CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
INVESTMENTS IN REAL ESTATE, at cost:
Operating properties	$ 3,465,804	$ 3,395,681
Construction in progress	74,673	68,619
Land held for development	12,649	13,240
Total investments in real estate	3,553,126	3,477,540
Accumulated depreciation	(971,715)	(907,928)
Net investments in real estate	2,581,411	2,569,612
INVESTMENTS IN PARTNERSHIPS, at equity:	15,193	14,855
OTHER ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	17,525	33,990
Tenant and other receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $13,955 and $14,042 at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively)	32,482	38,473
Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $14,403 and $14,940 at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively)	10,789	8,673
Deferred costs and other assets	92,643	97,399
Assets held for sale	29,956	114,622
Total assets	2,779,999	2,877,624
LIABILITIES:
Mortgage loans payable	1,619,155	1,718,052
Term Loan		182,000
Revolving Facility	35,000
Tenants’ deposits and deferred rent	9,997	14,862
Distributions in excess of partnership investments	64,000	64,874
Fair value of derivative instruments	3,056	9,742
Liabilities on assets held for sale	50,275	102,417
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	64,884	72,448
Total liabilities	1,846,367	2,164,395
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 6):
EQUITY:
Shares of beneficial interest, $1.00 par value per share; 200,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding 68,146 shares at June 30, 2013 and 56,331 shares at December 31, 2012	68,146	56,331
Capital contributed in excess of par	1,461,487	1,247,730
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(9,419)	(20,867)
Distributions in excess of net income	(622,853)	(608,634)
Total equity—Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust	897,442	674,641
Noncontrolling interest	36,190	38,588
Total equity	933,632	713,229
Total liabilities and equity	2,779,999	2,877,624
Series A Preferred Shares [Member]
EQUITY:
Preferred Shares	46	46
Series B Preferred Shares [Member]
EQUITY:
Preferred Shares	$ 35	$ 35