Investments in Partnerships - Summary of Equity Investments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified					3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2014 Leigh Valley Associates, LP [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Leigh Valley Associates, LP [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 277,522		$ 284,694		$ 51,016	$ 59,690
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Mortgages Payable					133,017	135,073
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Revenue					9,034	8,716
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Property Operating Expenses					2,764	2,213
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Interest Expense					1,971	2,001
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Net Income (Loss)					3,207	3,663
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Share of Equity in Income of Partnership					1,604	1,832
Investments in real estate, at cost:
Operating properties	419,245		416,964
Construction in progress	2,428		2,298
Total investments in real estate	421,673		419,262
Accumulated depreciation	(172,714)		(169,369)
Net investments in real estate	248,959		249,893
Cash and cash equivalents	10,496		15,327
Deferred costs and other assets, net	18,067		19,474
Total assets	277,522		284,694		51,016	59,690
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ DEFICIT:
Mortgage loans payable	397,000		398,717
Other liabilities	7,706		9,667
Total liabilities	404,706		408,384
Net deficit	(127,184)		(123,690)
Partners’ share	(68,057)		(66,325)
PREIT’s share	(59,127)		(57,365)
Excess investment	8,803	[1]	8,837	[1]
Net investments and advances	(50,324)		(48,528)
Investment in partnerships, at equity	15,090		15,963
Distributions in excess of partnership investments	$ (65,414)		$ (64,491)

[1] Excess investment represents the unamortized difference between our investment and our share of the equity in the underlying net investment in the partnerships. The excess investment is amortized over the life of the properties, and the amortization is included in “Equity in income of partnerships.”