Investments in Partnerships - Summary of Share of Equity in Income of Partnerships (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Real Estate Revenue Net Equity Method Investments	$ 26,497	$ 21,175
Total assets	592,351		558,346
Operating expenses:
Property operating expenses	(10,706)	(7,100)
Interest expense	(5,350)	(5,475)
Depreciation and amortization	(6,370)	(3,649)
Total expenses	(22,426)	(16,224)
Net income	4,071	4,951
Less: Partners’ share	(2,036)	(2,473)
PREIT’s share	2,035	2,478
Amortization of excess investment	48	(76)
Equity in income of partnerships	2,083	2,402
Lehigh Valley Associates, LP [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total assets	51,392		51,703
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Mortgages Payable	130,837		131,394
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Revenue	8,944	9,034
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Property Operating Expenses	(2,480)	(2,764)
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Interest Expense	(1,940)	(1,971)
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Net Income (Loss)	3,461	3,247
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Share of Equity in Income of Partnership	$ 1,730	$ 1,623