Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated Deficit	Noncontrolling Interests
Balance at December 31, 2012 at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 956,006	$ 128,942	$ 56	$ 907,254	$ (4,425)	$ (337,813)	$ 261,992
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	(14,407)					(11,094)	(3,313)
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps	7,562				2,072	0	5,490
Common dividends declared-$0.45 per share	(28,793)					(28,793)
Preferred dividends declared-$1.00 per share	(3,433)					(3,433)
Dividends on preferred stock redemption	(6,604)					(6,604)
Share-based compensation	3,322			3,322
11,432 shares issued to Directors	220			220
Issuance of 12,697,865 shares of common stock	209,443		13	209,430
Issuance of 19,123 shares issued pursuant to TPG Management Services Agreement	325			325
Buyback of 2,769 shares to satisfy tax withholding obligation in connection with the vesting of restricted stock	(44)			(44)
Series D Preferred Stock redemption	(128,942)	(128,942)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(13,840)						(13,840)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest's share of office properties owned by Parkway Properties Office Fund II, L.P.	(57,346)			(19,894)			(37,452)
Balance at September 30, 2013 at Sep. 30, 2013	$ 923,469	$ 0	$ 69	$ 1,100,613	$ (2,353)	$ (387,737)	$ 212,877