CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
INVESTMENTS IN REAL ESTATE, at cost:
Operating properties	$ 3,396,134	$ 3,395,681
Construction in progress	67,314	68,619
Land held for development	12,643	13,240
Total investments in real estate	3,476,091	3,477,540
Accumulated depreciation	(938,810)	(907,928)
Net investments in real estate	2,537,281	2,569,612
INVESTMENTS IN PARTNERSHIPS, at equity:	14,982	14,855
OTHER ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	33,641	33,990
Tenant and other receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $13,904 and $14,042 at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively)	38,364	38,473
Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $14,417 and $14,940 at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively)	7,812	8,673
Deferred costs and other assets	92,279	97,399
Assets held for sale	30,021	114,622
Total assets	2,754,380	2,877,624
LIABILITIES:
Mortgage loans payable	1,679,314	1,718,052
Term Loan	97,500	182,000
Revolving Facility	60,000
Tenants' deposits and deferred rent	13,637	14,862
Distributions in excess of partnership investments	64,188	64,874
Fair value of derivative instruments	7,562	9,742
Liabilities on assets held for sale	50,758	102,417
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	54,351	72,448
Total liabilities	2,027,310	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 56,506 shares at March 31, 2013 and 56,331 shares at December 31, 2012	56,506	56,331
Capital contributed in excess of par	1,248,586	1,247,730
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(18,576)	(20,867)
Distributions in excess of net income	(597,956)	(608,634)
Total equity-Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust	688,641	674,641
Noncontrolling interest	38,429	38,588
Total equity	727,070	713,229
Total liabilities and equity	2,754,380	2,877,624
Series A Preferred Shares [Member]
EQUITY:
Preferred shares, value	46	46
Series B Preferred Shares [Member]
EQUITY:
Preferred shares, value	$ 35	$ 35