CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock Held in Trust [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 128,942	$ 22	$ (220)	$ 517,309	$ (3,340)	$ (271,104)	$ 258,428	$ 630,037
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	0	0	0	0	0	7,478	(877)	6,601
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps	0	0	0	0	(966)	0	(2,254)	(3,220)
Common dividends declared-$0.15 per share	0	0	0	0	0	(3,676)	0	(3,676)
Preferred dividends declared-$1.00 per share	0	0	0	0	0	(5,421)	0	(5,421)
Convertible preferred dividends declared-$0.075 per share	0	0	0	0	0	(1,011)	0	(1,011)
Share-based compensation	0	0	0	204	0	0	0	204
26,047 shares issued in lieu of Director's fees	0	0	0	263	0	0	0	263
Issuance of 4.3 million shares of common stock	0	4	0	44,991	0	0	0	44,995
12,169 shares withheld to satisfy withholding obligation in connection with the vesting of restricted stock	0	0	0	(113)	0	0	0	(113)
Contribution of 3,721 shares of common stock to deferred compensation plan	0	0	(38)	0	0	0	0	(38)
Distribution of 2,125 shares of common stock from deferred compensation plan	0	0	72	0	0	0	0	72
Issuance of 1.8 million operating partnership units	0	0	0	0	0	0	18,216	18,216
Issuance of 1,493,297 shares of common stock upon redemption of operating partnership units	0	2	0	15,110	0	0	(15,112)	0
Contribution of capital by noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0	0	0	3,447	3,447
Distribution of capital to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0	0	0	(615)	(615)
Sale of noncontrolling interest in Parkway Properties Office Fund, L.P.	0	0	0	0	0	0	(8,045)	(8,045)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2012	$ 128,942	$ 28	$ (186)	$ 577,764	$ (4,306)	$ (273,734)	$ 253,188	$ 681,696