Earnings Per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earning Per Share (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Numerator:
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations									$ 4,941	$ (22,459)	$ (33,631)
Gain on Sale of Real Estate, Net of Income Tax Provision	337	291	0	262	0	3,777	0	0	890	3,777	918
Noncontrolling Interest Allocable to Continuing Operations	67	(39)	(293)	(128)	(487)	(204)	(1,005)	(538)	356	2,038	3,185
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.									6,187	(16,644)	(29,528)
Preferred Dividends	(1,227)	(1,392)	(2,277)	(3,837)	(4,662)	(4,725)	(4,798)	(4,762)	(8,733)	(18,947)	(19,565)
Redemption of Preferred Stock	0	(2,121)	(3,546)	0	(1,804)	0	0	0	(5,667)	(1,804)	0
Loss from Continuing Operations Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.’s Common Stockholders									(8,213)	(37,395)	(49,093)
Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Income Tax Provision	19,323	5,919	12,639	(2,284)	1,164	5,869	3,141	5,989	35,597	16,163	23,523
Noncontrolling Interest Allocable to Discontinued Operations	(797)	(246)	(538)	104	(54)	(285)	(167)	(331)	(1,477)	(837)	(1,440)
Income from Discontinued Operations Allocable to Participating Securities	(82)	(42)	(42)	0	0	(33)	0	0	(162)	0	0
Income from Discontinued Operations Attributable to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.									33,958	15,326	22,083
Net Income (Loss) Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.’s Common Stockholders and Participating Securities	20,322	5,031	5,294	(4,740)	(8,437)	4,194	(14,326)	(3,500)	25,907	(22,069)	(27,010)
Net Income Allocable to Participating Securities									(162)	0	0
Net Income (Loss) Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.’s Common Stockholders									$ 25,745	$ (22,069)	$ (27,010)
Denominator:
Weighted Average Shares—Basic and Diluted					97,738	93,488	87,981	86,575	106,995	91,468	80,616
Basic and Diluted EPS:
Loss from Continuing Operations Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.’s Common Stockholders	$ 0.01	$ 0.00	$ (0.06)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.19)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.41)	$ (0.61)
Income from Discontinued Operations Attributable to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.’s Common Stockholders	$ 0.17	$ 0.05	$ 0.11	$ (0.02)	$ 0.01	$ 0.06	$ 0.03	$ 0.07	$ 0.32	$ 0.17	$ 0.27
Net Income (Loss) Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.’s Common Stockholders	$ 0.18	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ (0.05)	$ (0.09)	$ 0.04	$ (0.16)	$ (0.04)	$ 0.24	$ (0.24)	$ (0.34)