The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 159

-Paragraph 18

-Subparagraph f

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 18

-Paragraph 20

-Subparagraph a (1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The gains (losses) included in earnings resulting from the sale or disposal of tangible assets. This item does not include any gain (loss) recognized on the sale of oil and gas property or timber property.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 144

-Paragraph 47

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391110&loc=d3e2941-110230

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 205

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6360339&loc=d3e1361-107760

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Current year acquisitions of long-lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- 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

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstateHeldforsale
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Acquisitions of operating properties.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	wri_BusinessAcquisitionsOfOperatingProperties
Namespace Prefix:	wri_
Data Type:	xbrli:positiveIntegerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

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

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	wri_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRealEstatePropertiesHeldForSale
Namespace Prefix:	wri_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- 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

Name:	wri_GrossProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstate
Namespace Prefix:	wri_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

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

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	wri_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesSold
Namespace Prefix:	wri_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	wri_PropertyLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	wri_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Property (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Feb. 29, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011
Property [Line Items]
Acquisition of property	$ 19.4
Ownership percentage in joint ventures	75.00%		47.80%	50.00%
Proceeds from sale and disposition of property	16.2
Gain on sale of properties	4.1
Number of properties held for sale	60	7
Property classified as held for sale, gross	$ 536.6	$ 94.8
Shopping Center [Member]
Property [Line Items]
Number of operating properties acquired	1
Retail Properties [Member]
Property [Line Items]
Number of operating properties sold	4	8
Number of properties held for sale	7	7