Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] downREIT operating partnership units, outstanding Partners' Capital Account, Units downREIT operating partnership units outstanding, fair value Operating Partnership Units Fair Value Fair value of operating partnership units at the balance sheet date. Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, by Legal Entity [Table] Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, by Legal Entity [Table] Name of Property [Axis] Name of Property [Axis] Name of Property [Domain] Name of Property [Domain] Galaxy/Hollywood Galaxy/Hollywood [Member] Galaxy/Hollywood [Member] Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items] Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items] Noncontrolling interest percent acquired Percentage of noncontrolling interest acquired Percentage of noncontrolling interest acquired Redemption price of noncontrolling interest Payments for Repurchase of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Effective Interest Acquisition Ownership interest Ownership interest in property Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Mortgages Payable And Notes Payable Mortgages Payable And Notes Payable [Member] Mortgages Payable And Notes Payable [Member] Senior Notes And Debentures Senior Notes And Debentures [Member] Senior Notes And Debentures [Member] Measurement Basis [Axis] Measurement Basis [Axis] Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Carrying Value Reported Value Measurement [Member] Fair Value Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Fair value of long-term debt Long-term Debt, Fair Value Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Net income Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Depreciation and amortization Adjustment Depreciation And Amortization The cash flow addback for the non-cash expense of depreciation and amortization including depreciation and amortization related to discontinued operations. Gain on change in control of interests Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Gain Income from real estate partnerships Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Other, net Other Noncash Income (Expense) Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Increase in accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts and Other Receivables Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Decrease in security deposits and other liabilities Increase Decrease In Security Deposits And Other Liabilities The net change in Security Deposits And Other Liabilities which includes security deposits, deferred revenue and prepaid rent. Also includes liabilities not individually reported in the financial statements, or not separately disclosed in notes. Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities INVESTING ACTIVITIES Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Acquisition of real estate Payments to Acquire Real Estate Capital expenditures - development and redevelopment Capital Expenditures Development Redevelopment Payments to develop or redevelop real estate assets is the process of adding improvements on or to a parcel of land. Such improvements may include drainage, utilities, subdividing, access, buildings, and any combination of these elements. In addition, the cash outflow from construction costs to date on capital projects that have not been completed and assets being constructed that are not ready to be placed into service. Capital expenditures - other Payments for Capital Improvements Investment in real estate partnership Payments to Acquire Interest in Subsidiaries and Affiliates Leasing costs Increase (Decrease) in Lease Acquisition Costs Repayment of mortgage and other notes receivable, net Issuance And Repayments Of Mortgage And Other Notes Receivable Net The cash outflow from the issuance and purchase of receivables arising from the mortgage note on real estate and other notes receivable, net of repayments. Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities FINANCING ACTIVITIES Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Net repayments under revolving credit facility, net of costs Proceeds from (Repayments of) Lines of Credit Issuance of senior notes, net of costs Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt Repayment of mortgages, capital leases and notes and other payables Repayments of Long-term Debt, Long-term Capital Lease Obligations, and Capital Securities Issuance of common shares Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock Dividends paid to common and preferred shareholders Dividends Paid To Common And Preferred Shareholders The cash outflow from distribution of an entity's earnings to common and preferred stockholders. Distributions to and redemptions of noncontrolling interests PaymentsOfDividendsAndRedemptionsMinorityInterest The cash outflow for the return on capital for noncontrolled interest in the entity and cash outflow during the period for redemptions of noncontrolling interests. Redemption of redeemable noncontrolling interests Net cash provided by financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract] SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Earnings Per Share [Abstract] INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Less: Preferred share dividends Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Less: Earnings allocated to unvested shares Earnings Allocated To Unvested Shares Earnings allocated to unvested shares Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders Income Loss From Continuing Operations Available For Common Shareholders This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the parent after earnings allocated to unvested shares and adjustments for dividends on preferred stock. Gain on change in control of interests Net income available for common shareholders, basic and diluted Net income available for common shareholders, basic and diluted Net income after adjustments for dividends on preferred stock and earnings allocated to unvested shares. Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Stock options Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Continuing operations Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share Gain on change in control of interests Gain on change in control of interests, per basic share Gain on change in control of interests, per basic share Earnings per common share, basic Earnings Per Share, Basic Continuing operations Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share Gain on change in control of interests Gain on change in control of interests, per diluted share Gain on change in control of interests, per diluted share Earnings per common share, diluted Earnings Per Share, Diluted Income from continuing operations attributable to the Trust Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent Debt Instruments [Abstract] DEBT Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Subsequent Events [Abstract] Subsequent Event [Table] Subsequent Event [Table] Clarion Clarion [Member] Clarion [Member] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Mortgages Mortgages [Member] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Subsequent Event [Member] Subsequent Event [Line Items] Subsequent Event [Line Items] Principal of mortgage loans repaid Extinguishment of Debt, Amount Maximum borrowing capacity under revolving credit facility Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Option to increase credit facility under accordion feature, amount Line of credit facility, option to increase amount Option to increase credit facility under accordian feature, in dollars. Earnings Per Share Narrative [Table] Earnings Per Share Narrative [Table] Earnings Per Share Narrative [Table] Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] 5.417% Series 1 Cumulative Convertible Preferred shares 5.417% Series 1 Cumulative Convertible Preferred [Member] Five point Four One Seven Percentage Series One Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] Earnings Per Share Narrative [Line Items] Earnings Per Share Narrative [Line Items] Earnings Per Share Narrative [Line Items] Weighted average unvested shares outstanding Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Participating Nonvested Shares with Non-forfeitable Dividend Rights Anti-dilutive stock options Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Cumulative convertible preferred shares, dividend rate Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage Summary of carrying amount and fair value of financial instruments Schedule of Carrying Amount and Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Table Text Block] Schedule of Carrying Amount and Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Table Text Block] Summary of financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Operating (including $1,197,847 and $1,192,336 of consolidated variable interest entities, respectively) Rental Properties Construction-in-progress Construction in Progress, Gross Real estate, at cost, total Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (including $184,078 and $176,057 of consolidated variable interest entities, respectively) Real Estate Investment Property, Accumulated Depreciation Net real estate Real Estate Investment Property, Net Cash and cash equivalents Accounts and notes receivable, net Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net Mortgage notes receivable, net Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Commercial and Consumer, Net Investment in real estate partnerships Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures Prepaid expenses and other assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets TOTAL ASSETS Assets Liabilities Liabilities [Abstract] Mortgages payable (including $446,046 and $448,315 of consolidated variable interest entities, respectively) Secured Debt Capital lease obligations Capital Lease Obligations Notes payable Notes Payable Senior notes and debentures Senior Notes Accounts payable and accrued expenses Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Dividends payable Dividends Payable Security deposits payable Security Deposit Liability Other liabilities and deferred credits Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities Total liabilities Liabilities Commitments and contingencies (Note 6) Commitments and Contingencies Redeemable noncontrolling interests Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Carrying Amount Shareholders’ equity Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] 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 Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Common shares of beneficial interest, $.01 par, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 70,861,269 and 69,493,392 shares issued and outstanding, respectively Common Stock, Value, Issued Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Accumulated dividends in excess of net income Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Total shareholders’ equity of the Trust Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Noncontrolling interests Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total shareholders’ equity Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities and Equity Accounting Policies [Abstract] Total interest costs incurred Interest Costs Incurred Interest capitalized Interest Costs Capitalized Interest expense Interest Expense Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized Interest Paid, Net Cash paid for income taxes Income Taxes Paid, Net Mortgage loans assumed in acquisition Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Debt Assumed DownREIT operating partnership units issued with acquisition ValueofdownREITOperatingPartnershipUnitsIssuedinConnectionwithBusinessAcqu Value of downREIT Operating Partnership Units Issued in Connection with Business Acquisition DownREIT operating partnership units redeemed for common shares Redemptionofoperatingpartnershipunitsforcommonshares Redemption of operating partnership units for common shares Shares issued under dividend reinvestment plan Dividends Reinvested in Noncash Financing Transaction Dividends reinvested in noncash financing transaction Supplemental disclosures related to the Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block] COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information Abstract Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Document Type Document Type Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Real Estate [Abstract] REAL ESTATE Real Estate Acquisitions Dispositions Text Block Disclosure of real estate acquisitions and dispositions, and at year end, a summary of our real estate investments and related encumbrances. Components Of Rental Income and Expense [Abstract] Components Of Rental Income And Expense [Abstract] COMPONENTS OF RENTAL INCOME Operating Leases Revenue And Expense Text Block The principal components of rental income and/or rental expense recognized for the period. Components of Rental Income [Table] Components of Rental Income [Table] Components of Rental Income [Table] Products and Services [Axis] Products and Services [Domain] Retail and commercial Commercial Real Estate [Member] Residential Residential Real Estate [Member] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Minimum rents Operating Leases, Income Statement, Minimum Lease Revenue Cost reimbursement Tenant Reimbursements Percentage rent Operating Leases, Income Statement, Percentage Revenue Other Other Rental Income This element represents other rental revenue earned during the period. Total rental income Rental income The total amount of rental revenue recognized for the period from real estate operations, including minimum rent, straight-line rent, percentage rent and tenant reimbursements. Nature Of Operations [Abstract] Nature Of Operations [Abstract] BUSINESS AND ORGANIZATION Nature of Operations [Text Block] Derivative, by Nature [Axis] Derivative, by Nature [Axis] Derivative, Name [Domain] Derivative, Name [Domain] Interest Rate Swap Interest Rate Swap [Member] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Level 2 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Accounts payable and accrued expenses Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Member] Measurement Frequency [Axis] Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain] Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Derivative Instrument [Axis] Derivative Instrument [Axis] Derivative Contract [Domain] Derivative Contract [Domain] Term loan TermLoan [Member] TermLoan [Member] Number of interest rate swap agreements Number of Interest Rate Derivatives Held Notional amount of interest rate swap agreements Derivative Liability, Notional Amount Term Loan Other Notes Payable Variable portion of interest rate Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate Interest rate cash flow hedge to be reclassified within next 12 months, net Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months, Net Fair value of interest rate swaps Derivative Liability Other comprehensive loss - change in value of interest rate swaps Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Interest expense reclassified from other comprehensive loss Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) Reclassified to Earnings, Net Number of real estate properties Number of Real Estate Properties Minimum percentage of taxable income distributed to shareholders Minimum Percentage Of Taxable Income Distributed To Shareholders Minimum percentage of taxable income distributed to shareholders. Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract] SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Dividends [Table] Dividends [Table] Dividends [Table] Common shares Common Stock [Member] Dividends [Line Items] Dividends [Line Items] [Line Items] for Dividends [Table] Series 1 Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares Interest Rate Dividends declared per common share Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Dividends paid per common share Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid Dividends declared per preferred share Preferred Stock, Dividends Per Share, Declared Dividends paid per preferred share Preferred Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Table] New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Table] Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis] Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis] Type of Adoption [Domain] Type of Adoption [Domain] Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncement Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncement [Member] Variable Interest Entities [Axis] Variable Interest Entities [Axis] Variable Interest Entity, Classification [Domain] Variable Interest Entity, Classification [Domain] Previous voting interest entity Previous voting interest entity [Member] Previous voting interest entity prior to adoption of ASU. Pike and Rose Hotel JV Pike and Rose Hotel JV [Member] Pike and Rose Hotel JV New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] Number of variable interest entities previously consolidated as voting interest entities Number of Properties Previously Consolidated as Voting Interest Entities Number of variable interest entity properties that were previously consolidated as voting interest entities prior to the adoption of ASU 2015-02, "Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis." Net real estate assets of VIEs previously consolidated as voting interest entities Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net Mortgages payable of VIEs previously consolidated as voting interest entities Mortgage Payable From Consolidated Variable Interest Entities Mortgages payable balances from variable interest entities, or VIEs, for the periods presented. Investment in variable interest entity Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets Maximum exposure to loss in variable interest entity Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense Schedule of Significant Acquisitions [Table] Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Investment, Name [Axis] Investment, Name [Axis] Investment, Name [Domain] Investment, Name [Domain] Federal Realty Investment Trust/Clarion Partners Partnership Federal Realty Investment Trust / ING Clarion Partners Partnership [Member] Federal Realty Investment Trust / ING Clarion Partners Partnership [Member] Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Federal Realty Investment Trust Federal Realty Investment Trust [Member] Federal Realty Investment Trust [Member] Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement Location [Domain] Income Statement Location [Domain] General and Administrative Expense General and Administrative Expense [Member] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Amortization of above market leases Above Market Leases [Member] Other Assets Other Assets [Member] Other Liabilities Other Liabilities [Member] Asset Class [Axis] Asset Class [Axis] Asset Class [Domain] Asset Class [Domain] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Significant Acquisitions [Line Items] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Ownership Percentage in partnership Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage Purchase price Business Combination, Consideration Transferred Cash paid in acquisition Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross Acquisition costs incurred Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs Other assets acquired for above market leases Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired Other assets acquired for below market leases Below Market Lease, Acquired Share-based Compensation, Allocation and Classification in Financial Statements [Abstract] Grants of shares and options Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense Capitalized share-based compensation Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs, Capitalized Amount Share-based compensation expense Share-based Compensation Operating, consolidated variable interest entities Operating Real Estate From Consolidated Variable Interest Entities Operating real estate balances from variable interest entities, or VIEs, for the periods presented. Accumulated depreciation and amortization, consolidated variable interest entities Accumulated depreciation and amortization, consolidated variable interest entities Accumulated depreciation and amortization related to real estate, Consolidated Variable Interest Entities. Mortgages payable, consolidated variable interest entities Preferred shares, authorized Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred shares, par value Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred Shares, 5.417% Series 1 Cumulative Convertible liquidation preference Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share Preferred shares, shares issued Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Preferred shares, shares outstanding Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Common shares of beneficial interest, par value Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common shares of beneficial interest, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common shares of beneficial interest, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common shares of beneficial interest, shares outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Measurement Frequency [Axis] Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Level 1 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Level 3 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Schedule of Minimum Rents [Table] Schedule of Minimum Rents [Table] Schedule of Minimum Rents [Table] Amortization of below market leases BelowMarketLease [Member] BelowMarketLease [Member] Minimum Rent [Line Items] Minimum Rent [Line Items] Minimum Rent [Line Items] Straight-line rents Straight Line Rent Amortization of above and below market leases Amortization of above and below Market Leases Schedule of Stock by Class [Table] Schedule of Stock by Class [Table] Sale of Stock [Axis] Sale of Stock [Axis] Sale of Stock [Domain] Sale of Stock [Domain] At The Market Equity Program At The Market Equity Program [Member] At The Market Equity Program [Member] Public Equity Offering Public Equity Offering [Member] Public Equity Offering Stock Issuance Costs by Type [Axis] Stock Issuance Costs by Type [Axis] Stock Issuance Costs by Type [Axis] Stock Issuance Costs by Type [Domain] Stock Issuance Costs by Type [Domain] [Domain] for Stock Issuance Costs by Type [Axis] Commissions Commissions [Member] Commissions [Member] Other Offering Costs Other Offering Costs [Member] Other Offering Costs [Member] Class of Stock [Line Items] Class of Stock [Line Items] Aggregate Offering Price Of Common Share Aggregate Offering Price Of Common Share Maximum aggregate offering price of common shares. Common shares issued Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues Weighted Average Price Per Common Share Weighted Average Price Per Common Share Weighted average price per common share Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock Payments of Stock Issuance Costs (less than for additional offering expenses for the three months ending March 31, 2016) Payments of Stock Issuance Costs Remaining Capacity To Issue Remaining Capacity To Issue Remaining $ Capacity Of Shares To Issue Price per share Shares Issued, Price Per Share Principal components of rental income Schedule of Component of Rental Income [Table Text Block] Schedule of Component of Rental Income [Table Text Block] Minimum rents Schedule Of Minimum Rents Components [Table TextBlock] Schedule of Minimum Rents Components [Table Text Block] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Principal Fair value Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure Weighted Average Interest Rate Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate Maximum amount outstanding under revolving credit facility Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Amount Outstanding During Period Weighted average borrowings outstanding Line of Credit Facility, Average Outstanding Amount Weighted average interest rate, before amortization of debt fees LineofCreditFacilityWeightedAverageInterestRateBeforeAmortizationOfDebt Fees Line of credit facility weighted average interest rate, before amortization of debt fees. Outstanding balance of revolving credit facility Long-term Line of Credit Income Statement [Abstract] REVENUE Revenues [Abstract] Rental income Other property income Other Real Estate Revenue Mortgage interest income Revenue Mortgage Interest Interest income earned from mortgage notes receivable. Total revenue Revenues EXPENSES Operating Expenses [Abstract] Rental expenses Direct Costs of Leased and Rented Property or Equipment Real estate taxes Real Estate Tax Expense General and administrative General and Administrative Expense Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Total operating expenses Operating Expenses OPERATING INCOME Operating Income (Loss) Other interest income Interest Income, Other Interest expense Income from real estate partnerships INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS NET INCOME Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE TRUST Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Dividends on preferred shares NET INCOME AVAILABLE FOR COMMON SHAREHOLDERS Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE, BASIC Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract] Earnings per common share, basic Weighted average number of common shares, basic EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE, DILUTED Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract] Earnings per common share, diluted Weighted average number of common shares, diluted COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE TRUST Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Principles of Consolidation Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block] Use of Estimates Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block] Summary of dividends declared and paid per share Dividends Declared [Table Text Block] SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Subsequent Events [Text Block] EARNINGS PER SHARE Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Schedule of earnings per share Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Summary of share-based compensation expense included in net income Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Preferred Shares Preferred Stock [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Accumulated Dividends in Excess of Net Income Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Noncontrolling Interests Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Beginning balance (in shares) Shares, Outstanding Beginning balance Net income, excluding $717 attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests Profit Loss Excluding Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests Net income (loss) excluding portion attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests. Other comprehensive loss - change in value of interest rate swaps Dividends declared to common shareholders Dividends, Common Stock, Cash Dividends declared to preferred shareholders Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash Distributions declared to noncontrolling interests Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders Common shares issued (in shares) Common shares issued Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues Shares issued under dividend reinvestment plan (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Dividend Reinvestment Plan Shares issued under dividend reinvestment plan Stock Issued During Period, Value, Dividend Reinvestment Plan Share-based compensation expense, net of forfeitures (in shares) Share Based Compensation Expense Net Shares Number of shares issued during the period as a result of our long term incentive, bonus or other share based compensation plans, net of restricted share award forfeitures. Share-based compensation expense, net of forfeitures Share Based Compensation Expense Net Value This element represents the amount of recognized equity-based compensation related to other long-term incentive and bonus plans during the period, that is, the amount recognized as expense in the income statement (or as asset if compensation is capitalized). Shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares) Common shares withheld for employee taxes Common shares withheld for employee taxes from vesting Shares withheld for employee taxes Shares withheld for employee taxes net value Shares withheld for employee taxes net value Conversion and redemption of OP units (in shares) Conversion and Redemption of Operating Partnership Units in Shares Number of shares issued during the period as a result of the conversion and redemption of operating partnership units into shares Conversion and redemption of OP units Conversion And Redemption Of Operating Partnership Units Decrease in noncontrolling interest as a result of redeeming, purchasing and/or converting to common stock the interests of Operating Partnership Units. Contributions from noncontrolling interests Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Business Combination Adjustment to redeemable noncontrolling interests Stockholders' Equity, Other Ending balance (in shares) Ending balance SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]