Earnings Per Share (EPS) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Numerator:
Loss from Continuing Operations	$ (12,811)	$ (3,353)	$ (17,683)	$ (10,269)
Noncontrolling Interest Allocable to Continuing Operations	971	491	1,510	1,324
Loss from Continuing Operations Attributable to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.	(11,840)	(2,862)	(16,173)	(8,945)
Less: Preferred Dividends	(4,798)	(4,947)	(9,560)	(9,874)
Loss from Continuing Operations Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.'s Common Stockholders	(16,638)	(7,809)	(25,733)	(18,819)
Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Income Tax Provision	2,445	3,259	8,372	5,792
Noncontrolling Interest Allocable to Discontinued Operations	(133)	(201)	(465)	(381)
Income from Discontinued Operations Attributable to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.	2,312	3,058	7,907	5,411
Net Loss Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.'s Common Stockholders and Participating Securities	$ (14,326)	$ (4,751)	$ (17,826)	$ (13,408)
Denominator:
Weighted Average Shares - Basic and Diluted	87,981	79,727	87,278	75,208
Basic and Diluted EPS:
Loss from Continuing Operations Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.'s Common Stockholders	$ (0.19)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.29)	$ (0.25)
Income from Discontinued Operations Attributable to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.'s Common Stockholders	$ 0.03	$ 0.04	$ 0.09	$ 0.07
Net Loss Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.'s Common Stockholders and Participating Securities	$ (0.16)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.20)	$ (0.18)