Mack-Cali Realty Corporation Stockholders' Equity (Schedule Of Reconciliation Of Shares Used In Basic EPS Calculation To Shares Used In Diluted EPS Calculation) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Sep. 30, 2011
Jun. 30, 2011
Mar. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Sep. 30, 2010
Jun. 30, 2010
Mar. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Mack-Cali Realty Corporation Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]                      
Income from continuing operations $ 18,438 $ 24,083 $ 20,291 $ 18,575 $ 8,232 $ 15,581 $ 17,791 $ 17,146 $ 81,387 $ 58,750 $ 80,308
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures 94 96 102 110 (19) 108 86 87 402 262 943
Noncontrolling interest in Operating Partnership (2,338) (3,015) (2,560) (2,456) (1,086) (2,150) (2,475) (2,422) (10,369) (8,133) (12,550)
Preferred stock dividends (72) (664) (500) (500) (500) (500) (500) (500) (1,736) (2,000) (2,000)
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders                 69,684 48,879 66,701
Income (loss) from discontinued operations available to common shareholders                   4,021 (14,133)
Net income available to common shareholders $ 16,122 $ 20,500 $ 17,333 $ 15,729 $ 6,627 $ 13,039 $ 18,725 $ 14,509 $ 69,684 $ 52,900 $ 52,568
Weighted average common shares                 86,047 79,224 74,318
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders $ 0.18 $ 0.24 $ 0.20 $ 0.19 $ 0.09 $ 0.16 $ 0.19 $ 0.18 $ 0.81 $ 0.62 $ 0.90
Income (loss) from discontinued operations available to common shareholders             $ 0.05     $ 0.05 $ (0.19)
Net income available to common shareholders $ 0.18 $ 0.24 $ 0.20 $ 0.19 $ 0.09 $ 0.16 $ 0.24 $ 0.18 $ 0.81 $ 0.67 $ 0.71