Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Investments in real estate, at cost
Land	$ 43,252	$ 36,495
Buildings and improvements	378,737	327,337
Investments in real estate, cost	421,989	363,832
Less: accumulated depreciation	(51,553)	(44,556)
Investments in real estate, net (variable interest entity $214,23 and $0, respectively)	370,436	319,276
Cash and cash equivalents	97,682	40,952
Restricted cash held in escrows	13,250	3,914
Loans receivable, net	211,250	114,333
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $374 and $639, respectively	3,882	4,288
Accrued rental income	17,241	11,858
Securities carried at fair value	19,694	28,856
Loan securities carried at fair value	11	5,309
Preferred equity investments	12,250	5,520
Equity investments	134,859	162,142
Lease intangibles, net (variable interest entity $3,485 and $0, respectively)	37,744	36,305
Deferred financing costs, net	4,864	1,180
TOTAL ASSETS	923,163	733,933
LIABILITIES
Mortgage loans payable (variable interest entity $23,184 and $0, respectively)	280,576	230,940
Senior notes payable	86,250
Notes payable (variable interest entity $876 and $0, respectively)	1,676
Secured financings	52,920	29,150
Revolving line of credit		40,000
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	21,056	14,077
Related party fees payable	2,664	2,097
Dividends payable	5,366	5,369
Deferred income	1,136	502
Below market lease intangibles, net	2,255	2,962
TOTAL LIABILITIES	453,899	325,097
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Winthrop Realty Trust Shareholders' Equity:
Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, $25 per share liquidation preference, 5,060,000 shares authorized and 4,820,000 shares outstanding at December 31, 2012 and 1,840,000 shares authorized and 1,600,000 shares outstanding at December 31, 2011	120,500	40,000
Common Shares, $1 par, unlimited shares authorized; 33,018,711 and 33,041,034 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	33,019	33,041
Additional paid-in capital	618,426	626,099
Accumulated distributions in excess of net income	(317,385)	(311,246)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(50)	(92)
Total Winthrop Realty Trust Shareholders' Equity	454,510	387,802
Non-controlling interests	14,754	21,034
Total Equity	469,264	408,836
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 923,163	$ 733,933