Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $) In Thousands	Total	Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest	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, 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
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests	(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 in 2013, 2012 respectively)	(5,371)				(5,371)
Dividends paid or accrued on Series D Preferred Shares ($0.57813 per share in 2013, 2012 respectively)	(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 loss on interest rate derivatives	(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
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2012	469,264	120,500	33,019	618,426	(317,385)	(50)	14,754
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012		4,820	33,019
Net income attributable to Winthrop Realty Trust	13,746				13,746
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests	(795)						(795)
Contributions from non-controlling interests	535						535
Purchase of non-controlling interests	(75)			52			(127)
Dividends paid or accrued on Common Shares of Beneficial Interest ($0.1625 per share in 2013, 2012 respectively)	(5,367)				(5,367)
Dividends paid or accrued on Series D Preferred Shares ($0.57813 per share in 2013, 2012 respectively)	(2,787)				(2,787)
Change in unrealized loss on interest rate derivatives	(1)					(1)
Stock issued pursuant to dividend reinvestment plan	115		10	105
Stock issued pursuant to dividend reinvestment plan, shares			10
Issuance of restricted shares, value	43			43
Issuance of restricted shares			100
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2013	$ 474,678	$ 120,500	$ 33,029	$ 618,626	$ (311,793)	$ (51)	$ 14,367
Ending balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2013		4,820	33,129