Schedule III - Consolidated Real Estate Investments and Accumulated Depreciation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			$ 320,082
Land			179,293
Building and improvements			281,935
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			447,059
Land			179,293
Building and improvements			728,994
Total			908,287
Accumulated Depreciation	$ 125,380	$ 116,099	139,553
Net Carrying Amount			768,734
Amount of real estate for federal income tax purposes			655,900
Real estate investments
Balance at beginning of the year	633,591	595,000
Construction costs and improvements	56,630	52,533
Acquisitions	248,987	83,230
Dispositions	(30,467)	(23,181)
Reclassifications	(454)	(73,991)
Balance at end of the year	908,287	633,591
Accumulated Depreciation
Balance at beginning of the year	125,380	116,099
Dispositions	(352)	(668)
Reclassifications	(8,928)	(8,729)
Depreciation	23,453	18,678
Depreciation	$ 139,553	$ 125,380
Buildings
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Estimated useful lives	39 years
Capital improvements | Minimum
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Estimated useful lives	15 years
Capital improvements | Maximum
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Estimated useful lives	20 years
Equipment | Minimum
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Equipment | Maximum
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Estimated useful lives	15 years
Office
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			36,967
Land			4,507
Building and improvements			10,269
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			132,123
Land			4,507
Building and improvements			142,392
Total			146,899
Accumulated Depreciation	$ 46,828		46,828
Net Carrying Amount			100,071
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	46,828
Office | 4525 Main Street
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			32,034
Land			982
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			40,759
Land			982
Building and improvements			40,759
Total			41,741
Accumulated Depreciation	3,007		3,007
Net Carrying Amount			38,734
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	3,007
Office | Armada Hoffler Tower
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			1,976
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			56,613
Land			1,976
Building and improvements			56,613
Total			58,589
Accumulated Depreciation	27,427		27,427
Net Carrying Amount			31,162
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	27,427
Office | Commonwealth of Virginia - Chesapeake
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			4,933
Land			328
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			6,211
Land			328
Building and improvements			6,211
Total			6,539
Accumulated Depreciation	587		587
Net Carrying Amount			5,952
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	587
Office | Commonwealth of Virginia - Virginia Beach
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			208
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			2,159
Land			208
Building and improvements			2,159
Total			2,367
Accumulated Depreciation	181		181
Net Carrying Amount			2,186
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	181
Office | One Columbus
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			960
Building and improvements			10,269
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			7,345
Land			960
Building and improvements			17,614
Total			18,574
Accumulated Depreciation	9,627		9,627
Net Carrying Amount			8,947
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	9,627
Office | Two Columbus
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			53
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			19,036
Land			53
Building and improvements			19,036
Total			19,089
Accumulated Depreciation	5,999		5,999
Net Carrying Amount			13,090
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	5,999
Retail
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			127,908
Land			161,368
Building and improvements			213,067
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			155,544
Land			161,368
Building and improvements			368,611
Total			529,979
Accumulated Depreciation	64,374		64,374
Net Carrying Amount			465,605
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	64,374
Retail | 249 Central Park Retail
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			17,076
Land			712
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			14,838
Land			712
Building and improvements			14,838
Total			15,550
Accumulated Depreciation	7,641		7,641
Net Carrying Amount			7,909
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	7,641
Retail | Alexander Point
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			4,050
Building and improvements			4,880
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			23
Land			4,050
Building and improvements			4,903
Total			8,953
Accumulated Depreciation	232		232
Net Carrying Amount			8,721
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	232
Retail | Broadmoor Plaza
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			2,410
Building and improvements			9,010
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			24
Land			2,410
Building and improvements			9,034
Total			11,444
Accumulated Depreciation	437		437
Net Carrying Amount			11,007
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	437
Retail | Brooks Crossing
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			117
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			2,276
Land			117
Building and improvements			2,276
Total			2,393
Accumulated Depreciation	22		22
Net Carrying Amount			2,371
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	22
Retail | Bermuda Crossroads
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			5,450
Building and improvements			10,641
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			689
Land			5,450
Building and improvements			11,330
Total			16,780
Accumulated Depreciation	1,804		1,804
Net Carrying Amount			14,976
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	1,804
Retail | Broad Creek Shopping Center
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			0
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			15,845
Land			0
Building and improvements			15,845
Total			15,845
Accumulated Depreciation	8,446		8,446
Net Carrying Amount			7,399
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	8,446
Retail | Columbus Village
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			8,524
Land			7,631
Building and improvements			10,135
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			0
Land			7,631
Building and improvements			10,135
Total			17,766
Accumulated Depreciation	439		439
Net Carrying Amount			17,327
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	439
Retail | Columbus Village II
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			14,536
Building and improvements			10,922
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			14
Land			14,536
Building and improvements			10,936
Total			25,472
Accumulated Depreciation	104		104
Net Carrying Amount			25,368
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	104
Retail | Commerce Street Retail
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			118
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			3,209
Land			118
Building and improvements			3,209
Total			3,327
Accumulated Depreciation	1,173		1,173
Net Carrying Amount			2,154
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	1,173
Retail | Courthouse 7-Eleven
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			1,007
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			1,043
Land			1,007
Building and improvements			1,043
Total			2,050
Accumulated Depreciation	136		136
Net Carrying Amount			1,914
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	136
Retail | Dick's at Town Center
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			67
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			10,522
Land			67
Building and improvements			10,522
Total			10,589
Accumulated Depreciation	3,507		3,507
Net Carrying Amount			7,082
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	3,507
Retail | Dimmock Square
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			5,100
Building and improvements			13,126
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			46
Land			5,100
Building and improvements			13,172
Total			18,272
Accumulated Depreciation	877		877
Net Carrying Amount			17,395
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	877
Retail | Fountain Plaza Retail
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			10,281
Land			425
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			7,112
Land			425
Building and improvements			7,112
Total			7,537
Accumulated Depreciation	2,950		2,950
Net Carrying Amount			4,587
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	2,950
Retail | Gainsborough Square
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			2,229
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			7,064
Land			2,229
Building and improvements			7,064
Total			9,293
Accumulated Depreciation	3,005		3,005
Net Carrying Amount			6,288
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	3,005
Retail | Greentree Shopping Center
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			1,523
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			4,280
Land			1,523
Building and improvements			4,280
Total			5,803
Accumulated Depreciation	377		377
Net Carrying Amount			5,426
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	377
Retail | Hanbury Village
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			20,709
Land			3,793
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			19,262
Land			3,793
Building and improvements			19,262
Total			23,055
Accumulated Depreciation	5,770		5,770
Net Carrying Amount			17,285
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	5,770
Retail | Harper Hill Commons
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			2,840
Building and improvements			8,510
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			12
Land			2,840
Building and improvements			8,522
Total			11,362
Accumulated Depreciation	301		301
Net Carrying Amount			11,061
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	301
Retail | Harrisonburg Regal
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			3,256
Land			1,554
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			4,149
Land			1,554
Building and improvements			4,149
Total			5,703
Accumulated Depreciation	1,881		1,881
Net Carrying Amount			3,822
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	1,881
Retail | Lightfoot Marketplace
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			12,194
Land			7,628
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			14,728
Land			7,628
Building and improvements			14,728
Total			22,356
Accumulated Depreciation	227		227
Net Carrying Amount			22,129
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	227
Retail | North Hampton Market
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			7,250
Building and improvements			10,210
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			140
Land			7,250
Building and improvements			10,350
Total			17,600
Accumulated Depreciation	469		469
Net Carrying Amount			17,131
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	469
Retail | North Point Center
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			12,983
Land			1,936
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			25,119
Land			1,936
Building and improvements			25,119
Total			27,055
Accumulated Depreciation	11,788		11,788
Net Carrying Amount			15,267
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	11,788
Retail | Oakland Marketplace
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			1,850
Building and improvements			3,370
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			10
Land			1,850
Building and improvements			3,380
Total			5,230
Accumulated Depreciation	436		436
Net Carrying Amount			4,794
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	436
Retail | Parkway Marketplace
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			1,150
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			3,540
Land			1,150
Building and improvements			3,540
Total			4,690
Accumulated Depreciation	1,678		1,678
Net Carrying Amount			3,012
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	1,678
Retail | Patterson Place
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			15,059
Building and improvements			20,180
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			11
Land			15,059
Building and improvements			20,191
Total			35,250
Accumulated Depreciation	676		676
Net Carrying Amount			34,574
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	676
Retail | Perry Hall Marketplace
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			3,240
Building and improvements			8,316
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			91
Land			3,240
Building and improvements			8,407
Total			11,647
Accumulated Depreciation	548		548
Net Carrying Amount			11,099
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	548
Retail | Providence Plaza
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			9,950
Building and improvements			12,369
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			476
Land			9,950
Building and improvements			12,845
Total			22,795
Accumulated Depreciation	505		505
Net Carrying Amount			22,290
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	505
Retail | Renaissance Place
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			6,730
Building and improvements			8,439
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			0
Land			6,730
Building and improvements			8,439
Total			15,169
Accumulated Depreciation	47		47
Net Carrying Amount			15,122
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	47
Retail | Sandbridge Commons
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			9,376
Land			5,267
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			7,236
Land			5,267
Building and improvements			7,236
Total			12,503
Accumulated Depreciation	511		511
Net Carrying Amount			11,992
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	511
Retail | Socastee Commons
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			4,866
Land			2,320
Building and improvements			5,380
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			45
Land			2,320
Building and improvements			5,425
Total			7,745
Accumulated Depreciation	328		328
Net Carrying Amount			7,417
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	328
Retail | South Retail
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			7,493
Land			190
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			7,623
Land			190
Building and improvements			7,623
Total			7,813
Accumulated Depreciation	3,731		3,731
Net Carrying Amount			4,082
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	3,731
Retail | South Square
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			14,130
Building and improvements			12,670
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			14
Land			14,130
Building and improvements			12,684
Total			26,814
Accumulated Depreciation	476		476
Net Carrying Amount			26,338
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	476
Retail | Southgate Square
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			21,150
Land			8,890
Building and improvements			25,950
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			62
Land			8,890
Building and improvements			26,012
Total			34,902
Accumulated Depreciation	620		620
Net Carrying Amount			34,282
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	620
Retail | Southshore Shops
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			1,770
Building and improvements			6,509
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			5
Land			1,770
Building and improvements			6,514
Total			8,284
Accumulated Depreciation	85		85
Net Carrying Amount			8,199
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	85
Retail | Stone House Square
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			6,360
Building and improvements			16,350
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			236
Land			6,360
Building and improvements			16,586
Total			22,946
Accumulated Depreciation	974		974
Net Carrying Amount			21,972
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	974
Retail | Studio 56 Retail
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			76
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			2,477
Land			76
Building and improvements			2,477
Total			2,553
Accumulated Depreciation	727		727
Net Carrying Amount			1,826
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	727
Retail | Tyre Neck Harris Teeter
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			0
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			3,306
Land			0
Building and improvements			3,306
Total			3,306
Accumulated Depreciation	756		756
Net Carrying Amount			2,550
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	756
Retail | Waynesboro Commons
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			1,300
Building and improvements			1,610
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			10
Land			1,300
Building and improvements			1,620
Total			2,920
Accumulated Depreciation	192		192
Net Carrying Amount			2,728
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	192
Retail | Wendover Village
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			12,710
Building and improvements			14,490
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			7
Land			12,710
Building and improvements			14,497
Total			27,207
Accumulated Depreciation	498		498
Net Carrying Amount			26,709
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	498
Multifamily residential real estate
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			155,207
Land			12,738
Building and improvements			58,599
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			159,392
Land			12,738
Building and improvements			217,991
Total			230,729
Accumulated Depreciation	28,351		28,351
Net Carrying Amount			202,378
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	28,351
Multifamily residential real estate | Encore Apartments
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			24,966
Land			1,293
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			30,124
Land			1,293
Building and improvements			30,124
Total			31,417
Accumulated Depreciation	1,997		1,997
Net Carrying Amount			29,420
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	1,997
Multifamily residential real estate | Harding Place
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			5,706
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			2,453
Land			5,706
Building and improvements			2,453
Total			8,159
Accumulated Depreciation	0		0
Net Carrying Amount			8,159
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	0
Multifamily residential real estate | Liberty Apartments
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			20,005
Land			3,580
Building and improvements			23,494
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			1,215
Land			3,580
Building and improvements			24,709
Total			28,289
Accumulated Depreciation	2,566		2,566
Net Carrying Amount			25,723
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	2,566
Multifamily residential real estate | Johns Hopkins Village
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			43,841
Land			0
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			65,875
Land			0
Building and improvements			65,875
Total			65,875
Accumulated Depreciation	863		863
Net Carrying Amount			65,012
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	863
Multifamily residential real estate | Smith's Landing
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			20,511
Land			0
Building and improvements			35,105
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			1,153
Land			0
Building and improvements			36,258
Total			36,258
Accumulated Depreciation	4,284		4,284
Net Carrying Amount			31,974
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	4,284
Multifamily residential real estate | The Cosmopolitan
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			45,884
Land			985
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			56,957
Land			985
Building and improvements			56,957
Total			57,942
Accumulated Depreciation	18,641		18,641
Net Carrying Amount			39,301
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	18,641
Multifamily residential real estate | Town Center Phase VI
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			1,174
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			1,615
Land			1,174
Building and improvements			1,615
Total			2,789
Accumulated Depreciation	0		0
Net Carrying Amount			2,789
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	0
Held for development
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances			0
Land			680
Building and improvements			0
Cost capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			0
Land			680
Building and improvements			0
Total			680
Accumulated Depreciation	0		0
Net Carrying Amount			$ 680
Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation	$ 0