Investments in Partnerships - Summary of Equity Investments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 533,678			$ 533,678			$ 284,694
Investments in real estate, at cost:
Operating properties	661,556			661,556			416,964
Construction in progress	24,988			24,988			2,298
Total investments in real estate	686,544			686,544			419,262
Accumulated depreciation	(206,732)			(206,732)			(169,369)
Net investments in real estate	479,812			479,812			249,893
Cash and cash equivalents	15,360			15,360			15,327
Deferred costs and other assets, net	38,506			38,506			19,474
Total assets	533,678			533,678			284,694
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ INVESTMENT (DEFICIT):
Mortgage loans payable	393,552			393,552			398,717
Other liabilities	25,313			25,313			9,667
Total liabilities	418,865			418,865			408,384
Net investment (deficit)	114,813			114,813			(123,690)
Partners’ share	58,790			58,790			(66,325)
PREIT’s share	56,023			56,023			(57,365)
Excess investment	8,819	[1]		8,819	[1]		8,837	[1]
Net investments and advances	64,842			64,842			(48,528)
Investment in partnerships, at equity	129,202			129,202			15,963
Distributions in excess of partnership investments	(64,360)			(64,360)			(64,491)
Lehigh Valley Associates, LP [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total assets	53,168			53,168			55,592
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Mortgages Payable	131,943			131,943			133,542
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Revenue	9,037		8,818	27,133		26,042
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Property Operating Expenses	(2,297)		(2,469)	(7,516)		(7,067)
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Interest Expense	(1,956)		(1,987)	(5,891)		(5,982)
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Net Income (Loss)	3,984		3,508	11,066		10,536
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Share of Equity in Income of Partnership	1,992		1,754	5,533		5,268
Investments in real estate, at cost:
Total assets	$ 53,168			$ 53,168			$ 55,592
Lehigh Valley Associates, LP [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	50.00%			50.00%

[1] Excess investment represents the unamortized difference between our investment and our share of the equity in the underlying net investment in the partnerships. The excess investment is amortized over the life of the properties, and the amortization is included in “Equity in income of partnerships.”