Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Shareholders' Equity of the Company (Details)

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Shareholders' Equity of the Company (Details) (Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc, USD $)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of Shareholders' Equity of the Company [Line Items]      
Common shares, par value $ 0.01   $ 0.01
Shareholders' Equity at Period Start $ (528,432) $ (421,895)  
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest 8,834 10,817  
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax (92) (35)  
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest 8,742 10,782  
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition 3,391 1,798  
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures 0 0  
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised 46    
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Reallocation of Noncontrolling Interest 0 0  
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash 18,156 15,746  
Payments of Dividends, Noncontrolling Interest 1,488 2,351  
Shareholders' Equity at Period End (520,967) (416,378)  
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures 566,000 319,000  
Common Stock [Member]
      
Schedule of Shareholders' Equity of the Company [Line Items]      
Shareholders' Equity at Period Start (720,073)    
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest 0    
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax 0    
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition 3,391    
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures (6)    
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised 46    
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Reallocation of Noncontrolling Interest 28,178    
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash 0    
Payments of Dividends, Noncontrolling Interest 0    
Shareholders' Equity at Period End (751,633)    
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
      
Schedule of Shareholders' Equity of the Company [Line Items]      
Shareholders' Equity at Period Start 261,913 (604,359)  
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest 8,128 0  
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax 0 0  
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition 0 1,798  
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures 0 (3)  
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised 0    
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Reallocation of Noncontrolling Interest 0 (33)  
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash 18,156 0  
Payments of Dividends, Noncontrolling Interest 0 0  
Shareholders' Equity at Period End 271,941 (606,121)  
Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member]
      
Schedule of Shareholders' Equity of the Company [Line Items]      
Shareholders' Equity at Period Start (1,535) 240,024  
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest 0 9,398  
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax (86) 0  
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition 0 0  
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures 0 0  
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised 0    
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Reallocation of Noncontrolling Interest 0 0  
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash 0 15,746  
Payments of Dividends, Noncontrolling Interest 0 0  
Shareholders' Equity at Period End (1,449) 246,372  
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
      
Schedule of Shareholders' Equity of the Company [Line Items]      
Shareholders' Equity at Period Start (460,562) (1,784)  
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest 8,128 0  
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax (86) (30)  
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition 3,391 0  
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures 0 0  
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised 46    
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Reallocation of Noncontrolling Interest 28,178 0  
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash 18,156 0  
Payments of Dividends, Noncontrolling Interest 0 0  
Shareholders' Equity at Period End (482,067) (1,754)  
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
      
Schedule of Shareholders' Equity of the Company [Line Items]      
Shareholders' Equity at Period Start (6,843) (54,966)  
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest (7) 1,419  
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax 0 (5)  
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition 0 0  
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures 0 0  
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised 0    
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Reallocation of Noncontrolling Interest 0 33  
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash 0 0  
Payments of Dividends, Noncontrolling Interest 0 2,351  
Shareholders' Equity at Period End $ (6,832) $ (54,062)