Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Investments in real estate, at cost
Land	$ 56,894	$ 43,252
Buildings and improvements	380,240	378,737
Investments in real estate, gross	437,134	421,989
Less: accumulated depreciation	(55,195)	(51,553)
Investments in real estate, net (variable interest entities $65,029 and $21,423, respectively)	381,939	370,436
Cash and cash equivalents	165,762	97,682
Restricted cash held in escrows (variable interest entities $6,637 and $1,101, respectively)	19,084	13,250
Loans receivable, net	108,163	211,250
Secured financing receivable	30,395
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $478 and $374, respectively	997	1,418
Accrued rental income	19,205	17,241
Securities carried at fair value	7,074	19,694
Loan securities carried at fair value	226	11
Preferred equity investments	12,703	12,250
Equity investments	139,061	134,859
Lease intangibles, net (variable interest entities $20,059 and $3,485, respectively)	48,774	37,744
Deferred financing costs, net	4,546	4,864
Other assets	28,135	2,464
Assets held for sale	2,421
TOTAL ASSETS	968,485	923,163
LIABILITIES
Mortgage loans payable (variable interest entities $65,836 and $23,184, respectively)	308,049	280,576
Senior notes payable	86,250	86,250
Secured financings	29,150	52,920
Notes payable (variable interest entities $864 and $876, respectively)	1,664	1,676
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other liabilities	21,522	21,056
Related party fees payable	2,693	2,664
Dividends payable	8,804	5,366
Deferred income	995	1,136
Below market lease intangibles, net (variable interest entities $605 and $51, respectively)	2,280	2,255
TOTAL LIABILITIES	461,407	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 September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012	120,500	120,500
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, $1 par, unlimited shares authorized; 36,397,949 and 33,018,711 both issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	35,798	33,019
Additional paid-in capital	646,620	618,426
Accumulated distributions in excess of net income	(308,661)	(317,385)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(70)	(50)
Total Winthrop Realty Trust Shareholders' Equity	494,187	454,510
Non-controlling interests	12,891	14,754
Total Equity	507,078	469,264
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 968,485	$ 923,163