Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] Class A Common Stock Common Class A [Member] Class B Common Stock Common Class B [Member] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Commercial real estate properties, at cost: Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost [Abstract] Land Land Development costs Development in Process Building and improvements Investment Building and Building Improvements Commercial real estate properties, at cost, gross Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost Less: accumulated depreciation Real Estate Investment Property, Accumulated Depreciation Commercial real estate properties, net Real Estate Investment Property, Net Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Restricted cash Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Tenant and other receivables, net of allowance of $1,128 and $1,422 in 2018 and 2017, respectively Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net Deferred rent receivables, net of allowance of $0 and $185 in 2018 and 2017, respectively Deferred Rent Receivables, Net Prepaid expenses and other assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Deferred costs, net Deferred Costs Acquired below-market ground leases, net Ground Leases, Net Goodwill Goodwill Total assets Assets LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Liabilities: Liabilities [Abstract] Mortgage notes payable, net Long-term Debt Senior unsecured notes, net Convertible Debt Unsecured term loan facility, net Unsecured Debt Unsecured revolving credit facility Long-term Line of Credit Accounts payable and accrued expenses Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses Acquired below-market leases, net Below Market Lease, Net Deferred revenue and other liabilities Deferred Revenue and Other Liabilities Deferred Revenue and Other Liabilities Tenants’ security deposits Security Deposit Liability Total liabilities Liabilities Commitments and contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Equity: Equity [Abstract] Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. stockholders' equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Preferred stock Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Common stock Common Stock, Value, Issued Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Total Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.'s stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Non-controlling interests in operating partnership Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Private perpetual preferred units, $16.62 per unit liquidation preference, 1,560,360 issued and outstanding in 2018 and 2017 Private Perpetual Preferred Units, Issued, Value Private Perpetual Preferred Units, Issued, Value Total equity 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[Domain] Lease Arrangement, Type [Domain] Ground leases Ground Lease [Member] Ground Lease [Member] Operating Leased Assets [Line Items] Operating Leased Assets [Line Items] 2018 Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Remainder of Fiscal Year 2019 Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years 2020 Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years 2021 Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years 2022 Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years Thereafter Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter Aggregate required payments on ground leases Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due Series D, Series E, and Series F Senior Unsecured Notes Series D, Series E, and Series F Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] Series D, Series E, and Series F Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] Aggregate Required Payments on Ground Leases Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Restricted Stock and LTIP Unit Activity [Roll Forward] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward] Beginning balance, Unvested (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number Vested (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period Forfeited or unearned (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period Ending balance, Unvested (in shares) Weighted Average Grant Fair Value [Roll Forward] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract] Beginning balance, Unvested, Weighted Average Grant Fair Value (in USD per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Vested, Weighted Average Grant Fair Value (in USD per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Granted, Weighted Average Grant Fair Value (in USD per share) Forfeited or unearned, Weighted Average Grant Fair Value (in USD per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Ending balance, Unvested, Weighted Average Grant Fair Value (in USD per share) Deferred Costs, Acquired Lease Intangibles and Goodwill Other Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Accounting Policies [Table] Accounting Policies [Table] Accounting Policies [Table] Ground lease agreements Range [Axis] Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Range [Domain] Minimum Minimum [Member] Maximum Maximum [Member] Accounting Policies [Line Items] Accounting Policies [Line Items] [Line Items] for Accounting Policies [Table] Observatory revenue realized during the first quarter, previous ten years (as a percent) Historical Revenue Trend, Observatory Revenue, in Quarter One Over Ten Year Period, Percent Historical Revenue Trend, Observatory Revenue, in Quarter One Over Ten Year Period, Percent Observatory revenue realized during the second quarter, previous ten years (as a percent) Historical Revenue Trend, Observatory Revenue, in Quarter Two Over Ten Year Period, Percent Historical Revenue Trend, Observatory Revenue, in Quarter Two Over Ten Year Period, Percent Observatory revenue realized during the third quarter, previous ten years (as a percent) Historical Revenue Trend, Observatory Revenue, in Quarter Three Over Ten Year Period, Percent Historical Revenue Trend, Observatory Revenue, in Quarter Three Over Ten Year Period, Percent Observatory revenue realized during the fourth quarter, previous ten years (as a percent) Historical Revenue Trend, Observatory Revenue, in Quarter Four Over Ten Year Period, Percent Historical Revenue Trend, Observatory Revenue, in Quarter Four Over Ten Year Period, Percent Remaining contractual payments under ground lease agreements Capitalized internal leasing costs Deferred Costs, Leasing, Internal Costs, Gross Deferred Costs, Leasing, Internal Costs, Gross Equity Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure, Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments and Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure, Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments and Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Interest Rate Swap, One Month LIBOR, 2.1485% Interest Rate Swap, One Month LIBOR, 2.1485% [Member] Interest Rate Swap, One Month LIBOR, 2.1485% [Member] Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] Notional Amount Derivative Liability, Notional Amount Pay Rate (as a percent) Asset Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset Liability Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability Leases [Abstract] Rental Income Other Operating Income and Expense [Text Block] Schedule of Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Table] Schedule of Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Table] Related Party [Axis] Related Party [Axis] Related Party [Domain] Related Party [Domain] Affiliated entities Affiliated Entity [Member] Undivided interest Undivided Interest [Member] Chairman emeritus Board of Directors, Chairman Emeritus [Member] Board of Directors, Chairman Emeritus [Member] Related Party Transaction [Axis] Related Party Transaction [Axis] Related Party Transaction [Domain] Related Party Transaction [Domain] Supervisory fee revenue Supervisory Fee Revenue [Member] Supervisory Fee Revenue [Member] Property management fee revenue Property Management Fee Revenue [Member] Property Management Fee Revenue [Member] Leased space rental Leased Space Rental [Member] Leased space rental [Member] Annualized rent revenue Annualized Rent Revenue [Member] Annualized Rent Revenue [Member] Related Party Transaction [Line Items] Related Party Transaction [Line Items] Revenue from related parties Revenue from Related Parties Area of real estate property (in square feet) Area of Real Estate Property Number of properties Number of Real Estate Properties Notice period for lease cancellation Lease Cancellation, Period of Notice Lease Cancellation, Period of Notice Percentage of lease space occupied by Chairman emeritus and employee (as a percent) Related Party Transaction, Percentage of Leased Space Occupied Related Party Transaction, Percentage of Leased Space Occupied Number of directors Number of Directors, General Partner in Investment Fund Owning More Than 10% Economic and Voting Interest in Tenant Number of Directors, General Partner in Investment Fund Owning More Than 10% Economic and Voting Interest in Tenant Payables and Accruals [Abstract] Accrued capital expenditures Accrued Liabilities, Capital Expenditures Accrued Liabilities, Capital Expenditures Accounts payable and accrued expenses Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Accrued interest payable Interest Payable Due to affiliated companies Due to Related Parties Total accounts payable and accrued expenses Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Table] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Table] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Table] Real Estate, Type of Property [Axis] Real Estate, Type of Property [Axis] Real Estate [Domain] Real Estate [Domain] Office Building Office Building [Member] Development Parcel Development Parcel [Member] Development Parcel [Member] Retail Site Retail Site [Member] Other Property Other Property [Member] Geographical [Axis] Geographical [Axis] Geographical [Domain] Geographical [Domain] Manhattan and Westport, Connecticut Manhattan and Westport, Connecticut [Member] Manhattan and Westport, Connecticut [Member] Manhattan Manhattan [Member] Manhattan [Member] Westport, Connecticut Westport, Connecticut [Member] Westport, Connecticut [Member] Fairfield County, Connecticut and Westchester County, New York Fairfield County, Connecticut and Westchester County, New York [Member] Fairfield County, Connecticut and Westchester County, New York [Member] Stamford, Connecticut Stamford, Connecticut [Member] Stamford, Connecticut [Member] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items] [Line Items] for Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Table] OP units owned by the Company (as a percent) Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Limited Partnership (LP), Managing Member or General Partner, Ownership Interest Deferred Costs [Table] Deferred Costs [Table] Deferred Costs [Table] Lease agreements Lease Agreements [Member] Observatory Real estate Deferred Costs [Line Items] Deferred Costs [Line Items] [Line Items] for Deferred Costs [Table] Amortization expense related to deferred leasing costs Amortization of Deferred Leasing Fees Amortization expense related to acquired lease intangibles Amortization of Intangible Assets Revenue related to amortization of acquired above- and below-market leases, net Amortization of above and below Market Leases Goodwill OP Unit, redemption term for cash Operating Partnership Unit, Redemption for Cash, Term Operating Partnership Unit, Redemption for Cash, Term Dividends on common stock received until performance criteria met for LTIP units (as a percent) Percentage of Dividends on Common Stock Received Until Performance Criteria Met for LTIP Units Percentage of Dividends on Common Stock Received Until Performance Criteria Met for LTIP Units Dividends on common stock received after performance criteria met for LTIP units (as a percent) Percentage of Dividends on Common Stock Received After Performance Criteria Met for LTIP Units Percentage of Dividends on Common Stock Received After Performance Criteria Met for LTIP Units Dividends on common stock received in periods after performance criteria met for LTIP units (as a percent) Percentage of Dividends on Common Stock Received In Periods After Performance Criteria Met for LTIP Units Percentage of Dividends on Common Stock Received In Periods After Performance Criteria Met for LTIP Units OP units outstanding (in shares) Units of Partnership Interest, Amount OP units owned by the Company (in shares) General Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding OP units not owned by the Company (in shares) Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding OP units not owned by the Company (as a percent) Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership, Members or Limited Partners, Ownership Interest Line of Credit Facility [Table] Line of Credit Facility [Table] Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility And Term Loan Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility And Term Loan [Member] Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility And Term Loan [Member] Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] Maximum borrowing capacity Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Current borrowing capacity Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity Unsecured revolving credit facility higher borrowing capacity option Line of Credit Facility, Higher Borrowing Capacity Option Line of Credit Facility, Higher Borrowing Capacity Option Number of options to extend maturity Debt Instrument, Option to Extend, Number Debt Instrument, Option to Extend, Number Extension period Line of Credit Facility, Extension Period Line of Credit Facility, Extension Period Extension fee, as a percent of outstanding commitments under revolving credit facility Line of Credit Facility, Extension Fee, Percent of Outstanding Commitments Under Revolving Credit Facility Line of Credit Facility, Extension Fee, Percent of Outstanding Commitments Under Revolving Credit Facility Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses Schedule of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block] Statement of Partners' Capital [Abstract] Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Retained Earnings Retained Earnings [Member] Total Stockholders' Equity Parent [Member] Non-controlling Interests Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Private Perpetual Preferred Units Private Perpetual Preferred Units [Member] Private Perpetual Preferred Units [Member] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Beginning balance (in shares) Beginning balance Conversion of operating partnership units and Class B shares to Class A shares (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Units Conversion of operating partnership units and Class B shares to Class A shares Equity compensation: Stock Issued or Granted During Period, Share-based Compensation [Abstract] LTIP units Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures Restricted stock, net of forfeitures (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures Restricted stock, net of forfeitures Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures Dividends and distributions Dividends Other comprehensive income (loss) Ending balance (in shares) Ending balance Financial Instruments and Fair Values Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Cash Flows From Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Amortization of non-cash items within interest expense Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs and Discounts Amortization of acquired above- and below-market leases, net Amortization of acquired below-market ground leases Amortization of below Market Ground Lease Amortization of below Market Ground Lease Straight-lining of rental revenue Straight Line Rent Equity based compensation Share-based Compensation Unrealized loss from derivative financial instruments Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Increase (decrease) in cash flows due to changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Security deposits Increase (Decrease) in Security Deposits Tenant and other receivables Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Deferred leasing costs Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Leasing Fees Prepaid expenses and other assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Accounts payable and accrued expenses Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses Deferred revenue and other liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Revenue and Other Liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Revenue and Other Liabilities Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Cash Flows From Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Development costs Development Costs, Investing Activity Development Costs, Investing Activity Additions to building and improvements Payments for Capital Improvements Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Cash Flows From Financing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Proceeds from mortgage notes payable Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt Repayment of mortgage notes payable Proceeds from unsecured revolving credit facility and term loan Proceeds from Unsecured Notes Payable Deferred financing costs Payments of Financing Costs Private perpetual preferred unit distributions Dividends paid to common stockholders Payments of Dividends Distributions paid to non-controlling interests in the operating partnership Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Noncontrolling Interest Net cash provided (used in) by financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash—beginning of period Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash—end of period Reconciliation of Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash: Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Restricted cash at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Restricted cash at end of period Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Cash paid for interest Interest Paid Cash paid for income taxes Income Taxes Paid Non-cash investing and financing activities: Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Building and improvements included in accounts payable and accrued expenses Commercial Real Estate Incurred but Not yet Paid Commercial Real Estate Incurred but Not yet Paid Derivative instruments at fair values included in prepaid expenses and other assets Derivative Financial Instruments Included in Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets Derivative Financial Instruments Included in Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets Derivative instruments at fair values included in accounts payable and accrued expenses Derivative Financial Instruments Included in Accounts Payable and Accrued Expense Derivative Financial Instruments Included in Accounts Payable and Accrued Expense Conversion of operating partnership units and Class B shares to Class A shares Conversion of Stock, Amount Converted Long-Term Debt Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block] Aggregate Required Principal Payments Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block] Deferred Financing Costs, Net Income Statement [Abstract] Depreciation and amortization Income tax benefit Private perpetual preferred unit distributions Preferred Stock Dividends and Other Adjustments Net income attributable to non-controlling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income attributable to common stockholders Total weighted average shares: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic [Abstract] Basic (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Diluted (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Earnings per share attributable to common stockholders: Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Basic (in USD per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Diluted (in USD per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Dividends per share (in USD per share) Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Description of Business and Organization Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Numerator - Basic: Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic [Abstract] Net income attributable to non-controlling interests Earnings allocated to unvested shares Undistributed Earnings (Loss) Allocated to Participating Securities, Basic Net income attributable to common stockholders - basic Net Income (Loss), Excluding Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest and Participating Securities, Basic Net Income (Loss), Excluding Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest and Participating Securities, Basic Numerator - Diluted: Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted [Abstract] Net income Private perpetual preferred unit distributions Earnings allocated to unvested shares Undistributed Earnings (Loss) Allocated to Participating Securities, Diluted Net income attributable to common stockholders - diluted Net Income (Loss), Excluding Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest and Participating Securities, Diluted Net Income (Loss), Excluding Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest and Participating Securities, Diluted Denominator: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding Reconciliation [Abstract] Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares) Operating partnership units (in shares) Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment Effect of dilutive securities: Incremental Weighted Average Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect [Abstract] Stock-based compensation plans (in shares) Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements Exchangeable senior notes (in shares) Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Conversion of Debt Securities Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares) Earnings per share: Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract] Antidilutive securities (in shares) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Unfunded capital expenditures Unfunded Capital Expenditures Unfunded Capital Expenditures Operating Leases [Table] Operating Leases [Table] Operating Leases [Table] Operating Leases [Line Items] Operating Leases [Line Items] [Line Items] for Operating Leases [Table] Term of lease Lessor, Operating Lease, Term of Contract