CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ (209,961)	$ 56,534	$ 54,620
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	38,987	37,671	34,694
Net amortization of debt premiums and discount and deferred financing fees	1,376	1,310	1,340
(Gain) loss on early extinguishment of debt	(34)	1,307
Straight line rental income	(3,978)	(4,495)	(3,067)
Amortization of acquired real estate leases	28,624	27,713	21,608
Amortization of deferred leasing costs	2,349	2,145	1,599
Other non-cash expenses	817	2,181	1,268
Loss on impairment of real estate		2,016
Loss on impairment of real estate			10,142
Increase in carrying value of asset held for sale		(2,344)
Net gain on sale of properties		(774)	(8,168)
Equity in earnings of investees	(18,640)	(10,963)	(334)
Loss on issuance of shares by Select Income REIT	42,145	53
Loss on distribution to common shareholders of The RMR Group Inc. common stock	12,368
Loss on impairment of Select Income REIT investment	203,297
Distributions of earnings from Select Income REIT	21,882	17,046
Change in assets and liabilities:
Restricted cash	1,258	(591)	(136)
Deferred leasing costs	(4,741)	(3,326)	(4,279)
Rents receivable	(2,729)	(337)	(1,565)
Other assets	515	(419)	(1,063)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	1,097	6,400	2,492
Due to related persons	725	(402)	(760)
Net cash provided by operating activities	115,357	130,725	108,391
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Real estate acquisitions and deposits		(56,350)	(112,574)
Real estate improvements	(19,163)	(21,635)	(23,252)
Investment in Select Income REIT	(95,821)	(689,969)
Investment in The RMR Group Inc.	(7,226)
Investment in Affiliates Insurance Company		(825)
Distributions in excess of earnings from Select Income REIT	25,148	3,594
Proceeds from sale of properties, net	30,460	16,426	18,319
Net cash used in investing activities	(66,602)	(748,759)	(117,507)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayment of mortgage notes payable	(48,908)	(2,221)	(1,933)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares, net		349,787
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net of discount		347,217
Proceeds from unsecured term loan		1,050,000
Repayment of unsecured term loan		(850,000)
Borrowings on unsecured revolving credit facility	195,000	344,500	216,500
Repayments on unsecured revolving credit facility	(78,000)	(501,500)	(109,000)
Financing fees	(21)	(12,765)
Repurchase of common shares	(172)
Distributions to common shareholders	(121,660)	(100,856)	(94,043)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(53,761)	624,162	11,524
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(5,006)	6,128	2,408
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	13,791	7,663	5,255
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	8,785	13,791	7,663
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid	35,500	21,334	15,336
Income taxes paid	$ 143	126	$ 169
Non-cash investing activities:
Investment in The RMR Group Inc. paid in common shares	13,545
Real estate acquisition funded with the assumption of mortgage debt		(97,524)
Distribution of The RMR Group Inc. common shares received from Select Income REIT	$ 5,244
Non-cash financing activities:
Assumption of mortgage debt		$ 97,524
Distribution to common shareholders of The RMR Group Inc. common stock	$ (9,132)