Consolidated Statements Of Operations - USD ($)
shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
REVENUES      
Base rents $ 506,877 $ 487,041 $ 516,727
Escalations and recoveries from tenants 60,505 62,481 78,554
Real estate services 26,589 29,620 28,638
Parking income 13,630 11,124 9,107
Other income 5,797 4,617 3,773
Total revenues 613,398 594,883 636,799
EXPENSES      
Real estate taxes 87,379 82,688 90,750
Utilities 49,624 55,965 72,822
Operating services 103,954 107,951 112,621
Real estate services expenses 26,260 25,583 26,136
General and administrative 51,979 49,147 71,051
Acquisition-related costs 2,880 1,560 2,118
Depreciation and amortization 186,684 170,402 172,490
Impairments   197,919  
Total expenses 508,760 691,215 547,988
Operating income (loss) 104,638 (96,332) 88,811
OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME      
Interest expense (94,889) (103,051) (112,878)
Interest and other investment income (loss) 1,614 794 3,615
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures 18,788 (3,172) (2,423)
Gain on change of control of interests 15,347    
Realized gains (losses) and unrealized losses on disposition of rental property, net 109,666 53,261 54,848
Gain on sale of investment in unconsolidated joint venture 5,670 6,448  
Loss from extinguishment of debt, net (30,540)   (582)
Total other income (expense) 25,656 (45,720) (57,420)
Net income (loss) 130,294 (142,052) 31,391
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures 651 1,044 778
Noncontrolling interest in Operating Partnership (13,721) 15,256 (3,602)
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders $ 117,224 $ (125,752) $ 28,567
Basic earnings per common share:      
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders $ 1.31 $ (1.41) $ 0.32
Diluted earnings per common share:      
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders $ 1.30 $ (1.41) $ 0.32
Basic weighted average shares outstanding 89,746 89,291 88,727
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 100,498 100,222 100,041
Mack-Cali Realty LP [Member]      
REVENUES      
Base rents $ 506,877 $ 487,041 $ 516,727
Escalations and recoveries from tenants 60,505 62,481 78,554
Real estate services 26,589 29,620 28,638
Parking income 13,630 11,124 9,107
Other income 5,797 4,617 3,773
Total revenues 613,398 594,883 636,799
EXPENSES      
Real estate taxes 87,379 82,688 90,750
Utilities 49,624 55,965 72,822
Operating services 103,954 107,951 112,621
Real estate services expenses 26,260 25,583 26,136
General and administrative 51,979 49,147 71,051
Acquisition-related costs 2,880 1,560 2,118
Depreciation and amortization 186,684 170,402 172,490
Impairments   197,919  
Total expenses 508,760 691,215 547,988
Operating income (loss) 104,638 (96,332) 88,811
OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME      
Interest expense (94,889) (103,051) (112,878)
Interest and other investment income (loss) 1,614 794 3,615
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures 18,788 (3,172) (2,423)
Gain on change of control of interests 15,347    
Realized gains (losses) and unrealized losses on disposition of rental property, net 109,666 53,261 54,848
Gain on sale of investment in unconsolidated joint venture 5,670 6,448  
Loss from extinguishment of debt, net (30,540)   (582)
Total other income (expense) 25,656 (45,720) (57,420)
Net income (loss) 130,294 (142,052) 31,391
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures 651 1,044 778
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders $ 130,945 $ (141,008) $ 32,169
Basic earnings per common share:      
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders $ 1.31 $ (1.41) $ 0.32
Diluted earnings per common share:      
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders $ 1.30 $ (1.41) $ 0.32
Basic weighted average units outstanding 100,245 100,222 99,999
Diluted weighted average units outstanding 100,498 100,222 100,041