Earnings Per Share (EPS) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Numerator:
Loss from Continuing Operations	$ (4,830)	$ (6,550)
Noncontrolling Interest Allocable to Continuing Operations	541	805
Loss from Continuing Operations Attributable to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.	(4,289)	(5,745)
Less: Preferred Dividends	(4,762)	(4,927)
Loss from Continuing Operations Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.'s Common Stockholders	(9,051)	(10,672)
Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Income Tax Provision	5,885	2,167
Noncontrolling Interest Allocable to Discontinued Operations	(334)	152
Income from Discontinued Operations Attributable to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.	5,551	2,015
Net Loss Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.'s Common Stockholders and Participating Securities	$ (3,500)	$ (8,657)
Denominator:
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding	86,575	70,639
Basic and Diluted EPS:
Loss from Continuing Operations Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.'s Common Stockholders	$ (0.10)	$ (0.15)
Income from Discontinued Operations Attributable to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.'s Common Stockholders	$ 0.06	$ 0.03
Net Loss Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.'s Common Stockholders and Participating Securities	$ (0.04)	$ (0.12)