Document and Entity Information Document	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	May 04, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	FEDERAL REALTY INVESTMENT TRUST
Entity Central Index Key	0000034903
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		68,682,443