Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 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 $)
 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
years
Dec. 31, 2010
years
Dec. 31, 2009
May 31, 2004
2004 Incentive Stock Plan [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Employee Plan [Member]
Dec. 31, 1994
Employee Plan [Member]
Dec. 31, 1994
Director Plan [Member]
Dec. 31, 1994
Employee And Director Plan [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
1994 And 1995 Employee Plans [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
2000 Director Plan And Director Plan [Member]
May 31, 2002
Maximum [Member]
May 31, 2002
Maximum [Member]
2000 Employee Plan [Member]
May 31, 2002
Maximum [Member]
2000 Director Plan [Member]
May 31, 2002
Minimum [Member]
May 31, 2002
Minimum [Member]
2000 Employee Plan [Member]
May 31, 2002
Minimum [Member]
2000 Director Plan [Member]
Stock Option Activity [Line Items]                                
Reserved stocks for issuance       2,500,000   4,980,188 400,000 5,380,188     4,350,000 4,000,000 350,000 2,700,000 2,500,000 200,000
Exercisable time period (years)         five       three one            
Stock option terms (years) 10                              
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years) 0.9 1.7                            
Proceeds from stock options exercised $ 3,048,000 $ 1,504,000 $ 504,000                          
Total intrinsic value of options exercised 496,000 349,000 123,000                          
Total unrecognized compensation cost $ 2,800,000                              
Cost to be recognized, weighted average period, in years 1.0