Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Cumulative Redeemable Series D Preferred Shares	Common Shares of Beneficial Interest	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Distribution in Excess of Net Income	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Non- Controlling Interests
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 309,847	$ 0	$ 27,030	$ 569,586	$ (300,782)	$ (63)	$ 14,076
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010		0	27,030
Net income attributable to Winthrop Realty Trust	7,198				7,198
Income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	204						204
Distributions to non-controlling interests	(118)						(118)
Contributions from non-controlling interests	277						277
Dividends paid or accrued on Common Shares of Beneficial Interest ($0.1625 per share)	(4,402)				(4,402)
Dividends paid or accrued on Series C Preferred Shares ($0.40625 per share) in March 31, 2011 and Series D Preferred Shares ($0.57813 per share) in March 31, 2012	(59)				(59)
Change in unrealized gain on interest rate derivative	63					63
Stock issued pursuant to dividend reinvestment plan	680		58	622
Stock issued pursuant to dividend reinvestment plan, shares			58
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2011	313,690	0	27,088	570,208	(298,045)	0	14,439
Ending balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2011		0	27,088
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2011	408,836	40,000	33,041	626,099	(311,246)	(92)	21,034
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011		1,600	33,041
Net income attributable to Winthrop Realty Trust	8,253				8,253
Income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	(901)						(901)
Distributions to non-controlling interests	(101)						(101)
Contributions from non-controlling interests	218						218
Purchase of non-controlling interests	(400)			(208)			(192)
Dividends paid or accrued on Common Shares of Beneficial Interest ($0.1625 per share)	(5,371)				(5,371)
Dividends paid or accrued on Series C Preferred Shares ($0.40625 per share) in March 31, 2011 and Series D Preferred Shares ($0.57813 per share) in March 31, 2012	(925)				(925)
Net proceeds from Series D Preferred Share offering	77,772	80,500		(2,728)
Net proceeds from Series D Preferred Share offering, shares		3,220
Change in unrealized gain on interest rate derivative	(32)					(32)
Stock issued pursuant to dividend reinvestment plan	133		12	121
Stock issued pursuant to dividend reinvestment plan, shares			12
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2012	$ 487,482	$ 120,500	$ 33,053	$ 623,284	$ (309,289)	$ (124)	$ 20,058
Ending balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2012		4,820	33,053