	5,898,704	5,947,175
Cash and cash equivalents	37,962	37,926
Receivables:
Tenant, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,829 and $2,368 in 2015 and 2014, respectively	81,052	81,338
Other, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,239 and $1,285 in 2015 and 2014, respectively	21,440	22,577
Mortgage and other notes receivable	19,609	19,811
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	281,532	282,009
Intangible lease assets and other assets	203,726	225,891
Total assets	6,544,025	6,616,727
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY
Mortgage and other indebtedness	4,669,711	4,700,460
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	314,979	328,267
Total liabilities	4,984,690	5,028,727
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Redeemable interests:
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	6,157	6,455
Redeemable common units	31,311	31,104
Total redeemable interests	37,468	37,559
Partners' capital:
Preferred units	565,212	565,212
General partner	9,657	9,789
Limited partners	941,548	953,349
Accumulated other comprehensive income	-2,393	13,183
Total partners' capital	1,514,024	1,541,533
Noncontrolling interests	7,843	8,908
Total capital	1,521,867	1,550,441
Total Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests and Equity	6,544,025	6,616,727
Series D Preferred Stock
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 15,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred Stock, Value, Outstanding	18	18
Series E Preferred Stock
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 15,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred Stock, Value, Outstanding	$7	$7

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Tenant receivables allowance for doubtful accounts	1,829	2,368
Other receivables allowance for doubtful accounts	1,239	1,285
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	0.01	0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	15,000,000	15,000,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	0.01	0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	350,000,000	350,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	170,492,985	170,260,273
Common stock, shares outstanding	170,492,985	170,260,273
Series D Preferred Stock
Preferred stock, dividend rate (as a percent)	7.38%	7.38%
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	1,815,000	1,815,000
Series E Preferred Stock
Preferred stock, dividend rate (as a percent)	6.63%	6.63%
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	690,000	690,000
CBL & Associates Limited Partnership
Tenant receivables allowance for doubtful accounts	1,829	2,368
Other receivables allowance for doubtful accounts	1,239	1,285

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
REVENUES:
Minimum rents	$169,081	$169,277
Percentage rents	4,137	3,606
Other rents	5,171	5,282
Tenant reimbursements	72,133	72,218
Management, development and leasing fees	2,778	3,135
Other	7,609	7,725
Total revenues	260,909	261,243
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Property operating	38,904	40,011
Depreciation and amortization	76,266	69,083
Real estate taxes	22,785	21,347
Maintenance and repairs	14,216	16,165
General and administrative	17,230	14,773
Loss on impairment	0	17,150
Other	6,476	6,545
Total operating expenses	175,877	185,074
Income from operations	85,032	76,169
Interest and other income	5,274	1,528
Interest expense	-59,157	-60,506
Gain on extinguishment of debt	0	42,660
Gain on investment	16,560	0
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	3,823	3,684
Income tax (provision) benefit	916	-397
Income from continuing operations before gain on sales of real estate assets	52,448	63,138
Gain on sales of real estate assets	757	1,154
Income from continuing operations	53,205	64,292
Operating loss of discontinued operations	0	-499
Loss on discontinued operations	0	-17
Net income	53,205	63,776
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in:
Operating Partnership	-6,172	-7,651
Other consolidated subsidiaries/Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-869	-831
Net income attributable to the Company/Operating Partnership	46,164	55,294
Preferred dividends	-11,223	-11,223
Net income attributable to common shareholders/unitholders	34,941	44,071
Basic per share data attributable to common shareholders:
Income from continuing operations, net of preferred dividends, basic (in dollars per share)	$0.21	$0.26
Discontinued operations, basic (in dollars per share)	$0	$0
Net income attributable to common shareholders, basic (in dollars per share)	$0.21	$0.26
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic (in shares)	170,420	170,196
Diluted per share data attributable to common shareholders:
Income from continuing operations, net of preferred dividends, diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.20	$0.26
Discontinued operations, diluted (in dollars per share)	$0	$0
Net income attributable to common shareholders, diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.20	$0.26
Weighted-average common and potential dilutive common shares outstanding, diluted (in shares)	170,510	170,196
Amounts attributable to common shareholders:
Income from continuing operations, net of preferred dividends	34,941	44,511
Discontinued operations	0	-440
Net income attributable to common shareholders/unitholders	34,941	44,071
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.27	$0.25
CBL & Associates Limited Partnership
REVENUES:
Minimum rents	169,081	169,277
Percentage rents	4,137	3,606
Other rents	5,171	5,282
Tenant reimbursements	72,133	72,218
Management, development and leasing fees	2,778	3,135
Other	7,609	7,725
Total revenues	260,909	261,243
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Property operating	38,904	40,011
Depreciation and amortization	76,266	69,083
Real estate taxes	22,785	21,347
Maintenance and repairs	14,216	16,165
General and administrative	17,230	14,773
Loss on impairment	0	17,150
Other	6,476	6,545
Total operating expenses	175,877	185,074
Income from operations	85,032	76,169
Interest and other income	5,274	1,528
Interest expense	-59,157	-60,506
Gain on extinguishment of debt	0	42,660
Gain on investment	16,560	0
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	3,823	3,684
Income tax (provision) benefit	916	-397
Income from continuing operations before gain on sales of real estate assets	52,448	63,138
Gain on sales of real estate assets	757	1,154
Income from continuing operations	53,205	64,292
Operating loss of discontinued operations	0	-499
Loss on discontinued operations	0	-17
Net income	53,205	63,776
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in:
Other consolidated subsidiaries/Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-869	-831
Net income attributable to the Company/Operating Partnership	52,336	62,945
Preferred dividends	-11,223	-11,223
Net income attributable to common shareholders/unitholders	41,113	51,722
Basic per share data attributable to common shareholders:
Income from continuing operations, net of preferred dividends, basic (in dollars per share)	$0.21	$0.26
Discontinued operations, basic (in dollars per share)	$0	$0
Net income attributable to common shareholders, basic (in dollars per share)	$0.21	$0.26
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic (in shares)	199,681	199,741
Diluted per share data attributable to common shareholders:
Income from continuing operations, net of preferred dividends, diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.21	$0.26
Discontinued operations, diluted (in dollars per share)	$0	$0
Net income attributable to common shareholders, diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.21	$0.26
Weighted-average common and potential dilutive common shares outstanding, diluted (in shares)	199,771	199,741
Amounts attributable to common shareholders:
Income from continuing operations, net of preferred dividends	41,113	52,162
Discontinued operations	0	-440
Net income attributable to common shareholders/unitholders	$41,113	$51,722
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.27	$0.25

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net income	$53,205	$63,776
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized holding gain on available-for-sale securities	242	1,001
Reclassification to net income of realized gain on available-for-sale securities	-16,560	0
Unrealized gain (loss) on hedging instruments	883	-144
Reclassification of hedging effect on earnings	-523	548
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	-15,958	1,405
Comprehensive income	37,247	65,181
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests in:
Operating Partnership	-3,018	-7,627
Other consolidated subsidiaries/Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-869	-831
Comprehensive income attributable to the Company	33,360	56,723
CBL & Associates Limited Partnership
Net income	53,205	63,776
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized holding gain on available-for-sale securities	242	1,003
Reclassification to net income of realized gain on available-for-sale securities	-16,560	0
Unrealized gain (loss) on hedging instruments	883	-144
Reclassification of hedging effect on earnings	-523	548
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	-15,958	1,407
Comprehensive income	37,247	65,183
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests in:
Other consolidated subsidiaries/Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-869	-831
Comprehensive income attributable to the Company	$36,378	$64,352

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity/Capital (Unaudited) (USD $)	Total	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests	Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Dividends in Excess of Cumulative Earnings	Total Shareholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interests	CBL & Associates Limited Partnership	CBL & Associates Limited Partnership	CBL & Associates Limited Partnership	CBL & Associates Limited Partnership	CBL & Associates Limited Partnership	CBL & Associates Limited Partnership	CBL & Associates Limited Partnership	CBL & Associates Limited Partnership	CBL & Associates Limited Partnership	CBL & Associates Limited Partnership	CBL & Associates Limited Partnership	CBL & Associates Limited Partnership	CBL & Associates Limited Partnership	CBL & Associates Limited Partnership	CBL & Associates Limited Partnership	CBL & Associates Limited Partnership
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	Common Stock	Preferred Units	Common Units	Common Units	General Partner	General Partner	Limited Partners	Limited Partners	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Total Shareholders' Equity	Total Shareholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interests	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests	Redeemable Common Units	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
											USD ($)	USD ($)		Common Stock	USD ($)	Common Stock	USD ($)	Common Stock	USD ($)	USD ($)	Common Stock	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)
																USD ($)		USD ($)			USD ($)
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2013										$1,560,355		$565,212			$9,866		$961,175		$4,923	$1,541,176		$19,179
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	1,559,934		25	1,700	1,967,644	6,325	-570,781	1,404,913	155,021
Beginning Balance, redeemable noncontrolling partnership interests at Dec. 31, 2013		34,639																					5,883	28,756	34,639
Beginning balance, units at Dec. 31, 2013												25,050,000	199,593,000
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
Net income		1,146																					742	404	1,146
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,406	-1				1,429		1,429	-23	1,408									1,408	1,408				-1	-1
Dividends declared - common stock/units	-41,716						-41,716	-41,716		-49,446					-493		-48,953			-49,446				-1,143	-1,143
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-8,778	-1,593							-8,778	-1,060												-1,060	-450		-450
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests	-756	756			-1,350			-1,350	594
Allocation of partners' capital										-704					-20		-684			-704				756	756
Net income	62,630						55,294	55,294	7,336	62,630		11,223			526		50,792			62,541		89
Dividends declared - common stock/units	-41,716						-41,716	-41,716		-49,446					-493		-48,953			-49,446				-1,143	-1,143
Dividends declared - preferred stock	-11,223						-11,223	-11,223		-11,223		-11,223								-11,223
Issuances of common units, units	238,693													240,000
Issuances of common stock/units and restricted common stock	543			3	540			543			543					5		538			543
Cancellation of restricted common stock, units	-20,631												-21,000
Cancellation of restricted common stock	-347				-347			-347		-347							-347			-347
Amortization of deferred compensation	1,467				1,467			1,467		1,467							1,467			1,467
Allocation of partners' capital										-704					-20		-684			-704				756	756
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests	-756	756			-1,350			-1,350	594
Adjustment to record redeemable noncontrolling interests at redemption value	67	-66			16			16	51	67					1		66			67			279	-345	-66
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2014										1,563,690		565,212			9,885		964,054		6,331	1,545,482		18,208
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	1,563,227		25	1,703	1,967,970	7,754	-568,426	1,409,026	154,201
Ending Balance, redeemable noncontrolling partnership interests at Mar. 31, 2014		34,881																					6,454	28,427	34,881
Ending balance, units at Mar. 31, 2014												25,050,000	199,812,000
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2014										1,550,441		565,212			9,789		953,349		13,183	1,541,533		8,908
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	1,549,928		25	1,703	1,958,198	13,411	-566,785	1,406,552	143,376
Beginning Balance, redeemable noncontrolling partnership interests at Dec. 31, 2014		37,559								31,104													6,455	31,104	37,559
Beginning balance, units at Dec. 31, 2014												25,050,000	199,532,000
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
Net income		1,111																					782	329	1,111
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-15,576	-382				-12,804		-12,804	-2,772	-15,576									-15,576	-15,576				-382	-382
Dividends declared - common stock/units	-45,180						-45,180	-45,180		-53,341					-533		-52,808			-53,341				-1,126	-1,126
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-9,276	-1,640							-9,276	-1,115												-1,115	-514		-514
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests	-674	674			-1,398			-1,398	724
Allocation of partners' capital										-764					-37		-727			-764				674	674
Net income	52,094						46,164	46,164	5,930	52,094		11,223			419		40,365			52,007		87
Compensation under LTIP	156				156			156		156					2		154			156
Redemption of redeemable noncontrolling preferred joint venture interest	-286				0			0	-286
Dividends declared - common stock/units	-45,180						-45,180	-45,180		-53,341					-533		-52,808			-53,341				-1,126	-1,126
Dividends declared - preferred stock	-11,223						-11,223	-11,223		-11,223		-11,223								-11,223
Issuances of common units, units	269,929													270,000
Issuances of common stock/units and restricted common stock	541			2	539			541			541							541			541
Redemption of common units, units													-15,000
Redemptions of common units	-285																-285			-285
Cancellation of restricted common stock, units	-37,217												-37,000
Cancellation of restricted common stock	-725				-725			-725		-725							-725			-725
Amortization of deferred compensation	1,847				1,847			1,847		1,847					19		1,828			1,847
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	-37								-37	-37												-37
Allocation of partners' capital										-764					-37		-727			-764				674	674
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests	-674	674			-1,398			-1,398	724
Adjustment to record redeemable noncontrolling interests at redemption value	-147	146			-47			-47	-100	-146					-2		-144			-146			-566	712	146
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2015										1,521,867		565,212			9,657		941,548		-2,393	1,514,024		7,843
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2015	1,521,442		25	1,705	1,958,570	607	-577,024	1,383,883	137,559
Ending Balance, redeemable noncontrolling partnership interests at Mar. 31, 2015		$37,468								$31,311													$6,157	$31,311	$37,468
Ending balance, units at Mar. 31, 2015												25,050,000	199,750,000

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity/Capital (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Issuances of common and restricted stock, shares	269,929	238,693
Cancellation of restricted common stock, shares	37,217	20,631

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$53,205	$63,776
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	76,266	69,083
Net amortization of deferred finance costs and debt premiums	1,577	2,234
Net amortization of intangible lease assets and liabilities	-175	129
Gain on sales of real estate assets	-757	-1,154
Gain on investment	-16,560	0
Loss on discontinued operations	0	17
Write-off of development projects	125	1
Share-based compensation expense	2,488	1,974
Loss on impairment	0	17,150
Loss on impairment from discontinued operations	0	681
Gain on extinguishment of debt	0	-42,660
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	-3,823	-3,684
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated affiliates	4,538	3,035
Provision for doubtful accounts	1,372	1,206
Change in deferred tax accounts	507	449
Changes in:
Tenant and other receivables	51	6,444
Other assets	-8,692	-6,931
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-4,388	-24,804
Net cash provided by operating activities	105,734	86,946
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Additions to real estate assets	-43,324	-53,091
Reductions to restricted cash	4,955	7,669
Proceeds from sales of real estate assets	11,261	2,127
Payments received on mortgage and other notes receivable	202	224
Net proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	20,755	0
Additional investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	-3,629	-3,449
Distributions in excess of equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	5,156	5,414
Changes in other assets	-3,336	-1,702
Net cash used in investing activities	-7,960	-42,808
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from mortgage and other indebtedness	82,133	219,836
Principal payments on mortgage and other indebtedness	-112,215	-208,752
Additions to deferred financing costs	-120	-62
Prepayment fees on extinguishment of debt	0	-1,249
Proceeds from issuances of common stock	52	35
Purchase of noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership	-286	0
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	-31	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-10,925	-10,371
Dividends paid to holders of preferred stock	-11,223	-11,223
Dividends paid to common shareholders	-45,119	-41,662
Net cash used in financing activities	-97,734	-53,448
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	40	-9,310
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period	37,938	65,500
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	37,978	56,190
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized	47,874	53,722
CBL & Associates Limited Partnership
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	53,205	63,776
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	76,266	69,083
Net amortization of deferred finance costs and debt premiums	1,577	2,234
Net amortization of intangible lease assets and liabilities	-175	129
Gain on sales of real estate assets	-757	-1,154
Gain on investment	-16,560	0
Loss on discontinued operations	0	17
Write-off of development projects	125	1
Share-based compensation expense	2,488	1,974
Loss on impairment	0	17,150
Loss on impairment from discontinued operations	0	681
Gain on extinguishment of debt	0	-42,660
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	-3,823	-3,684
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated affiliates	4,538	3,035
Provision for doubtful accounts	1,372	1,206
Change in deferred tax accounts	507	449
Changes in:
Tenant and other receivables	51	6,444
Other assets	-8,692	-6,931
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-4,392	-24,812
Net cash provided by operating activities	105,730	86,938
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Additions to real estate assets	-43,324	-53,091
Reductions to restricted cash	4,955	7,669
Proceeds from sales of real estate assets	11,261	2,127
Payments received on mortgage and other notes receivable	202	224
Net proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	20,755	0
Additional investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	-3,629	-3,449
Distributions in excess of equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	5,156	5,414
Changes in other assets	-3,336	-1,702
Net cash used in investing activities	-7,960	-42,808
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from mortgage and other indebtedness	82,133	219,836
Principal payments on mortgage and other indebtedness	-112,215	-208,752
Additions to deferred financing costs	-120	-62
Prepayment fees on extinguishment of debt	0	-1,249
Proceeds from issuances of common stock	52	35
Redemption of common units	-286	0
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	-31	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-10,925	-1,510
Dividends paid to holders of preferred stock	-11,223	-11,223
Dividends paid to common shareholders	-45,119	-50,523
Net cash used in financing activities	-97,734	-53,448
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	36	-9,318
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period	37,926	65,486
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	37,962	56,168
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized	$47,874	$53,722

Organization_and_Basis_of_Pres

Organization and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization and Basis of Presentation	Organization and Basis of Presentation
	CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. (“CBL”), a Delaware corporation, is a self-managed, self-administered, fully-integrated real estate investment trust (“REIT”) that is engaged in the ownership, development, acquisition, leasing, management and operation of regional shopping malls, open-air centers, outlet centers, associated centers, community centers and office properties.  Its properties are located in 27 states, but are primarily in the southeastern and midwestern United States.
	CBL conducts substantially all of its business through CBL & Associates Limited Partnership (the “Operating Partnership”). The Operating Partnership consolidates the financial statements of all entities in which it has a controlling financial interest or where it is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity ("VIE").  As of March 31, 2015, the Operating Partnership owned interests in the following properties:
			Malls (1)	Associated	Community	Office	Total
				Centers	Centers	Buildings (2)
	Consolidated properties		72	25	7	8	112
	Unconsolidated properties (3)		10	4	4	5	23
	Total		82	29	11	13	135
	-1	Category consists of regional malls, open-air centers and outlet centers (including one mixed-use center).
	-2	Includes CBL's corporate office building.
	-3	The Operating Partnership accounts for these investments using the equity method because one or more of the other partners have substantive participating rights.
	At March 31, 2015, the Operating Partnership had interests in the following properties under development:
			Consolidated		Unconsolidated
			Properties		Properties
			Malls	Community	Malls
				Centers
	Development		—	1	—
	Expansions		3	—	1
	Redevelopments		5	—	1
	The Operating Partnership also holds options to acquire certain development properties owned by third parties.
	CBL is the 100% owner of two qualified REIT subsidiaries, CBL Holdings I, Inc. and CBL Holdings II, Inc. At March 31, 2015, CBL Holdings I, Inc., the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership, owned a 1.0% general partner interest in the Operating Partnership and CBL Holdings II, Inc. owned an 84.3% limited partner interest for a combined interest held by CBL of 85.3%.
	As used herein, the term "Company" includes CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including CBL & Associates Limited Partnership and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise. The term "Operating Partnership" refers to CBL & Associates Limited Partnership and its subsidiaries.
	The noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership is held by CBL & Associates, Inc., its shareholders and affiliates and certain senior officers of the Company (collectively "CBL's Predecessor"), all of which contributed their interests in certain real estate properties and joint ventures to the Operating Partnership in exchange for a limited partner interest when the Operating Partnership was formed in November 1993, and by various third parties. At March 31, 2015, CBL’s Predecessor owned a 9.1% limited partner interest and third parties owned a 5.6% limited partner interest in the Operating Partnership.  CBL's Predecessor also owned 3.5 million shares of CBL’s common stock at March 31, 2015, for a total combined effective interest of 10.9% in the Operating Partnership.
	The Operating Partnership conducts the Company’s property management and development activities through its wholly-owned subsidiary, CBL & Associates Management, Inc. (the “Management Company”), to comply with certain requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”).
	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited; however, they have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in conjunction with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Accordingly, they do not include all of the disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring matters) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements for these interim periods have been included. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. The results for the interim period ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be obtained for the full fiscal year.
	These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	Accounting Guidance Not Yet Effective
	In February 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-02, Consolidation - Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis ("ASU 2015-02"). The guidance modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are VIEs or voting interest entities, eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership and affects the evaluation of fee arrangements and related party relationships in the primary beneficiary determination. For public companies, ASU 2015-02 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those years using either a retrospective or a modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact that this update may have on its consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board jointly issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASU 2014-09"). The objective of this converged standard is to enable financial statement users to better understand and analyze revenue by replacing current transaction and industry-specific guidance with a more principles-based approach to revenue recognition. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. ASU 2014-09 applies to all contracts with customers except those that are within the scope of other guidance such as lease and insurance contracts. For public companies, ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those years using one of two retrospective application methods. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact that this update may have on its consolidated financial statements.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements
	The Company has categorized its financial assets and financial liabilities that are recorded at fair value into a hierarchy in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure, ("ASC 820") based on whether the inputs to valuation techniques are observable or unobservable.  The fair value hierarchy contains three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value as follows:
	Level 1 – Inputs represent quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities as of the measurement date.
	Level 2 – Inputs, other than those included in Level 1, represent observable measurements for similar instruments in active markets, or identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and observable measurements or market data for instruments with substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
	Level 3 – Inputs represent unobservable measurements, supported by little, if any, market activity, and require considerable assumptions that are significant to the fair value of the asset or liability.  Market valuations must often be determined using discounted cash flow methodologies, pricing models or similar techniques based on the Company’s assumptions and best judgment.
	The asset or liability's fair value within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Under ASC 820, fair value measurements are determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability in an orderly transaction at the measurement date. Valuation techniques used maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and consider assumptions such as inherent risk, transfer restrictions and risk of nonperformance.
	Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
	The following tables set forth information regarding the Company’s financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
				Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
		Fair Value at		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
		31-Mar-15		Active Markets for		Other		Unobservable
				Identical Assets		Observable		Inputs
				(Level 1)		Inputs		(Level 3)
						(Level 2)
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate swaps	$	1,867	$	—	$	1,867	$	—
				Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
		Fair Value at		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
		31-Dec-14		Active Markets for		Other		Unobservable
				Identical Assets		Observable		Inputs
				(Level 1)		Inputs		(Level 3)
						(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Available-for-sale securities	$	20,512	$	20,512	$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate swaps	$	2,226	—		$	2,226	$	—
	The Company recognizes transfers in and out of every level at the end of each reporting period. There were no transfers between Levels 1, 2, or 3 for any periods presented.
	Intangible lease assets and other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets include marketable securities consisting of corporate equity securities that are classified as available-for-sale.  Net unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities that are deemed to be temporary in nature are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI ") in redeemable noncontrolling interests, shareholders’ equity and partners' capital, and noncontrolling interests.  If a decline in the value of an investment is deemed to be other than temporary, the investment is written down to fair value and an impairment loss is recognized in the current period to the extent of the decline in value. During the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company did not record any write-downs related to other-than-temporary impairments.
	The Company sold all of its marketable securities during the three month period ended March 31, 2015 and recognized a realized gain of $16,560, for the difference between the net proceeds of $20,755 less the adjusted cost of $4,195. The Company did not recognize any realized gains or losses related to sales of marketable securities during the three month period ended March 31, 2014. The fair value of the Company’s available-for-sale securities was based on quoted market prices and was classified under Level 1.
	The following is a summary of the available-for-sale securities held by the Company as December 31, 2014:
				Gross Unrealized
		Adjusted		Gains		Losses		Fair
		Cost						Value
	December 31, 2014:
	Common stocks	$	4,195	$	16,321	$	—	$	20,516
	The Company uses interest rate swaps to mitigate the effect of interest rate movements on its variable-rate debt.  The Company had four interest rate swaps as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, that qualified as hedging instruments and were designated as cash flow hedges.  The interest rate swaps are reflected in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.  The swaps have met the effectiveness test criteria since inception and changes in their fair values are, thus, reported in other comprehensive income (loss) ("OCI/L") and are reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged items affect earnings.  The fair values of the Company’s interest rate hedges, classified under Level 2, are determined based on prevailing market data for contracts with matching durations, current and anticipated LIBOR information, consideration of the Company’s credit standing, credit risk of the counterparties and reasonable estimates about relevant future market conditions.  See Note 6 for further information regarding the Company’s interest rate hedging instruments.
	The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities are reasonable estimates of their fair values because of the short-term nature of these financial instruments.  Based on the interest rates for similar financial instruments, the carrying value of mortgage and other notes receivable is a reasonable estimate of fair value.  The estimated fair value of mortgage and other indebtedness was $4,933,062 and $4,947,026 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.  The fair value was calculated using Level 2 inputs by discounting future cash flows for mortgage and other indebtedness using estimated market rates at which similar loans would be made currently. The carrying amount of mortgage and other indebtedness was $4,669,711 and $4,700,460 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis
	The Company measures the fair value of certain long-lived assets on a nonrecurring basis, through quarterly impairment testing or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. The Company considers both quantitative and qualitative factors in its impairment analysis of long-lived assets. Significant quantitative factors include historical and forecasted information for each property such as net operating income ("NOI"), occupancy statistics and sales levels. Significant qualitative factors used include market conditions, age and condition of the property and tenant mix. Due to the significant unobservable estimates and assumptions used in the valuation of long-lived assets that experience impairment, the Company classifies such long-lived assets under Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Company did not have any assets that were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the three months ended March 31, 2015.

Disposals_and_Discontinued_Ope

Disposals and Discontinued Operations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Disposals and Discontinued Operations	Dispositions
	2015 Dispositions
	The Company did not dispose of any shopping center properties during the three months ended March 31, 2015. Subsequent to March 31, 2015, the Company sold a mall. See Note 16 for more information.
	2014 Dispositions
	The results of operations of the properties described below, as well as any gain on extinguishment of debt and impairment losses related to those properties, are included in income from continuing operations for all periods presented, as applicable. Net proceeds from these 2014 dispositions were used to reduce the outstanding balances on the Company's credit facilities, unless otherwise noted. The following is a summary of the Company's 2014 dispositions by sale:
						Sales Price
	Sales Date		Property	Property Type	Location	Gross		Net		Gain
	2014 Activity:
	September		Pemberton Plaza (1)	Community Center	Vicksburg, MS	$	1,975	$	1,886	$	—
	June		Foothills Plaza Expansion	Associated Center	Maryville, TN	2,640		2,387		937
	May		Lakeshore Mall (2)	Mall	Sebring, FL	14,000		13,613		—
						$	18,615	$	17,886	$	937
	-1	The Company recognized a loss on impairment of real estate of $497 in the third quarter of 2014 when it adjusted the book value of Pemberton Plaza to its net sales price.
	-2	The gross sales price of $14,000 consisted of a $10,000 promissory note and $4,000 in cash. The note receivable was paid off in the third quarter of 2014. The Company recognized a loss on impairment of real estate of $5,100 in the first quarter of 2014 when it adjusted the book value of Lakeshore Mall to its estimated fair value of $13,780 based on a binding purchase agreement signed in April 2014. The sale closed in May 2014 and the Company recognized an impairment loss of $106 in the second quarter of 2014 as a result of additional closing costs.
	The Company recognized a gain on extinguishment of debt for each of the properties listed below, representing the amount by which the outstanding debt balance exceeded the net book value of the property as of the transfer date. The following is a summary of the Company's other 2014 dispositions:
	Disposal Date		Property	Property Type	Location	Balance of		Gain on Extinguishment of Debt
						Non-recourse Debt
	2014 Activity:
	October		Columbia Place (1)	Mall	Columbia, SC	$	27,265	$	27,171
	September		Chapel Hill Mall (2)	Mall	Akron, OH	68,563		18,296
	January		Citadel Mall (3)	Mall	Charleston, SC	68,169		43,932
						$	163,997	$	89,399
	-1	The Company conveyed the mall to the lender by a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. A non-cash impairment loss of $50,683 was recorded in 2011 to write down the book value of the mall to its then estimated fair value. The Company also recorded $3,181 of non-cash default interest expense.
	-2	The Company conveyed the mall to the lender by a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. A non-cash impairment loss of $12,050 was recorded in 2014 to write down the book value of the mall to its then estimated fair value. The Company also recorded $1,514 of non-cash default interest expense.
	-3	The mortgage lender completed the foreclosure process and received the title to the mall in satisfaction of the non-recourse debt. A non-cash impairment loss of $20,453 was recorded in 2013 to write down the book value of the mall to its then estimated fair value.

Unconsolidated_Affiliates_Rede

Unconsolidated Affiliates, Redeemable Interests, Noncontrolling Interests and Cost Method Investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Unconsolidated Affiliates, Redeemable Interests, Noncontrolling Interests and Cost Method Investments	Unconsolidated Affiliates, Redeemable Interests, Noncontrolling Interests and Cost Method Investments
	Unconsolidated Affiliates
	At March 31, 2015, the Company had investments in the following 19 entities, which are accounted for using the equity method of accounting:
	Joint Venture	Property Name	Company's
			Interest
	Ambassador Infrastructure, LLC	Ambassador Town Center - Infrastructure Improvements	65.00%
	Ambassador Town Center JV, LLC	Ambassador Town Center	65.00%
	CBL/T-C, LLC	CoolSprings Galleria, Oak Park Mall and West County Center	50.00%
	CBL-TRS Joint Venture, LLC	Friendly Center, The Shops at Friendly Center and a portfolio	50.00%
		of four office buildings
	CBL-TRS Joint Venture II, LLC	Renaissance Center	50.00%
	El Paso Outlet Outparcels, LLC	The Outlet Shoppes at El Paso (vacant land)	50.00%
	Fremaux Town Center JV, LLC	Fremaux Town Center Phases I and II	65.00%
	Governor’s Square IB	Governor’s Plaza	50.00%
	Governor’s Square Company	Governor’s Square	47.50%
	High Pointe Commons, LP	High Pointe Commons	50.00%
	High Pointe Commons II-HAP, LP	High Pointe Commons - Christmas Tree Shop	50.00%
	JG Gulf Coast Town Center LLC	Gulf Coast Town Center	50.00%
	Kentucky Oaks Mall Company	Kentucky Oaks Mall	50.00%
	Mall of South Carolina L.P.	Coastal Grand—Myrtle Beach	50.00%
	Mall of South Carolina Outparcel L.P.	Coastal Grand—Myrtle Beach (Coastal Grand Crossing	50.00%
		and vacant land)
	Port Orange I, LLC	The Pavilion at Port Orange Phase I and one office building	50.00%
	Triangle Town Member LLC	Triangle Town Center, Triangle Town Commons	50.00%
		and Triangle Town Place
	West Melbourne I, LLC	Hammock Landing Phases I and II	50.00%
	York Town Center, LP	York Town Center	50.00%
	Although the Company had majority ownership of certain joint ventures during 2015 and 2014, it evaluated the investments and concluded that the other partners or owners in these joint ventures had substantive participating rights, such as approvals of:
	•	the pro forma for the development and construction of the project and any material deviations or modifications thereto;
	•	the site plan and any material deviations or modifications thereto;
	•	the conceptual design of the project and the initial plans and specifications for the project and any material deviations or modifications thereto;
	•	any acquisition/construction loans or any permanent financings/refinancings;
	•	the annual operating budgets and any material deviations or modifications thereto;
	•	the initial leasing plan and leasing parameters and any material deviations or modifications thereto; and
	•	any material acquisitions or dispositions with respect to the project.
	As a result of the joint control over these joint ventures, the Company accounts for these investments using the equity method of accounting.
	Condensed combined financial statement information of these unconsolidated affiliates is as follows:
		As of
	ASSETS	March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Investment in real estate assets	$	2,263,221		$	2,266,252
	Accumulated depreciation	(634,178		)	(619,558		)
		1,629,043			1,646,694
	Developments in progress	88,990			75,877
	Net investment in real estate assets	1,718,033			1,722,571
	Other assets	169,304			170,554
	Total assets	$	1,887,337		$	1,893,125
	LIABILITIES
	Mortgage and other indebtedness	$	1,514,503		$	1,512,826
	Other liabilities	38,888			42,517
	Total liabilities	1,553,391			1,555,343
	OWNERS' EQUITY
	The Company	195,783			198,261
	Other investors	138,163			139,521
	Total owners' equity	333,946			337,782
	Total liabilities and owners' equity	$	1,887,337		$	1,893,125
		Total for the Three Months						Company's Share for the
		Ended March 31,						Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Total revenues	$	62,472		$	61,821		$	32,835		$	31,952
	Depreciation and amortization	(19,481		)	(18,787		)	(10,317		)	(9,861		)
	Interest income	332			340			255			259
	Interest expense	(18,794		)	(18,558		)	(9,685		)	(9,491		)
	Operating expenses	(19,306		)	(18,181		)	(9,828		)	(9,175		)
Gain on sales of real estate assets	815			—			563			—
Net income	$	6,038		$	6,635		$	3,823		$	3,684
All of the debt on the properties owned by the unconsolidated affiliates is non-recourse, except for Ambassador, Ambassador Infrastructure, Fremaux Phases I and II, West Melbourne, Port Orange, and Gulf Coast Phase III. See Note 12 for a description of guarantees the Company has issued related to certain unconsolidated affiliates.
Redeemable Interests
Redeemable common units of $31,311 and $31,104 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, include a partnership interest in the Operating Partnership for which the partnership agreement includes redemption provisions that may require the Operating Partnership to redeem the partnership interest for real property.
Redeemable noncontrolling interests of $6,157 and $6,455 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, include the aggregate noncontrolling ownership interest in consolidated subsidiaries that is held by third parties and for which the related partnership agreements contain redemption provisions at the holder's election that allow for redemption through cash and/or properties.
Noncontrolling Interests of the Operating Partnership
Noncontrolling interests include the aggregate noncontrolling ownership interest in the Operating Partnership's consolidated subsidiaries that is held by third parties and for which the related partnership agreements either do not include redemption provisions or are subject to redemption provisions that do not require classification outside of permanent equity. Total noncontrolling interest was $7,843 and $8,908, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
Noncontrolling Interests of the Company
The noncontrolling interests of the Company include the third party interests discussed above as well as the aggregate noncontrolling partnership interest in the Operating Partnership that is not owned by the Company and for which each of the noncontrolling limited partners has the right to exchange all or a portion of its partnership interests for shares of the Company’s common stock or, at the Company’s election, their cash equivalent. As of March 31, 2015, the Company's total noncontrolling interests of $137,559 consisted of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership and in other consolidated subsidiaries of $129,716 and $7,843, respectively. The Company's total noncontrolling interest at December 31, 2014 of $143,376 consisted of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership and in other consolidated subsidiaries of $134,468 and $8,908, respectively.
Cost Method Investment
The Company owns a 6.2% noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries of Jinsheng, an established mall operating and real estate development company located in Nanjing, China. The Company accounts for its noncontrolling interest in Jinsheng using the cost method because the Company does not exercise significant influence over Jinsheng and there is no readily determinable market value of Jinsheng’s shares since they are not publicly traded.  The carrying amount of this investment was $5,325 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The noncontrolling interest is reflected as investment in unconsolidated affiliates in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Variable Interest Entities
Triangle Town Member LLC
The Company holds a 50% ownership interest in this joint venture. The Company determined that its investment in this joint venture represents an interest in a VIE. The entity is under joint control, and therefore the Company accounts for it as an unconsolidated affiliate using the equity method of accounting as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
JG Gulf Coast Town Center LLC
The Company holds a 50% ownership interest in this joint venture. The Company determined that its investment in this joint venture represents an interest in a VIE. The entity is under joint control, and therefore the Company accounts for it as an unconsolidated affiliate using the equity method of accounting as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
Gettysburg Outlet Center Holding LLC
The Company holds a 50% ownership interest in this joint venture. The Company determined that its investment in this joint venture represents an interest in a VIE and that the Company is the primary beneficiary since it has the power to direct activities of the joint venture that most significantly impact the joint venture's economic performance as well as the obligation to absorb losses or right to receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant. As a result, the joint venture is presented in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 on a consolidated basis, with the interests of the third party reflected as a noncontrolling interest.
El Paso Outlet Center Holding, LLC
The Company holds a 75% ownership interest in the joint venture. The Company determined that its investment in this joint venture represents an interest in a VIE and that the Company is the primary beneficiary since it has the power to direct the activities of the joint venture that most significantly impact the joint venture's economic performance as well as the obligation to absorb losses or right to receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant. As a result, the joint venture is presented in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 on a consolidated basis, with the interests of the third party reflected as a noncontrolling interest.

Mortgage_and_Other_Indebtednes

Mortgage and Other Indebtedness

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Mortgage and Other Indebtedness

Mortgage and Other Indebtedness

Debt of the Company

CBL has no indebtedness. Either the Operating Partnership or one of its consolidated subsidiaries, that the Operating Partnership has a direct or indirect ownership interest in, is the borrower on all of the Company's debt.

CBL is a limited guarantor of the 5.25% and 4.60% senior unsecured notes, issued by the Operating Partnership in November 2013 and October 2014, respectively, for losses suffered solely by reason of fraud or willful misrepresentation by the Operating Partnership or its affiliates. The Company also provides a similar limited guarantee of the Operating Partnership's obligations with respect to its unsecured credit facilities and two unsecured term loans as of March 31, 2015.

Debt of the Operating Partnership

Mortgage and other indebtedness consisted of the following:

March 31, 2015

December 31, 2014

Amount

Weighted-

Amount

Weighted-

Average

Average

Interest

Interest

Rate (1)

Rate (1)

Fixed-rate debt:

Non-recourse loans on operating properties (2)

$

3,234,029

5.62%

$

3,252,730

5.62%

Senior unsecured notes due 2023 (3)

445,863

5.25%

445,770

5.25%

Senior unsecured notes due 2024 (4)

299,928

4.60%

299,925

4.60%

Other

5,056

3.50%

5,639

3.50%

Total fixed-rate debt

3,984,876

5.50%

4,004,064

5.50%

Variable-rate debt:

Non-recourse term loans on operating properties

17,051

2.30%

17,121

2.29%

Recourse term loans on operating properties

9,279

2.93%

7,638

2.91%

Construction loan

1,440

2.68%

454

2.66%

Unsecured lines of credit

207,065

1.57%

221,183

1.56%

Unsecured term loans

450,000

1.68%

450,000

1.71%

Total variable-rate debt

684,835

1.68%

696,396

1.69%

Total

$

4,669,711

4.94%

$

4,700,460

4.93%

-1

Weighted-average interest rate includes the effect of debt premiums and discounts, but excludes amortization of deferred financing costs.

-2

The Operating Partnership had four interest rate swaps on notional amounts totaling $104,492 as of March 31, 2015 and $105,584 as of December 31, 2014 related to four variable-rate loans on operating properties to effectively fix the interest rate on the respective loans.  Therefore, these amounts were reflected in fixed-rate debt at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

-3

The balance is net of an unamortized discount of $4,137 and $4,230 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

-4

The balance is net of an unamortized discount of $72 and $75 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Senior Unsecured Notes

In the fourth quarter of 2014, the Operating Partnership issued $300,000 of senior unsecured notes, which bear interest at 4.60% payable semiannually beginning April 15, 2015 and mature on October 15, 2024 (the “2024 Notes”). In the fourth quarter of 2013, the Operating Partnership issued $450,000 of senior unsecured notes, which bear interest at 5.25% payable semiannually beginning June 1, 2014 and mature on December 1, 2023 (the “2023 Notes”). The respective interest rate on each of the 2024 Notes and the 2023 Notes (collectively, the “Notes”) will be subject to an increase ranging from 0.25% to 1.00% from time to time if, on or after January 1, 2016 and prior to January 1, 2020, the ratio of secured debt to total assets of the Company, as defined, is greater than 40% but less than 45%.

The Notes are redeemable at the Operating Partnership's election, in whole or in part from time to time, on not less than 30 days’ notice to the holders of the Notes to be redeemed. The 2024 Notes may be redeemed prior to July 15, 2024 for cash, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2024 Notes to be redeemed or (2) an amount equal to the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the 2024 Notes to be redeemed, discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the treasury rate, as defined, plus 0.35%, plus accrued and unpaid interest. On or after July 15, 2024, the 2024 Notes are redeemable for cash at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2024 Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest. The 2023 Notes may be redeemed prior to September 1, 2023 for cash, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2023 Notes to be redeemed or (2) an amount equal to the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the 2023 Notes to be redeemed, discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the treasury rate, as defined, plus 0.40%, plus accrued and unpaid interest. On or after September 1, 2023, the 2023 Notes are redeemable for cash at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2023 Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest.

CBL is a limited guarantor of the Operating Partnership's obligations under the Notes, for losses suffered solely by reason of fraud or willful misrepresentation by the Operating Partnership or its affiliates.

Unsecured Lines of Credit

The Company has three unsecured credit facilities that are used for retirement of secured loans, repayment of term loans, working capital, construction and acquisition purposes, as well as issuances of letters of credit.

Each facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a spread of 100 to 175 basis points based on the Company's credit ratings. As of March 31, 2015, the Company's interest rate based on its credit ratings of Baa3 from Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") and BBB- from Fitch Ratings ("Fitch") is LIBOR plus 140 basis points. Additionally, the Company pays an annual facility fee that ranges from 0.15% to 0.35% of the total capacity of each facility. As of March 31, 2015, the annual facility fee was 0.30%. The three unsecured lines of credit had a weighted-average interest rate of 1.57% at March 31, 2015.

The following summarizes certain information about the Company's unsecured lines of credit as of March 31, 2015:

Maturity

Extended

Total

Total

Date

Maturity

Capacity

Outstanding

Date (1)

Wells Fargo - Facility A

$

600,000

$

43,398

(2)

Nov-15

Nov-16

First Tennessee

100,000

9,313

(3)

Feb-16

N/A

Wells Fargo - Facility B

600,000

161,377

(4)

Nov-16

Nov-17

$

1,300,000

$

214,088

-1

The extension options are at the Company's election, subject to continued compliance with the terms of the facilities, and have a one-time extension fee of 0.20% of the commitment amount of each credit facility.

-2

There was an additional $800 outstanding on this facility as of March 31, 2015 for letters of credit. Up to $50,000 of the capacity on this facility can be used for letters of credit.

-3

There was an additional $113 outstanding on this facility as of March 31, 2015 for letters of credit. Up to $20,000 of the capacity on this facility can be used for letters of credit.

-4

There was an additional $6,110 outstanding on this facility as of March 31, 2015 for letters of credit. Up to $50,000 of the capacity on this facility can be used for letters of credit.

Unsecured Term Loans

The Company has a $400,000 unsecured term loan, which bears interest at a variable rate of LIBOR plus 150 basis points based on the Company's current credit ratings and has a maturity date of July 2018. At March 31, 2015, the outstanding borrowings of $400,000 had an interest rate of 1.68%.

The Company also has a $50,000 unsecured term loan that matures in February 2018. In January 2015, the Company modified the terms of the term loan to reduce the interest rate from a spread of LIBOR plus 190 basis points to LIBOR plus 155 basis points. At March 31, 2015, the outstanding borrowings of $50,000 had a weighted-average interest rate of 1.72%.

Covenants and Restrictions

The agreements for the unsecured lines of credit, the Notes and unsecured term loans contain, among other restrictions, certain financial covenants including the maintenance of certain financial coverage ratios, minimum net worth requirements, minimum unencumbered asset and interest ratios, maximum secured indebtedness ratios, maximum total indebtedness ratios and limitations on cash flow distributions.  The Company believes that it was in compliance with all covenants and restrictions at March 31, 2015.

Unsecured Lines of Credit and Unsecured Term Loans

The following presents the Company's compliance with key covenant ratios, as defined, of the credit facilities and term loans as of March 31, 2015:

Ratio

Required

Actual

Debt to total asset value

< 60%

49.20%

Unencumbered asset value to unsecured indebtedness

> 1.60x

2.6x

Unencumbered NOI to unsecured interest expense

> 1.75x

4.2x

EBITDA to fixed charges (debt service)

> 1.5x

2.2x

The agreements for the unsecured credit facilities and unsecured term loans described above contain default provisions customary for transactions of this nature (with applicable customary grace periods). Additionally, any default in the payment of any recourse indebtedness greater than or equal to $50,000 or any non-recourse indebtedness greater than $150,000 (for the Company's ownership share) of CBL, the Operating Partnership or any Subsidiary, as defined, will constitute an event of default under the agreements to the credit facilities. The credit facilities also restrict the Company's ability to enter into any transaction that could result in certain changes in its ownership or structure as described under the heading “Change of Control/Change in Management” in the agreements for the credit facilities.

Senior Unsecured Notes

The following presents the Company's compliance with key covenant ratios, as defined, of the Notes as of March 31, 2015:

Ratio

Required

Actual

Total debt to total assets

< 60%

53.60%

Secured debt to total assets

< 45% (1)

37.00%

Total unencumbered assets to unsecured debt

> 150%

238.10%

Consolidated income available for debt service to annual debt service charge

> 1.5x

3.2x

-1

On January 1, 2020 and thereafter, secured debt to total assets must be less than 40%.

The agreements for the Notes described above contain default provisions customary for transactions of this nature (with applicable customary grace periods). Additionally, any default in the payment of any recourse indebtedness greater than or equal to $50,000 of the Operating Partnership will constitute an event of default under the Notes.

Other

Several of the Company’s malls/open-air centers, associated centers and community centers, in addition to the corporate office building, are owned by special purpose entities, created as a requirement under certain loan agreements, that are included in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. The sole business purpose of the special purpose entities is to own and operate these properties. The real estate and other assets owned by these special purpose entities are restricted under the loan agreements in that they are not available to settle other debts of the Company. However, so long as the loans are not under an event of default, as defined in the loan agreements, the cash flows from these properties, after payments of debt service, operating expenses and reserves, are available for distribution to the Company.

Mortgages on Operating Properties

Subsequent to March 31, 2015, the Company retired an operating property loan. See Note 16 for more information.

Scheduled Principal Payments

As of March 31, 2015, the scheduled principal amortization and balloon payments on all of the Company’s consolidated mortgage and other indebtedness, excluding extensions available at the Company’s option, are as follows:

2015

$

554,964

2016

770,868

2017

491,189

2018

679,829

2019

115,647

Thereafter

2,054,773

4,667,270

Net unamortized premiums

2,441

$

4,669,711

Of the $554,964 of scheduled principal payments in 2015, $462,120 relates to the maturing principal balances of seven operating property loans, $42,598 relates to an unsecured line of credit and $50,246 represents scheduled principal amortization. Subsequent to March 31, 2015, the Company retired one operating property loan. See Note 16 for further information.

The Company has extension options available at its election, subject to continued compliance with the terms of the facilities, related to the maturities of its unsecured credit facilities, including a 2016 extension on the $42,598 unsecured line of credit with a 2015 maturity date. The credit facilities may be used to retire loans maturing in 2015 as well as to provide additional flexibility for liquidity purposes.

The Company’s mortgage and other indebtedness had a weighted-average maturity of 4.6 years as of March 31, 2015 and 4.8 years as of December 31, 2014.

Interest Rate Hedge Instruments

The Company records its derivative instruments in its condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value.  The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the derivative has been designated as a hedge and, if so, whether the hedge has met the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting.

The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements.  To accomplish these objectives, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps and caps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy.  Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges 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 designated as cash flow hedges 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.

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as, and that qualify as, cash flow hedges is recorded in AOCI and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings.  Such derivatives are used to hedge the variable cash flows associated with variable-rate debt.

As of March 31, 2015, the Company had the following outstanding interest rate derivatives that were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk:

Interest Rate

Number of

Notional

Derivative

Instruments

Amount

Outstanding

Interest Rate Swaps

4

$

104,492

Instrument Type

Location in

Notional

Designated

Strike

Fair

Fair

Maturity

Condensed

Amount

Benchmark

Rate

Value at

Value at

Date

Consolidated

Outstanding

Interest Rate

3/31/15

12/31/14

Balance Sheet

Pay fixed/ Receive

Accounts payable and

$50,508

1-month

2.15%

$

(893

)

$

(1,064

)

Apr-16

variable Swap

accrued liabilities

(amortizing

LIBOR

to $48,337)

Pay fixed/ Receive

Accounts payable and

$31,630

1-month

2.19%

(571

)

(681

)

Apr-16

variable Swap

accrued liabilities

(amortizing

LIBOR

to $30,276)

Pay fixed/ Receive

Accounts payable and

$11,822

1-month

2.14%

(208

)

(248

)

Apr-16

variable Swap

accrued liabilities

(amortizing

LIBOR

to $11,313)

Pay fixed/ Receive

Accounts payable and

$10,532

1-month

2.24%

(195

)

(233

)

Apr-16

variable Swap

accrued liabilities

(amortizing

LIBOR

to $10,083)

$

(1,867

)

$

(2,226

)

Gain

Location of

Location of

Gain Recognized

Recognized

Losses

Loss Recognized in

Gain

in Earnings

in OCI/L

Reclassified

Earnings (Effective

Recognized in

(Ineffective

(Effective Portion)

from AOCI into

Portion)

Earnings

Portion)

Earnings

(Ineffective

Hedging

Three Months Ended

(Effective

Three Months Ended

Portion)

Three Months Ended

Instrument

March 31,

Portion)

March 31,

March 31,

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

Interest rate contracts

$

360

$

404

Interest

$

(523

)

$

(548

)

Interest

$

—

$

—

Expense

Expense

As of March 31, 2015, the Company expects to reclassify approximately $1,890 of losses currently reported in AOCI to interest expense within the next twelve months due to amortization of its outstanding interest rate contracts.  Fluctuations in fair values of these derivatives between March 31, 2015 and the respective dates of termination will vary the projected reclassification amount.

Comprehensive_Income

Comprehensive Income	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Comprehensive Income	Comprehensive Income
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income of the Company
	Comprehensive income of the Company includes all changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests and total equity during the period, except those resulting from investments by shareholders and partners, distributions to shareholders and partners and redemption valuation adjustments. OCI/L includes changes in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and interest rate hedge agreements.
	The changes in the components of AOCI for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:
		Redeemable					The Company						Noncontrolling Interests
		Noncontrolling
		Interests
		Unrealized Gains (Losses)
		Hedging Agreements		Available-for-Sale Securities			Hedging Agreements			Available-for-Sale Securities			Hedging Agreements			Available-for-Sale Securities			Total
	Beginning balance, January 1, 2015	$	401	$	384		$	303		$	13,108		$	(3,053	)	$	2,826		$	13,969
	OCI before reclassifications	3		10			827			160			53			72			1,125
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI (1)	—		(394		)	(523		)	(13,268		)	—			(2,898		)	(17,083		)
	Net year-to-date period OCI	3		(384		)	304			(13,108		)	53			(2,826		)	(15,958		)
	Ending balance, March 31, 2015	$	404	$	—		$	607		$	—		$	(3,000	)	$	—		$	(1,989	)
	-1	Reclassified $16,560 realized gain on sale of available-for-sale securities to Gain on Investment and reclassified $523 of interest on cash flow hedges to Interest Expense in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
		Redeemable					The Company						Noncontrolling Interests
		Noncontrolling
		Interests
		Unrealized Gains (Losses)
		Hedging Agreements		Available-for-Sale Securities			Hedging Agreements			Available-for-Sale Securities			Hedging Agreements			Available-for-Sale Securities			Total
	Beginning balance, January 1, 2014	$	387	$	333		$	(1,214	)	$	7,539		$	(3,304	)	$	1,903		$	5,644
	OCI before reclassifications	3		(4		)	890			1,087			59			(82		)	1,953
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI (1)	—		—			(548		)	—			—			—			(548		)
	Net year-to-date period OCI/L	3		(4		)	342			1,087			59			(82		)	1,405
	Ending balance, March 31, 2014	$	390	$	329		$	(872	)	$	8,626		$	(3,245	)	$	1,821		$	7,049
	-1	Reclassified $548 of interest on cash flow hedges to Interest Expense in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) of the Operating Partnership
	Comprehensive income (loss) of the Operating Partnership includes all changes in redeemable common units and partners' capital during the period, except those resulting from investments by unitholders, distributions to unitholders and redemption valuation adjustments. OCI/L includes changes in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and interest rate hedge agreements.
	The changes in the components of AOCI for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:
		Redeemable					Partners'
		Common					Capital
		Units
		Unrealized Gains (Losses)
		Hedging Agreements		Available-for-Sale Securities			Hedging Agreements			Available-for-Sale Securities			Total
	Beginning balance, January 1, 2015	$	401	$	384		$	(2,750	)	$	15,934		$	13,969
	OCI before reclassifications	3		10			880			232			1,125
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI (1)	—		(394		)	(523		)	(16,166		)	(17,083		)
	Net year-to-date period OCI	3		(384		)	357			(15,934		)	(15,958		)
	Ending balance, March 31, 2015	$	404	$	—		$	(2,393	)	$	—		$	(1,989	)
	-1	Reclassified $16,560 realized gain on sale of available-for-sale securities to Gain on Investment and reclassified $523 of interest on cash flow hedges to Interest Expense in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
		Redeemable					Partners'
		Common					Capital
		Units
		Unrealized Gains (Losses)
		Hedging Agreements		Available-for-Sale Securities			Hedging Agreements			Available-for-Sale Securities			Total
	Beginning balance, January 1, 2014	$	387	$	333		$	(4,518	)	$	9,442		$	5,644
	OCI before reclassifications	3		(4		)	950			1,005			1,954
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI (1)	—		—			(548		)	—			(548		)
	Net year-to-date period OCI/L	3		(4		)	402			1,005			1,406
	Ending balance, March 31, 2014	$	390	$	329		$	(4,116	)	$	10,447		$	7,050
	-1	Reclassified $548 of interest on cash flow hedges to Interest Expense in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Mortgage_and_Other_Notes_Recei

Mortgage and Other Notes Receivable	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Mortgage and Other Notes Receivable [Abstract]
Mortgage and Other Notes Receivable	Mortgage and Other Notes Receivable
	Each of the Company’s mortgage notes receivable is collateralized by either a first mortgage, a second mortgage, or by an assignment of 100% of the partnership interests that own the real estate assets.  Other notes receivable include amounts due from tenants or government-sponsored districts and unsecured notes received from third parties as whole or partial consideration for property or investments.  The Company believes that its mortgage and other notes receivable balance is fully collectable as of March 31, 2015. Mortgage and other notes receivable consist of the following:
				As of March 31, 2015			As of December 31, 2014
			Maturity Date	Interest Rate	Balance		Interest Rate	Balance
	Mortgages:
	Columbia Place Outparcel		Feb-22	5.00%	$	354	5.00%	$	360
	Park Place		May-22	5.00%	1,521		5.00%	1,566
	Village Square		Mar-16	3.50%	1,708		3.50%	1,711
	Other		Dec 2016 -	2.68% - 9.50%	5,538		2.67% - 9.50%	5,686
			Jan-47
					9,121			9,323
	Other Notes Receivable:
	RED Development Inc.		Nov-23	5.00%	7,429		5.00%	7,429
	Woodstock land (1)		May-15	10.00%	3,059		10.00%	3,059
					10,488			10,488
					$	19,609		$	19,811
	-1	Woodstock GA Investments, LLC, a joint venture in which the Company owns a 75.0% interest, has a note receivable with an entity that owns an interest in land in Woodstock, GA, adjacent to the site of The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta. The loan is secured by the entity's interest in the adjacent land. An amendment to the note was made in the first quarter of 2015 to extend the maturity date from February 2015 to May 2015.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information
	The Company measures performance and allocates resources according to property type, which is determined based on certain criteria such as type of tenants, capital requirements, economic risks, leasing terms, and short and long-term returns on capital. Rental income and tenant reimbursements from tenant leases provide the majority of revenues from all segments. Information on the Company’s reportable segments is presented as follows:
	Three Months Ended		Malls			Associated			Community			All Other (1)			Total
	31-Mar-15					Centers			Centers
	Revenues		$	230,271		$	10,407		$	4,681		$	15,550		$	260,909
	Property operating expenses (2)		(73,949		)	(2,596		)	(1,124		)	1,764			(75,905		)
	Interest expense		(43,698		)	(1,956		)	(1,195		)	(12,308		)	(59,157		)
	Other expense		—			—			—			(6,476		)	(6,476		)
	Gain on sales of real estate assets		264			—			—			493			757
	Segment profit (loss)		$	112,888		$	5,855		$	2,362		$	(977	)	120,128
	Depreciation and amortization expense														(76,266		)
	General and administrative expense														(17,230		)
	Interest and other income														5,274
	Gain on investment														16,560
	Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates														3,823
	Income tax benefit														916
	Income from continuing operations														$	53,205
	Total Assets		$	5,665,654		$	272,045		$	266,076		$	339,825		$	6,543,600
	Capital expenditures (3)		$	30,366		$	5,908		$	198		$	30,769		$	67,241
	Three Months Ended		Malls			Associated			Community			All Other (1)			Total
	31-Mar-14					Centers			Centers
	Revenues		$	229,873		$	10,856		$	4,538		$	15,976		$	261,243
	Property operating expenses (2)		(74,294		)	(2,495		)	(1,657		)	923			(77,523		)
	Interest expense		(50,016		)	(2,000		)	(649		)	(7,841		)	(60,506		)
	Other expense		—			—			—			(6,545		)	(6,545		)
	Gain on sales of real estate assets		1,130			1			1			22			1,154
	Segment profit		$	106,693		$	6,362		$	2,233		$	2,535		117,823
	Depreciation and amortization expense														(69,083		)
	General and administrative expense														(14,773		)
	Interest and other income														1,528
	Gain on extinguishment of debt														42,660
	Loss on impairment														(17,150		)
	Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates														3,684
	Income tax provision														(397		)
	Income from continuing operations														$	64,292
	Total Assets		$	5,766,003		$	274,556		$	297,347		$	365,943		$	6,703,849
	Capital expenditures (3)		$	32,937		$	9,272		$	528		$	39,757		$	82,494
	-1	The All Other category includes mortgage and other notes receivable, office buildings, the Management Company and the Company’s subsidiary that provides security and maintenance services.
	-2	Property operating expenses include property operating, real estate taxes and maintenance and repairs.
	-3	Amounts include acquisitions of real estate assets and investments in unconsolidated affiliates. Developments in progress are included in the All Other category.

Equity_and_Capital

Equity and Capital	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Equity and Capital	Equity and Capital
	At-The-Market Equity Program
	On March 1, 2013, the Company entered into separate controlled equity offering sales agreements (collectively, the "Sales Agreements") with a number of sales agents to sell shares of CBL's common stock, having an aggregate offering price of up to $300,000, from time to time in "at-the-market" equity offerings (as defined in Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) or in negotiated transactions (the "ATM program"). In accordance with the Sales Agreements, the Company sets the parameters for the sales of shares, including the number of shares to be issued, the time period during which sales are to be made and any minimum price below which sales may not be made. The Sales Agreements provide that the sales agents are entitled to compensation for their services at a mutually agreed commission rate not to exceed 2.0% of the gross proceeds from the sales of shares sold through the ATM program. For each share of common stock issued by CBL, the Operating Partnership issues a corresponding number of common units of limited partnership interest to CBL in exchange for the contribution of the proceeds from the stock issuance. The Company includes only share issuances that have settled in the calculation of shares outstanding at the end of each period.
	The Company has not sold any shares under the ATM program since 2013. Since the commencement of the ATM program, CBL has issued 8,419,298 shares of common stock, at a weighted-average sales price of $25.12 per share, and approximately $88,507 remains available that may be sold under this program as of March 31, 2015. Actual future sales will depend on a variety of factors including but not limited to market conditions, the trading price of CBL's common stock and the Company's capital needs. The Company has no obligation to sell the remaining shares available under the ATM program.

Earnings_per_Share_and_Earning

Earnings per Share and Earnings per Unit	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings per Share and Earnings per Unit	Earnings Per Share and Earnings per Unit
	Earnings per Share of the Company
	Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income attributable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS assumes the issuance of common stock for all potential dilutive common shares outstanding. The limited partners’ rights to convert their noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership into shares of common stock are not dilutive.
	The following summarizes the impact of potential dilutive common shares on the denominator used to compute EPS:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015	2014
	Denominator – basic	170,420	170,196
	Effect of performance stock units (1)	90	—
	Denominator – diluted	170,510	170,196
	-1	Performance stock units are contingently issuable common shares and are included in earnings per share if the effect is dilutive. See Note 13 for a description of the long-term incentive program, which was adopted in 2015, that these units relate to.
	Earnings per Unit of the Operating Partnership
	Basic earnings per unit (“EPU”) is computed by dividing net income attributable to common unitholders by the weighted-average number of common units outstanding for the period. Diluted EPU assumes the issuance of common units for all potential dilutive common units outstanding.
	The following summarizes the impact of potential dilutive common units on the denominator used to compute EPU:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015	2014
	Denominator – basic	199,681	199,741
	Effect of performance stock units (1)	90	—
	Denominator – diluted	199,771	199,741
	-1	Performance stock units are contingently issuable common units and are included in earnings per unit if the effect is dilutive. See Note 13 for a description of the long-term incentive program, which was adopted in 2015, that these units relate to.

Contingencies

Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies	Contingencies
	Litigation
	The Company is currently involved in certain litigation that arises in the ordinary course of business, most of which is expected to be covered by liability insurance. Management makes assumptions and estimates concerning the likelihood and amount of any potential loss relating to these matters using the latest information available. The Company records a liability for litigation if an unfavorable outcome is probable and the amount of loss or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. If an unfavorable outcome is probable and a reasonable estimate of the loss is a range, the Company accrues the best estimate within the range. If no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, the Company accrues the minimum amount within the range. If an unfavorable outcome is probable but the amount of the loss cannot be reasonably estimated, the Company discloses the nature of the litigation and indicates that an estimate of the loss or range of loss cannot be made. If an unfavorable outcome is reasonably possible and the estimated loss is material, the Company discloses the nature and estimate of the possible loss of the litigation. The Company does not disclose information with respect to litigation where an unfavorable outcome is considered to be remote or where the estimated loss would not be material. Based on current expectations, such matters, both individually and in the aggregate, are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the liquidity, results of operations, business or financial condition of the Company.
	Environmental Contingencies
	The Company evaluates potential loss contingencies related to environmental matters using the same criteria described above related to litigation matters. Based on current information, an unfavorable outcome concerning such environmental matters, both individually and in the aggregate, is considered to be reasonably possible. However, the Company believes its maximum potential exposure to loss would not be material to its results of operations or financial condition. The Company has a master insurance policy that provides coverage through 2022 for certain environmental claims up to $10,000 per occurrence and up to $50,000 in the aggregate, subject to deductibles and certain exclusions.
	Guarantees
	The Company may guarantee the debt of a joint venture primarily because it allows the joint venture to obtain funding at a lower cost than could be obtained otherwise. This results in a higher return for the joint venture on its investment, and a higher return on the Company’s investment in the joint venture. The Company may receive a fee from the joint venture for providing the guaranty. Additionally, when the Company issues a guaranty, the terms of the joint venture agreement typically provide that the Company may receive indemnification from the joint venture partner or have the ability to increase its ownership interest. The guarantees expire upon repayment of the debt, unless noted otherwise.
	The following table represents the Company's guarantees of unconsolidated affiliates' debt as reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
			As of March 31, 2015									Obligation recorded to reflect guaranty
	Unconsolidated Affiliate		Company's	Outstanding		Percentage		Maximum		Debt		3/31/15		12/31/14
			Ownership	Balance		Guaranteed		Guaranteed		Maturity
			Interest			by the		Amount		Date (1)
						Company
	West Melbourne I, LLC -		50%	$	40,051	25%		$	10,012	Nov-15	(2)	$	101	$	101
	Phase I
	West Melbourne I, LLC -		50%	15,556		N/A	(3)	8,700		Nov-15	(2)	87		87
	Phase II
	Port Orange I, LLC		50%	60,526		25%		15,132		Nov-15	(2)	153		153
	JG Gulf Coast Town Center,		50%	5,548		100%		5,548		Jul-15		—		—
	LLC - Phase III
	Fremaux Town Center JV, LLC -		65%	40,596		50%	(4)	21,023		Aug-16	(5)	236		236
	Phase I
	Fremaux Town Center JV, LLC -		65%	7,460		50%	(6)	16,050		Aug-16	(5)	161		161
	Phase II
	Ambassador Town Center JV,		65%	1,455		100%	(7)	48,200		Dec-17	(8)	482		482
	LLC
	Ambassador Infrastructure, LLC		65%	1,002		100%	(9)	11,700		Dec-17	(8)	177		177
						Total guaranty liability						$	1,397	$	1,397
	-1	Excludes any extension options.
	-2	The loan has two one-year extension options, which are at the unconsolidated affiliate's election, for an outside maturity date of November 2017.
	-3	In the fourth quarter of 2014, the loan was amended and restated to add funding for the construction of Academy Sports. The guaranty was also amended to cap the maximum guaranteed amount at $8,700 unless a monetary default event occurs related to Carmike Cinema or Academy Sports. The guaranty will be reduced to 25% once Academy Sports is operational and paying contractual rent.
	-4	The Company received a 1% fee for this guaranty when the loan was issued in March 2013. The guaranty will be reduced to 25% upon the opening of LA Fitness and payment of contractual rent. The guaranty will be further reduced to 15% when Phase I of the development has been open for one year and a debt service coverage ratio of 1.30 to 1.00 is met.
	-5	The loan has two one-year extension options, which are at the unconsolidated affiliate's election, for an outside maturity date of August 2018.
	-6	The Company received a 1% fee for this guaranty when the loan was issued in August 2014. Upon completion of Phase II of the development and once certain leasing and occupancy metrics have been met, the guaranty will be reduced to 25%. The guaranty will be further reduced to 15% when Phase II of the development has been open for one year, the debt service coverage ratio of 1.30 to 1.00 is met and Dillard's is operational.
	-7	The Company received a 1% fee for this guaranty when the loan was issued in December 2014. Once construction is complete, the guaranty will be reduced to 50%. The guaranty will be further reduced from 50% to 15% once the construction of Ambassador Town Center and its related infrastructure improvements is complete as well as upon the attainment of certain debt service and operational metrics.
	-8	The loan has two one-year extension options, which are the joint venture's election, for an outside maturity date of December 2019.
	-9	The Company received a 1% fee for this guaranty when the loan was issued in December 2014. The guaranty will be reduced to 50% on March 1st of the year following any calendar year during which the payment-in-lieu of taxes ("PILOT") payments received by Ambassador Infrastructure and delivered to the lender are $1,200 or more, provided no event of default exists. The guaranty will be reduced to 20% when the PILOT payments are $1,400 or more, provided no event of default exists.
	The Company has guaranteed the lease performance of York Town Center, LP ("YTC"), an unconsolidated affiliate in which the Company owns a 50% interest, under the terms of an agreement with a third party that owns property as part of York Town Center. Under the terms of that agreement, YTC is obligated to cause performance of the third party’s obligations as landlord under its lease with its sole tenant, including, but not limited to, provisions such as co-tenancy and exclusivity requirements. Should YTC fail to cause performance, then the tenant under the third party landlord’s lease may pursue certain remedies ranging from rights to terminate its lease to receiving reductions in rent. The Company has guaranteed YTC’s performance under this agreement up to a maximum of $22,000, which decreases by $800 annually until the guaranteed amount is reduced to $10,000. The guaranty expires on December 31, 2020.  The maximum guaranteed obligation was $15,600 as of March 31, 2015.  The Company entered into an agreement with its joint venture partner under which the joint venture partner has agreed to reimburse the Company 50% of any amounts it is obligated to fund under the guaranty.  The Company did not include an obligation for this guaranty because it determined that the fair value of the guaranty was not material as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	Performance Bonds
	The Company has issued various bonds that it would have to satisfy in the event of non-performance. The total amount outstanding on these bonds was $21,010 and $20,720 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

ShareBased_Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Share-Based Compensation	Share-Based Compensation
	As of March 31, 2015, there were two share-based compensation plans under which the Company has outstanding awards, the 2012 Plan and the 1993 Plan, as defined below. The Company can elect to make new awards under one of these plans, the CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. 2012 Stock Incentive Plan ("the 2012 Plan"), which was approved by the Company's shareholders in May 2012. The 2012 Plan permits the Company to issue stock options and common stock to selected officers, employees and non-employee directors of the Company up to a total of 10,400,000 shares. The Company did not issue any new awards under the CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. Second Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan ("the 1993 Plan"), which was approved by the Company's shareholders in May 2003, between the adoption of the 2012 Plan to replace the 1993 Plan in May 2012 and the termination of the 1993 Plan (as to new awards) on May 5, 2013. As the primary operating subsidiary of the Company, the Operating Partnership participates in and bears the compensation expense associated with the Company's share-based compensation plans.
	Restricted Stock Awards
	The Company may make restricted stock awards to independent directors, officers and its employees under the 2012 Plan. These awards are generally granted based on the performance of the Company and its employees. None of these awards have performance requirements other than a service condition of continued employment, unless otherwise provided. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.
	Share-based compensation expense related to the restricted stock awards was $2,244 and $1,916 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Share-based compensation cost capitalized as part of real estate assets was $79 and $46 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	A summary of the status of the Company’s nonvested restricted stock awards as of March 31, 2015, and changes during the three months ended March 31, 2015, is presented below:
		Shares		Weighted Average
				Grant-Date
				Fair Value
	Nonvested at January 1, 2015	498,862		$	18.35
	Granted	267,410		$	20.3
	Vested	(191,215	)	$	18.76
	Forfeited	(2,340	)	$	19.2
	Nonvested at March 31, 2015	572,717		$	19.12
	As of March 31, 2015, there was $10,281 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock awards granted under the plans, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.8 years.
	Long-Term Incentive Program
	In 2015, the Company adopted a long-term incentive program ("LTIP") for its named executive officers, which consists of performance stock unit ("PSU") awards and annual restricted stock awards, that may be issued under the 2012 Plan. The number of shares related to the PSU awards that each named executive officer may receive upon the conclusion of a three-year performance period is determined based on the Company's achievement of specified levels of long-term total stockholder return ("TSR") performance relative to the NAREIT Retail Index, provided that at least a "Threshold" level must be attained for any shares to be earned. Under the LTIP, annual restricted stock awards consist of shares of time-vested restricted stock awarded based on a qualitative evaluation of the performance of the Company and the named executive officer during the fiscal year. Annual restricted stock awards under the LTIP vest in five equal annual installments.
	The fair value of the PSU awards was estimated on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo Simulation model. The valuation consisted of computing the fair value using CBL's simulated stock price as well as TSR over the performance period from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2017. The award is modeled as a contingent claim in that the expected return on the underlying shares is risk-free and the rate of discounting the payoff of the award is also risk-free.
	In March 2015, the Company granted 138,680 PSUs at a grant-date fair value of $15.52 per PSU. Shares earned pursuant to the PSU awards vest 60% at the conclusion of the performance period while the remaining 40% of the PSU award vests 20% on each of the first two anniversaries thereafter.
	Compensation cost is recognized on a tranche-by-tranche basis using the accelerated attribution method. The resulting expense is recorded regardless of whether any PSU awards are earned as long as the required service period is met. Share-based compensation expense related to the PSUs was $156 for the three months ended March 31, 2015. Unrecognized compensation costs related to the PSUs was $1,996 as of March 31, 2015.

Noncash_Investing_and_Financin

Noncash Investing and Financing Activities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Noncash Investing and Financing Activities	Noncash Investing and Financing Activities
	The Company’s noncash investing and financing activities were as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
	Accrued dividends and distributions payable	$	54,491	$	50,576
	Additions to real estate assets accrued but not yet paid	3,965		19,162
	Transfer of estate assets in settlement of mortgage debt obligation: (1)
	Decrease in real estate assets	—		(22,605		)
	Decrease in mortgage and other indebtedness	—		68,169
	Decrease in operating assets and liabilities	—		(1,655		)
	-1	See Note 4 for additional information related to Citadel Mall.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	The Company is qualified as a REIT under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. To maintain qualification as a REIT, the Company is required to distribute at least 90% of its taxable income to shareholders and meet certain other requirements.
	As a REIT, the Company is generally not liable for federal corporate income taxes. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, the Company will be subject to federal and state income taxes on its taxable income at regular corporate tax rates. Even if the Company maintains its qualification as a REIT, the Company may be subject to certain state and local taxes on its income and property, and to federal income and excise taxes on its undistributed income. State tax expense was $1,078 and $1,093 during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	The Company has also elected taxable REIT subsidiary status for some of its subsidiaries.  This enables the Company to receive income and provide services that would otherwise be impermissible for REITs. For these entities, deferred tax assets and liabilities are established for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities at the enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when the temporary differences reverse. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is provided if the Company believes all or some portion of the deferred tax asset may not be realized. An increase or decrease in the valuation allowance resulting from changes in circumstances that may affect the realizability of the related deferred tax asset is included in income or expense, as applicable.
	The Company recorded an income tax benefit (provision) as follows for the three month periods ending March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Current tax benefit	$	1,423		$	53
	Deferred tax provision	(507		)	(450		)
	Income tax benefit (provision)	$	916		$	(397	)
	The Company had a net deferred tax asset of $1,962 and $394 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The net deferred tax asset at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is included in intangible lease assets and other assets and primarily consisted of operating expense accruals and differences between book and tax depreciation.
	The Company reports any income tax penalties attributable to its properties as property operating expenses and any corporate-related income tax penalties as general and administrative expenses in its condensed consolidated statements of operations.  In addition, any interest incurred on tax assessments is reported as interest expense.  The Company reported nominal interest and penalty amounts for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events
	In May 2015, the Company retired an operating property loan, with a principal balance of $49,602 outstanding as of March 31, 2015, with borrowings from its credit facilities. The loan was secured by Imperial Valley Mall in El Centro, CA and was scheduled to mature in September 2015 and bore interest at a fixed-rate of 4.99%.
	In April 2015, the Company closed on the sale of Madison Square, a non-core mall located in Huntsville, AL for a gross sales price of $5,000. The Company expects to record a loss on impairment of approximately $2,700 in the second quarter of 2015 to adjust the depreciated book value of the mall to the net sales price.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen1

Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited; however, they have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in conjunction with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Accordingly, they do not include all of the disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring matters) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements for these interim periods have been included. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. The results for the interim period ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be obtained for the full fiscal year.
	These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Accounting Guidance Not Yet Effective	Accounting Guidance Not Yet Effective
	In February 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-02, Consolidation - Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis ("ASU 2015-02"). The guidance modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are VIEs or voting interest entities, eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership and affects the evaluation of fee arrangements and related party relationships in the primary beneficiary determination. For public companies, ASU 2015-02 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those years using either a retrospective or a modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact that this update may have on its consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board jointly issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASU 2014-09"). The objective of this converged standard is to enable financial statement users to better understand and analyze revenue by replacing current transaction and industry-specific guidance with a more principles-based approach to revenue recognition. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. ASU 2014-09 applies to all contracts with customers except those that are within the scope of other guidance such as lease and insurance contracts. For public companies, ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those years using one of two retrospective application methods. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact that this update may have on its consolidated financial statements.

Organization_and_Basis_of_Pres1

Organization and Basis of Presentation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of Properties Owned by Operating Partnership	As of March 31, 2015, the Operating Partnership owned interests in the following properties:
			Malls (1)	Associated	Community	Office	Total
				Centers	Centers	Buildings (2)
	Consolidated properties		72	25	7	8	112
	Unconsolidated properties (3)		10	4	4	5	23
	Total		82	29	11	13	135
	-1	Category consists of regional malls, open-air centers and outlet centers (including one mixed-use center).
	-2	Includes CBL's corporate office building.
	-3	The Operating Partnership accounts for these investments using the equity method because one or more of the other partners have substantive participating rights.
Properties Under Development	At March 31, 2015, the Operating Partnership had interests in the following properties under development:
			Consolidated		Unconsolidated
			Properties		Properties
			Malls	Community	Malls
				Centers
	Development		—	1	—
	Expansions		3	—	1
	Redevelopments		5	—	1

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	The following tables set forth information regarding the Company’s financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
				Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
		Fair Value at		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
		31-Mar-15		Active Markets for		Other		Unobservable
				Identical Assets		Observable		Inputs
				(Level 1)		Inputs		(Level 3)
						(Level 2)
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate swaps	$	1,867	$	—	$	1,867	$	—
				Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
		Fair Value at		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
		31-Dec-14		Active Markets for		Other		Unobservable
				Identical Assets		Observable		Inputs
				(Level 1)		Inputs		(Level 3)
						(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Available-for-sale securities	$	20,512	$	20,512	$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate swaps	$	2,226	—		$	2,226	$	—
Summary of Available-for-sale Securities	The following is a summary of the available-for-sale securities held by the Company as December 31, 2014:
				Gross Unrealized
		Adjusted		Gains		Losses		Fair
		Cost						Value
	December 31, 2014:
	Common stocks	$	4,195	$	16,321	$	—	$	20,516

Disposals_and_Discontinued_Ope1

Disposals and Discontinued Operations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Schedule of Dispositions	The following is a summary of the Company's 2014 dispositions by sale:
						Sales Price
	Sales Date		Property	Property Type	Location	Gross		Net		Gain
	2014 Activity:
	September		Pemberton Plaza (1)	Community Center	Vicksburg, MS	$	1,975	$	1,886	$	—
	June		Foothills Plaza Expansion	Associated Center	Maryville, TN	2,640		2,387		937
	May		Lakeshore Mall (2)	Mall	Sebring, FL	14,000		13,613		—
						$	18,615	$	17,886	$	937
	-1	The Company recognized a loss on impairment of real estate of $497 in the third quarter of 2014 when it adjusted the book value of Pemberton Plaza to its net sales price.
	-2	The gross sales price of $14,000 consisted of a $10,000 promissory note and $4,000 in cash. The note receivable was paid off in the third quarter of 2014. The Company recognized a loss on impairment of real estate of $5,100 in the first quarter of 2014 when it adjusted the book value of Lakeshore Mall to its estimated fair value of $13,780 based on a binding purchase agreement signed in April 2014. The sale closed in May 2014 and the Company recognized an impairment loss of $106 in the second quarter of 2014 as a result of additional closing costs.
	The Company recognized a gain on extinguishment of debt for each of the properties listed below, representing the amount by which the outstanding debt balance exceeded the net book value of the property as of the transfer date. The following is a summary of the Company's other 2014 dispositions:
	Disposal Date		Property	Property Type	Location	Balance of		Gain on Extinguishment of Debt
						Non-recourse Debt
	2014 Activity:
	October		Columbia Place (1)	Mall	Columbia, SC	$	27,265	$	27,171
	September		Chapel Hill Mall (2)	Mall	Akron, OH	68,563		18,296
	January		Citadel Mall (3)	Mall	Charleston, SC	68,169		43,932
						$	163,997	$	89,399
	-1	The Company conveyed the mall to the lender by a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. A non-cash impairment loss of $50,683 was recorded in 2011 to write down the book value of the mall to its then estimated fair value. The Company also recorded $3,181 of non-cash default interest expense.
	-2	The Company conveyed the mall to the lender by a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. A non-cash impairment loss of $12,050 was recorded in 2014 to write down the book value of the mall to its then estimated fair value. The Company also recorded $1,514 of non-cash default interest expense.
	-3	The mortgage lender completed the foreclosure process and received the title to the mall in satisfaction of the non-recourse debt. A non-cash impairment loss of $20,453 was recorded in 2013 to write down the book value of the mall to its then estimated fair value.

Unconsolidated_Affiliates_Rede1

Unconsolidated Affiliates, Redeemable Interests, Noncontrolling Interests and Cost Method Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Investments accounted for using the equity method of accounting	At March 31, 2015, the Company had investments in the following 19 entities, which are accounted for using the equity method of accounting:
	Joint Venture	Property Name	Company's
			Interest
	Ambassador Infrastructure, LLC	Ambassador Town Center - Infrastructure Improvements	65.00%
	Ambassador Town Center JV, LLC	Ambassador Town Center	65.00%
	CBL/T-C, LLC	CoolSprings Galleria, Oak Park Mall and West County Center	50.00%
	CBL-TRS Joint Venture, LLC	Friendly Center, The Shops at Friendly Center and a portfolio	50.00%
		of four office buildings
	CBL-TRS Joint Venture II, LLC	Renaissance Center	50.00%
	El Paso Outlet Outparcels, LLC	The Outlet Shoppes at El Paso (vacant land)	50.00%
	Fremaux Town Center JV, LLC	Fremaux Town Center Phases I and II	65.00%
	Governor’s Square IB	Governor’s Plaza	50.00%
	Governor’s Square Company	Governor’s Square	47.50%
	High Pointe Commons, LP	High Pointe Commons	50.00%
	High Pointe Commons II-HAP, LP	High Pointe Commons - Christmas Tree Shop	50.00%
	JG Gulf Coast Town Center LLC	Gulf Coast Town Center	50.00%
	Kentucky Oaks Mall Company	Kentucky Oaks Mall	50.00%
	Mall of South Carolina L.P.	Coastal Grand—Myrtle Beach	50.00%
	Mall of South Carolina Outparcel L.P.	Coastal Grand—Myrtle Beach (Coastal Grand Crossing	50.00%
		and vacant land)
	Port Orange I, LLC	The Pavilion at Port Orange Phase I and one office building	50.00%
	Triangle Town Member LLC	Triangle Town Center, Triangle Town Commons	50.00%
		and Triangle Town Place
	West Melbourne I, LLC	Hammock Landing Phases I and II	50.00%
	York Town Center, LP	York Town Center	50.00%
Condensed combined financial statement information - unconsolidated affiliates	Condensed combined financial statement information of these unconsolidated affiliates is as follows:
		As of
	ASSETS	March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Investment in real estate assets	$	2,263,221		$	2,266,252
	Accumulated depreciation	(634,178		)	(619,558		)
		1,629,043			1,646,694
	Developments in progress	88,990			75,877
	Net investment in real estate assets	1,718,033			1,722,571
	Other assets	169,304			170,554
	Total assets	$	1,887,337		$	1,893,125
	LIABILITIES
	Mortgage and other indebtedness	$	1,514,503		$	1,512,826
	Other liabilities	38,888			42,517
	Total liabilities	1,553,391			1,555,343
	OWNERS' EQUITY
	The Company	195,783			198,261
	Other investors	138,163			139,521
	Total owners' equity	333,946			337,782
	Total liabilities and owners' equity	$	1,887,337		$	1,893,125
		Total for the Three Months						Company's Share for the
		Ended March 31,						Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Total revenues	$	62,472		$	61,821		$	32,835		$	31,952
	Depreciation and amortization	(19,481		)	(18,787		)	(10,317		)	(9,861		)
	Interest income	332			340			255			259
	Interest expense	(18,794		)	(18,558		)	(9,685		)	(9,491		)
	Operating expenses	(19,306		)	(18,181		)	(9,828		)	(9,175		)
	Gain on sales of real estate assets	815			—			563			—
	Net income	$	6,038		$	6,635		$	3,823		$	3,684

Mortgage_and_Other_Indebtednes1

Mortgage and Other Indebtedness (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of mortgage and other indebtedness	Mortgage and other indebtedness consisted of the following:
		March 31, 2015						December 31, 2014
		Amount				Weighted-		Amount				Weighted-
						Average						Average
						Interest						Interest
						Rate (1)						Rate (1)
	Fixed-rate debt:
	Non-recourse loans on operating properties (2)	$	3,234,029			5.62%		$	3,252,730			5.62%
	Senior unsecured notes due 2023 (3)	445,863				5.25%		445,770				5.25%
	Senior unsecured notes due 2024 (4)	299,928				4.60%		299,925				4.60%
	Other	5,056				3.50%		5,639				3.50%
	Total fixed-rate debt	3,984,876				5.50%		4,004,064				5.50%
	Variable-rate debt:
	Non-recourse term loans on operating properties	17,051				2.30%		17,121				2.29%
	Recourse term loans on operating properties	9,279				2.93%		7,638				2.91%
	Construction loan	1,440				2.68%		454				2.66%
	Unsecured lines of credit	207,065				1.57%		221,183				1.56%
	Unsecured term loans	450,000				1.68%		450,000				1.71%
	Total variable-rate debt	684,835				1.68%		696,396				1.69%
	Total	$	4,669,711			4.94%		$	4,700,460			4.93%
	-1	Weighted-average interest rate includes the effect of debt premiums and discounts, but excludes amortization of deferred financing costs.
	-2	The Operating Partnership had four interest rate swaps on notional amounts totaling $104,492 as of March 31, 2015 and $105,584 as of December 31, 2014 related to four variable-rate loans on operating properties to effectively fix the interest rate on the respective loans.  Therefore, these amounts were reflected in fixed-rate debt at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	-3	The balance is net of an unamortized discount of $4,137 and $4,230 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	-4	The balance is net of an unamortized discount of $72 and $75 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
Schedule of line of credit facilities	The following summarizes certain information about the Company's unsecured lines of credit as of March 31, 2015:
											Maturity		Extended
			Total				Total				Date		Maturity
			Capacity				Outstanding						Date (1)
	Wells Fargo - Facility A		$	600,000			$	43,398		(2)	Nov-15		Nov-16
	First Tennessee		100,000				9,313			(3)	Feb-16		N/A
	Wells Fargo - Facility B		600,000				161,377			(4)	Nov-16		Nov-17
			$	1,300,000			$	214,088
	-1	The extension options are at the Company's election, subject to continued compliance with the terms of the facilities, and have a one-time extension fee of 0.20% of the commitment amount of each credit facility.
	-2	There was an additional $800 outstanding on this facility as of March 31, 2015 for letters of credit. Up to $50,000 of the capacity on this facility can be used for letters of credit.
	-3	There was an additional $113 outstanding on this facility as of March 31, 2015 for letters of credit. Up to $20,000 of the capacity on this facility can be used for letters of credit.
	-4	There was an additional $6,110 outstanding on this facility as of March 31, 2015 for letters of credit. Up to $50,000 of the capacity on this facility can be used for letters of credit.
Schedule of covenant compliance	The following presents the Company's compliance with key covenant ratios, as defined, of the Notes as of March 31, 2015:
	Ratio		Required		Actual
	Total debt to total assets		< 60%		53.60%
	Secured debt to total assets		< 45% (1)		37.00%
	Total unencumbered assets to unsecured debt		> 150%		238.10%
	Consolidated income available for debt service to annual debt service charge		> 1.5x		3.2x
	-1	On January 1, 2020 and thereafter, secured debt to total assets must be less than 40%.
	The following presents the Company's compliance with key covenant ratios, as defined, of the credit facilities and term loans as of March 31, 2015:
	Ratio		Required		Actual
	Debt to total asset value		< 60%		49.20%
	Unencumbered asset value to unsecured indebtedness		> 1.60x		2.6x
	Unencumbered NOI to unsecured interest expense		> 1.75x		4.2x
	EBITDA to fixed charges (debt service)		> 1.5x		2.2x
Schedule of principal repayments	As of March 31, 2015, the scheduled principal amortization and balloon payments on all of the Company’s consolidated mortgage and other indebtedness, excluding extensions available at the Company’s option, are as follows:
	2015	$	554,964
	2016	770,868
	2017	491,189
	2018	679,829
	2019	115,647
	Thereafter	2,054,773
		4,667,270
	Net unamortized premiums	2,441
		$	4,669,711
Schedule of interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk	As of March 31, 2015, the Company had the following outstanding interest rate derivatives that were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk:
	Interest Rate		Number of		Notional
	Derivative		Instruments		Amount
					Outstanding
	Interest Rate Swaps		4		$	104,492
Schedule of pay fixed/receive variable swap
	Instrument Type		Location in		Notional		Designated		Strike		Fair				Fair				Maturity
			Condensed		Amount		Benchmark		Rate		Value at				Value at				Date
			Consolidated		Outstanding		Interest Rate				3/31/15				12/31/14
			Balance Sheet
	Pay fixed/ Receive		Accounts payable and		$50,508		1-month		2.15%		$	(893	)		$	(1,064	)		Apr-16
	variable Swap		accrued liabilities		(amortizing		LIBOR
					to $48,337)
	Pay fixed/ Receive		Accounts payable and		$31,630		1-month		2.19%		(571		)		(681		)		Apr-16
	variable Swap		accrued liabilities		(amortizing		LIBOR
					to $30,276)
	Pay fixed/ Receive		Accounts payable and		$11,822		1-month		2.14%		(208		)		(248		)		Apr-16
	variable Swap		accrued liabilities		(amortizing		LIBOR
					to $11,313)
	Pay fixed/ Receive		Accounts payable and		$10,532		1-month		2.24%		(195		)		(233		)		Apr-16
	variable Swap		accrued liabilities		(amortizing		LIBOR
					to $10,083)
											$	(1,867	)		$	(2,226	)
Schedule of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)
			Gain								Location of									Location of	Gain Recognized
			Recognized								Losses		Loss Recognized in							Gain	in Earnings
			in OCI/L								Reclassified		Earnings (Effective							Recognized in	(Ineffective
			(Effective Portion)								from AOCI into		Portion)							Earnings	Portion)
											Earnings									(Ineffective
	Hedging		Three Months Ended								(Effective		Three Months Ended							Portion)	Three Months Ended
	Instrument		March 31,								Portion)		March 31,								March 31,
			2015				2014						2015				2014				2015		2014
	Interest rate contracts		$	360			$	404			Interest		$	(523	)		$	(548	)	Interest	$	—	$	—
											Expense									Expense

Comprehensive_Income_Tables

Comprehensive Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	The changes in the components of AOCI for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:
		Redeemable					Partners'
		Common					Capital
		Units
		Unrealized Gains (Losses)
		Hedging Agreements		Available-for-Sale Securities			Hedging Agreements			Available-for-Sale Securities			Total
	Beginning balance, January 1, 2015	$	401	$	384		$	(2,750	)	$	15,934		$	13,969
	OCI before reclassifications	3		10			880			232			1,125
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI (1)	—		(394		)	(523		)	(16,166		)	(17,083		)
	Net year-to-date period OCI	3		(384		)	357			(15,934		)	(15,958		)
	Ending balance, March 31, 2015	$	404	$	—		$	(2,393	)	$	—		$	(1,989	)
	-1	Reclassified $16,560 realized gain on sale of available-for-sale securities to Gain on Investment and reclassified $523 of interest on cash flow hedges to Interest Expense in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
		Redeemable					Partners'
		Common					Capital
		Units
		Unrealized Gains (Losses)
		Hedging Agreements		Available-for-Sale Securities			Hedging Agreements			Available-for-Sale Securities			Total
	Beginning balance, January 1, 2014	$	387	$	333		$	(4,518	)	$	9,442		$	5,644
	OCI before reclassifications	3		(4		)	950			1,005			1,954
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI (1)	—		—			(548		)	—			(548		)
	Net year-to-date period OCI/L	3		(4		)	402			1,005			1,406
	Ending balance, March 31, 2014	$	390	$	329		$	(4,116	)	$	10,447		$	7,050
	-1	Reclassified $548 of interest on cash flow hedges to Interest Expense in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
	The changes in the components of AOCI for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:
		Redeemable					The Company						Noncontrolling Interests
		Noncontrolling
		Interests
		Unrealized Gains (Losses)
		Hedging Agreements		Available-for-Sale Securities			Hedging Agreements			Available-for-Sale Securities			Hedging Agreements			Available-for-Sale Securities			Total
	Beginning balance, January 1, 2015	$	401	$	384		$	303		$	13,108		$	(3,053	)	$	2,826		$	13,969
	OCI before reclassifications	3		10			827			160			53			72			1,125
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI (1)	—		(394		)	(523		)	(13,268		)	—			(2,898		)	(17,083		)
	Net year-to-date period OCI	3		(384		)	304			(13,108		)	53			(2,826		)	(15,958		)
	Ending balance, March 31, 2015	$	404	$	—		$	607		$	—		$	(3,000	)	$	—		$	(1,989	)
	-1	Reclassified $16,560 realized gain on sale of available-for-sale securities to Gain on Investment and reclassified $523 of interest on cash flow hedges to Interest Expense in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
		Redeemable					The Company						Noncontrolling Interests
		Noncontrolling
		Interests
		Unrealized Gains (Losses)
		Hedging Agreements		Available-for-Sale Securities			Hedging Agreements			Available-for-Sale Securities			Hedging Agreements			Available-for-Sale Securities			Total
	Beginning balance, January 1, 2014	$	387	$	333		$	(1,214	)	$	7,539		$	(3,304	)	$	1,903		$	5,644
	OCI before reclassifications	3		(4		)	890			1,087			59			(82		)	1,953
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI (1)	—		—			(548		)	—			—			—			(548		)
	Net year-to-date period OCI/L	3		(4		)	342			1,087			59			(82		)	1,405
	Ending balance, March 31, 2014	$	390	$	329		$	(872	)	$	8,626		$	(3,245	)	$	1,821		$	7,049
	-1	Reclassified $548 of interest on cash flow hedges to Interest Expense in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Mortgage_and_Other_Notes_Recei1

Mortgage and Other Notes Receivable (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Mortgage and Other Notes Receivable [Abstract]
Schedule of mortgage and other notes receivable	Mortgage and other notes receivable consist of the following:
				As of March 31, 2015			As of December 31, 2014
			Maturity Date	Interest Rate	Balance		Interest Rate	Balance
	Mortgages:
	Columbia Place Outparcel		Feb-22	5.00%	$	354	5.00%	$	360
	Park Place		May-22	5.00%	1,521		5.00%	1,566
	Village Square		Mar-16	3.50%	1,708		3.50%	1,711
	Other		Dec 2016 -	2.68% - 9.50%	5,538		2.67% - 9.50%	5,686
			Jan-47
					9,121			9,323
	Other Notes Receivable:
	RED Development Inc.		Nov-23	5.00%	7,429		5.00%	7,429
	Woodstock land (1)		May-15	10.00%	3,059		10.00%	3,059
					10,488			10,488
					$	19,609		$	19,811
	-1	Woodstock GA Investments, LLC, a joint venture in which the Company owns a 75.0% interest, has a note receivable with an entity that owns an interest in land in Woodstock, GA, adjacent to the site of The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta. The loan is secured by the entity's interest in the adjacent land. An amendment to the note was made in the first quarter of 2015 to extend the maturity date from February 2015 to May 2015.

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Information on Reportable Segments	Information on the Company’s reportable segments is presented as follows:
	Three Months Ended		Malls			Associated			Community			All Other (1)			Total
	31-Mar-15					Centers			Centers
	Revenues		$	230,271		$	10,407		$	4,681		$	15,550		$	260,909
	Property operating expenses (2)		(73,949		)	(2,596		)	(1,124		)	1,764			(75,905		)
	Interest expense		(43,698		)	(1,956		)	(1,195		)	(12,308		)	(59,157		)
	Other expense		—			—			—			(6,476		)	(6,476		)
	Gain on sales of real estate assets		264			—			—			493			757
	Segment profit (loss)		$	112,888		$	5,855		$	2,362		$	(977	)	120,128
	Depreciation and amortization expense														(76,266		)
	General and administrative expense														(17,230		)
	Interest and other income														5,274
	Gain on investment														16,560
	Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates														3,823
	Income tax benefit														916
	Income from continuing operations														$	53,205
	Total Assets		$	5,665,654		$	272,045		$	266,076		$	339,825		$	6,543,600
	Capital expenditures (3)		$	30,366		$	5,908		$	198		$	30,769		$	67,241
	Three Months Ended		Malls			Associated			Community			All Other (1)			Total
	31-Mar-14					Centers			Centers
	Revenues		$	229,873		$	10,856		$	4,538		$	15,976		$	261,243
	Property operating expenses (2)		(74,294		)	(2,495		)	(1,657		)	923			(77,523		)
	Interest expense		(50,016		)	(2,000		)	(649		)	(7,841		)	(60,506		)
	Other expense		—			—			—			(6,545		)	(6,545		)
	Gain on sales of real estate assets		1,130			1			1			22			1,154
	Segment profit		$	106,693		$	6,362		$	2,233		$	2,535		117,823
	Depreciation and amortization expense														(69,083		)
	General and administrative expense														(14,773		)
	Interest and other income														1,528
	Gain on extinguishment of debt														42,660
	Loss on impairment														(17,150		)
	Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates														3,684
	Income tax provision														(397		)
	Income from continuing operations														$	64,292
	Total Assets		$	5,766,003		$	274,556		$	297,347		$	365,943		$	6,703,849
	Capital expenditures (3)		$	32,937		$	9,272		$	528		$	39,757		$	82,494
	-1	The All Other category includes mortgage and other notes receivable, office buildings, the Management Company and the Company’s subsidiary that provides security and maintenance services.
	-2	Property operating expenses include property operating, real estate taxes and maintenance and repairs.
	-3	Amounts include acquisitions of real estate assets and investments in unconsolidated affiliates. Developments in progress are included in the All Other category.

Earnings_per_Share_and_Earning1

Earnings per Share and Earnings per Unit (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share	The following summarizes the impact of potential dilutive common shares on the denominator used to compute EPS:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015	2014
	Denominator – basic	170,420	170,196
	Effect of performance stock units (1)	90	—
	Denominator – diluted	170,510	170,196
	-1	Performance stock units are contingently issuable common shares and are included in earnings per share if the effect is dilutive. See Note 13 for a description of the long-term incentive program, which was adopted in 2015, that these units relate to.
CBL & Associates Limited Partnership
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share	The following summarizes the impact of potential dilutive common units on the denominator used to compute EPU:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015	2014
	Denominator – basic	199,681	199,741
	Effect of performance stock units (1)	90	—
	Denominator – diluted	199,771	199,741
	-1	Performance stock units are contingently issuable common units and are included in earnings per unit if the effect is dilutive. See Note 13 for a description of the long-term incentive program, which was adopted in 2015, that these units relate to.

Contingencies_Tables

Contingencies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of guarantees	The following table represents the Company's guarantees of unconsolidated affiliates' debt as reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
			As of March 31, 2015									Obligation recorded to reflect guaranty
	Unconsolidated Affiliate		Company's	Outstanding		Percentage		Maximum		Debt		3/31/15		12/31/14
			Ownership	Balance		Guaranteed		Guaranteed		Maturity
			Interest			by the		Amount		Date (1)
						Company
	West Melbourne I, LLC -		50%	$	40,051	25%		$	10,012	Nov-15	(2)	$	101	$	101
	Phase I
	West Melbourne I, LLC -		50%	15,556		N/A	(3)	8,700		Nov-15	(2)	87		87
	Phase II
	Port Orange I, LLC		50%	60,526		25%		15,132		Nov-15	(2)	153		153
	JG Gulf Coast Town Center,		50%	5,548		100%		5,548		Jul-15		—		—
	LLC - Phase III
	Fremaux Town Center JV, LLC -		65%	40,596		50%	(4)	21,023		Aug-16	(5)	236		236
	Phase I
	Fremaux Town Center JV, LLC -		65%	7,460		50%	(6)	16,050		Aug-16	(5)	161		161
	Phase II
	Ambassador Town Center JV,		65%	1,455		100%	(7)	48,200		Dec-17	(8)	482		482
	LLC
	Ambassador Infrastructure, LLC		65%	1,002		100%	(9)	11,700		Dec-17	(8)	177		177
						Total guaranty liability						$	1,397	$	1,397
	-1	Excludes any extension options.
	-2	The loan has two one-year extension options, which are at the unconsolidated affiliate's election, for an outside maturity date of November 2017.
	-3	In the fourth quarter of 2014, the loan was amended and restated to add funding for the construction of Academy Sports. The guaranty was also amended to cap the maximum guaranteed amount at $8,700 unless a monetary default event occurs related to Carmike Cinema or Academy Sports. The guaranty will be reduced to 25% once Academy Sports is operational and paying contractual rent.
	-4	The Company received a 1% fee for this guaranty when the loan was issued in March 2013. The guaranty will be reduced to 25% upon the opening of LA Fitness and payment of contractual rent. The guaranty will be further reduced to 15% when Phase I of the development has been open for one year and a debt service coverage ratio of 1.30 to 1.00 is met.
	-5	The loan has two one-year extension options, which are at the unconsolidated affiliate's election, for an outside maturity date of August 2018.
	-6	The Company received a 1% fee for this guaranty when the loan was issued in August 2014. Upon completion of Phase II of the development and once certain leasing and occupancy metrics have been met, the guaranty will be reduced to 25%. The guaranty will be further reduced to 15% when Phase II of the development has been open for one year, the debt service coverage ratio of 1.30 to 1.00 is met and Dillard's is operational.
	-7	The Company received a 1% fee for this guaranty when the loan was issued in December 2014. Once construction is complete, the guaranty will be reduced to 50%. The guaranty will be further reduced from 50% to 15% once the construction of Ambassador Town Center and its related infrastructure improvements is complete as well as upon the attainment of certain debt service and operational metrics.
	-8	The loan has two one-year extension options, which are the joint venture's election, for an outside maturity date of December 2019.
	-9	The Company received a 1% fee for this guaranty when the loan was issued in December 2014. The guaranty will be reduced to 50% on March 1st of the year following any calendar year during which the payment-in-lieu of taxes ("PILOT") payments received by Ambassador Infrastructure and delivered to the lender are $1,200 or more, provided no event of default exists. The guaranty will be reduced to 20% when the PILOT payments are $1,400 or more, provided no event of default exists.

ShareBased_Compensation_Tables

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Summary of company stock award	A summary of the status of the Company’s nonvested restricted stock awards as of March 31, 2015, and changes during the three months ended March 31, 2015, is presented below:
		Shares		Weighted Average
				Grant-Date
				Fair Value
	Nonvested at January 1, 2015	498,862		$	18.35
	Granted	267,410		$	20.3
	Vested	(191,215	)	$	18.76
	Forfeited	(2,340	)	$	19.2
	Nonvested at March 31, 2015	572,717		$	19.12

Noncash_Investing_and_Financin1

Noncash Investing and Financing Activities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Noncash Investing and Financing Activities	The Company’s noncash investing and financing activities were as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
	Accrued dividends and distributions payable	$	54,491	$	50,576
	Additions to real estate assets accrued but not yet paid	3,965		19,162
	Transfer of estate assets in settlement of mortgage debt obligation: (1)
	Decrease in real estate assets	—		(22,605		)
	Decrease in mortgage and other indebtedness	—		68,169
	Decrease in operating assets and liabilities	—		(1,655		)
	-1	See Note 4 for additional information related to Citadel Mall.

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of income tax benefit (provision)	The Company recorded an income tax benefit (provision) as follows for the three month periods ending March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Current tax benefit	$	1,423		$	53
	Deferred tax provision	(507		)	(450		)
	Income tax benefit (provision)	$	916		$	(397	)

Organization_and_Basis_of_Pres2

Organization and Basis of Presentation (Details)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
	subsidiary
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Number of states in which entity operates	27
Number of regional malls/open-air centers in which interest is owned by the partnership	82
Number of associated centers in which interest is owned by the partnership	29
Number of community centers in which interest is owned by the partnership	11
Number of office buildings in which interest is owned by the partnership	13
Number of properties	135
CBL & Associates Limited Partnership
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Number of subsidiaries owned by the company	2
Percentage ownership of the sole general partner in partnership	1.00%
Percentage of limited partnership interest owned by CBL Holdings II, Inc. in the operating partnership	84.30%
Combined percentage ownership by the subsidiaries in operating partnership	85.30%
Consolidated properties
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Number of regional malls/open-air centers in which interest is owned by the partnership	72
Number of associated centers in which interest is owned by the partnership	25
Number of community centers in which interest is owned by the partnership	7
Number of office buildings in which interest is owned by the partnership	8
Number of properties	112
Number of mixed-use centers owned	1
Number of community centers under development	1
Number of malls under expansion	3
Number of malls under redevelopments	5
Percentage ownership interest in qualified subsidiaries	100.00%
Percentage of non controlling limited partner interest ownership of CBL's Predecessor in the Operating Partnership	9.10%
Percentage of non controlling limited partner interest of third parties in Operating partnership	5.60%
Number of company's common stock owned by CBL's Predecessor (in shares)	3.5
Total combined effective interest of CBL's Predecessor in Operating Partnership (as a percent)	10.90%
Unconsolidated Properties
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Number of regional malls/open-air centers in which interest is owned by the partnership	10
Number of associated centers in which interest is owned by the partnership	4
Number of community centers in which interest is owned by the partnership	4
Number of office buildings in which interest is owned by the partnership	5
Number of properties	23
Number of malls under expansion	1
Number of malls under redevelopments	1

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities		$20,512
Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	1,867	2,226
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities		20,512
Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities		0
Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	1,867	2,226
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities		0
Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail1

Fair Value Measurements (Details 2) (Common Stock, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Common Stock
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Adjusted Cost	$4,195	$4,195
Gross Unrealized Gains		16,321
Gross Unrealized Losses		0
Fair Value		$20,516

Fair_Value_Measurements_Narrat

Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Investments	$16,560	$0
Net proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	20,755	0
Long-term debt, fair value	4,933,062		4,947,026
Mortgage and other indebtedness	4,669,711		4,700,460
Interest Rate Swap
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Number of Instruments	4		4
Common Stock
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$4,195		$4,195

Disposals_and_Discontinued_Ope2

Disposals and Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

31-May-14

Jun. 30, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2011

Jan. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Apr. 30, 2014

Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]

Sales Price Gross

$18,615

Sales Price Net

17,886

Gain

937

Loss on impairment

0

17,150

Note receivable from sale of mall

19,609

19,811

Gain on Extinguishment of Debt

0

42,660

Pemberton Plaza

Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]

Sales Price Gross

1,975

Sales Price Net

1,886

Gain

0

Loss on impairment

497

Foothills Plaza Expansion

Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]

Sales Price Gross

2,640

Sales Price Net

2,387

Gain

937

Lakeshore Mall

Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]

Sales Price Gross

14,000

Sales Price Net

13,613

Gain

0

Loss on impairment

5,100

106

Columbia Place

Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]

Loss on impairment

50,683

Balance of Non-recourse Debt

27,265

Gain on Extinguishment of Debt

27,171

Noncash or Part Noncash Divestiture, Interest Expense

3,181

Chapel Hill Mall

Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]

Loss on impairment

12,050

Balance of Non-recourse Debt

68,563

Gain on Extinguishment of Debt

18,296

Noncash or Part Noncash Divestiture, Interest Expense

1,514

Citadel Mall

Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]

Loss on impairment

20,453

Balance of Non-recourse Debt

68,169

Gain on Extinguishment of Debt

43,932

Notes Receivable

Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]

Note receivable from sale of mall

10,488

10,488

Notes Receivable | Lakeshore Mall

Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]

Note receivable from sale of mall

10,000

Cash | Lakeshore Mall

Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]

Sales Price Net

4,000

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Lakeshore Mall

Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]

Fair value of real estate investments

13,780

Columbia Place Chapel Hill and Citadel Mall

Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]

Balance of Non-recourse Debt

163,997

Gain on Extinguishment of Debt

$89,399

Unconsolidated_Affiliates_Rede2

Unconsolidated Affiliates, Redeemable Interests, Noncontrolling Interests and Cost Method Investments (Unconsolidated Affiliates) (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
	entity
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of entities - equity method of accounting	19
ASSETS
Investment in real estate assets	$2,263,221		$2,266,252
Accumulated depreciation	-634,178		-619,558
Real estate investment net, before development in process	1,629,043		1,646,694
Developments in progress	88,990		75,877
Net investment in real estate assets	1,718,033		1,722,571
Other assets	169,304		170,554
Total assets	1,887,337		1,893,125
LIABILITIES
Mortgage and other indebtedness	1,514,503		1,512,826
Other liabilities	38,888		42,517
Total liabilities	1,553,391		1,555,343
OWNERS' EQUITY
The Company	195,783		198,261
Other investors	138,163		139,521
Total owners' equity	333,946		337,782
Total liabilities and owners' equity	1,887,337		1,893,125
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Total revenues	62,472	61,821
Depreciation and amortization	-19,481	-18,787
Interest income	332	340
Interest expense	-18,794	-18,558
Operating expenses	-19,306	-18,181
Gain on sales of real estate assets	815	0
Net income	6,038	6,635
The Company/Partners' Capital
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Total revenues	32,835	31,952
Depreciation and amortization	-10,317	-9,861
Interest income	255	259
Interest expense	-9,685	-9,491
Operating expenses	-9,828	-9,175
Gain on sales of real estate assets	563	0
Net income	$3,823	$3,684
Ambassador Infrastructure, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property	65.00%
Ambassador Town Center JV, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property	65.00%
CBL/T-C, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property	50.00%
CBL-TRS Joint Venture, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property	50.00%
CBL-TRS Joint Venture II, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property	50.00%
El Paso Outlet Outparcels, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property	50.00%
Fremaux Town Center JV, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property	65.00%
Governorbs Square IB
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property	50.00%
Governorbs Square Company
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property	47.50%
High Pointe Commons, LP
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property	50.00%
High Pointe Commons II-HAP, LP
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property	50.00%
JG Gulf Coast Town Center LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property	50.00%
Kentucky Oaks Mall Company
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property	50.00%
Mall of South Carolina L.P.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property	50.00%
Mall of South Carolina Outparcel L.P.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property	50.00%
Port Orange I, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property	50.00%
Triangle Town Member LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property	50.00%
West Melbourne I, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property	50.00%
York Town Center, LP
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property	50.00%

Unconsolidated_Affiliates_Rede3

Unconsolidated Affiliates, Redeemable Interests, Noncontrolling Interests and Cost Method Investments (Noncontrolling Interests and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests) (Details 2) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Third Party Interests
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Redeemable interests	$31,311	$31,104
Noncontrolling interests	129,716	134,468
Other Consolidated Subsidiaries
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Redeemable interests	6,157	6,455
Noncontrolling interests	7,843	8,908
Noncontrolling Interests
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests	137,559	143,376
Triangle Town Member LLC | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property	50.00%
JG Gulf Coast Town Center LLC | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property	50.00%
Gettysburg Outlet Center Holding LLC | Primary beneficiary
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property	50.00%
El Paso Outlet Center Holding, LLC | Primary beneficiary
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property	75.00%
Jinsheng
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	6.20%
Cost Method Investments	$5,325	$5,325

Mortgage_and_Other_Indebtednes2

Mortgage and Other Indebtedness (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Nov. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate (percent)	4.94%		4.93%
Long-term debt	4,667,270,000
Fixed Rate Interest
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate (percent)	5.50%		5.50%
Variable Rate Interest Member
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate (percent)	1.68%		1.69%
Wells Fargo Bank
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit, extension fee (percent)	0.20%
Senior Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount				450,000,000
Notice required to redeem debt, term	30 days
Debt instrument, redemption price, percentage	100.00%
Senior Unsecured Notes | Fixed Rate Interest
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate (percent)				5.25%	5.25%
Senior Unsecured Notes | Fixed Rate Operating Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt discount	4,137,000		4,230,000
Senior Unsecured Notes | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt to total assets (as a percent)	40.00%
Senior Unsecured Notes | Minimum | Fixed Rate Interest
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, increase in variable interest rate	0.25%
Senior Unsecured Notes | Maximum | Fixed Rate Interest
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, increase in variable interest rate	1.00%
Non-recourse loans on operating properties
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, debt default threshold, minimum loan amount	50,000,000
Non-recourse loans on operating properties | Fixed Rate Interest
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate (percent)	5.62%		5.62%
Non-recourse loans on operating properties | Variable Rate Interest Member
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate (percent)	2.30%		2.29%
5.250% Senior Notes Due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, percentage bearing fixed interest, amount	445,863,000		445,770,000
Debt instrument, redemption price, percentage	100.00%
5.250% Senior Notes Due 2023 | Fixed Rate Interest
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate (percent)	5.25%		5.25%
5.250% Senior Notes Due 2023 | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt to total assets (as a percent)	40.00%
5.250% Senior Notes Due 2023 | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt to total assets (as a percent)	45.00%
Senior Notes Due 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, percentage bearing fixed interest, amount	299,928,000		299,925,000
Debt instrument, redemption price, percentage	100.00%
Senior Notes Due 2024 | Fixed Rate Interest
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate (percent)	4.60%		4.60%			4.60%
Other | Fixed Rate Interest
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate (percent)	3.50%		3.50%
Recourse term loans on operating properties
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, debt default threshold, minimum loan amount	150,000,000
Recourse term loans on operating properties | Variable Rate Interest Member
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate (percent)	2.93%		2.91%
Construction loan | Variable Rate Interest Member
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate (percent)	2.68%		2.66%
Unsecured lines of credit | Variable Rate Interest Member
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate (percent)	1.57%		1.56%
Unsecured term loans | Variable Rate Interest Member
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate (percent)	1.68%		1.71%
Unsecured lines of credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of unsecured term loans	2
Loan agreement, basis spread on variable rate	1.40%
Unsecured lines of credit | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan agreement, basis spread on variable rate	1.00%
Unsecured lines of credit | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan agreement, basis spread on variable rate	1.75%
Annual facility Fee (percent)	0.35%
Wells Fargo Bank
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letter of credit, outstanding	800,000
Unsecured Term Loan 3
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan agreement, basis spread on variable rate	1.50%
Unsecured Term Loan 2
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan agreement, basis spread on variable rate		1.55%	1.90%
Required | Senior Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt to total assets (as a percent)	45.00%
Total debt to total asset value (as a percent)	60.00%
Total Unencumbered Assets to Unsecured Debt (as a percent)	150.00%
Consolidated income available for debt service to annual debt service charge (as a percent)	150.00%
Required | Unsecured Credit Facility and Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt to total asset value (as a percent)	60.00%
Total Unencumbered Assets to Unsecured Debt (as a percent)	160.00%
Unencumbered NOI to unsecured interest expense (as a percent)	175.00%
EBITDA to fixed charges (debt service) (as a percent)	150.00%
Actual | Senior Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt to total assets (as a percent)	37.00%
Total debt to total asset value (as a percent)	53.60%
Total Unencumbered Assets to Unsecured Debt (as a percent)	238.10%
Consolidated income available for debt service to annual debt service charge (as a percent)	320.00%
Actual | Unsecured Credit Facility and Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt to total asset value (as a percent)	49.20%
Total Unencumbered Assets to Unsecured Debt (as a percent)	260.00%
Unencumbered NOI to unsecured interest expense (as a percent)	420.00%
EBITDA to fixed charges (debt service) (as a percent)	220.00%
Interest Rate Swap
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of unsecured term loans			4
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held	4		4
Derivative, Notional Amount	104,492,000		105,584,000
CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, percentage bearing fixed interest, amount	3,984,876,000		4,004,064,000
Mortgage and other indebtedness amount carrying value	684,835,000		696,396,000
Long-term debt	4,669,711,000		4,700,460,000
CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. | Non-recourse loans on operating properties
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, percentage bearing fixed interest, amount	3,234,029,000		3,252,730,000
Mortgage and other indebtedness amount carrying value	17,051,000		17,121,000
CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. | Other
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, percentage bearing fixed interest, amount	5,056,000		5,639,000
CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. | Recourse term loans on operating properties
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgage and other indebtedness amount carrying value	9,279,000		7,638,000
CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. | Construction loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgage and other indebtedness amount carrying value	1,440,000		454,000
CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. | Unsecured lines of credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgage and other indebtedness amount carrying value	207,065,000		221,183,000
CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. | Unsecured term loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgage and other indebtedness amount carrying value	450,000,000		450,000,000
Treasury Rate | 5.250% Senior Notes Due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Derivative, basis spread on variable rate	0.40%
Treasury Rate | Senior Notes Due 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Derivative, basis spread on variable rate	0.35%
Senior Notes Due 2024 | Unsecured lines of credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt discount	72,000		75,000
Debt instrument, face amount			300,000,000
Unsecured term loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	400,000,000
Interest rate at period end	1.68%
Unsecured lines of credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of unsecured term loans	3
Mortgage and other indebtedness amount carrying value	214,088,000
Annual facility Fee (percent)	0.30%
Total Capacity, line of credit	1,300,000,000
Unsecured lines of credit | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Annual facility Fee (percent)	0.15%
Unsecured Line of Credit 1
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgage and other indebtedness amount carrying value	43,398,000
Total Capacity, line of credit	600,000,000
First Tennessee
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgage and other indebtedness amount carrying value	9,313,000
Total Capacity, line of credit	100,000,000
Unsecured Line of Credit 2
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgage and other indebtedness amount carrying value	161,377,000
Total Capacity, line of credit	600,000,000
Wells Fargo Bank
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total Capacity, line of credit	50,000,000
Letter of credit, outstanding	6,110,000
Unsecured Term Loan 2
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate (percent)	1.72%
Debt instrument, face amount	50,000,000
Total Capacity, line of credit	20,000,000
Letter of credit, outstanding	113,000

Mortgages_and_Other_Indebtedne

Mortgages and Other Indebtedness (Operating Properties) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of principal repayments [Abstract]
2015	$554,964
2016	770,868
2017	491,189
2018	679,829
2019	115,647
Thereafter	2,054,773
Total payments	4,667,270
Net unamortized premiums	2,441
Mortgage and other indebtedness	4,669,711
Weighted average maturity of mortgage and other indebtedness (in years)	4 years 7 months 7 days	4 years 9 months 18 days
Principal balance
Schedule of principal repayments [Abstract]
2015	462,120
Number of debt instruments	7
Principal amortization
Schedule of principal repayments [Abstract]
2015	50,246
Operating property loan
Schedule of principal repayments [Abstract]
2015	$42,598

Mortgages_and_Other_Indebtedne1

Mortgages and Other Indebtedness (Derivative Instruments) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair Value	($1,867)	($2,226)
Cash Flow Hedging | Pay Fixed Receive Variable Swap One | Accrued Liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional Amount Outstanding	50,508
Amortized amount	48,337
Strike Rate (as a percent)	2.15%
Fair Value	-893	-1,064
Cash Flow Hedging | Pay fixed receive variable swap Two | Accrued Liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional Amount Outstanding	31,630
Amortized amount	30,276
Strike Rate (as a percent)	2.19%
Fair Value	-571	-681
Cash Flow Hedging | Pay fixed receive variable swap Three | Accrued Liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional Amount Outstanding	11,822
Amortized amount	11,313
Strike Rate (as a percent)	2.14%
Fair Value	-208	-248
Cash Flow Hedging | Pay fixed receive variable swap Four | Accrued Liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional Amount Outstanding	10,532
Amortized amount	10,083
Strike Rate (as a percent)	2.24%
Fair Value	($195)	($233)

Mortgages_and_Other_Indebtedne2

Mortgages and Other Indebtedness (Derivative Instrument Risk) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Interest Expense
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Loss Recognized in Earnings (Effective Portion)	($523)	($548)
Gain Recognized in Earnings (Ineffective Portion)	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Losses expected to be reclassified from AOCI to interest expense	1,890
Interest rate contracts
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain Recognized in OCI/L (Effective Portion)	$360	$404

Comprehensive_Income_Details

Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive income, Beginning Balance	$13,969	$5,644
OCI before reclassifications, Hedging Agreements	883	-144
Unrealized holding gain on available-for-sale securities	242	1,001
OCI before reclassifications	1,125	1,953
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, Hedging Agreements	-523	548
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, Available-for-Sale securities	16,560
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, Total	-17,083	-548
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	-15,958	1,405
Accumulated other comprehensive income, Ending Balance	-1,989	7,049
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests/Redeemable Common Units
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive income, Hedging Agreements, Beginning Balance	401	387
Accumulated other comprehensive income, Available-for-Sale Securities, Beginning Balance	384	333
OCI before reclassifications, Hedging Agreements	3	3
Unrealized holding gain on available-for-sale securities	10	-4
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, Hedging Agreements	0	0
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, Available-for-Sale securities	-394	0
Net OCI, Hedging Agreements	3	3
Net OCI, Available-for-Sale Securities	-384	-4
Accumulated other comprehensive income, Hedging Agreements, Ending Balance	404	390
Accumulated other comprehensive income, Available-for-Sale Securities, Ending Balance	0	329
The Company/Partners' Capital
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive income, Hedging Agreements, Beginning Balance	303	-1,214
Accumulated other comprehensive income, Available-for-Sale Securities, Beginning Balance	13,108	7,539
OCI before reclassifications, Hedging Agreements	827	890
Unrealized holding gain on available-for-sale securities	160	1,087
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, Hedging Agreements	-523	-548
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, Available-for-Sale securities	-13,268	0
Net OCI, Hedging Agreements	304	342
Net OCI, Available-for-Sale Securities	-13,108	1,087
Accumulated other comprehensive income, Hedging Agreements, Ending Balance	607	-872
Accumulated other comprehensive income, Available-for-Sale Securities, Ending Balance	0	8,626
Noncontrolling Interests
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive income, Hedging Agreements, Beginning Balance	-3,053	-3,304
Accumulated other comprehensive income, Available-for-Sale Securities, Beginning Balance	2,826	1,903
OCI before reclassifications, Hedging Agreements	53	59
Unrealized holding gain on available-for-sale securities	72	-82
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, Hedging Agreements	0	0
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, Available-for-Sale securities	2,898	0
Net OCI, Hedging Agreements	-53	59
Net OCI, Available-for-Sale Securities	2,826	-82
Accumulated other comprehensive income, Hedging Agreements, Ending Balance	-3,000	-3,245
Accumulated other comprehensive income, Available-for-Sale Securities, Ending Balance	0	1,821
CBL & Associates Limited Partnership
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive income, Beginning Balance	13,969	5,644
OCI before reclassifications	1,125	1,954
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, Hedging Agreements	-523	-548
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, Available-for-Sale securities	16,560
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, Total	-17,083	-548
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	-15,958	1,406
Accumulated other comprehensive income, Ending Balance	-1,989	7,050
CBL & Associates Limited Partnership | Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests/Redeemable Common Units
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive income, Hedging Agreements, Beginning Balance	401	387
Accumulated other comprehensive income, Available-for-Sale Securities, Beginning Balance	384	333
OCI before reclassifications, Hedging Agreements	3	3
Unrealized holding gain on available-for-sale securities	10	-4
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, Hedging Agreements	0	0
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, Available-for-Sale securities	-394	0
Net OCI, Hedging Agreements	3	3
Net OCI, Available-for-Sale Securities	-384	-4
Accumulated other comprehensive income, Hedging Agreements, Ending Balance	404	390
Accumulated other comprehensive income, Available-for-Sale Securities, Ending Balance	0	329
CBL & Associates Limited Partnership | The Company/Partners' Capital
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive income, Hedging Agreements, Beginning Balance	-2,750	-4,518
Accumulated other comprehensive income, Available-for-Sale Securities, Beginning Balance	15,934	9,442
OCI before reclassifications, Hedging Agreements	880	950
Unrealized holding gain on available-for-sale securities	232	1,005
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, Hedging Agreements	-523	-548
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, Available-for-Sale securities	-16,166	0
Net OCI, Hedging Agreements	357	402
Net OCI, Available-for-Sale Securities	-15,934	1,005
Accumulated other comprehensive income, Hedging Agreements, Ending Balance	-2,393	-4,116
Accumulated other comprehensive income, Available-for-Sale Securities, Ending Balance	$0	$10,447

Comprehensive_Income_Narrative

Comprehensive Income Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, Available-for-Sale securities	$16,560
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, Hedging Agreements	523	-548
CBL & Associates Limited Partnership
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, Available-for-Sale securities	16,560
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, Hedging Agreements	$523	$548

Mortgage_and_Other_Notes_Recei2

Mortgage and Other Notes Receivable (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Mortgage and Other Notes Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of assignment of the partnership interest	100.00%
Mortgage and other notes receivable	19,609	19,811
Other | Minimum
Mortgage and Other Notes Receivable [Line Items]
Interest Rate, mortgage loans on real estate (as a percent)	2.68%	2.67%
Other | Maximum
Mortgage and Other Notes Receivable [Line Items]
Interest Rate, mortgage loans on real estate (as a percent)	9.50%	9.50%
Mortgages
Mortgage and Other Notes Receivable [Line Items]
Mortgage and other notes receivable	9,121	9,323
Mortgages | Columbia Place Outparcel
Mortgage and Other Notes Receivable [Line Items]
Interest Rate, mortgage loans on real estate (as a percent)	5.00%	5.00%
Mortgage and other notes receivable	354	360
Mortgages | Park Place
Mortgage and Other Notes Receivable [Line Items]
Interest Rate, mortgage loans on real estate (as a percent)	5.00%	5.00%
Mortgage and other notes receivable	1,521	1,566
Mortgages | Village Square
Mortgage and Other Notes Receivable [Line Items]
Interest Rate, mortgage loans on real estate (as a percent)	3.50%	3.50%
Mortgage and other notes receivable	1,708	1,711
Mortgages | Other
Mortgage and Other Notes Receivable [Line Items]
Mortgage and other notes receivable	5,538	5,686
Other Notes Receivable
Mortgage and Other Notes Receivable [Line Items]
Mortgage and other notes receivable	10,488	10,488
Other Notes Receivable | RED Development Inc.
Mortgage and Other Notes Receivable [Line Items]
Mortgage and other notes receivable	7,429	7,429
Interest Rate, other notes receivable (as a percent)	5.00%	5.00%
Other Notes Receivable | Woodstock land
Mortgage and Other Notes Receivable [Line Items]
Mortgage and other notes receivable	3,059	3,059
Interest Rate, other notes receivable (as a percent)	10.00%	10.00%
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property	75.00%

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$260,909	$261,243
Property operating expenses	-75,905	-77,523
Interest expense	-59,157	-60,506
Other expense	-6,476	-6,545
Gain on sales of real estate assets	757	1,154
Segment profit (loss)	120,128	117,823
Depreciation and amortization expense	-76,266	-69,083
General and administrative expense	-17,230	-14,773
Interest and other income	5,274	1,528
Gain on Extinguishment of Debt	0	42,660
Loss on impairment	0	-17,150
Gain on investment	16,560	0
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	3,823	3,684
Income tax (provision) benefit	916	-397
Income from continuing operations	53,205	64,292
Total Assets	6,543,600	6,703,849	6,616,299
Capital expenditures	67,241	82,494
Malls
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	230,271	229,873
Property operating expenses	-73,949	-74,294
Interest expense	-43,698	-50,016
Other expense	0	0
Gain on sales of real estate assets	264	1,130
Segment profit (loss)	112,888	106,693
Total Assets	5,665,654	5,766,003
Capital expenditures	30,366	32,937
Associated Centers
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	10,407	10,856
Property operating expenses	-2,596	-2,495
Interest expense	-1,956	-2,000
Other expense	0	0
Gain on sales of real estate assets	0	1
Segment profit (loss)	5,855	6,362
Total Assets	272,045	274,556
Capital expenditures	5,908	9,272
Community Centers
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	4,681	4,538
Property operating expenses	-1,124	-1,657
Interest expense	-1,195	-649
Other expense	0	0
Gain on sales of real estate assets	0	1
Segment profit (loss)	2,362	2,233
Total Assets	266,076	297,347
Capital expenditures	198	528
All Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	15,550	15,976
Property operating expenses	1,764	923
Interest expense	-12,308	-7,841
Other expense	-6,476	-6,545
Gain on sales of real estate assets	493	22
Segment profit (loss)	-977	2,535
Total Assets	339,825	365,943
Capital expenditures	$30,769	$39,757

Equity_and_Capital_Details

Equity and Capital (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 01, 2013
Targeted or Tracking Stock, Stock [Line Items]
Common stock offering, maximum aggregate price			$300,000,000
Commission to sales agent, maximum (percent)			2.00%
Number of shares settled	269,929	238,693
Common stock offering, maximum aggregate price still available	$88,507,000
At The Market Stock Sales
Targeted or Tracking Stock, Stock [Line Items]
Number of shares settled	8,419,298
Weighted-average sales price (in usd per share)	$25.12

Recovered_Sheet1

Earnings Per Share and Earnings per Unit (Details)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Denominator - basic (in shares)	170,420	170,196
Effect of performance stock units (in shares)	90	0
Denominator - diluted (in shares)	170,510	170,196
CBL & Associates Limited Partnership
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Denominator - basic (in shares)	199,681	199,741
Effect of performance stock units (in shares)	90	0
Denominator - diluted (in shares)	199,771	199,741

Contingencies_Details

Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Environmental liability insurance, maximum coverage per incident	$10,000,000
Environmental liability insurance, annual coverage limit.	$50,000,000

Contingencies_Guarantees_Detai

Contingencies (Guarantees) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Obligation recorded to reflect guaranty	$1,397,000	$1,397,000			$1,397,000
Malpractice Loss Contingency, Letters of Credit and Surety Bonds	21,010,000	20,720,000			20,720,000
West Melbourne I, LLC - Phase I
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Company's Ownership Interest	50.00%
Outstanding Balance	40,051,000
Percentage Guaranteed by the Company	25.00%
Maximum Guaranteed Amount	10,012,000
Obligation recorded to reflect guaranty	101,000	101,000			101,000
West Melbourne I, LLC - Phase II
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Company's Ownership Interest	50.00%
Outstanding Balance	15,556,000
Maximum Guaranteed Amount	8,700,000	8,700,000
Obligation recorded to reflect guaranty	87,000	87,000			87,000
Number of extension options available	2
Debt instrument, option extension term (in years)	1 year
Port Orange I, LLC
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Company's Ownership Interest	50.00%
Outstanding Balance	60,526,000
Percentage Guaranteed by the Company	25.00%
Maximum Guaranteed Amount	15,132,000
Obligation recorded to reflect guaranty	153,000	153,000			153,000
JG Gulf Coast Town Center, LLC - Phase III
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Company's Ownership Interest	50.00%
Outstanding Balance	5,548,000
Percentage Guaranteed by the Company	100.00%
Maximum Guaranteed Amount	5,548,000
Obligation recorded to reflect guaranty	0	0			0
Fremaux Town Center JV, LLC - Phase I
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Company's Ownership Interest	65.00%
Outstanding Balance	40,596,000
Percentage Guaranteed by the Company	50.00%
Maximum Guaranteed Amount	21,023,000
Obligation recorded to reflect guaranty	236,000	236,000			236,000
Loan guaranty, fee income percentage			1.00%
Debt Coverage Service Ratio for Construction Loan			130.00%
Fremaux Town Center JV, LLC - Phase II
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Company's Ownership Interest	65.00%
Outstanding Balance	7,460,000
Percentage Guaranteed by the Company	50.00%
Maximum Guaranteed Amount	16,050,000
Obligation recorded to reflect guaranty	161,000	161,000			161,000
Loan guaranty, fee income percentage				1.00%
Debt Coverage Service Ratio for Construction Loan				130.00%
Ambassador Town Center JV, LLC
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Company's Ownership Interest	65.00%
Outstanding Balance	1,455,000
Percentage Guaranteed by the Company	100.00%
Maximum Guaranteed Amount	48,000
Obligation recorded to reflect guaranty	482,000	482,000			482,000
Loan guaranty, fee income percentage					1.00%
Ambassador Infrastructure, LLC
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Company's Ownership Interest	65.00%
Outstanding Balance	1,002,000
Percentage Guaranteed by the Company	100.00%
Maximum Guaranteed Amount	12,000
Obligation recorded to reflect guaranty	177,000	177,000			177,000
Loan guaranty, fee income percentage					1.00%
West Melbourne I, upon payment of contractual rent
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Percentage Guaranteed by the Company		25.00%
Fremaux Town Center Phase I, upon full payment of rent
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Percentage Guaranteed by the Company			25.00%
Fremaux Town Center Phase I, after one year of completion
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Percentage Guaranteed by the Company			15.00%
Fremaux Town Center JV, LLC
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Number of extension options available	2
Debt instrument, option extension term (in years)	1 year
Fremaux Town Center Phase II, upon completion
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Percentage Guaranteed by the Company				25.00%
Fremaux Town Center Phase II, after one year of completion
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Percentage Guaranteed by the Company				15.00%
Ambassador Town Center, upon completion
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantors Percentage Obligation for Construction Loan, Expected					50.00%
Ambassador Town Center, upon completion and attainment of certain debt service and operational metrics
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantors Percentage Obligation for Construction Loan, Expected					15.00%
Ambassador Town Center JV, LLC and Ambassador Infrastructure, LLC
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Number of extension options available	2
Debt instrument, option extension term (in years)	1 year
Ambassador Infrastructure, following any calendar year in which PILOT payments received are $1,200 or more
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Percentage Guaranteed by the Company					50.00%
PILOT Payment Threshold for Change in Guarantors Percentage					1,200,000
Ambassador Infrastructure, following any calendar year in which PILOT payments received are $1,400 or more
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Percentage Guaranteed by the Company					20.00%
PILOT Payment Threshold for Change in Guarantors Percentage					1,400,000
York Town Center, LP
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Company's Ownership Interest	50.00%
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	22,000,000
Annual Reductions To Guarantors Obligations	800,000
Guaranteed Minimum Exposure Amount	10,000,000
Guaranteed Amount of the Outstanding Loan Based on Percentage	$15,600,000
Reimburse Obligations (as a percent)	50.00%

ShareBased_Compensation_Detail

Share-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015
	plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of share-based compensation plans	2		2
Number of shares authorized under plan	10,400,000		10,400,000
Share-based compensation cost capitalized as part of real estate assets	$79	$46
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock awards	10,281		10,281
Compensation cost to be recognized over a weighted average period	3 years 9 months 20 days
Restricted Stock Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	2,244	1,916
Stock Awards
Shares
Nonvested, beginning of period (in shares)	498,862
Granted (in shares)	267,410
Vested (in shares)	-191,215
Forfeited (in shares)	-2,340
Nonvested, end of period (in shares)	572,717		572,717
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Weighted average grant date fair value, nonvested, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$18.35
Weighted average grant date fair value, granted (in dollars per share)	$20.30
Weighted average grant date fair value, vested (in dollars per share)	$18.76
Weighted average grant date fair value, forfeited (in dollars per share)	$19.20
Weighted average grant date fair value, nonvested, end of period (in dollars per share)	$19.12		$19.12
Performance Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	156
Shares
Granted (in shares)			138,680
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Weighted average grant date fair value, granted (in dollars per share)			$15.52
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock awards	$1,996		$1,996
Vested at conclusion of performance period
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Vesting percentage			60.00%
Remaining percentage after performance period
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Vesting percentage			40.00%
Vested each year for the first two anniversaries after conclusion of performance period
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Vesting percentage			20.00%

Noncash_Investing_and_Financin2

Noncash Investing and Financing Activities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Accrued dividends and distributions payable	$54,491	$50,576
Additions to real estate assets accrued but not yet paid	3,965	19,162
Decrease in real estate assets	0	-22,605
Decrease in mortgage and other indebtedness	0	68,169
Decrease in operating assets and liabilities	$0	($1,655)

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Percentage of taxable income required to be distributed to shareholders	90.00%
State tax expense	$1,078	$1,093
Current tax benefit	1,423	53
Deferred tax provision	-507	-450
Income tax benefit (provision)	916	-397
Net deferred tax asset	$1,962		$394

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	31-May-15	Apr. 30, 2015
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Estimated impairment loss	$0	$17,150
Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Long-term debt			49,602
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)			4.99%
Madison Square | Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Gross sales price				5,000
Estimated impairment loss				$2,700