CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accumulated depreciation, assets held for sale	$ 895,723	$ 913,018
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	20,000	20,000
Preferred stock, liquidation preference	$ 50	$ 50
Preferred stock, shares issued	868	868
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	868	868
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, authorized	100,000	100,000
Common stock, shares issued	54,632	54,629
Common stock, shares outstanding	54,377	54,191
Common stock in treasury, shares	338	519
Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]
Accumulated depreciation, assets held for sale	895,723	913,018
Assets Held-for-sale [Member]
Accumulated depreciation, assets held for sale	40,986
Indebtedness, secured by assets held for sale	82,922
Assets Held-for-sale [Member] | Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]
Accumulated depreciation, assets held for sale	40,986
Indebtedness, secured by assets held for sale	$ 82,922