Represents the area of properties acquired during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	rpai_AreaOfRealEstatePropertyAcquired
Namespace Prefix:	rpai_
Data Type:	num:areaItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the area of properties sold during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rpai_AreaOfRealEstatePropertySold
Namespace Prefix:	rpai_
Data Type:	num:areaItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of distribution received from MS Inland representing the entity's share of the sales price net of mortgage debt repayment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rpai_EquityMethodInvestmentNetCashDistribution
Namespace Prefix:	rpai_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the entity's contribution of its proportionate share of the acquisition price net of customary prorations and mortgage proceeds.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rpai_EquityMethodInvestmentProRataContribution
Namespace Prefix:	rpai_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the purchase price of the property acquired.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rpai_RealEstatePropertyPurchasePrice
Namespace Prefix:	rpai_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The charge against earnings in the period to reduce the carrying amount of real property to fair value.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391110&loc=d3e2921-110230

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 144

-Paragraph 26

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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

Name:	us-gaap_ImpairmentOfRealEstate
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

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

- Definition

Cash received from the sale of real estate that is held for investment, that is, it is part of an investing activity during the period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 16

-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 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3179-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash outflow during the period from the repayment of aggregate short-term and long-term debt. Excludes payment of capital lease obligations.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SignificantAcquisitionsAndDisposalsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Hampton Retail Colorado, L.L.C. property	Sep. 30, 2012 Hampton Retail Colorado, L.L.C. Single-user and multi-tenant retail properties combined	Sep. 30, 2012 Hampton Retail Colorado, L.L.C. Single-user and multi-tenant retail properties combined sqft	Feb. 29, 2012 Southlake, Texas RioCan sqft
Properties acquired and disposed
Square footage						134,900
Purchase price						$ 35,366
Pro-rata equity contribution						2,738
Cash distribution						2,723
Square footage of properties sold					86,700
Sales price	200,645	160,303			5,450
Impairment charges	23,490	31,752		71	1,593
Debt repaid with proceeds from sales of properties	$ 310,000	$ 174,111	$ 5,035
Number of properties remaining			2