Consolidated statements of Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands	Total	Common shares of beneficial interest	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Non- Controlling Interests
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 229,200	$ 20,375	$ 498,118	$ (301,317)	$ (87)	$ 12,111
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2009		20,375
Net income attributable to Winthrop Realty Trust	12,589			12,589
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	595					595
Distributions to non-controlling interests	(240)					(240)
Contributions from non-controlling interests	1,037					1,037
Dividends paid or accrued on Common Shares of Beneficial Interest ($0.4875 per share)	(11,261)			(11,261)
Dividends paid or accrued on Series C Preferred Shares ($1.21875 per share)	(230)			(230)
Change in unrealized gain on available for sale securities	2				2
Change in unrealized gain on interest rate derivative	(8)				(8)
Conversion of Series C Preferred Shares to Common Shares, shares		714
Conversion of Series C Preferred Shares to Common Shares	8,948	714	8,234
Net proceeds from Common Shares offering, shares		5,750
Net proceeds from Common Shares offering	66,867	5,750	61,117
Shares issued pursuant to dividend reinvestment plan, shares		143
Shares issued pursuant to dividend reinvestment plan	1,795	143	1,652
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2010	309,294	26,982	569,121	(300,219)	(93)	13,503
Ending balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2010		26,982
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2010	309,847	27,030	569,586	(300,782)	(63)	14,076
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010		27,030
Net income attributable to Winthrop Realty Trust	20,772			20,772
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	851					851
Distributions to non-controlling interests	(327)					(327)
Contributions from non-controlling interests	300					300
Dividends paid or accrued on Common Shares of Beneficial Interest ($0.4875 per share)	(15,104)			(15,104)
Dividends paid or accrued on Series C Preferred Shares ($1.21875 per share)	(176)			(176)
Change in unrealized gain on interest rate derivative	63				63
Net proceeds from Common Shares offering, shares		5,750
Net proceeds from Common Shares offering	61,386	5,750	55,636
Shares issued pursuant to dividend reinvestment plan, shares		179
Shares issued pursuant to dividend reinvestment plan	2,064	179	1,885
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2011	$ 379,676	$ 32,959	$ 627,107	$ (295,290)	$ 0	$ 14,900
Ending balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2011		32,959