Consolidated Statements of Partners' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	BRANDYWINE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.	General Partner Capital [Member] BRANDYWINE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.	Series E-linked Preferred Stock [Member] BRANDYWINE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member] BRANDYWINE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member] BRANDYWINE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2015		$ 1,929,977	$ 1,836,692	$ 96,850		$ (5,597)		$ 2,032
Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2015			174,688,568	4,000,000
Net income	$ 46,310	46,310	$ 46,308				$ 389	2
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(9,159)	(9,159)			$ (9,079)	(9,159)	(80)
Share Issuance from/(to) Deferred Compensation Plan, Shares			(8,252)
Issuance of partnership interest in consolidated real estate venture	18	18					18	18
Share-based compensation activity	3,332	3,332	$ 3,332
Share-based compensation activity, Shares			210,116
Adjustment of redeemable partnership units to liquidation value at period end		(401)	$ (401)
Adjustment to non-controlling interest						1		(1)
Distribution to preferred shareholders	(1,725)	(1,725)	(1,725)
Distributions to general partnership unitholders		(26,347)	(26,347)
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2016		1,942,005	$ 1,857,859	$ 96,850		(14,755)		2,051
Ending Balance, Shares at Mar. 31, 2016			174,890,432	4,000,000
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2016		1,859,642	$ 1,762,764	$ 96,850		(2,122)		2,150
Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2016			175,140,760	4,000,000
Net income	21,271	21,271	$ 21,266				169	5
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,300	1,300			$ 1,288	1,300	12
Share Issuance from/(to) Deferred Compensation Plan	(48)	(48)	$ (48)
Share Issuance from/(to) Deferred Compensation Plan, Shares			(354)
Issuance of LP Units		(219)	$ (219)
Issuance of partnership interest in consolidated real estate venture	29	29					$ 29	29
Share Choice Plan Issuance, Shares			(1,423)
Bonus share issuance	110	110	$ 110
Bonus share issuance, Shares			6,752
Share-based compensation activity	3,770	3,769	$ 3,769
Share-based compensation activity, Shares			56,669
Adjustment of redeemable partnership units to liquidation value at period end		(340)	$ (340)
Distribution to preferred shareholders	$ (1,725)	(1,725)	(1,725)
Distributions to general partnership unitholders		(28,122)	(28,122)
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2017		$ 1,855,667	$ 1,757,455	$ 96,850		$ (822)		$ 2,184
Ending Balance, Shares at Mar. 31, 2017			175,202,404	4,000,000