CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
INVESTMENTS IN REAL ESTATE, at cost:
Operating properties	$ 3,422,311	$ 3,395,681
Construction in progress	88,390	68,619
Land held for development	10,450	13,240
Total investments in real estate	3,521,151	3,477,540
Accumulated depreciation	(993,735)	(907,928)
Net investments in real estate	2,527,416	2,569,612
INVESTMENTS IN PARTNERSHIPS, at equity:	15,615	14,855
OTHER ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	24,893	33,990
Tenant and other receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $14,159 and $14,042 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively)	35,535	38,473
Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $14,410 and $14,940 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively)	9,447	8,673
Deferred costs and other assets	100,223	97,399
Assets held for sale		114,622
Total assets	2,713,129	2,877,624
LIABILITIES:
Mortgage loans payable	1,538,102	1,718,052
Term Loan		182,000
Revolving Facility	90,000
Tenants’ deposits and deferred rent	15,411	14,862
Distributions in excess of partnership investments	64,187	64,874
Fair value of derivative instruments	1,387	9,742
Liabilities on assets held for sale		102,417
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	72,315	72,448
Total liabilities	1,781,402	2,164,395
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 6):
EQUITY:
Shares of beneficial interest, $1.00 par value per share; 200,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding 68,202 shares at September 30, 2013 and 56,331 shares at December 31, 2012	68,202	56,331
Capital contributed in excess of par	1,463,845	1,247,730
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(7,804)	20,867
Distributions in excess of net income	(626,885)	(608,634)
Total equity—Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust	897,439	674,641
Noncontrolling interest	34,288	38,588
Total equity	931,727	713,229
Total liabilities and equity	2,713,129	2,877,624
Series A Preferred Shares [Member]
EQUITY:
Preferred Shares	46	46
Series B Preferred Shares [Member]
EQUITY:
Preferred Shares	$ 35	$ 35