Segment Reporting Segment Revenue and Profit or Loss Reconciliation (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended										12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013 Operating Segments [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Operating Segments [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Operating Segments [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Segments [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Segment Reconciling Items [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Segment Reconciling Items [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Segment Reconciling Items [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Segment Reconciling Items [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Formation transaction expenses [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Formation transaction expenses [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Formation transaction expenses [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Formation transaction expenses [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Segment Reconciling Items, Unallocated [Member] Investment Income [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Segment Reconciling Items, Unallocated [Member] Investment Income [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Segment Reconciling Items, Unallocated [Member] Investment Income [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Segment Reconciling Items, Unallocated [Member] Investment Income [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Segment Reconciling Items, Unallocated [Member] Settlement Expenses [Member]	Oct. 06, 2013 Segment Reconciling Items, Unallocated [Member] Settlement Expenses [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Segment Reconciling Items, Unallocated [Member] Settlement Expenses [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Segment Reconciling Items, Unallocated [Member] Settlement Expenses [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Segment Reconciling Items, Unallocated [Member] Aircraft Expenses [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Segment Reconciling Items, Unallocated [Member] Aircraft Expenses [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Segment Reconciling Items, Unallocated [Member] Aircraft Expenses [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Segment Reconciling Items, Unallocated [Member] Aircraft Expenses [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Segment Reconciling Items, Unallocated [Member] Acquisition Expenses [Member]	Oct. 06, 2013 Segment Reconciling Items, Unallocated [Member] Acquisition Expenses [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Segment Reconciling Items, Unallocated [Member] Acquisition Expenses [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Segment Reconciling Items, Unallocated [Member] Acquisition Expenses [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Segment Reconciling Items, Unallocated [Member] Gain on Consolidation of Non-controlling Entities [Member]	Oct. 06, 2013 Segment Reconciling Items, Unallocated [Member] Gain on Consolidation of Non-controlling Entities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Segment Reconciling Items, Unallocated [Member] Gain on Consolidation of Non-controlling Entities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Segment Reconciling Items, Unallocated [Member] Gain on Consolidation of Non-controlling Entities [Member]
Reconciliation of Revenue and Profit or Loss from Segments to Consolidated [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 127,583	$ 149,388	[1]	$ 62,278	$ 59,569	$ 62,420	$ 83,633	$ 59,415	$ 57,404	$ 59,842	$ 206,072	$ 260,294	$ 294,788	$ 149,234	$ 212,813	$ 265,982	$ 301,300	$ 20	$ 152	$ 100	$ 37					$ (21,671)	$ (6,893)	$ (5,788)	$ (6,549)
Profit or loss	193,431	148,917	[1]	2,281	3,071	1,930	22,043	9,015	6,774	10,811	(37,232)	48,643	57,397	24,524	46,594	72,664	76,979	(15,329)	(23,600)	(20,963)	(15,541)	0	(4,507)	(2,247)	(2,845)	(207)	(871)	(911)	(959)	20	152	100	37	0	(55,000)	0	0	0	0	0	(274)	(138,140)	0	0	0	322,563	0	0	0
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	(118,186)	(118,186)	[1]
Net income attributable to Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.	$ 75,245	$ 30,731	[1]

[1] The results of operations of our predecessor for October 1, 2013 through October 6, 2013 and the results of operations of our company for October 7, 2013 through December 31, 2013 have been combined.