Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Real estate assets
Land	$ 312,774	$ 299,720
Building and improvements	2,230,285	2,085,929
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	266,084	251,663
Construction in progress	115,594	94,981
Land held for future development	45,957	55,396
Real estate assets, total	2,970,694	2,787,689
Less: accumulated depreciation	(825,015)	(767,017)
For-sale condominiums	32,066	54,845
Total real estate assets	2,177,745	2,075,517
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated real estate entities	5,040	7,344
Cash and cash equivalents	64,222	13,084
Restricted cash	5,817	5,126
Deferred financing costs, net	9,376	6,381
Other assets	31,463	31,612
Total assets	2,293,663	2,139,064
Liabilities and equity
Indebtedness	1,036,492	970,443
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other	89,121	72,102
Investments in unconsolidated real estate entities	16,192	15,945
Dividends and distributions payable	13,639	11,692
Accrued interest payable	9,186	5,185
Security deposits and prepaid rents	9,400	9,334
Total liabilities	1,174,030	1,084,701
Redeemable common units	6,874	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	9	9
Common stock, $.01 par value, 100,000 authorized: 54,413 and 53,002 shares issued and 54,413 and 52,988 shares outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	545	530
Additional paid-in-capital	1,104,781	1,053,612
Accumulated earnings	23,219
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(12,614)	(2,633)
Stockholders Equity Subtotal Before Treasury Stock	1,115,940	1,051,518
Less common stock in treasury, at cost, 93 and 113 shares at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	(3,106)	(4,000)
Total Company shareholders' equity	1,112,834	1,047,518
Noncontrolling interests-consolidated property partnerships	(75)	5
Total equity	1,112,759	1,047,523
Total liabilities and equity	2,293,663	2,139,064
Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]
Real estate assets
Land	312,774	299,720
Building and improvements	2,230,285	2,085,929
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	266,084	251,663
Construction in progress	115,594	94,981
Land held for future development	45,957	55,396
Real estate assets, total	2,970,694	2,787,689
Less: accumulated depreciation	(825,015)	(767,017)
For-sale condominiums	32,066	54,845
Total real estate assets	2,177,745	2,075,517
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated real estate entities	5,040	7,344
Cash and cash equivalents	64,222	13,084
Restricted cash	5,817	5,126
Deferred financing costs, net	9,376	6,381
Other assets	31,463	31,612
Total assets	2,293,663	2,139,064
Liabilities and equity
Indebtedness	1,036,492	970,443
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other	89,121	72,102
Investments in unconsolidated real estate entities	16,192	15,945
Dividends and distributions payable	13,639	11,692
Accrued interest payable	9,186	5,185
Security deposits and prepaid rents	9,400	9,334
Total liabilities	1,174,030	1,084,701
Redeemable common units	6,874	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
General partner	12,417	11,662
Limited partner	1,069,639	995,097
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(12,614)	(2,633)
Total Company shareholders' equity	1,112,834	1,047,518
Noncontrolling interests-consolidated property partnerships	(75)	5
Total equity	1,112,759	1,047,523
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,293,663	$ 2,139,064