Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Commercial real estate properties, at cost:
Land	$ 187,566	$ 187,566
Development costs	6,459	6,459
Building and improvements	1,473,665	1,455,398
Commercial real estate properties, at cost, gross	1,667,690	1,649,423
Less: accumulated depreciation	(315,256)	(295,351)
Commercial real estate properties, net	1,352,434	1,354,072
Cash and cash equivalents	44,703	60,743
Restricted cash	54,832	55,621
Tenant and other receivables, net of allowance of $1,342 and $499 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	29,644	24,817
Deferred rent receivables, net of allowance of $534 and $216 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	74,971	62,689
Prepaid expenses and other assets	23,535	35,407
Deferred costs, net	79,032	78,938
Acquired below-market ground lease, net	61,886	62,312
Acquired lease intangibles, net	237,900	249,983
Goodwill	491,479	491,479
Total assets	2,450,416	2,476,061
Liabilities:
Mortgage notes payable	878,545	883,112
Term loan and credit facility	325,000	325,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	71,712	81,908
Acquired below-market leases, net	125,106	129,882
Deferred revenue and other liabilities	22,574	21,568
Tenants’ security deposits	32,939	31,406
Total liabilities	1,455,876	1,472,876
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, 50,000,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	316,683	316,558
Retained earnings	63,885	67,644
Total Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.'s stockholders' equity	381,524	385,158
Non-controlling interests in operating partnership	613,016	618,027
Total equity	994,540	1,003,185
Total liabilities and equity	2,450,416	2,476,061
Common Class A [Member]
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Common stock	945	945
Common Class B [Member]
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Common stock	$ 11	$ 11