Mack-Cali Realty Corporation Stockholders' Equity (Stock Options Plans) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2013
2013 Incentive Stock Plan [Member]
May 31, 2013
2013 Incentive Stock Plan [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
2004 Incentive Stock Plan [Member]
May 31, 2004
2004 Incentive Stock Plan [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
Employee And Director Plan [Member]
Minimum [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
Employee And Director Plan [Member]
Maximum [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
2000 Employee Plan [Member]
Minimum [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
2000 Employee Plan [Member]
Maximum [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
2000 Director Plan [Member]
Minimum [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
2000 Director Plan [Member]
Maximum [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
Employee Plan [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
2000 Director Plan And Director Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                              
Reserved stocks for issuance         4,600,000   2,500,000 2,700,000 4,350,000 2,500,000 4,000,000 200,000 350,000    
Shares issued       0   0                  
Exercisable time period                           5 years 1 year
Stock option terms 10 years                            
Weighted average remaining contractual life 8 months 12 days 1 month 6 days                          
Proceeds from stock options exercised $ 0 $ 0 $ 3,048,000                        
Total intrinsic value of options exercised 0 0 496,000                        
Stock options expense $ 0 $ 0 $ 0