CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 128,942	$ 56	$ 907,254	$ (4,425)	$ (337,813)	$ 261,992	$ 956,006
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	0	0	0	0	(1,168)	(1,257)	(2,425)
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps	0	0	0	748	0	498	1,246
Common dividends declared-$0.15 per share	0	0	0	0	(8,397)	0	(8,397)
Preferred dividends declared-$0.50 per share	0	0	0	0	(2,711)	0	(2,711)
Share-based compensation	0	0	89	0	0	0	89
Issuance of 12,650,000 shares of common stock	0	13	208,934	0	0	0	208,947
Issuance of 4,223 shares issued pursuant to TPG Management Services Agreement	0	0	75	0	0	0	75
2,275 shares withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligation in connection with the vesting of restricted stock	0	0	(35)	0	0	0	(35)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests share of office properties owned by Parkway Properties Office Fund II, L.P.	0	0	(19,894)	0	0	(37,452)	(57,346)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2013	$ 128,942	$ 69	$ 1,096,423	$ (3,677)	$ (350,089)	$ 223,781	$ 1,095,449