Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Mack-Cali Realty Corporation Stockholders' Equity (Stock Options Plans) (Narrative) (Details)

v3.3.1.900
Mack-Cali Realty Corporation Stockholders' Equity (Stock Options Plans) (Narrative) (Details)
12 Months Ended
Jun. 05, 2015
item
$ / shares
shares
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
$ / shares
shares
Dec. 31, 2014
USD ($)
$ / shares
shares
Dec. 31, 2013
USD ($)
May. 31, 2013
shares
May. 31, 2004
shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Stock option terms   10 years        
Weighted average remaining contractual life   9 years 4 months 24 days 4 years 10 months 24 days      
Share price | $ / shares $ 17.31          
Share price - weighted average fair value of options granted | $ / shares   $ 3.06 $ 1.71      
Proceeds from stock options exercised | $   $ 0 $ 0 $ 0    
Stock options expense | $   $ 432,000 $ 4,000 $ 0    
Shares Under Options - Granted 800,000 800,000 5,000      
Common stock trade share price | $ / shares $ 25.00          
Annual installments | item 3          
Exercisable period   10 years        
Common stock trading days   30 days        
Three Equal Annual Installment [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Shares Under Options - Granted 400,000          
Common Stock Trades [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Shares Under Options - Granted 400,000          
2013 Incentive Stock Plan [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Reserved stocks for issuance         4,600,000  
2004 Incentive Stock Plan [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Reserved stocks for issuance           2,500,000
Shares issued   0        
Employee And Director Plan [Member] | Minimum [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Reserved stocks for issuance   2,700,000        
Employee And Director Plan [Member] | Maximum [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Reserved stocks for issuance   4,350,000        
2000 Employee Plan [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Exercisable time period   5 years        
2000 Employee Plan [Member] | Minimum [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Reserved stocks for issuance   2,500,000        
2000 Employee Plan [Member] | Maximum [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Reserved stocks for issuance   4,000,000        
2000 Director Plan [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Exercisable time period   1 year        
2000 Director Plan [Member] | Minimum [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Reserved stocks for issuance   200,000        
2000 Director Plan [Member] | Maximum [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Reserved stocks for issuance   350,000