Non-controlling Interests (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Schedule of Changes in the Trust's Ownership Interest in the Subsidiaries

The changes in the Trust’s ownership interest in the subsidiaries impacted consolidated equity during the period are as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
Net income attributable to Winthrop Realty Trust	$	11,728	$	15,108	$	33,848	$	26,719
Increase (decrease) in Winthrop Realty Trust’s paid in capital related to purchases of non-controlling interests		—		—		103		(5,695	)
Changes from net income attributable to Winthrop Realty Trust and transfers (to) from non-controlling interests	$	11,728	$	15,108	$	33,951	$	21,024