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Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2013 | Mar. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2012 | Mar. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash And Cash Equivalent Maturity Maximum |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3 months |  |
Allowance For Doubtful Accounts [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable | $ 1,993 |  |  |  | $ 2,219 |  |  |  | $ 1,993 | $ 2,219 |
Tax Treatment Of Dividend [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Investment Trust Distributable Income Policy (in percentage) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 90.00% |  |
Internal Taxable Income Distribution Policy (in percentage) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 100.00% |  |
Differences Between Book and Tax Basis | 189,757 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 189,757 |  |
Reconciliation of Net Income to Estimated Taxable Income [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income attributable to Alexander's | 15,790 | 13,824 | 13,139 | 14,162 | 617,157 | 18,856 | 18,892 | 19,482 | 56,915 | 674,387 | 79,423
Straight-line rent adjustments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (3,707) | (4,475) | (12,609)
Depreciation and amortization timing differences |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,134 | 910 | 1,263
Interest expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 27 | 29 | (2,425)
Reversal of liablity for income taxes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (206) | 0 | 0
Additional tax gain on sale of the Kings Plaza Regional Shopping Center |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 23,928 | 0
Other |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (2,213) | 4,396 | (3,429)
Estimated taxable income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 52,950 | $ 699,175 | $ 62,223
Ordinary Income [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Tax Treatment Of Dividend [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Payments Of Dividends Net Percent |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 10.90% |
Long Term Capital Gain [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Tax Treatment Of Dividend [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Payments Of Dividends Net Percent |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 89.10% |
Maximum [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Property plant and equipment estimated useful lives |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 40 |  |
Minimum [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Property plant and equipment estimated useful lives |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3 |  |
Rego Park I [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of cash mortgage collateralized | 100.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 100.00% |  |

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