Consolidated Statements of Partners' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	BRANDYWINE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.	General Partner Capital [Member] BRANDYWINE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.	Series E-linked Preferred Stock [Member] BRANDYWINE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member] BRANDYWINE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member] BRANDYWINE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.	Partners Equity [Member] BRANDYWINE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2013		$ 1,894,949	$ 1,800,530	$ 96,850		$ (3,377)		$ 946
Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2013			156,731,993	4,000,000
Net income (loss)	$ 6,942	6,942	$ 6,942				$ (33)	(44)	$ 6,898
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,630)	(1,630)			$ (1,612)	(1,630)	(18)
Share issuance from/(to) Deferred Compensation Plan	(90)	(90)	$ (90)
Share Issuance from/(to) Deferred Compensation Plan, Shares			80,152
Issuance of LP Units		334,903	$ 334,903
Issuance of LP Units, Shares			21,850,000
Conversion of LP Units to Common Shares		3,614	$ 3,614				(3,614)
Conversion of LP Units to Common Shares, Shares			228,536
Share Choice Plan Issuance, Shares			(1,423)
Share-based compensation activity	6,847	6,847	$ 6,847
Share-based compensation activity, Shares			403,902
Adjustment of redeemable partnership units to liquidation value at period end		942	$ 942
Adjustment to non-controlling interest			(108)					108
Redemption value of limited partnership units		(3,614)	(3,614)
Distribution to preferred shareholders	(6,900)	(6,900)	(6,900)
Distributions to general partnership unitholders		(101,164)	(101,164)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014		2,134,755	$ 2,041,902	$ 96,850		(5,007)		1,010
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2014			179,293,160	4,000,000
Net income (loss)	(30,740)	(30,740)	$ (30,740)				(339)	3	$ (30,737)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(590)	(590)			(585)	(590)	(5)
Share issuance from/(to) Deferred Compensation Plan	(2)	(2)	$ (2)
Share Issuance from/(to) Deferred Compensation Plan, Shares			88,146
Repurchase and retirement of LP units		(67,430)	$ (67,430)
Repurchase and retirement of LP units, Shares			(5,209,437)
Issuance of partnership interest in consolidated real estate venture		1,025						1,025
Bonus share issuance	125	125	$ 125
Bonus share issuance, Shares			8,447
Share Choice Plan Issuance, Shares			(1,423)
Share-based compensation activity	5,097	5,097	$ 5,097
Share-based compensation activity, Shares			509,675
Adjustment of redeemable partnership units to liquidation value at period end		1,533	$ 1,533
Adjustment to non-controlling interest			6					(6)
Distribution to preferred shareholders	(6,900)	(6,900)	(6,900)
Distributions to general partnership unitholders		(106,899)	(106,899)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2015		1,929,977	$ 1,836,692	$ 96,850		(5,597)		2,032
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2015			174,688,568	4,000,000
Net income (loss)	40,501	40,501	$ 40,486				310	15
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3,475	3,475			$ 3,447	3,475	28
Share issuance from/(to) Deferred Compensation Plan	(47)	(47)	$ (47)
Share Issuance from/(to) Deferred Compensation Plan, Shares			(8,311)
Issuance of partnership interest in consolidated real estate venture	108	109					108	109
Conversion of LP Units to Common Shares		875	$ 875				$ (875)
Conversion of LP Units to Common Shares, Shares			55,303
Share-based compensation activity	5,764	5,763	$ 5,763
Share-based compensation activity, Shares			405,200
Adjustment of redeemable partnership units to liquidation value at period end		(2,622)	$ (2,622)
Adjustment to non-controlling interest			6					(6)
Redemption value of limited partnership units		(875)	(875)
Distribution to preferred shareholders	$ (6,900)	(6,900)	(6,900)
Distributions to general partnership unitholders		(110,614)	(110,614)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2016		$ 1,859,642	$ 1,762,764	$ 96,850		$ (2,122)		$ 2,150
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2016			175,140,760	4,000,000