Investments in Partnerships - Summary of Share of Equity in Income of Partnerships (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Real Estate Revenue Net Equity Method Investments	$ 29,526	$ 27,201	$ 57,694	$ 56,392
Total assets	759,531		759,531		$ 668,020
Operating expenses:
Property operating expenses	(8,412)	(6,908)	(17,114)	(17,022)
Interest expense	(5,433)	(5,384)	(10,806)	(10,776)
Depreciation and amortization	(6,800)	(5,804)	(12,655)	(11,527)
Total expenses	(20,646)	(18,096)	(40,576)	(39,325)
Net income	8,880	9,105	17,118	17,067
Less: Partners’ share	(4,755)	(4,883)	(9,246)	(9,099)
PREIT’s share	4,125	4,222	7,872	7,968
Amortization of and adjustments to excess investment	29	(30)	18	107
Equity in income of partnerships	$ 4,154	4,192	$ 7,890	8,075
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	$ 8,647	9,121	$ 17,456	18,169
Total assets	46,223		46,223		49,264
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Mortgages Payable	125,285		125,285		$ 126,520
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Property Operating Expenses	(2,582)	(1,956)	(4,484)	(4,183)
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Interest Expense	(1,861)	(1,897)	(3,731)	(3,803)
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Net Income (Loss)	3,059	4,727	7,262	8,477
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Share of Equity in Income of Partnership	$ 1,529	$ 2,197	$ 3,631	$ 4,239