Investments in Partnerships (Summary of Share of Equity in Income of Partnerships) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Real estate revenue	$ 95,643	$ 81,020	$ 77,533
Expenses:
Operating expenses	(32,992)	(24,104)	(23,023)
Interest expense	(21,805)	(22,228)	(22,573)
Depreciation and amortization	(19,521)	(14,401)	(14,447)
Total expenses	(74,318)pei_ExpensesEquityMethodInvestments	(60,733)pei_ExpensesEquityMethodInvestments	(60,043)pei_ExpensesEquityMethodInvestments
Net income	21,325	20,287	17,490
Less: Partners' share	(10,637)pei_PartnersShareOfNetIncome	(10,096)pei_PartnersShareOfNetIncome	(8,738)pei_PartnersShareOfNetIncome
Company's share	10,688	10,191	8,752
Amortization of excess investment	(119)	(413)	(414)
Equity in income of partnerships	$ 10,569	$ 9,778	$ 8,338

Amortization of excess investment equity method investments.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Depreciation and amortization equity method investments.

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No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Expenses equity method investments.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Income loss from equity method investments net of dividends or distributions PREITs share.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Interest expense equity method investments.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Net income loss allocated to general partners equity method investments.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Operating expenses equity method investments.

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No definition available.

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- Details

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- Definition

Partners share of net income.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Real estate revenue net equity method investments.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

This element represents the undistributed income (or loss) of equity method investments, net of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporations; such investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

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