Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Changes in AOCI) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance	$ (9,667)	$ (13,867)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Reclassifications	(2,489)	(14,843)
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	7,513	19,043
Net Current Period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	5,024	4,200
Balance	(4,643)	(9,667)
Interest Rate Protection Agreements
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance	(10,043)	(14,402)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Reclassifications	(2,274)	(14,684)
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	7,513	19,043
Net Current Period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	5,239	4,359
Balance	(4,804)	(10,043)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance	0	(15)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Reclassifications	0	15
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	0	0
Net Current Period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	0	15
Balance	0	0
Comprehensive Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance	376	550
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Reclassifications	(215)	(174)
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	0	0
Net Current Period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(215)	(174)
Balance	161	376
First Industrial, L.P.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance	(10,043)	(14,376)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Reclassifications	(2,274)	(14,710)
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	7,513	19,043
Net Current Period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	5,239	4,333
Balance	(4,804)	(10,043)
First Industrial, L.P. | Interest Rate Protection Agreements
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance	(10,043)	(14,402)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Reclassifications	(2,274)	(14,684)
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	7,513	19,043
Net Current Period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	5,239	4,359
Balance	(4,804)	(10,043)
First Industrial, L.P. | Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance	0	26
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Reclassifications	0	(26)
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	0	0
Net Current Period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	0	(26)
Balance	$ 0	$ 0