Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Real estate assets
Land	$ 318,416	$ 299,720
Building and improvements	2,278,213	2,085,929
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	270,180	251,663
Construction in progress	90,075	94,981
Land held for future development	54,468	55,396
Real estate assets, total	3,011,352	2,787,689
Less: accumulated depreciation	(842,925)	(767,017)
For-sale condominiums	23,281	54,845
Total real estate assets	2,191,708	2,075,517
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated real estate entities	4,533	7,344
Cash and cash equivalents	118,698	13,084
Restricted cash	5,388	5,126
Deferred financing costs, net	10,855	6,381
Other assets	32,182	31,612
Total assets	2,363,364	2,139,064
Liabilities and equity
Indebtedness	1,102,464	970,443
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other	88,926	72,102
Investments in unconsolidated real estate entities	16,297	15,945
Dividends and distributions payable	13,653	11,692
Accrued interest payable	5,721	5,185
Security deposits and prepaid rents	9,524	9,334
Total liabilities	1,236,585	1,084,701
Redeemable common units	7,159	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: 54,483 and 53,002 shares issued and 54,470 and 52,988 shares outstanding at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively	545	530
Additional paid-in-capital	1,107,354	1,053,612
Accumulated earnings	27,266
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(11,679)	(2,633)
Stockholders Equity Subtotal Before Treasury Stock	1,123,495	1,051,518
Less common stock in treasury, at cost, 107 and 113 shares at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively	(3,781)	(4,000)
Total Company shareholders' equity	1,119,714	1,047,518
Noncontrolling interests - consolidated property partnerships	(94)	5
Total equity	1,119,620	1,047,523
Total liabilities and equity	2,363,364	2,139,064
Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]
Real estate assets
Land	318,416	299,720
Building and improvements	2,278,213	2,085,929
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	270,180	251,663
Construction in progress	90,075	94,981
Land held for future development	54,468	55,396
Real estate assets, total	3,011,352	2,787,689
Less: accumulated depreciation	(842,925)	(767,017)
For-sale condominiums	23,281	54,845
Total real estate assets	2,191,708	2,075,517
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated real estate entities	4,533	7,344
Cash and cash equivalents	118,698	13,084
Restricted cash	5,388	5,126
Deferred financing costs, net	10,855	6,381
Other assets	32,182	31,612
Total assets	2,363,364	2,139,064
Liabilities and equity
Indebtedness	1,102,464	970,443
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other	88,926	72,102
Investments in unconsolidated real estate entities	16,297	15,945
Dividends and distributions payable	13,653	11,692
Accrued interest payable	5,721	5,185
Security deposits and prepaid rents	9,524	9,334
Total liabilities	1,236,585	1,084,701
Redeemable common units	7,159	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	12,477	11,662
Limited partner	1,075,524	995,097
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(11,679)	(2,633)
Total Company shareholders' equity	1,119,714	1,047,518
Noncontrolling interests - consolidated property partnerships	(94)	5
Total equity	1,119,620	1,047,523
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,363,364	$ 2,139,064