Property (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) property	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) property	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Real Estate [Abstract]
Number of centers sold \| property	11
Proceeds from sale and disposition of property	$ 107,700
Gain on sale of property	$ 59,621	$ 190,872	$ 119,965
Number of acquired centers \| property	7
Gross payments to acquire real estate	$ 240,200
Investment in new development projects	$ 26,100
Number of properties held for sale \| property	1	1
Property held for sale	$ 53,200	$ 9,400

The difference between the carrying value and the sale price of real estate or properties that were intended to be sold or held for capital appreciation or rental income. This element refers to the gain (loss) included in earnings and not to the cash proceeds of the sale. This element is a noncash adjustment to net income when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of businesses acquired by the entity during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Payments to develop real estate assets is the process of adding improvements on or to a parcel of land. Such improvements may include drainage, utilities, subdividing, access, buildings, and any combination of these elements; and are generally classified as cash flow from investing activities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3213-108585

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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- References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of investments in land and buildings held for sale, excluding real estate considered to be inventory of the entity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of real estate properties, buildings or undeveloped land parcels held for sale in the period.

+ References

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	wri_
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- Definition

Gross purchase price from the acquisition of a piece of land, anything permanently fixed to it, including buildings, structures on it and so forth; includes real estate intended to generate income for the owner; excludes real estate acquired for use by the owner.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

Gross cash received from the sale of real estate that is held for investment, that is, it is part of an investing activity during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The number of real estate properties, buildings or undeveloped land parcels sold during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	wri_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration