WINTHROP REALTY TRUST ANNOUNCES THE RESIGNATION OF BRUCE BERKOWITZ
         AS A TRUSTEE AND THE APPOINTMENT OF STEVEN ZALKIND AS A TRUSTEE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Boston, Massachusetts - March 17, 2008 - Winthrop Realty Trust (NYSE:FUR),
announced today that Bruce Berkowitz has resigned as a member of the Company's
Board of Trustees effective at the close of business on March 14, 2008 and that
Steven Zalkind has been elected as a member of the Company's Board of Trustees
effective March 17, 2008 to fill the vacancy.

Mr. Berkowitz, a member of the Company's Board since 2000, stated "Sadly, the
growth and relocation of Fairholme Capital Management to Miami no longer allows
the time required to be a trustee of Winthrop and other companies. Fairholme and
its affiliates will remain a significant shareholder of Winthrop and look
forward to a prosperous future with the company."

Mr. Zalkind has been a principal of Resource Investments Limited, LLC, a real
estate investment firm, that has been involved in the acquisition of over 26,000
multi-family apartment units and 2,000,000 square feet of commercial shopping
centers and office buildings. Mr. Zalkind currently serves as the Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of Resource Investments Limited.

Michael L. Ashner, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company,
stated "We thank Bruce for his invaluable service to the Company over the years.
Although Bruce will be missed in the Board room, I look forward to his continued
counsel as a friend and as a significant shareholder in the Company." Mr. Ashner
continued "I am delighted with the addition of Steve Zalkind to our Board as his
real estate expertise can only serve to strengthen our Company particularly in
light of the current challenging economic climate."

About Winthrop Realty Trust

Winthrop Realty Trust is real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns, manages
and lends to real estate and related investments, both directly and through
joint ventures. Winthrop Realty Trust is listed on the New York Stock Exchange
and trades under the symbol "FUR." The Company has executive offices in Boston,
Massachusetts and Jericho, New York. For more information please visit
www.winthropreit.com.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. With the exception of the historical information contained in this news
release, the matters described herein contain "forward-looking" statements that
involve risk and uncertainties that may individually or collectively impact the
matters herein described. These are detailed from time to time in the "Risk
Factors" section of the Company's SEC reports. Further information relating to
the Company's financial position, results of operations, and investor
information is contained in the Company's annual and quarterly reports filed
with the SEC and available for download at its website www.winthropreit.com or
at the SEC website www.sec.gov.

AT THE COMPANY
Beverly Bergman
(617) 570-4614