Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments in real estate, at cost
Land	$ 87,520	$ 82,215
Buildings and improvements	567,342	588,653
Investment in real estate, gross	654,862	670,868
Less: accumulated depreciation	(50,451)	(56,448)
Investments in real estate, net (variable interest entities $66,132 and $65,275, respectively)	604,411	614,420
Cash and cash equivalents (variable interest entities $1,180 and $1,163, respectively)	133,576	112,512
Restricted cash held in escrows (variable interest entities $5,034 and $7,340, respectively)	14,821	13,372
Loans receivable, net	44,617	101,100
Secured financing receivable	30,659	30,728
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $149 and $414, respectively	2,217	2,229
Accrued rental income, net of allowances of $339 and $0, respectively	8,970	19,760
Loan securities carried at fair value	226	226
Preferred equity investments	5,848	6,485
Equity investments	196,538	149,085
Lease intangibles, net (variable interest entities $18,925 and $20,043, respectively)	49,874	49,866
Deferred financing costs, net	5,563	6,189
Other assets	3,451	3,314
Assets held for sale	2,396	23,038
TOTAL ASSETS	1,103,167	1,132,324
LIABILITIES
Mortgage loans payable (variable interest entities $92,664 and $90,404, respectively)	474,107	444,933
Senior notes payable	75,072	86,250
Secured financings	0	29,150
Notes payable (variable interest entities $982 and $942, respectively)	1,661	1,742
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other liabilities	20,422	26,266
Related party fees payable	2,771	2,831
Dividends payable	6,251	6,099
Deferred income	721	1,353
Below market lease intangibles, net (variable interest entities $449 and $527, respectively)	10,307	2,399
Liabilities of assets held for sale	0	21,638
TOTAL LIABILITIES	591,312	622,661
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 issued and outstanding at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013	120,500	120,500
Common Shares of beneficial interest, $1 par, unlimited shares authorized; 36,417,584 and 36,401,438 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	35,825	35,809
Additional paid-in capital	648,614	647,121
Accumulated distributions in excess of net income	(330,237)	(322,432)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(762)	(124)
Total Winthrop Realty Trust Shareholders' Equity	473,940	480,874
Non-controlling interests	37,915	28,789
Total Equity	511,855	509,663
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 1,103,167	$ 1,132,324