The Company's ownership percentage of its consolidated joint venture.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents the number of investees in which the entity has ownership interests that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Represents the number of entities in which the Company has ownership interests.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	rpai_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the numer of less-than-wholly-owned consolidated entity in which the company is controlling member.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Represents the number of other parties which are co-owners in an insurance association captive.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	rpai_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the number of qualified REIT subsidiaries acquired by the entity through merger.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	rpai_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the number of real estate properties held for sale as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	rpai_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the number of wholly-owned subsidiaries elected to be treated as taxable REIT.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	rpai_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the percentage of interest in variable interest entity required for consolidation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 159

-Paragraph 18

-Subparagraph f

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 18

-Paragraph 20

-Subparagraph a (1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Decrease in noncontrolling interest balance from payment of dividends or other distributions by the non-wholly owned subsidiary or partially owned entity, included in the consolidation of the parent entity, to the noncontrolling interest holders.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6959260&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph 38

-Subparagraph c(2)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Decrease in noncontrolling interest (for example, but not limited to, redeeming or purchasing the interests of noncontrolling shareholders, issuance of shares (interests) by the non-wholly owned subsidiary to the parent entity for other than cash, and a buyback of shares (interest) by the non-wholly owned subsidiary from the noncontrolling interests).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 24

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7656940&loc=SL4616395-111683

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6959260&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph 38

-Subparagraph c(2)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 23

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7656940&loc=SL4569655-111683

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of Net Income (Loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of real estate properties owned as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of subsidiary's or equity investee's stock owned by parent company before stock transaction.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section H

+ Details

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- Definition

The aggregate amount to be paid by the entity upon redemption of the security that is classified as temporary equity. Temporary equity is a security with redemption features that are outside the control of the issuer, is not classified as an asset or liability in conformity with GAAP, and is not mandatorily redeemable. Includes any type of security that is redeemable at a fixed or determinable price or on a fixed or determinable date or dates, is redeemable at the option of the holder, or has conditions for redemption which are not solely within the control of the issuer. If convertible, the issuer does not control the actions or events necessary to issue the maximum number of shares that could be required to be delivered under the conversion option if the holder exercises the option to convert the stock to another class of equity. If the security is a warrant or a rights issue, the warrant or rights issue is considered to be temporary equity if the issuer cannot demonstrate that it would be able to deliver upon the exercise of the option by the holder in all cases. Includes stock with put option held by ESOP and stock redeemable by holder only in the event of a change in control of the issuer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.27(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph b

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number 00-19

-Paragraph 12

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

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Organization and Basis of Presentation (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended				12 Months Ended					9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 property item subsidiary	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010 related_party	Nov. 15, 2007 subsidiary	Dec. 31, 2011 Lake Mead Crossing	Feb. 07, 2012 Lake Mead Crossing	Sep. 30, 2012 Wholly-owned Operating properties property	Sep. 30, 2012 Wholly-owned Development properties property	Sep. 30, 2012 Consolidated joint ventures property LLCs	Sep. 30, 2012 Consolidated joint ventures Maximum	Sep. 30, 2012 Consolidated joint ventures Development properties property	Sep. 30, 2012 Unconsolidated joint ventures LLCs	Sep. 30, 2012 Unconsolidated joint ventures Minimum	Sep. 30, 2012 Unconsolidated joint ventures Maximum	Sep. 30, 2012 Unconsolidated joint ventures Operating properties property	Sep. 30, 2012 Unconsolidated joint ventures Development properties property
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of wholly-owned subsidiaries elected to be treated as taxable REIT	1
Number of qualified REIT subsidiaries acquired				4
Organization and Basis of Presentation
Number of properties							253	2			1				22
Ownership interest of consolidated joint venture (as a percent)						100.00%			50.00%
Number of LLCs in which Company has ownership interest									1
Ownership interest of unconsolidated joint ventures (as a percent)													20.00%	96.00%
Number of LLCs or LPs in which Company has ownership interest												3
Number of properties held for sale	2
Percentage of interest in variable interest entity required for consolidation										100.00%
Number of less-than-wholly-owned consolidated entities in which Company is controlling member	1
Ownership interest before transaction (as a percent)					86.70%
Activity of the redeemable noncontrolling interests
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 525	$ 527
Redeemable noncontrolling interest income	0	23
Distributions	0	(23)
Redemptions	(525)	(2)
Balance at the end of the period	$ 0	$ 525
Number of other parties that are Co-owners in Captive			3