Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Discontinued Operations (Narrative) (Details)

v2.4.1.9
Discontinued Operations (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
item
sqft
Dec. 31, 2013
item
sqft
Dec. 31, 2013
property
sqft
Dec. 31, 2012
property
Discontinued Operations [Abstract]        
Number of properties sold 16cli_NumberOfBuildingsOnPropertiesSold 24cli_NumberOfBuildingsOnPropertiesSold 24cli_NumberOfBuildingsOnPropertiesSold 3cli_NumberOfBuildingsOnPropertiesSold
Area of property sold 2,610,931cli_AreaOfRealEstatePropertySold 3,006,409cli_AreaOfRealEstatePropertySold 3,006,409cli_AreaOfRealEstatePropertySold  
Number of land parcels sold   3cli_NumberOfLandParcelsSold 3cli_NumberOfLandParcelsSold  
Sales proceeds $ 319,239us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment   $ 390,615us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment [1]  
[1] This amount excludes approximately $535,000 of net closing prorations and related adjustments received from sellers at closing.