Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Mar. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements represent the consolidated results of Winthrop, its wholly-owned taxable REIT subsidiary, WRT-TRS Management Corp., the Operating Partnership and all consolidated subsidiaries as discussed below under Liquidation Basis of Accounting. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements, although management believes that the disclosures presented herein are adequate to make the accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements not misleading. The accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated annual financial statements and the notes thereto included in Winthrop’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed with the SEC. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for fair statements have been included, and all such adjustments were of a normal recurring nature. The results of operations for the interim periods were not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.
Liquidation Basis of Accounting	Liquidation Basis of Accounting As a result of the approval of the plan of liquidation by the shareholders, the Trust was required to adopt the liquidation basis of accounting as of August 1, 2014 and for the periods subsequent to August 1, 2014 in accordance with GAAP. Accordingly, on August 1, 2014 assets were adjusted to their estimated net realizable value, or liquidation value, which represents the estimated amount of cash that the Trust will collect on disposal of assets as it carries out its plan of liquidation. The liquidation value of the Trust’s operating properties and loan assets are presented on an undiscounted basis. Estimated costs to dispose of assets have been presented separately from the related assets. Liabilities are carried at their contractual amounts due or estimated settlement amounts. The Trust accrues costs and income that it expects to incur and earn through the end of liquidation to the extent it has a reasonable basis for estimation. These amounts are classified as a liability for estimated costs in excess of estimated receipts during liquidation on the Consolidated Statements of Net Assets. Actual costs and income may differ from amounts reflected in the financial statements because of inherent uncertainty in estimating future events. These differences may be material. See Note 4 for further discussion. Actual costs incurred but unpaid as of March 31, 2016 are included in accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Net Assets. In liquidation, the presentation for joint ventures historically consolidated under going concern accounting is determined based on the Trust’s planned exit strategy. Those ventures where the Trust intends to sell the property are presented on a gross basis with a payable to the non-controlling interest holder. Those ventures where the Trust intends to sell its interest in the venture, rather than the property, are presented on a net basis and are included in equity investments on the Consolidated Statements of Net Assets. Amounts due to non-controlling interests in connection with the disposition of consolidated joint ventures have been accrued and are recorded as liability for non-controlling interests. Net assets in liquidation represents the estimated liquidation value available to holders of Common Shares upon liquidation. Due to the uncertainty in the timing of the anticipated sale dates and the estimated cash flows, actual operating results and sale proceeds may differ materially from the amounts estimated.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions in determining the values of assets and liabilities, disclosing contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Under liquidation accounting, the Trust is required to estimate all costs and income that it expects to incur and earn through the end of liquidation including the estimated amount of cash it will collect on disposal of its assets and estimated costs incurred to dispose of assets. All of the estimates and evaluations are susceptible to change and actual results could differ materially from the estimates and evaluations.