2.4.0.840418 - Disclosure - Investments In Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Overlook Ridge JV, L.L.C.) (Narrative) (Details)truefalsefalse1false USDfalsefalse$As_Of_7_15_2013http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000924901instant2013-07-15T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00Unit16Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0Unit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$2false USDfalsefalse$As_Of_6_30_2013http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000924901instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00Unit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$3false USDfalsefalse$As_Of_12_31_2012http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000924901instant2012-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00Unit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$4false USDtruefalse$As_Of_6_30_2013_dei_LegalEntityAxis_cli_LennarMassachusettsPropertiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000924901instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseLennar Massachusetts Properties [Member]dei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicli_LennarMassachusettsPropertiesMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberUnit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$5false USDtruefalse$Duration_4_1_2013_To_6_30_2013_dei_LegalEntityAxis_cli_LRJVCAssociatesLLCMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000924901duration2013-04-01T00:00:002013-06-30T00:00:00falsefalseLR JV-C Associates, L.L.C. [Member]dei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicli_LRJVCAssociatesLLCMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberUnit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$6false USDtruefalse$Duration_1_1_2013_To_6_30_2013_dei_LegalEntityAxis_cli_LRJVCAssociatesLLCMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000924901duration2013-01-01T00:00:002013-06-30T00:00:00falsefalseLR JV-C Associates, L.L.C. [Member]dei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicli_LRJVCAssociatesLLCMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberUnit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$7false USDtruefalseDuration_1_1_2013_To_6_30_2013_dei_LegalEntityAxis_cli_LROverlookPhaseIIILLCMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000924901duration2013-01-01T00:00:002013-06-30T00:00:00falsefalseLR Overlook Phase III, L.L.C. [Member]dei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicli_LROverlookPhaseIIILLCMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberUnit16Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0Unit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170$8false USDtruefalseDuration_1_1_2013_To_6_30_2013_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_cli_OverlookRidgeJVLLCMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000924901duration2013-01-01T00:00:002013-06-30T00:00:00falsefalseOverlook Ridge JV, L.L.C. [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicli_OverlookRidgeJVLLCMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxisexplicitMemberUnit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170$9false truefalseAs_Of_10_23_2012_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_cli_OverlookRidgeJVLLCMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000924901instant2012-10-23T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseOverlook Ridge JV, L.L.C. [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicli_OverlookRidgeJVLLCMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxisexplicitMemberUnit16Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli010false truefalseAs_Of_10_23_2012_cli_InvestmentsInUnconsolidatedJointVentuesByNameAxis_cli_OverlookRidgeJVsInterestInLRJVCAssociatesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000924901instant2012-10-23T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseOverlook Ridge JV's Interest In LR JV-C Associates [Member]cli_InvestmentsInUnconsolidatedJointVentuesByNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicli_OverlookRidgeJVsInterestInLRJVCAssociatesMembercli_InvestmentsInUnconsolidatedJointVentuesByNameAxisexplicitMemberUnit16Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli011false truefalseAs_Of_10_23_2012_cli_InvestmentsInUnconsolidatedJointVentuesByNameAxis_cli_OverlookRidgeJVsInterestInLROverlookPhaseIIIMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000924901instant2012-10-23T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseOverlook Ridge JV's Interest In LR Overlook Phase III [Member]cli_InvestmentsInUnconsolidatedJointVentuesByNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicli_OverlookRidgeJVsInterestInLROverlookPhaseIIIMembercli_InvestmentsInUnconsolidatedJointVentuesByNameAxisexplicitMemberUnit16Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli012false truefalseAs_Of_10_23_2012_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_cli_QuarrystoneIPropertyMember_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_cli_OverlookRidgeJVLLCMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000924901instant2012-10-23T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseQuarrystone I Property [Member]us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicli_QuarrystoneIPropertyMemberus-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseOverlook Ridge JV, L.L.C. [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicli_OverlookRidgeJVLLCMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxisexplicitMemberUnit17Standardhttp://www.mack-cali.com/20130630itemcli0Unit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2009/utrsqftutr013false truefalseAs_Of_10_23_2012_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_cli_OverlookPhaseIIIMember_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_cli_OverlookRidgeJVLLCMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000924901instant2012-10-23T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseOverlook Phase III [Member]us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicli_OverlookPhaseIIIMemberus-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseOverlook Ridge JV, L.L.C. [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicli_OverlookRidgeJVLLCMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxisexplicitMemberUnit16Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli014false USDtruefalse$As_Of_6_30_2013_dei_LegalEntityAxis_cli_LRJVCAssociatesLLCMember_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000924901instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseLetter of Credit [Member]us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_LetterOfCreditMemberus-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseLR JV-C Associates, L.L.C. [Member]dei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicli_LRJVCAssociatesLLCMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberUnit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$15false USDtruefalse$As_Of_6_30_2013_dei_LegalEntityAxis_cli_LRJVCAssociatesLLCMember_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_us-gaap_SeniorLoansMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000924901instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseSenior Loans [Member]us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_SeniorLoansMemberus-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseLR JV-C Associates, L.L.C. [Member]dei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicli_LRJVCAssociatesLLCMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberUnit16Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0Unit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$16false USDtruefalse$As_Of_6_30_2013_dei_LegalEntityAxis_cli_LRJVCAssociatesLLCMember_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_us-gaap_JuniorLoansMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000924901instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseJunior Loans [Member]us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_JuniorLoansMemberus-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseLR JV-C Associates, L.L.C. [Member]dei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicli_LRJVCAssociatesLLCMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberUnit16Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0Unit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$1true 3us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItemsus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]2false 4cli_IndirectResidualOwnershipPercentagecli_falsenainstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse9truetruefalse0.250.25falsefalsefalse10falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse14falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse15falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse16falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsenum:percentItemTypepureIndirect Residual Ownership PercentageNo definition available.false0Indirect residual ownership percentage3false 4us-gaap_NumberOfUnitsInRealEstatePropertyus-gaap_truenainstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse251251falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:integerItemTypeintegerThe number of units in a real estate property owned as of the balance sheet date.No definition available.false256Number of units4false 4cli_InvestmentOwnershipPercentagecli_falsenainstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse10truetruefalse0.500.50falsefalsefalse11truetruefalse1.001.00falsefalsefalse12falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse13truetruefalse0.500.50falsefalsefalse14falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse15falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse16falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsenum:percentItemTypepureInvestment Ownership PercentageNo definition available.false0Investment ownership percentage5false 4us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstatePropertyus-gaap_truenainstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse278721278721falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsenum:areaItemTypedecimalArea of a real estate property.No definition available.false256Area of property (in square feet)6false 4us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentageus-gaap_truenainstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse9truetruefalse0.500.50falsefalsefalse10falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse14falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse15falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse16falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsenum:percentItemTypepureThe percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 159 -Paragraph 18 -Subparagraph f -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 18 -Paragraph 20 -Subparagraph a (1) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. false0Percentage of interest in venture7false 4us-gaap_LoansPayableus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse1880000018800000USD$falsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryIncluding the current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying value as of the balance sheet date of loans payable (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer).Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16(a)(2)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 20, 22 -Article 5 false2Priority partnership loan8false 4us-gaap_InterestPayableCurrentAndNoncurrentus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse2856100028561000falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse2755500027555000falsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse1350000013500000falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCarrying value as of the balance sheet date of [accrued] interest payable on all forms of debt, including trade payables, that has been incurred and is unpaid.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.15(5)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.15(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph a -Article 7 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph 5 -Article 9 false2Accrued interest payable9false 4cli_OperatingAgreementAmountOfUnrecoveredCapitalToDetermineCashFlowDistributioncli_falsecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryOperating Agreement, Amount Of Unrecovered Capital To Determine Cash Flow DistributionNo definition available.false2Amount of unrecovered capital to determine cash flow distribution10false 4us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCarryingAmountOfMortgagesus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5truefalsefalse6990000069900000falsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse6990000069900000falsefalsefalse7truefalsefalse56000005600000falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse15truefalsefalse5290000052900000falsefalsefalse16truefalsefalse1700000017000000falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe carrying amount of the outstanding balance due under the mortgage loan.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 205 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-04.(c) Schedule IV) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6882300&loc=d3e5864-122674 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 29 -Article 12 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph c -Subparagraph Schedule IV -Article 5 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 948 -SubTopic 310 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.12-29) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6589523&loc=d3e617274-123014 false2Mortgage loans, carrying amount11false 4cli_MortgageLoanMaturityDatecli_falsenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00March 2016falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00April 2015falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalseus-types:dateStringItemTypenormalizedstringMortgage Loan Maturity DateNo definition available.false0Mortgage loan, maturity date12false 4us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateus-gaap_truenainstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truetruefalse0.01250.0125falsefalsefalse2falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse7truetruefalse0.0250.025falsefalsefalse8falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse14falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse15truetruefalse0.020.02falsefalsefalse16truetruefalse0.0090.009falsefalsefalsenum:percentItemTypepureThe percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.No definition available.false0Spread over LIBOR13false 4us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacityus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse600000000600000000falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse600000000600000000falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse14truefalsefalse1700000017000000falsefalsefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryMaximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 129 -Paragraph 2, 4 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 22 -Article 5 false2Borrowing capacity under the credit facility14false 4cli_DebtInstrumentExtensionPeriodcli_falsenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse001 yearfalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:durationItemTypenaDebt Instrument Extension PeriodNo definition available.false0Loan extension period15false 4cli_DebtInstrumentExtensionFeePercentagecli_falsenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse7truetruefalse0.00250.0025falsefalsefalse8falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse14falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse15falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse16falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsenum:percentItemTypepureDebt Instrument Extension Fee PercentageNo definition available.false0Extension fee16false 4cli_AmountOfDebtGuaranteedByCompanycli_falsecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7truefalsefalse15000001500000falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount Of Debt Guaranteed By CompanyNo definition available.false2Amount of debt guaranteed by company17false 4cli_ManagementLeasingAndOtherServicesFeescli_falsecreditdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5truefalsefalse4500045000USD$falsetruefalse6truefalsefalse9000090000USD$falsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryManagement Leasing And Other Services Fees.No definition available.false2Management, leasing and other services fees18false 4cli_HoldingAndDistributionPatternUnderOperatingAgreementcli_falsenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00In general, the operating agreement of LR Overlook provides, among other things, for distributions of cash flow to the members in accordance with their ownership percentages, subject to the repayment of priority partnership loans.falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00The operating agreement of Overlook Ridge JV provides, among other things, for the distribution of distributable cash, as defined, to the members, as follows:First, to the members in proportion to their respective unrecovered capital percentages, as defined in the agreement, until each member's unrecovered capital has been reduced to zero; and Second, to the members in accordance with their ownership percentages.falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringHolding And Distribution Pattern Under Operating AgreementNo definition available.false0Holding and distribution pattern under operating agreementfalseInvestments In Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Overlook Ridge JV, L.L.C.) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)NoRoundingUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruefalsefalseSheethttp://www.mack-cali.com/role/DisclosureInvestmentsInUnconsolidatedJointVenturesOverlookRidgeJvLLCNarrativeDetails1618