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Document and Entity Information Document - shares	6 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information Document - shares	Jun. 30, 2012	Jul. 30, 2012
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	FRT
Entity Registrant Name	FEDERAL REALTY INVESTMENT TRUST
Entity Central Index Key	0000034903
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		64,111,975

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Operating (including $263,631 and $263,570 of consolidated variable interest entities, respectively)	$ 4,264,527	$ 4,232,608
Construction-in-progress	211,725	193,836
Real Estate Investment Property, At Cost, Total	4,476,252	4,426,444
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (including $8,497 and $4,991 of consolidated variable interest entities, respectively)	(1,169,278)	(1,127,588)
Net real estate	3,306,974	3,298,856
Cash and cash equivalents	82,774	67,806
Accounts and notes receivable, net	76,601	75,921
Mortgage notes receivable, net	55,887	55,967
Investment in real estate partnership	34,055	34,352
Prepaid expenses and other assets	114,302	121,492
Debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $10,574 and $9,098, respectively	10,336	11,816
TOTAL ASSETS	3,680,929	3,666,210
Liabilities
Mortgages payable (including $206,506 and $207,683 of consolidated variable interest entities, respectively)	733,997	747,523
Capital lease obligations	71,703	63,093
Notes payable	300,089	295,159
Senior notes and debentures	1,004,532	1,004,635
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	110,786	104,660
Dividends payable	44,588	44,229
Security deposits payable	12,745	12,221
Other liabilities and deferred credits	54,173	68,761
Total liabilities	2,332,613	2,340,281
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	81,858	85,325
Shareholders' equity
Preferred shares, authorized 15,000,000 shares, $.01 par: 5.417% Series 1 Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares, (stated at liquidation preference $25 per share), 399,896 shares issued and outstanding	9,997	9,997
Common shares of beneficial interest, $.01 par, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 64,099,840 and 63,544,150 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	641	636
Additional paid-in capital	1,810,359	1,764,940
Accumulated dividends in excess of net income	(568,541)	(555,541)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(10,375)	(3,940)
Total shareholders' equity of the Trust	1,242,081	1,216,092
Noncontrolling interests	24,377	24,512
Total shareholders' equity	1,266,458	1,240,604
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	$ 3,680,929	$ 3,666,210

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating, consolidated variable interest entities	$ 263,631	$ 263,631	$ 263,570
Accumulated depreciation and amortization, consolidated variable interest entities	8,497	8,497	4,991
Debt issuance costs, accumulated amortization	10,574	10,574	9,098
Mortgages payable, consolidated variable interest entities	$ 206,506	$ 206,506	$ 207,683
Preferred shares, authorized	15,000,000	15,000,000	15,000,000
Preferred shares, par	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred Shares, percentage	5.417%	5.417%	5.417%
Preferred Shares, 5.417% Series 1 Cumulative Convertible liquidation preference	$ 25	$ 25	$ 25
Preferred shares, shares issued	399,896	399,896	399,896
Preferred shares, shares outstanding	399,896	399,896	399,896
Common shares of beneficial interest, par	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common shares of beneficial interest, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common shares of beneficial interest, shares issued	64,099,840	64,099,840	63,544,150
Common shares of beneficial interest, shares outstanding	64,099,840	64,099,840	63,544,150

Consolidated Statements Of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
REVENUE
Rental income	$ 141,796	$ 133,000	$ 282,457	$ 267,438
Other property income	4,478	2,146	8,840	4,236
Mortgage interest income	1,286	1,134	2,552	2,255
Total revenue	147,560	136,280	293,849	273,929
EXPENSES
Rental expenses	26,906	25,133	53,016	54,535
Real estate taxes	16,537	15,547	32,594	30,954
General and administrative	7,139	6,395	14,143	12,446
Depreciation and amortization	35,199	31,871	71,770	62,287
Total operating expenses	85,781	78,946	171,523	160,222
OPERATING INCOME	61,779	57,334	122,326	113,707
Other interest income	112	20	319	35
Interest expense	(28,733)	(23,905)	(57,526)	(48,949)
Early extinguishment of debt	0	0	0	296
Income from real estate partnerships	438	444	739	767
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	33,596	33,893	65,858	65,856
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Discontinued operations - income	0	509	0	930
Discontinued operations - gain on deconsolidation of VIE	0	2,026	0	2,026
Discontinued operations - gain on sale of real estate	0	43	0	43
Results from discontinued operations	0	2,578	0	2,999
INCOME BEFORE GAIN ON SALE OF REAL ESTATE	33,596	36,471	65,858	68,855
Gain On Sale Of Real Estate in Real Estate Partnership	0	0	11,860	0
NET INCOME	33,596	36,471	77,718	68,855
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(993)	(1,714)	(2,129)	(2,912)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE TRUST	32,603	34,757	75,589	65,943
Dividends on preferred shares	(135)	(135)	(271)	(271)
NET INCOME AVAILABLE FOR COMMON SHAREHOLDERS	$ 32,468	$ 34,622	$ 75,318	$ 65,672
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE, BASIC
Continuing operations	$ 0.51	$ 0.51	$ 0.99	$ 1.01
Discontinued operations	0.00	0.04	0.00	0.05
Gain on sale of real estate	0.00	0.00	0.19	0.00
Earnings Per Share, Basic, Total	$ 0.51	$ 0.55	$ 1.18	$ 1.06
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic	63,700	62,214	63,556	61,844
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE, DILUTED
Continuing operations	$ 0.51	$ 0.51	$ 0.99	$ 1.00
Discontinued operations	0.00	0.04	0.00	0.05
Gain on sale of real estate	0.00	0.00	0.19	0.00
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, Total	$ 0.51	$ 0.55	$ 1.18	$ 1.05
Weighted average number of common shares-diluted	63,880	62,391	63,732	62,012
Comprehensive Income	$ 25,803	$ 36,471	$ 71,283	$ 68,855
Comprehensive Income Attributable to the Trust	$ 24,810	$ 34,757	$ 69,154	$ 65,943

Consolidated Statement Of Shareholders' Equity - 6 months ended Jun. 30, 2012 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Preferred Shares [Member]	Common Shares [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Dividends in Excess of Net Income [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		399,896	63,544,150
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 1,240,604	$ 9,997	$ 636	$ 1,764,940	$ (555,541)	$ (3,940)	$ 24,512
Net income, excluding $1,224 attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	76,494				75,589		905
Other Comprehensive Income	(6,435)					(6,435)
Dividends declared to common shareholders	(88,318)				(88,318)
Dividends declared to preferred shareholders	(271)				(271)
Distributions declared to noncontrolling interests	(1,010)						(1,010)
Common shares issued (in shares)			382,194
Common shares issued	37,056		$ 4	37,052
Exercise of stock options (in shares)			43,870
Exercise of stock options	2,390		$ 0	2,390
Shares issued under dividend reinvestment plan (in shares)			12,319
Shares issued under dividend reinvestment plan	1,129			1,129
Share-based compensation expense, net (in shares)			117,307
Share-based compensation expense, net	5,171		$ 1	5,170
Conversion and redemption of OP units	(457)			(322)			(135)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	105						105
Ending balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2012		399,896	64,099,840
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2012	$ 1,266,458	$ 9,997	$ 641	$ 1,810,359	$ (568,541)	$ (10,375)	$ 24,377

Consolidated Equity Stmt Parenthetical (Parentheticals) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012 USD ($)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	$ 1,224

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 77,718	$ 68,855
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization, including discontinued operations	71,770	62,632
Gain On Sale Of Real Estate in Real Estate Partnership	(11,860)	0
Gain on sale of real estate	0	(43)
Gain on deconsolidation of VIE	0	(2,026)
Early extinguishment of debt	0	(296)
Income from real estate partnerships	(739)	(767)
Other, net	3,138	1,675
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable	1,627	(2,921)
Decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets	5,170	10,579
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses	2,087	(16,868)
Increase (decrease) in security deposits and other liabilities	984	(2,122)
Net cash provided by operating activities	149,895	118,698
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Acquisition of real estate	0	(19,196)
Capital expenditures - development and redevelopment	(47,776)	(35,971)
Capital expenditures - other	(20,290)	(19,031)
Proceeds from sale of real estate	0	1,497
Investment in real estate partnerships	0	(6,947)
Distribution from real estate partnership in excess of earnings	248	511
Leasing costs	(5,581)	(6,335)
(Issuance) repayment of mortgage and other notes receivable, net	51	8,712
Net cash used in investing activities	(73,348)	(76,760)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net borrowings under revolving credit facility, net of costs	0	112,000
Purchase and retirement of senior notes/debentures	0	(75,000)
Issuance of mortgages, capital leases and notes payable, net of costs	5,399	0
Repayment of mortgages, capital leases and notes payable	(13,270)	(86,021)
Issuance of common shares	40,575	96,787
Dividends paid to common and preferred shareholders	(88,205)	(83,098)
PaymentsOfDividendsAndRedemptionsMinorityInterest	(6,078)	(2,555)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(61,579)	(37,887)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	14,968	4,051
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	67,806	15,797
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 82,774	$ 19,848

Business And Organization	6 Months Ended
Business And Organization	Jun. 30, 2012
Nature Of Operations [Abstract]
BUSINESS AND ORGANIZATION	BUSINESS AND ORGANIZATION Federal Realty Investment Trust (the “Trust”) is an equity real estate investment trust (“REIT”) specializing in the ownership, management, and redevelopment of retail and mixed-use properties. Our properties are located primarily in densely populated and affluent communities in strategically selected metropolitan markets in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions of the United States, and California. As of June 30, 2012, we owned or had a majority interest in community and neighborhood shopping centers and mixed-use properties which are operated as 87 predominantly retail real estate projects. We operate in a manner intended to enable us to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. A REIT that distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to its shareholders each year and meets certain other conditions is not taxed on that portion of its taxable income which is distributed to its shareholders. Therefore, federal income taxes on our taxable income have been and are generally expected to be immaterial. We are obligated to pay state taxes, generally consisting of franchise or gross receipts taxes in certain states. Such state taxes also have not been material.

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Trust, its corporate subsidiaries, and all entities in which the Trust has a controlling interest or has been determined to be the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (“VIE”). The equity interests of other investors are reflected as noncontrolling interests or redeemable noncontrolling interests. All significant intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation. We account for our interests in joint ventures, which we do not control, using the equity method of accounting. Certain 2011 amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, referred to as “GAAP,” requires management to make estimates and assumptions that in certain circumstances affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and revenues and expenses. These estimates are prepared using management’s best judgment, after considering past, current and expected events and economic conditions. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Comprehensive Income

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income.” ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of shareholders’ equity and requires the presentation of components of net income and components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In December 2011, the FASB deferred the requirement to present reclassification adjustments for each component of accumulated other comprehensive income in both net income and other comprehensive income on the face of the financial statements. We adopted the standards effective January 1, 2012 and modified the presentation in our consolidated financial statements accordingly. Other comprehensive loss in our financial statements relates to the change in valuation on our interest rate swap agreements as further discussed in Note 6.

The components of comprehensive income are as follows:



	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Net income	$	33,596		$	36,471		$	77,718		$	68,855
Other comprehensive loss	(7,793		)	—			(6,435		)	—
Comprehensive income	25,803			36,471			71,283			68,855
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(993		)	(1,714		)	(2,129		)	(2,912		)
Comprehensive income attributable to the Trust	$	24,810		$	34,757		$	69,154		$	65,943

Other Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-04, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs.” The pronouncement was issued to provide a uniform framework for fair value measurements and related disclosures between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). ASU 2011-04 changes certain fair value measurement principles and enhances the disclosure requirements particularly for level 3 fair value measurements. We adopted the standard effective January 1, 2012 and it did not have a significant impact to our consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—Supplemental Disclosures

The following table provides supplemental disclosures related to the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:



	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2012			2011
	(In thousands)
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES:
Total interest costs incurred	$	62,515		$	52,585
Interest capitalized	(4,989		)	(3,636		)
Interest expense	$	57,526		$	48,949
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized	$	58,132		$	50,197
Cash paid for income taxes	$	255		$	537
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING TRANSACTIONS:
Mortgage loan assumed with acquisition	$	—		$	42,938
Deconsolidation of VIE	$	—		$	18,311

Real Estate	3 Months Ended
Real Estate	Jun. 30, 2012
Real Estate Investments, Net [Abstract]
Real Estate Acquisitions Dispositions Discontinued Operations Text Block	During 2012, we finalized the purchase price allocations for our December 2011 acquisitions of controlling interests in Montrose Crossing and Plaza El Segundo. The purchase price for Montrose Crossing was $141.5 million and our 89.9% ownership interest was $127.2 million which was funded with cash and our pro-rata share of $80.0 million of new mortgage debt. Approximately $2.9 million and $3.8 million of net assets acquired were allocated to other assets for "above market leases" and other liabilities for "below market leases", respectively. The purchase price for Plaza El Segundo was $192.7 million and our 48.2% ownership interest was funded with $8.5 million of cash and the assumption of our pro-rata share of the existing $175.0 million mortgage debt. Approximately $7.5 million and $2.3 million of net assets acquired were allocated to other assets for "above market leases" and other liabilities for "below market leases", respectively. The balance sheet at December 31, 2011, has been adjusted to reflect the final purchase price allocation for both properties.

Real Estate Partnerships

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

REAL ESTATE PARTNERSHIPS

Federal/Lion Venture LP

We have a joint venture arrangement (the “Partnership”) with affiliates of a discretionary fund created and advised by ING Clarion Partners (“Clarion”). We own 30% of the equity in the Partnership and Clarion owns 70%. We hold a general partnership interest, however, Clarion also holds a general partnership interest and has substantive participating rights. We cannot make significant decisions without Clarion’s approval. Accordingly, we account for our interest in the Partnership using the equity method. As of June 30, 2012, the Partnership owned seven retail real estate properties. We are the manager of the Partnership and its properties, earning fees for acquisitions, dispositions, management, leasing, and financing. Intercompany profit generated from fees is eliminated in consolidation. We also have the opportunity to receive performance-based earnings through our Partnership interest. Accounting policies for the Partnership are similar to accounting policies followed by the Trust. The Partnership is subject to a buy-sell provision which is customary for real estate joint venture agreements and the industry. Either partner may initiate this provision at any time, which could result in either the sale of our interest or the use of available cash or borrowings to acquire Clarion’s interest.

The following tables provide summarized operating results and the financial position of the Partnership:



	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
	(In thousands)
OPERATING RESULTS
Revenue	$	4,709	$	4,676	$	9,298	$	9,644
Expenses
Other operating expenses	1,228		1,228		2,567		2,984
Depreciation and amortization	1,375		1,290		2,751		2,568
Interest expense	844		848		1,689		1,696
Total expenses	3,447		3,366		7,007		7,248
Net income	$	1,262	$	1,310	$	2,291	$	2,396
Our share of net income from real estate partnership	$	438	$	444	$	796	$	801



	June 30,		December 31,
	2012		2011
	(In thousands)
BALANCE SHEETS
Real estate, net	$	176,485	$	178,693
Cash	4,501		3,035
Other assets	5,003		6,116
Total assets	$	185,989	$	187,844
Mortgages payable	$	57,267	$	57,376
Other liabilities	4,434		5,391
Partners’ capital	124,288		125,077
Total liabilities and partners’ capital	$	185,989	$	187,844
Our share of unconsolidated debt	$	17,180	$	17,213
Our investment in real estate partnership	$	34,055	$	34,352

Taurus Newbury Street JV II Limited Partnership

On October 31, 2011, our Newbury Street Partnership sold its entire portfolio of three buildings for $44.0 million. As part of the sale, we received $34.6 million of the net proceeds which included the repayment of our $11.8 million loans. Due to the timing of receiving financial information from the general partner, our share of earnings was recorded one quarter in arrears. Therefore, we recognized the gain on sale of $11.9 million in the first quarter 2012. The deferred gain was included in "other liabilities and deferred credits" on the balance sheet at December 31, 2011.

Debt	6 Months Ended
Debt	Jun. 30, 2012
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
DEBT	DEBT During the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, our $400.0 million revolving credit facility had no amounts outstanding. Our revolving credit facility, term loan and certain notes require us to comply with various financial covenants, including the maintenance of minimum shareholders’ equity and debt coverage ratios and a maximum ratio of debt to net worth. As of June 30, 2012, we were in compliance with all loan covenants.

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Jun. 30, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES We are sometimes involved in lawsuits, warranty claims, and environmental matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Management makes assumptions and estimates concerning the likelihood and amount of any potential loss relating to these matters. We are currently a party to various legal proceedings. We accrue a liability for litigation if an unfavorable outcome is probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. If an unfavorable outcome is probable and a reasonable estimate of the loss is a range, we accrue the best estimate within the range; however, if no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, the minimum within the range is accrued. Legal fees related to litigation are expensed as incurred. We do not believe that the ultimate outcome of these matters, either individually or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on our financial position or overall trends in results of operations; however, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties. Also under our leases, tenants are typically obligated to indemnify us from and against all liabilities, costs and expenses imposed upon or asserted against us (1) as owner of the properties due to certain matters relating to the operation of the properties by the tenant, and (2) where appropriate, due to certain matters relating to the ownership of the properties prior to their acquisition by us. Under the terms of certain partnership agreements, the partners have the right to exchange their operating partnership units for cash or the same number of our common shares, at our option. A total of 324,140 operating partnership units are outstanding which have a total fair value of $33.7 million, based on our closing stock price on June 30, 2012.

Subsequent Events	6 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Jun. 30, 2012
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS On July 16, 2012, we repaid our $175.0 million 6.00% senior notes on the maturity date. On July 19, 2012, we issued $250.0 million of fixed rate senior notes that mature on August 1, 2022 and bear interest at 3.00%. The net proceeds from this note offering after issuance discounts, underwriting fees and other costs were approximately $244.7 million.

Business And Organization (Details)	6 Months Ended
Business And Organization (Details)	Jun. 30, 2012
Nature Of Operations [Abstract]
Number of Real Estate Properties	87
Minimum Percentage Of Taxable Income Distributed To Shareholders	90.00%

Real Estate (Significant Acquisitions and Disposition) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 30, 2011	Dec. 27, 2011
Montrose Crossing [Member]
Real Estate Investments [Line Items]
Business Acquisition Cost of Acquired Entity Cash Paid and Total Debt Assumed		$ 141.5
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired		89.90%
Business Acquisition Cost of Acquired Entity Cash Paid and Share of Debt Assumed		$ 127.2
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Amortizable Intangible Assets		2.9
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Amortizable Intangible Below Market Lease Liabilities		3.8
Montrose Crossing [Member] \| New Mortgage Debt [Member]
Real Estate Investments [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure		$ 80.0
Plaza El Segundo [Member]
Real Estate Investments [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired	48.20%
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Amortizable Intangible Assets	$ 7.5
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Amortizable Intangible Below Market Lease Liabilities	2.3
Business Acquisition Purchase Price	192.7
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Cash Paid	8.5
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 175.0

Real Estate Partnerships (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011 USD ($) Building	Jun. 30, 2012 USD ($) properties	Jun. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2012 USD ($) properties	Jun. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Our investment in real estate partnership		$ 34,055		$ 34,055		$ 34,352
Our share of net income from real estate partnership		438	$ 444	739	$ 767
Gain On Sale Of Real Estate in Real Estate Partnership		$ 0	0	$ 11,860	0
Number of Real Estate Properties		87		87
Newbury Street Partnership [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Sales of Real Estate	$ 44,000
Number of Real Estate Properties Sold \| Building	3
Payments for (Proceeds from) Real Estate Partnership Investment, Net	$ 34,600
Repayment Of Secured Debt FRT	$ 11,800
Gain On Sale Of Real Estate in Real Estate Partnership				$ 11,900
Federal / Lion Venture LP [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Our investment in real estate partnership		$ 34,055		34,055		$ 34,352
Our share of net income from real estate partnership		$ 438	$ 444	$ 796	$ 801
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties		7		7
Federal Realty Investment Trust [Member] \| Federal / Lion Venture LP [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest in partnership		30.00%		30.00%
Clarion [Member] \| Federal / Lion Venture LP [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest in partnership		70.00%		70.00%

Debt (Details) - Revolving Credit Facility Maturing Jul 6 2015 [Member] $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2012 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 400.0
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	$ 0.0

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2012 USD ($) shares
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Operating partnership units, outstanding \| shares	324,140
Operating partnership units outstanding, fair value \| $	$ 33.7

Share-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
Share-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Share-based Compensation, Allocation and Classification in Financial Statements [Abstract]
Share-based compensation incurred	$ 2,339	$ 1,859	$ 5,171	$ 4,048
Capitalized share-based compensation	(223)	(176)	(453)	(358)
Share-based compensation expense	2,116	1,683	4,718	3,690
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Allocation and Classification in Financial Statements [Abstract]
Share-based compensation incurred	2,216	1,651	4,890	3,586
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Allocation and Classification in Financial Statements [Abstract]
Share-based compensation incurred	$ 123	$ 208	$ 281	$ 462

Subsequent Events (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands			6 Months Ended
Subsequent Events (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 19, 2012	Jul. 16, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Repayments of Senior Debt			$ 0	$ 75,000
Subsequent Event [Member] \| Issuance of Debt [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Repayments of Senior Debt		$ 175,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.00%	6.00%
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 250,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt	$ 244,700