Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Cumulative Distributions in Excess of Earnings [Member]	Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Non-controlling Interest [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 2,773,454	$ 1,727	$ 3,661,308	$ (895,122)	$ (691)	$ 6,232
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010		172,658,000
Stock repurchases as part of an announced program	(3,244)	(2)		(3,242)
Stock repurchases as part of an announced program (in shares)		(199,000)
Offering costs associated with issuance of common stock	(479)		(479)
Attribution of asset sales proceeds to noncontrolling interest	(2,684)					(2,684)
Dividends to common stockholders ($1.2600 (YTD 2011) and $0.20 (YTD 2012) per share), distributions to noncontrolling interest, and dividends reinvested	(220,365)		(249)	(217,709)		(2,407)
Shares issued under the 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan, net of tax	3,083	1	3,082
Shares issued under the 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan, net of tax (in shares)		171,000
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	468					468
Net income attributable to Piedmont	225,041			225,041
Other comprehensive loss	(1,846)				(1,846)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	2,773,428	1,726	3,663,662	(891,032)	(2,537)	1,609
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	172,629,748	172,630,000
Dividends to common stockholders ($1.2600 (YTD 2011) and $0.20 (YTD 2012) per share), distributions to noncontrolling interest, and dividends reinvested	(34,569)		(43)	(34,526)
Amortization of unvested shares granted under the 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan	583		583
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	4					4
Net income attributable to Piedmont	37,227			37,227
Other comprehensive loss	(15)				(15)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2012	$ 2,776,658	$ 1,726	$ 3,664,202	$ (888,331)	$ (2,552)	$ 1,613
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2012	172,629,748	172,630,000