Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Assets:
Land	$ 640,196	$ 647,653
Buildings and improvements, less accumulated depreciation of $792,342 and $744,756 as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively	2,967,254	2,943,995
Intangible lease assets, less accumulated amortization of $119,419 and $145,742 as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively	79,248	74,028
Construction in progress	17,353	11,152
Total real estate assets	3,704,051	3,676,828
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	38,181	42,018
Cash and cash equivalents	139,690	56,718
Tenant receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $631 and $1,298 as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively	129,523	134,006
Notes receivable	0	61,144
Due from unconsolidated joint ventures	788	1,158
Restricted cash and escrows	9,039	12,475
Prepaid expenses and other assets	9,911	11,249
Goodwill	180,097	180,097
Deferred financing costs, less accumulated amortization of $9,214 and $11,893 as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively	5,977	5,306
Deferred lease costs, less accumulated amortization of $120,358 and $137,726 as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively	230,577	192,481
Total assets	4,447,834	4,373,480
Liabilities:
Line of credit and notes payable	1,472,525	1,402,525
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and accrued capital expenditures	122,986	112,648
Deferred income	27,321	35,203
Intangible lease liabilities, less accumulated amortization of $63,981 and $84,308 as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively	49,037	48,959
Interest rate swaps	2,537	691
Total liabilities	1,674,406	1,600,026
Commitments and Contingencies	0	0
Stockholders' Equity:
Shares-in-trust, 150,000,000 shares authorized; none outstanding as of December 31, 2011 or December 31, 2010	0	0
Preferred stock, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, none outstanding as of December 31, 2011 or December 31, 2010	0	0
Common stock, $.01 par value, 750,000,000 shares authorized, 172,629,748 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2011; and 172,658,489 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2010	1,726	1,727
Additional paid-in capital	3,663,662	3,661,308
Cumulative distributions in excess of earnings	(891,032)	(895,122)
Other comprehensive loss	(2,537)	(691)
Piedmont stockholders' equity	2,771,819	2,767,222
Noncontrolling interest	1,609	6,232
Total stockholders' equity	2,773,428	2,773,454
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 4,447,834	$ 4,373,480