Select Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 33,831	$ 33,653	$ 30,208	$ 28,267	$ 28,365	$ 25,508	$ 25,129	$ 25,435	$ 125,959	$ 104,437	$ 93,416
Net income	2,025	3,140	2,144	1,557	567	964	1,509	5,088	8,866	8,128	6,854
Net income (loss) attributable to Whitestone REIT	$ 1,921	$ 2,993	$ 1,983	$ 1,440	$ 532	$ 949	$ 1,484	$ 4,997	$ 8,334	$ 7,931	$ 6,749
Basic Earnings Per Share:
Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares (in dollars per share)	$ 0.05	$ 0.07	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ 0.01	$ 0.03	$ 0.05	$ 0.18	$ 0.22	$ 0.26	$ 0.25
Diluted Earnings Per Share:
Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares (in dollars per share)	$ 0.05	$ 0.07	$ 0.05	$ 0.04	$ 0.01	$ 0.03	$ 0.05	$ 0.18	$ 0.22	$ 0.26	$ 0.24