Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets
Land	$ 299,720	$ 299,720
Building and improvements	2,089,259	2,085,929
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	253,753	251,663
Construction in progress	126,523	94,981
Land held for future development	50,982	55,396
Real estate assets, total	2,820,237	2,787,689
Less: accumulated depreciation	(785,996)	(767,017)
For-sale condominiums	48,767	54,845
Total real estate assets	2,083,008	2,075,517
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated real estate entities	5,667	7,344
Cash and cash equivalents	9,535	13,084
Restricted cash	6,280	5,126
Deferred financing costs, net	10,556	6,381
Other assets	30,335	31,612
Total assets	2,145,381	2,139,064
Liabilities and equity
Indebtedness	939,263	970,443
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other	70,724	72,102
Investments in unconsolidated real estate entities	16,053	15,945
Dividends and distributions payable	11,837	11,692
Accrued interest payable	10,594	5,185
Security deposits and prepaid rents	10,143	9,334
Total liabilities	1,058,614	1,084,701
Redeemable common units	7,086	6,840
Commitments and contingencies
Company shareholders' equity
Common stock, $.01 par value, 100,000 authorized: 53,654 and 53,002 shares issued and 53,654 and 52,988 shares outstanding at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	536	530
Additional paid-in-capital	1,076,439	1,053,612
Accumulated earnings	8,818
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,632)	(2,633)
Stockholders' equity subtotal before treasury stock, total	1,083,170	1,051,518
Less common stock in treasury, at cost, 100 and 113 shares at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	(3,439)	(4,000)
Total Company shareholders' equity	1,079,731	1,047,518
Noncontrolling interests - consolidated property partnerships	(50)	5
Total equity	1,079,681	1,047,523
Total liabilities and equity	2,145,381	2,139,064
8 1/2% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Shares [Member]
Company shareholders' equity
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 20,000 authorized: 8 1/2% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Shares, liquidation preference $50 per share, 868 shares issued and outstanding	9	9
Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]
Assets
Land	299,720	299,720
Building and improvements	2,089,259	2,085,929
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	253,753	251,663
Construction in progress	126,523	94,981
Land held for future development	50,982	55,396
Real estate assets, total	2,820,237	2,787,689
Less: accumulated depreciation	(785,996)	(767,017)
For-sale condominiums	48,767	54,845
Total real estate assets	2,083,008	2,075,517
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated real estate entities	5,667	7,344
Cash and cash equivalents	9,535	13,084
Restricted cash	6,280	5,126
Deferred financing costs, net	10,556	6,381
Other assets	30,335	31,612
Total assets	2,145,381	2,139,064
Liabilities and equity
Indebtedness	939,263	970,443
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other	70,724	72,102
Investments in unconsolidated real estate entities	16,053	15,945
Dividends and distributions payable	11,837	11,692
Accrued interest payable	10,594	5,185
Security deposits and prepaid rents	10,143	9,334
Total liabilities	1,058,614	1,084,701
Redeemable common units	7,086	6,840
Commitments and contingencies
Company shareholders' equity
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 20,000 authorized: 8 1/2% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Shares, liquidation preference $50 per share, 868 shares issued and outstanding	43,392	43,392
Common stock, $.01 par value, 100,000 authorized: 53,654 and 53,002 shares issued and 53,654 and 52,988 shares outstanding at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,632)	(2,633)
General partner	11,987	11,662
Limited partner	1,026,984	995,097
Total Company shareholders' equity	1,079,731	1,047,518
Noncontrolling interests - consolidated property partnerships	(50)	5
Total equity	1,079,681	1,047,523
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,145,381	$ 2,139,064