Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Commercial real estate properties, at cost:
Land	$ 187,566	$ 187,566
Development costs	6,861	6,459
Building and improvements	1,508,309	1,455,398
Commercial real estate properties, at cost, gross	1,702,736	1,649,423
Less: accumulated depreciation	(332,766)	(295,351)
Commercial real estate properties, net	1,369,970	1,354,072
Cash and cash equivalents	41,791	60,743
Restricted cash	55,482	55,621
Tenant and other receivables, net of allowance of $1,082 and $499 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	26,185	24,817
Deferred rent receivables, net of allowance of $262 and $216 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	85,948	62,689
Prepaid expenses and other assets	39,658	35,407
Deferred costs, net	77,035	78,938
Acquired below-market ground lease, net	61,460	62,312
Acquired lease intangibles, net	227,617	249,983
Goodwill	491,479	491,479
Total assets	2,476,625	2,476,061
Liabilities:
Mortgage notes payable	873,863	883,112
Term loan and credit facility	355,000	325,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	74,807	81,908
Acquired below-market leases, net	120,219	129,882
Deferred revenue and other liabilities	18,722	21,568
Tenants’ security deposits	34,170	31,406
Total liabilities	1,476,781	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	316,858	316,558
Retained earnings	65,596	67,644
Total Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.'s stockholders' equity	383,410	385,158
Non-controlling interests in operating partnership	616,434	618,027
Total equity	999,844	1,003,185
Total liabilities and equity	2,476,625	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