Reconciliation of Company's Segment Financial Operations Activity (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 1,102,841	[1]	$ 1,079,254	[1]
Office Properties
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	68,532		70,473
Multi-family Property
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	71,638		72,627
Retail Properties
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	962,671		936,154
Total Reportable Segments & Consolidated Assets
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 1,102,841		$ 1,079,254

[1] Excel Trust Inc.'s consolidated total assets at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, include $15,811 and $15,871, respectively, of assets of a variable interest entity ("VIE") that can only be used to settle the liabilities of that VIE.