Investments in Non-controlled Entities Summary of Financial Information of Non-consolidated Entities - Statements of Operations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Revenue:
Rental revenue and other		$ 42,818
Observatory revenue		16,730
Total revenue		59,548
Expenses:
Operating expenses—rental		37,383
Operating expenses—overage rent		5,493
Operating expenses—observatory		4,560
Interest		1,972
Depreciation and amortization		5,699
Total expenses		55,107
Net income (loss)		4,441
Our predecessor's share of equity in net income (loss) of non-controlled entities	0	1,819
Empire State Building Co. [Member]
Revenue:
Rental revenue and other		29,794
Observatory revenue		16,730
Total revenue		46,524
Expenses:
Operating expenses—rental		29,307
Operating expenses—overage rent		5,298
Operating expenses—observatory		4,560
Interest		0
Depreciation and amortization		3,611
Total expenses		42,776
Net income (loss)		3,748
Our predecessor's share of equity in net income (loss) of non-controlled entities		1,967
1333 Broadway Associates [Member]
Revenue:
Rental revenue and other		3,523
Observatory revenue		0
Total revenue		3,523
Expenses:
Operating expenses—rental		1,762
Operating expenses—overage rent		0
Operating expenses—observatory		0
Interest		1,186
Depreciation and amortization		637
Total expenses		3,585
Net income (loss)		(62)
Our predecessor's share of equity in net income (loss) of non-controlled entities		(66)
1350 Broadway Associates [Member]
Revenue:
Rental revenue and other		5,323
Observatory revenue		0
Total revenue		5,323
Expenses:
Operating expenses—rental		2,924
Operating expenses—overage rent		0
Operating expenses—observatory		0
Interest		786
Depreciation and amortization		1,046
Total expenses		4,756
Net income (loss)		567
Our predecessor's share of equity in net income (loss) of non-controlled entities		283
501 Seventh Avenue Associates [Member]
Revenue:
Rental revenue and other		4,178
Observatory revenue		0
Total revenue		4,178
Expenses:
Operating expenses—rental		3,390
Operating expenses—overage rent		195
Operating expenses—observatory		0
Interest		0
Depreciation and amortization		405
Total expenses		3,990
Net income (loss)		188
Our predecessor's share of equity in net income (loss) of non-controlled entities		$ (365)