Aggregate purchase price for the acquisition of a business made during the period.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	pps_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to in place lease intangible assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pps_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAmortizableInPlaceLeaseIntangibles
Namespace Prefix:	pps_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of condominium homes sold during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pps_CondominiumHomesSold
Namespace Prefix:	pps_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Area of a real estate property.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:areaItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to land included in real estate.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to other assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to property, plant and equipment to be used in ongoing operations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141

-Paragraph 51

-Subparagraph e

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141

-Paragraph 37

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The sum of the current income tax expense or benefit and the deferred income tax expense or benefit pertaining to continuing operations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (a),(b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32639-109319

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 109

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph a, b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 08

-Paragraph h

-Article 4

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Income Tax Expense (or Benefit)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6515339

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Cost of real estate projects incurred for projects for eventual sale or transfer (condominium or time share projects, vacation clubs).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of units in a real estate property owned as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfUnitsInRealEstateProperty
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Real Estate Activity (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 Home Room	Sep. 30, 2011 Home	Sep. 30, 2012 Home Room	Sep. 30, 2011 Home	Dec. 31, 2011
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of units in real estate property	22,218		22,218
Aggregate carrying value of condominium units	$ 32,066		$ 32,066		$ 54,845
Condominium homes sold	24	14	69	44
Income tax benefit			612
Post South End [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of units in real estate property	360		360
Square feet of retail space	7,612		7,612
Purchase price	74,000		74,000
Purchase price allocation, land	7,732		7,732
Purchase price allocation, building, improvements and equipment	65,521		65,521
Purchase price allocation, other assets	296		296
Purchase price allocation, identified lease related intangible assets	451		451
Austin Condominium Project [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of units in real estate property	148		148
Aggregate carrying value of condominium units	20,325		20,325
Atlanta Condominium Project [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of units in real estate property	129		129
Aggregate carrying value of condominium units	$ 11,741		$ 11,741