Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Investments in real estate, at cost
Land	$ 59,183	$ 43,252
Buildings and improvements	385,370	378,737
Investments in real estate, gross	444,553	421,989
Less: accumulated depreciation	(53,553)	(51,553)
Investments in real estate, net (variable interest entities $65,446 and $21,423, respectively)	391,000	370,436
Cash and cash equivalents	186,132	97,682
Restricted cash held in escrows (variable interest entities $6,811 and $1,101, respectively)	19,422	13,250
Loans receivable, net	113,308	211,250
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $474 and $374, respectively	5,027	3,882
Accrued rental income	15,801	17,241
Securities carried at fair value	10,360	19,694
Loan securities carried at fair value	226	11
Preferred equity investments	12,514	12,250
Equity investments	141,645	134,859
Lease intangibles, net (variable interest entities $20,537 and $3,485, respectively)	48,348	37,744
Deferred financing costs, net	4,819	4,864
Assets held for sale	1,708
TOTAL ASSETS	950,310	923,163
LIABILITIES
Mortgage loans payable (variable interest entities $66,085 and $23,184, respectively)	325,026	280,576
Senior notes payable	86,250	86,250
Secured financings	29,150	52,920
Notes payable (variable interest entites $845 and $876, respectively)	1,645	1,676
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (variable interest entities $5,106 and $1,347, respectively)	19,202	21,056
Related party fees payable	2,658	2,664
Dividends payable	8,268	5,366
Deferred income	1,131	1,136
Below market lease intangibles, net (variable interest entities $605 and $51, respectively)	2,483	2,255
TOTAL LIABILITIES	475,813	453,899
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 both issued and outstanding at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012	120,500	120,500
Common Shares, $1 par, unlimited shares authorized; 33,638,757 and 33,018,711 both issued and outstanding at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	33,039	33,019
Additional paid-in capital	618,954	618,426
Accumulated distributions in excess of net income	(311,688)	(317,385)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	80	(50)
Total Winthrop Realty Trust Shareholders' Equity	460,885	454,510
Non-controlling interests	13,612	14,754
Total Equity	474,497	469,264
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 950,310	$ 923,163