Summary of Quarterly Results - Summary of Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016		Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015		Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Impairment losses			$ 100		$ 1,800	$ 53,900	$ 600			$ 9,900	$ 14,100
Total revenue			99,765	[1]	89,211	89,250	89,264	$ 104,861	[1]	98,860	94,253	$ 101,972	$ 367,490	$ 399,946
Net loss			8,615	[1]	12,300	(53,277)	(486)	(26,727)	[1]	2,916	9,169	1,929	(32,848)	(12,713)	$ (129,567)
Net income (loss) attributable to PREIT			$ 7,703	[1]	$ 10,995	$ (47,608)	$ (434)	$ (23,860)	[1]	$ 2,604	$ 8,187	$ 1,721	$ (29,344)	$ (11,348)	(116,683)
Net loss per share - basic and diluted (in dollars per share)			$ (0.05)		$ 0.05	$ (0.79)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.40)	[1]	$ (0.02)	$ 0.06	$ (0.03)	$ (0.89)	$ (0.40)
Gain Loss On Sale Of Real Estate	$ 800					$ 20,900	$ 2,000	$ 38,000					$ 1,270	$ 380	$ 259
Equity Method Investment, Realized Gain (Loss) on Disposal	$ 200	$ 6,700											$ 6,539

[1] Fourth Quarter revenue includes a significant portion of annual percentage rent as most percentage rent minimum sales levels are met in the fourth quarter.