Debt Instrument, Prepayment Penalty

No definition available.

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- Definition

Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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- Definition

Amount represents the difference between the cash acquisition price of the debt and the net carrying amount of the debt at the time of its extinguishment (or deconsolidation of in-substance real estate when an entity defaults on its debt obligations).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 470

-SubTopic 50

-Section 40

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6850294&loc=d3e12317-112629

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 470

-SubTopic 50

-Section 40

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6850294&loc=d3e12355-112629

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- Definition

The cash outflow for debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3291-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

+ Details

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- Definition

The remaining balance of debt issuance expenses that were capitalized and are being amortized against income over the lives of the respective bond issues. This does not include the amounts capitalized as part of the cost of the utility plant or asset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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MORTGAGE AND OTHER INDEBTEDNESS (Fixed Rate Loans Repaid) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended							3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt	$ (9,108)	$ 87,893	$ (9,108)	$ 265
Prepayment fee	8,708cbl_DebtInstrumentPrepaymentPenalty
Balance of Non-recourse Debt		68,563us-gaap_GainLossOnNonRecourseDebt
Columbia Place Chapel Hill and Citadel [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt		89,399
Balance of Non-recourse Debt		163,997
Janesville Mall [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate at repayment date (percent)		8.38%			8.38%							8.38%
Principal balance repaid					2,473
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt					(257)
Mall Del Norte [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate at repayment date (percent)						5.04%
Principal balance repaid						113,400
St. Clair Square [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate at repayment date (percent)							3.25%
Principal balance repaid							122,375
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt							(1,249)
Northpark Mall [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate at repayment date (percent)			5.75%					5.75%
Principal balance repaid								32,684
Mid Rivers Mall [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate at repayment date (percent)	5.88%								5.88%
Principal balance repaid									88,410
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt									(8,936)
Prepayment fee									8,708
Unamortized debt issuance costs	228								228
South Country Center [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate at repayment date (percent)										4.96%
Principal balance repaid										71,740
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt										(172)
Westmoreland Mall [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate at repayment date (percent)											5.05%
Principal balance repaid											63,639
Columbia Place [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt						27,171						27,171
Balance of Non-recourse Debt						27,265
Columbia Place [Member] \| Financing method obligation [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate at repayment date (percent)						5.45%
Chapel Hill Mall [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt													18,296	18,296
Balance of Non-recourse Debt													68,563
Chapel Hill Mall [Member] \| Financing method obligation [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate at repayment date (percent)													6.10%	6.10%
Citadel Mall [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt							43,932								43,932
Balance of Non-recourse Debt							$ 68,169
Citadel Mall [Member] \| Financing method obligation [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate at repayment date (percent)							5.68%