Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Series C [Member]	Series D Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest [Member]	Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest [Member]	Common Shares of Beneficial Interest [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member]	Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member] Series C [Member]	Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member] Series D Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Non-Controlling Interests [Member]
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 309,847,000				$ 27,030,000	$ 569,586,000	$ (300,782,000)			$ (63,000)	$ 14,076,000
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010					27,030,000
Net income attributable to Winthrop Realty Trust	10,933,000						10,933,000
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	814,000										814,000
Distributions to non-controlling interests	(356,000)										(356,000)
Contributions from non-controlling interests	6,526,000										6,526,000
Dividends declared on Common Shares of beneficial interest ($0.65 per share)	(20,473,000)						(20,473,000)
Dividends declared on Series C Preferred Shares ($1.43 per share)		(585,000)	(339,000)					(585,000)	(339,000)
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate derivatives	(55,000)									(29,000)	(26,000)
Net proceeds from Common Shares offering	61,386,000				5,750,000	55,636,000
Net proceeds from Common Shares offering, shares					5,750,000
Net proceeds from Series D Preferred Shares offering	38,378,000			40,000,000		(1,622,000)
Net proceeds from Series D Preferred Shares offering, shares				1,600,000
Stock issued pursuant to dividend reinvestment plan	2,760,000				261,000	2,499,000
Stock issued pursuant to dividend reinvestment plan, shares					261,000
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2011	408,836,000			40,000,000	33,041,000	626,099,000	(311,246,000)			(92,000)	21,034,000
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011				1,600,000	33,041,000
Net income attributable to Winthrop Realty Trust	24,631,000						24,631,000
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	(247,000)										(247,000)
Distributions to non-controlling interests	(7,242,000)										(7,242,000)
Contributions from non-controlling interests	4,576,000										4,576,000
Purchase of non-controlling interests	(7,900,000)					(4,533,000)					(3,367,000)
Dividends declared on Common Shares of beneficial interest ($0.65 per share)	(21,485,000)						(21,485,000)
Dividends declared on Series C Preferred Shares ($1.43 per share)			(9,285,000)						(9,285,000)
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate derivatives	42,000									42,000
Net proceeds from Series D Preferred Shares offering	77,563,000			80,500,000		(2,937,000)
Net proceeds from Series D Preferred Shares offering, shares				3,220,000
Stock issued pursuant to dividend reinvestment plan	517,000				48,000	469,000
Stock issued pursuant to dividend reinvestment plan, shares					48,000
Stock buyback	(742,000)				(70,000)	(672,000)
Stock buyback, shares					(70,000)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2012	469,264,000			120,500,000	33,019,000	618,426,000	(317,385,000)			(50,000)	14,754,000
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012				4,820,000	33,019,000
Net income attributable to Winthrop Realty Trust	28,778,000						28,778,000
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	(4,290,000)										(4,290,000)
Distributions to non-controlling interests	(51,000)										(51,000)
Contributions from non-controlling interests	18,629,000										18,629,000
Purchase of non-controlling interests	(150,000)					103,000					(253,000)
Dividends declared on Common Shares of beneficial interest ($0.65 per share)	(22,372,000)						(22,372,000)
Dividends declared on Series C Preferred Shares ($1.43 per share)			(11,146,000)						(11,146,000)
Dividends declared on Restricted Shares	(307,000)						(307,000)
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate derivatives	(74,000)									(74,000)
Net proceeds from Common Shares offering	30,021,000				2,750,000	27,271,000
Net proceeds from Common Shares offering, shares					2,750,000
Stock issued pursuant to dividend reinvestment plan	464,000				40,000	424,000
Stock issued pursuant to dividend reinvestment plan, shares					40,000
Issuance of Restricted Shares, values
Issuance of Restricted Shares	600,000				592,000
Amortization of Restricted Shares	897,000					897,000
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 509,663,000			$ 120,500,000	$ 35,809,000	$ 647,121,000	$ (322,432,000)			$ (124,000)	$ 28,789,000
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2013				4,820,000	36,401,000