CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
INVESTMENTS IN REAL ESTATE, at cost:
Operating properties	$ 3,450,317	$ 3,395,681
Construction in progress	68,835	68,619
Land held for development	8,716	13,240
Total investments in real estate	3,527,868	3,477,540
Accumulated depreciation	(1,012,746)	(907,928)
Net investments in real estate	2,515,122	2,569,612
INVESTMENTS IN PARTNERSHIPS, at equity:	15,963	14,855
OTHER ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	34,230	33,990
Tenant and other receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $13,123 and $14,042 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively)	46,439	38,473
Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $14,506 and $14,940 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively)	9,075	8,673
Deferred costs and other assets	97,752	97,399
Assets held for sale	0	114,622
Total assets	2,718,581	2,877,624
LIABILITIES:
Mortgage loans payable	1,502,650	1,718,052
Term Loans	0	182,000
Revolving Facility	130,000	0
Tenants’ deposits and deferred rent	17,896	14,862
Distributions in excess of partnership investments	64,491	64,874
Fair value of derivative instruments	844	9,742
Liabilities on assets held for sale	0	102,417
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	76,248	72,448
Total liabilities	1,792,129	2,164,395
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 11)
EQUITY:
Shares of beneficial interest, $1.00 par value per share; 200,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding 68,293 shares at December 31, 2013 and 56,331 shares at December 31, 2012	68,293	56,331
Capital contributed in excess of par	1,467,460	1,247,730
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(6,637)	(20,867)
Distributions in excess of net income	(636,939)	(608,634)
Total equity – Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust	892,258	674,641
Noncontrolling interest	34,194	38,588
Total equity	926,452	713,229
Total liabilities and equity	2,718,581	2,877,624
Series A Preferred Shares[Member]
EQUITY:
Preferred shares, value	46	46
Series B Preferred Shares [Member]
EQUITY:
Preferred shares, value	$ 35	$ 35