Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Mack-Cali Realty Corporation Stockholders' Equity (Preferred Stock, Share Repurchase Program, And Dividend Reinvestment And Stock Purchase Plan) (Narrative) (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Mack-Cali Realty Corporation Stockholders' Equity (Preferred Stock, Share Repurchase Program, And Dividend Reinvestment And Stock Purchase Plan) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
 0 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Oct. 27, 2011
Jun. 30, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Oct. 28, 2011
Stock Option Activity [Line Items]        
Maximum percentage of outstanding share owned by REIT   50.00%    
Preferred stock, shares outstanding 10,000      
Preferred stock, percentage 8.00%      
Amount of depositary shares converted from the preferred shares 1,000,000      
Depositary shares value, per share $ 25      
One depositary share equivalent of one Series C Preferred Stock 1/100th      
Preferred stock, redemption price per share       $ 2,500
Write off of preferred stock issuance costs     $ 164,000  
Repurchase Of Equity [Member]
        
Stock Option Activity [Line Items]        
Date share repurchase program was initiated   September 12, 2007    
Capacity of share repurchase program   150,000,000    
Stock repurchased and retired, shares   2,893,630    
Aggregate cost of stocks repurchased   104,000,000    
Capacity available for additional repurchase of outstanding common stock   46,000,000    
Dividend Reinvestment And Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
        
Stock Option Activity [Line Items]        
Common stock reserved for future issuance   5,500,000    
Monthly cash investment without restriction, maximum   5,000