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Business And Organization	6 Months Ended
Business And Organization	Jun. 30, 2012
Nature Of Operations [Abstract]
BUSINESS AND ORGANIZATION	BUSINESS AND ORGANIZATION Federal Realty Investment Trust (the “Trust”) is an equity real estate investment trust (“REIT”) specializing in the ownership, management, and redevelopment of retail and mixed-use properties. Our properties are located primarily in densely populated and affluent communities in strategically selected metropolitan markets in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions of the United States, and California. As of June 30, 2012, we owned or had a majority interest in community and neighborhood shopping centers and mixed-use properties which are operated as 87 predominantly retail real estate projects. We operate in a manner intended to enable us to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. A REIT that distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to its shareholders each year and meets certain other conditions is not taxed on that portion of its taxable income which is distributed to its shareholders. Therefore, federal income taxes on our taxable income have been and are generally expected to be immaterial. We are obligated to pay state taxes, generally consisting of franchise or gross receipts taxes in certain states. Such state taxes also have not been material.