Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets:
Land	$ 688,761	$ 629,536
Buildings and improvements, less accumulated depreciation of $979,934 and $883,957 as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	3,164,575	2,908,078
Intangible lease assets, less accumulated amortization of $71,820 and $67,940 as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	74,377	54,745
Construction in progress	24,270	20,373
Total real estate assets	3,951,983	3,612,732
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	14,122	37,226
Cash and cash equivalents	6,973	12,957
Tenant receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $346 and $346 as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	31,145	25,038
Straight-line rent receivables	139,406	122,299
Due from unconsolidated joint ventures	266	463
Restricted cash and escrows	394	334
Prepaid expenses and other assets	24,771	21,283
Goodwill	180,097	180,097
Interest rate swaps	24,176	1,075
Deferred financing costs, less accumulated amortization of $13,041 and $10,479 as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	8,759	6,454
Deferred lease costs, less accumulated amortization of $126,465 and $108,380 as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	283,996	234,917
Total assets	4,666,088	4,254,875
Liabilities:
Unsecured debt	1,014,680	429,000
Secured debt	987,525	987,525
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and accrued capital expenditures	128,818	127,263
Deferred income	22,267	21,552
Intangible lease liabilities, less accumulated amortization of $44,256 and $40,931 as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	47,113	40,805
Interest rate swaps	4,526	8,235
Total liabilities	2,204,929	1,614,380
Commitments and Contingencies	0	0
Stockholders' Equity:
Shares-in-trust, 150,000,000 shares authorized, none outstanding as of December 31, 2013 or December 31, 2012	0	0
Preferred stock, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, none outstanding as of December 31, 2013 or December 31, 2012	0	0
Common stock, $.01 par value; 750,000,000 shares authorized, 157,460,903 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2013; and 167,556,001 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012	1,575	1,676
Additional paid-in capital	3,668,906	3,667,051
Cumulative distributions in excess of earnings	(1,231,209)	(1,022,681)
Other comprehensive income/(loss)	20,278	(7,160)
Piedmont stockholders’ equity	2,459,550	2,638,886
Noncontrolling interest	1,609	1,609
Total stockholders’ equity	2,461,159	2,640,495
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 4,666,088	$ 4,254,875