Real Estate and Other, Net (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Oct. 27, 2012
Oct. 29, 2011
Oct. 27, 2012
Oct. 29, 2011
Jul. 20, 2012
Jul. 19, 2012
Jul. 20, 2012
SPG Reit Unit [Member]
Jul. 19, 2012
SPG Reit Unit [Member]
Oct. 23, 2012
CBL Reit Share [Member]
Redemption of Simon Property Group, L.P. (SPG) REIT units     $ (200)            
Sale of CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. (CBL) REIT shares (15)   (15)            
Sale of leveraged lease assets (28)   (28)            
Sale of investments in joint ventures (151)   (151)            
Sale of building (3)   (3)            
Net gain on sale or redemption of non-operating assets (197)   (397)            
Dividend income from REITs (1) (2) (6) (6)          
Investment income from joint ventures (3) (3) (9) (10)          
Other 4     (8)          
Real estate and other (income)/expense, net (197) (5) (412) (24)          
Redemption of Simon Property Group, L.P. (SPG) REIT units             2,000,000    
REIT unit cash price SPG         $ 124.00   $ 124.00    
REIT share cash price CBL                 $ 21.35
Proceeds from sale of REITs net of fees             246   40
REIT unit fair market value SPG           $ 158.13   $ 158.13  
Investment owned SPG, shares 205,000   205,000            
Proceeds from sale of leveraged lease investments net of fees 146                
Leveraged lease investments 118   118            
Proceeds from divestiture of interest in joint venture 90                
Real Estate Investments, joint ventures (61)   (61)            
Net book value of building sold 0                
Proceeds from sale of buildings $ 3