CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock Held in Trust	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 128,942	$ 22	$ (220)	$ 517,309	$ (3,340)	$ (271,104)	$ 258,428	$ 630,037
Net income (loss)	0	0	0	0	0	4,705	622	5,327
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps	0	0	0	0	82	0	192	274
Common dividends declared	0	0	0	0	0	(1,630)	0	(1,630)
Preferred dividends declared	0	0	0	0	0	(2,711)	0	(2,711)
Share-based compensation	0	0	0	157	0	0	0	157
Issuance costs for shelf registration	0	0	0	(10)	0	0	0	(10)
Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligation in connection with the vesting of restricted stock and deferred incentive share units	0	0	0	(113)	0	0	0	(113)
Distribution of common stock from deferred compensation plan	0	0	72	0	0	0	0	72
Issuance of 1.8 million operating partnership units	0	0	0	0	0	0	18,216	18,216
Contribution of capital by noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0	0	0	2,731	2,731
Distribution of capital to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0	0	0	(566)	(566)
Sale of noncontrolling interest in Parkway Properties Office Fund, L.P.	0	0	0	0	0	0	(10,043)	(10,043)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2012	$ 128,942	$ 22	$ (148)	$ 517,343	$ (3,258)	$ (270,740)	$ 269,580	$ 641,741