Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 395,661	$ 269,081	$ 135,888
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	302,409	279,976	255,027
Impairment charge	0	0	57,218
Gain on deconsolidation of VIE	(70,374)	0	0
Gain on sale of real estate and change in control of interest, net of tax	(93,483)	(89,950)	(98,117)
Early extinguishment of debt	0	0	11,179
(Income) loss from partnerships	(5,170)	(1,245)	8,062
Straight-line rent	(18,326)	(9,397)	(4,492)
Share-based compensation expense	13,704	13,009	11,924
Other, net	(4,812)	(3,223)	(1,290)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable, net	(12,071)	1,214	(6,032)
Increase in prepaid expenses and other assets	(1,219)	(5,607)	(3,260)
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses	77	6,782	5,621
Increase (decrease) in security deposits and other liabilities	10,373	10,712	(1,799)
Net cash provided by operating activities	516,769	471,352	369,929
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Acquisition of real estate	(438,494)	(366,466)	(9,589)
Capital expenditures - development and redevelopment	(309,046)	(368,786)	(433,872)
Capital expenditures - other	(107,655)	(71,728)	(68,064)
Costs associated with property sold under threat of condemnation, net	(18,031)	0	(12,924)
Proceeds from sale of real estate	133,717	137,868	183,461
Change in cash from deconsolidation of VIE	(4,192)	0	0
Investment in partnerships	(23,155)	(3,115)	(3,348)
Distribution from partnerships in excess of earnings	6,864	2,970	1,301
Leasing costs	(22,541)	(21,990)	(15,080)
(Issuance) repayment of mortgage and other notes receivable, net	(3,465)	31,129	(10,268)
Net cash used in investing activities	(785,998)	(660,118)	(368,383)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Costs to amend revolving credit facility	(6,375)	0	(638)
Issuance of senior notes, net of costs	0	0	1,094,283
Redemption and retirement of senior notes	0	0	(510,360)
Issuance of notes payable, net of costs	298,568	0	398,722
Repayment of mortgages, finance leases, and notes payable	(19,443)	(277,643)	(70,237)
Issuance of common shares, net of costs	307,275	172,981	99,177
Dividends paid to common and preferred shareholders	(347,284)	(335,656)	(324,596)
Shares withheld for employee taxes	(4,900)	(2,998)	(4,052)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	0	133	0
Distributions to and redemptions of noncontrolling interests	(37,427)	(9,784)	(20,563)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	190,414	(452,967)	661,736
(Decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	(78,815)	(641,733)	663,282
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of year	175,163	816,896	153,614
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of year	96,348	175,163	816,896
Federal Realty OP LP
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	395,661	269,081	135,888
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	302,409	279,976	255,027
Impairment charge	0	0	57,218
Gain on deconsolidation of VIE	(70,374)	0	0
Gain on sale of real estate and change in control of interest, net of tax	(93,483)	(89,950)	(98,117)
Early extinguishment of debt	0	0	11,179
(Income) loss from partnerships	(5,170)	(1,245)	8,062
Straight-line rent	(18,326)	(9,397)	(4,492)
Share-based compensation expense	13,704	13,009	11,924
Other, net	(4,812)	(3,223)	(1,290)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable, net	(12,071)	1,214	(6,032)
Increase in prepaid expenses and other assets	(1,219)	(5,607)	(3,260)
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses	77	6,782	5,621
Increase (decrease) in security deposits and other liabilities	10,373	10,712	(1,799)
Net cash provided by operating activities	516,769	471,352	369,929
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Acquisition of real estate	(438,494)	(366,466)	(9,589)
Capital expenditures - development and redevelopment	(309,046)	(368,786)	(433,872)
Capital expenditures - other	(107,655)	(71,728)	(68,064)
Costs associated with property sold under threat of condemnation, net	(18,031)	0	(12,924)
Proceeds from sale of real estate	133,717	137,868	183,461
Change in cash from deconsolidation of VIE	(4,192)	0	0
Investment in partnerships	(23,155)	(3,115)	(3,348)
Distribution from partnerships in excess of earnings	6,864	2,970	1,301
Leasing costs	(22,541)	(21,990)	(15,080)
(Issuance) repayment of mortgage and other notes receivable, net	(3,465)	31,129	(10,268)
Net cash used in investing activities	(785,998)	(660,118)	(368,383)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Costs to amend revolving credit facility	(6,375)	0	(638)
Issuance of senior notes, net of costs	0	0	1,094,283
Redemption and retirement of senior notes	0	0	(510,360)
Issuance of notes payable, net of costs	298,568	0	398,722
Repayment of mortgages, finance leases, and notes payable	(19,443)	(277,643)	(70,237)
Issuance of common shares, net of costs	307,275	172,981	99,177
Dividends paid to common and preferred shareholders	(347,284)	(335,656)	(324,596)
Shares withheld for employee taxes	(4,900)	(2,998)	(4,052)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	0	133	0
Distributions to and redemptions of noncontrolling interests	(37,427)	(9,784)	(20,563)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	190,414	(452,967)	661,736
(Decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	(78,815)	(641,733)	663,282
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of year	175,163	816,896	153,614
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of year	$ 96,348	$ 175,163	$ 816,896