CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Parkway Properties, Inc. stockholders' equity
Series D Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Series D Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	5,421,296	4,374,896
Series D Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	5,421,296	4,374,896
Series D Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	5,421,296	4,374,896
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	64,578,704	65,625,104
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	21,995,536	21,923,610
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	21,995,536	21,923,610
Common stock held in trust, shares (in shares)	8,368	58,134