Management agreement, fees and transactions with related party (Details) - USD ($)		6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2008	May 07, 2008	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2013
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Asset management fees			$ 2,547,000	$ 2,375,000	$ 2,046,000
Leasing commissions			522,500
Total construction financing, including other members			14,460,000
Amount of the capital call			8,700,000
Payment of capital call			8,700,000
Due to affiliate			5,417,000	5,172,000
Secured loans receivable			4,000,000	5,451,000
Consulting services expense			$ 240,000
Damascus Centre, LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership by parent (percentage)			70.00%
Ownership by noncontrolling owners (percentage)			30.00%
Sale of interest	$ 3,224,000
Sale of interest, amount financed	$ 1,451,000
Grande Rotunda, LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Aggregate outstanding principal balance			$ 4,000,000	5,451,000
Accrued but unpaid interest			$ 862,000	1,068,000
Ownership by parent (percentage)			60.00%
Ownership by noncontrolling owners (percentage)			40.00%
Due to affiliate			$ 5,417,000	5,172,000
Managing Agent Hekemian & Co [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Asset management fees			2,438,000	2,216,000	1,930,000
Leasing commissions and reimbursement of operating expenses			742,000	1,191,000	577,000
Insurance commissions			178,000	175,000	164,000
Maximum advances to employees		$ 2,000,000	4,000,000	4,000,000	4,000,000
Accounts Payable			$ 212,000	200,000
Affiliated Entity [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Development fee (as percentage)			6.375%
Development fees paid			$ 3,000,000			$ 500,000
Fee, to be paid on issuance of certificate of occupancy			900,000
Robert S. Hekemian [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Trustee fee expense			365,000	538,000	532,000
Rotunda 100 [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Secured loans receivable to noncontrolling interest			2,100,000
Amount of the capital call			5,800,000
Payment of capital call			5,800,000
Advance to affiliate			3,700,000
Fee amount			1,400,000
Affiliated Entity 1 [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Redevelopment fees			1,195,000	467,500	443,000
Construction and development costs						$ 1,400,000
Development fees included in accounts payable			900,000	900,000	900,000
Robert S. Hekemian, Jr. [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Trustee fee expense			149,000	65,000	65,000
Consulting services expense			34,200
Consulting fee per month			5,000
Consulting fee quarterly installments			15,000
Grande Rotunda LLC Construction Loan [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Consulting services expense			400,000
Provident Bank [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Consulting services expense			32,500
David Hekemian [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Trustee fee expense			26,000	0	$ 0
Damascus [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Secured notes outstanding			1,870,000
Principal amount on notes			1,451,000
Accrued interest payable			419,000
Unpaid accrued interest			$ 862,000	$ 1,068,000