Investments in Partnerships - Summary of Share of Equity in Income of Partnerships (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Real Estate Revenue Net Equity Method Investments	$ 29,475	$ 25,432	$ 85,867	$ 76,285
Total assets	663,507		663,507		$ 653,645
Operating expenses:
Property operating expenses	(8,196)	(8,768)	(25,216)	(28,819)
Interest expense	(5,388)	(5,211)	(16,165)	(15,653)
Depreciation and amortization	(5,840)	(6,508)	(17,367)	(18,806)
Other Expenses Equity Method Investments	2	0	4	0
Total expenses	(19,426)	(20,487)	(58,752)	(63,278)
Net income	10,049	4,945	27,115	13,007
Less: Partners’ share	(5,397)	(2,647)	(14,496)	(6,667)
PREIT’s share	4,652	2,298	12,619	6,340
Amortization of and adjustments to excess investment	(9)	87	99	159
Equity in income of partnerships	$ 4,643	2,385	$ 12,718	6,499
Lehigh Valley Associates, LP [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	50.00%		50.00%
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Revenue	$ 9,023	8,903	$ 27,192	26,807
Total assets	50,765		50,765		48,352
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Mortgages Payable	127,125		127,125		$ 128,883
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Property Operating Expenses	(2,204)	(2,200)	(6,386)	(7,219)
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Interest Expense	(1,888)	(1,923)	(5,691)	(5,794)
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Net Income (Loss)	4,066	3,964	12,544	11,284
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Share of Equity in Income of Partnership	$ 2,033	$ 1,982	$ 6,272	$ 5,642