CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
INVESTMENTS IN REAL ESTATE, at cost:
Operating properties	$ 3,173,334	$ 3,450,317
Construction in progress	73,410	68,835
Land held for development	8,721	8,716
Total investments in real estate	3,255,465	3,527,868
Accumulated depreciation	(1,028,846)	(1,012,746)
Net investments in real estate	2,226,619	2,515,122
INVESTMENTS IN PARTNERSHIPS, at equity:	129,202	15,963
OTHER ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	51,413	34,230
Tenant and other receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $13,049 and $13,123 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively)	35,416	46,439
Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $12,042 and $14,506 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively)	6,622	9,075
Deferred costs and other assets	89,907	97,752
Total assets	2,539,179	2,718,581
LIABILITIES:
Mortgage loans payable	1,414,054	1,502,650
Long-term Debt	130,000
Revolving Facility		130,000
Tenants’ deposits and deferred rent	16,062	17,896
Distributions in excess of partnership investments	64,360	64,491
Fair value of derivative liabilities	1,738	844
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	70,209	76,248
Total liabilities	1,696,423	1,792,129
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 6):
EQUITY:
Shares of beneficial interest, $1.00 par value per share; 200,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding 68,787 shares at September 30, 2014 and 68,293 shares at December 31, 2013	68,787	68,293
Capital contributed in excess of par	1,472,366	1,467,460
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(5,428)	6,637
Distributions in excess of net income	(722,338)	(636,939)
Total equity—Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust	813,468	892,258
Noncontrolling interest	29,288	34,194
Total equity	842,756	926,452
Total liabilities and equity	2,539,179	2,718,581
Series A Preferred Shares [Member]
EQUITY:
Preferred Shares	46	46
Series B Preferred Shares [Member]
EQUITY:
Preferred Shares	$ 35	$ 35