Consolidated Statements of Equity - USD ($)	Total	Series D Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest [Member]	Series D 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 D Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) [Member]	Non-Controlling Interests [Member]
Beginning 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
Beginning 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 loss 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 and $0.325 per share)	(22,372,000)					(22,372,000)
Dividends declared on Series D Preferred Shares ($2.3125 per share and $1.348963 per share )	(11,146,000)	$ (11,146,000)					$ (11,146,000)
Dividends declared on Restricted Shares	(307,000)					(307,000)
Change in unrealized loss on interest rate derivatives	(74,000)							(74,000)
Stock issued pursuant to Dividend Reinvestment Plan	464,000			$ 40,000	424,000
Stock issued pursuant to Dividend Reinvestment Plan, shares				40,000
Net proceeds from shares offering, value	30,021,000			$ 2,750,000	27,271,000
Net proceeds from shares offering, shares				2,750,000
Issuance of restricted shares, value	$ 0		$ 0	$ 0	0	0		0	0
Issuance of Restricted shares, 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
Net income attributable to Winthrop Realty Trust	12,481,000					12,481,000
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests	(3,818,000)								(3,818,000)
Distributions to non-controlling interests	(711,000)								(711,000)
Contributions from non-controlling interests	873,000								873,000
Increase in non-controlling interest due to consolidation of property	16,391,000								16,391,000
Decrease in non-controlling interest due to property sale	(3,764,000)								(3,764,000)
Dividends declared on Common Shares of beneficial interest ($0.65 per share and $0.325 per share)	(11,642,000)					(11,642,000)
Dividends declared on Series D Preferred Shares ($2.3125 per share and $1.348963 per share )	(6,502,000)	(6,502,000)					$ (6,502,000)
Dividends declared on Restricted Shares	(192,000)					(192,000)
Change in unrealized loss on interest rate derivatives	(193,000)							(193,000)
Stock issued pursuant to Dividend Reinvestment Plan	178,000			$ 16,000	162,000
Stock issued pursuant to Dividend Reinvestment Plan, shares				16,000
Amortization of Restricted Shares	1,450,000				1,450,000
Ending balance at Jul. 31, 2014	514,214,000		$ 120,500,000	$ 35,825,000	648,733,000	(328,287,000)		(317,000)	37,760,000
Ending balance, shares at Jul. 31, 2014			4,820,000	36,417,000
Beginning 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
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2013			4,820,000	36,401,000
Net income attributable to Winthrop Realty Trust	12,481,000
Dividends declared on Common Shares of beneficial interest ($0.65 per share and $0.325 per share)	(81,959,000)
Dividends declared on Series D Preferred Shares ($2.3125 per share and $1.348963 per share )		$ (121,890,000)
Net income attributable to Winthrop Realty Trust	$ 10,310,000