Earnings Per Share ("EPS") - Computation of Basic and Diluted EPS (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Numerator:
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	$ 1,242	$ (5,015)
Gain on Sale of Real Estate	262	0
Noncontrolling Interest Allocable to Continuing Operations	103	551
Income from Continuing Operations Allocable to Participating Securities	(36)	0
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.	1,571	(4,464)
Less: Preferred Dividends	(3,837)	(4,762)
Loss from Continuing Operations Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.'s Common Stockholder's	(2,266)	(9,226)
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations	(2,627)	6,070
Noncontrolling Interest Allocable to Discontinued Operations	117	(344)
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations Attributable to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.	(2,510)	5,726
Net Loss Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.'s Common Stockholders and Participating Securities	(4,740)	(3,500)
Net Income Allocable to Participating Securities	(36)	0
Net Loss Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.’s Common Stockholders	$ (4,776)	$ (3,500)
Denominator:
Weighted Average Shares—Basic and Diluted	100,774	86,575
Basic and Diluted EPS:
Loss from Continuing Operations Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.’s Common Stockholders	$ (0.02)	$ (0.11)
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations Attributable to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.’s Common Stockholders	$ (0.03)	$ 0.07
Net Loss Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.’s Common Stockholders	$ (0.05)	$ (0.04)