Deferred Costs, Acquired Lease Intangibles and Goodwill - Future Amortization Expense and Rental Revenue (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Future Amortization Expense [Abstract]
Future Amortization Expense	$ 290,248us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet	$ 249,983us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
Future Rental Revenue [Abstract]
2015	19,687
2016	9,166
2017	5,656
2018	6,337
2019	6,591
Thereafter	22,551
Future Rental Revenue	69,988esrt_AboveandBelowMarketLeaseNet
Ground Lease [Member]
Future Amortization Expense [Abstract]
2015	7,831
2016	7,831
2017	7,831
2018	7,831
2019	7,831
Thereafter	352,732
Future Amortization Expense	391,887
Lease Agreements [Member]
Future Amortization Expense [Abstract]
2015	47,217
2016	33,131
2017	25,576
2018	19,539
2019	16,736
Thereafter	79,177
Future Amortization Expense	$ 221,376

Above and Below Market Lease, Net

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Above and Below Market Lease, Net, Amortization Income, after Year Five

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Above and Below Market Lease, Net, Amortization Income, Next Twelve Months

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Above and Below Market Lease, Net, Amortization Income, Year Five

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Above and Below Market Lease, Net, Amortization Income, Year Four

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Above and Below Market Lease, Net, Amortization Income, Year Three

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Amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

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Amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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Amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

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Amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

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Amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

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Amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

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Amount after amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275

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