Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets Liquidation Basis Unaudited - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Net assets in liquidation, beginning of year	$ 516,396,000
Changes in net assets in liquidation
Change in liquidation value of investments in real estate	(21,900,000)	$ (3,363,000)
Change in liquidation value of loans receivable	100,000
Change in liquidation value of loan securities		(918,000)
Change in liquidation value of equity investments	3,142,000	10,343,000
Remeasurement of assets and liabilities	2,141,000	(3,449,000)
Remeasurement of non-controlling interests	1,067,000	1,445,000
Net (decrease) increase in liquidation value	(15,450,000)
Liquidating distributions to Unitholders/Common shareholders	(173,019,000)	(81,956,000)
Changes in net assets in liquidation	(188,469,000)
Net assets in liquidation, end of year	327,927,000	516,396,000
Winthrop Realty Trust [Member]
Net assets in liquidation, beginning of year	$ 516,396,000	594,704,000
Changes in net assets in liquidation
Change in liquidation value of investments in real estate		(3,363,000)
Change in liquidation value of loans receivable		(410,000)
Change in liquidation value of loan securities		(918,000)
Change in liquidation value of equity investments		10,343,000
Remeasurement of assets and liabilities		(3,449,000)
Remeasurement of non-controlling interests		1,445,000
Net (decrease) increase in liquidation value		3,648,000
Liquidating distributions to Unitholders/Common shareholders		(81,956,000)
Changes in net assets in liquidation		(78,308,000)
Net assets in liquidation, end of year		$ 516,396,000