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) (USD $)
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2011
Sep. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2011
Dec. 31, 2011
Sep. 30, 2012
2004 Incentive Stock Plan [Member]
May 31, 2004
2004 Incentive Stock Plan [Member]
Dec. 31, 1994
Employee And Director Plan [Member]
May 31, 2002
Employee And Director Plan [Member]
Maximum [Member]
May 31, 2002
Employee And Director Plan [Member]
Minimum [Member]
May 31, 2002
2000 Employee Plan [Member]
Maximum [Member]
May 31, 2002
2000 Employee Plan [Member]
Minimum [Member]
May 31, 2002
2000 Director Plan [Member]
Maximum [Member]
May 31, 2002
2000 Director Plan [Member]
Minimum [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Employee Plan [Member]
Dec. 31, 1994
Employee Plan [Member]
Dec. 31, 1994
Director Plan [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
1994 And 1995 Employee Plans [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
2000 Director Plan And Director Plan [Member]
Stock Option Activity [Line Items]                                      
Reserved stocks for issuance             2,500,000 5,380,188 4,350,000 2,700,000 4,000,000 2,500,000 350,000 200,000   4,980,188 400,000    
Shares issued           0                          
Exercisable time period                             5 years     3 years 1 year
Stock option terms     10 years                                
Weighted average remaining contractual life     4 months 24 days   1 year 1 month 6 days                            
Proceeds from stock options exercised $ 0 $ 1,585,000 $ 0 $ 3,048,000                              
Total intrinsic value of options exercised 0 140,000 0 496,000                              
Total unrecognized compensation cost $ 600,000   $ 600,000                                
Total unrecognized compensation cost, period of recognition     3 months 18 days