Components of Rental Income - Schedule of Principal Components of Rental Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Cost reimbursement	$ 36,272	$ 32,842	$ 110,694	$ 102,459
Percentage rent	3,374	2,363	8,641	6,531
Other	3,600	2,855	10,019	8,387
Total rental income	181,562	166,112	538,612	494,688
Retail and Commercial
Minimum rents	127,564	118,412	377,565	351,317
Residential
Minimum rents	$ 10,752	$ 9,640	$ 31,693	$ 25,994

This element represents other rental revenue earned during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	frt_OtherRentalIncome
Namespace Prefix:	frt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total amount of rental revenue recognized for the period from real estate operations, including minimum rent, straight-line rent, percentage rent and tenant reimbursements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	frt_RentalIncome
Namespace Prefix:	frt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total amount of lease revenue recognized for the period for which the lessee was obligated under leasing arrangements regardless of any other events or conditions. This amount excludes contingent revenue and sublease revenue.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 20

-Section 25

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7501430&loc=d3e39896-112707

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesIncomeStatementMinimumLeaseRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the rental revenue earned during the period from lessee-operators based on revenues generated in their operations, generally in excess of a base amount. Such rental revenue is generally stipulated in the lease agreement, usually will provide for a fixed percentage of revenue to be paid as additional (or possibly only) rent due the lessor, and may be based on gross revenues, net revenues, or multiple variations thereof. Percentage rent is often required under leases with retail outlets located on premises owned by hoteliers, cruise lines, others in the hospitality industry, and shopping mall operators, among others.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1(e))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PercentageRent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

In accordance with the provisions of their lease agreement, this element represents allowable charges due a landlord from its tenant. In retail store and office building leases, for example, tenant reimbursements may cover items such as taxes, utilities, and common area expenses.

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+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TenantReimbursements
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=us-gaap_CommercialRealEstateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=us-gaap_ResidentialRealEstateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: