Earnings Per Share ("EPS") - Computation of Basic and Diluted EPS (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Numerator:
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	$ 3,013	$ 33	$ 2,071	$ (17,634)
Gain on Sale of Real Estate	291	3,777	553	3,777
Noncontrolling Interest Allocable to Continuing Operations	1	(9)	444	1,505
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.	3,305	3,801	3,068	(12,352)
Preferred Stock Dividends	(1,392)	(4,725)	(7,506)	(14,285)
Redemption of Preferred Stock	(2,121)	0	(5,667)	0
Loss from Continuing Operations Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.’s Common Stockholders	(208)	(924)	(10,105)	(26,637)
Income from Discontinued Operations	5,459	5,386	16,378	13,742
Noncontrolling Interest Allocable to Discontinued Operations	(220)	(268)	(688)	(737)
Income from Discontinued Operations Allocable to Participating Securities	(42)	(33)	(120)	0
Income from Discontinued Operations Attributable to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.	5,197	5,085	15,570	13,005
Net Income (Loss) Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.'s Common Stockholders and Participating Securities	5,031	4,194	5,585	(13,632)
Net Income Allocable to Participating Securities	(42)	(33)	(120)	0
Net Income (Loss) Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.’s Common Stockholders	$ 4,989	$ 4,161	$ 5,465	$ (13,632)
Denominator:
Weighted Average Shares—Basic and Diluted	109,474	93,488	106,154	89,363
Basic and Diluted EPS:
Loss from Continuing Operations Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.’s Common Stockholders	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.30)
Income from Discontinued Operations Attributable to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.’s Common Stockholders	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ 0.15	$ 0.15
Net Income (Loss) Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.’s Common Stockholders	$ 0.05	$ 0.04	$ 0.05	$ (0.15)