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 6 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2011
Jun. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2011
Dec. 31, 2011
Jun. 30, 2012
2004 Incentive Stock Plan [Member]
May 31, 2004
2004 Incentive Stock Plan [Member]
Dec. 31, 1994
Employee And Director Plan [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
Employee Plan [Member]
Dec. 31, 1994
Employee Plan [Member]
Dec. 31, 1994
Director Plan [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
1994 And 1995 Employee Plans [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
2000 Director Plan And Director Plan [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
Maximum [Member]
May 31, 2002
Maximum [Member]
Employee And Director Plan [Member]
May 31, 2002
Maximum [Member]
2000 Employee Plan [Member]
May 31, 2002
Maximum [Member]
2000 Director Plan [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
Minimum [Member]
May 31, 2002
Minimum [Member]
Employee And Director Plan [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 5,380,188   4,980,188 400,000       4,350,000 4,000,000 350,000   2,700,000 2,500,000 200,000
Shares issued           0                              
Exercisable time period                 5 years     3 years 1 year 6 years       2 years      
Stock option terms     10 years                                    
Weighted average remaining contractual life     7 months 6 days   1 year 1 month 6 days                                
Proceeds from stock options exercised $ 0 $ 1,193,000 $ 0 $ 1,463,000                                  
Total intrinsic value of options exercised $ 0 $ 312,000 $ 0 $ 356,000