Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

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

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Mack-Cali Realty Corporation Stockholders' Equity (Stock Options Plans) (Narrative) (Details)
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jun. 05, 2015
item
$ / shares
shares
Mar. 31, 2016
USD ($)
shares
Mar. 31, 2015
USD ($)
shares
Dec. 31, 2015
May. 31, 2013
shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Stock option terms   10 years      
Weighted average remaining contractual life   9 years 2 months 12 days   9 years 4 months 24 days  
Share price | $ / shares $ 17.31        
Options exercised   0 0    
Stock options expense | $   $ 183,000 $ 1,000    
Shares Under Options - Granted 800,000        
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
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