Debt Instrument, Amortization Period

No definition available.

Name:	bfs_DebtInstrumentAmortizationPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	bfs_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Final Payment Amount

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bfs_DebtInstrumentFinalPaymentAmount
Namespace Prefix:	bfs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Maturity Date, Year

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bfs_DebtInstrumentMaturityDateYear
Namespace Prefix:	bfs_
Data Type:	xbrli:gYearItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line of Credit Facility Potential Term Extension Period

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bfs_LineOfCreditFacilityPotentialTermExtensionPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	bfs_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Long-Term Debt, Repayments of Principal and Balloon Payments

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bfs_LongTermDebtRepaymentsOfPrincipalAndBalloonPayments
Namespace Prefix:	bfs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Sale Leaseback Transaction, Annual Increase in Rental Payments, Percentage

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bfs_SaleLeasebackTransactionAnnualIncreaseinRentalPaymentsPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	bfs_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Sale Leaseback Transaction, Repurchase Option, Amount

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bfs_SaleLeasebackTransactionRepurchaseOptionAmount
Namespace Prefix:	bfs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the carrying value of a short-term real estate loan to finance building costs. The funds are disbursed as needed or in accordance with a prearranged plan; generally, a portion of the funds is disbursed at inception and the remainder as construction progresses. The money is repaid on completion of the project, usually from the proceeds of a mortgage loan. The rate is normally higher than the prime rate, and there is usually an origination fee. The effective yield on these loans tends to be high, and the lender has a security interest in the real property. Note that there are separate concepts for the current and noncurrent portions of long-term construction loans.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConstructionLoan
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The reference rate for the variable rate of the debt instrument, such as LIBOR or the US Treasury rate and the maturity of the reference rate used, such as three months or six months LIBOR.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentDescriptionOfVariableRateBasis
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of the required periodic payments including both interest and principal payments.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 470

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823

+ Details

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

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) the guarantor could be required to make under the guarantee or each group of similar guarantees before reduction for potential recoveries under recourse or collateralization provisions.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 460

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (b)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6851643&loc=d3e12069-110248

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

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-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Date the credit facility terminates, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationDate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying value as of the balance sheet date of loans payable (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16(a)(2))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansPayable
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The portion of the carrying amount of long-term borrowings outstanding as of the balance sheet date, including current maturities, which accrues interest at a set, unchanging rate.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The portion of the carrying amount of long-term borrowings outstanding as of the balance sheet date, including current maturities, which accrues interest at a rate subject to change from time to time.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Cash received for the sale of real estate that is not part of an investing activity during the current period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3179-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount, before accumulated depreciation, of real estate investments for entities with a substantial portion of business acquiring and holding investment real estate.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 205

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-04.(c) Schedule III)

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 970

-SubTopic 360

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-28.4)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6590653&loc=d3e638233-123024

+ Details

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

- Definition

The historical cost of the asset(s) sold in connection with the sale of the property to another party and the lease of the property back to the seller.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 40

-Section 55

-Paragraph 52

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28365400&loc=d3e51843-112757

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-Topic 840

-SubTopic 40

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-Topic 840

-SubTopic 40

-Section 55

-Paragraph 51

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28365400&loc=d3e51840-112757

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The financing cost related to leases that have been recorded under the deposit method, as a financing or as a capital leases in connection with the transaction involving the sale of property to another party and the lease of the property back to the seller.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Imputed Interest Rate

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6515215

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of the monthly rental payments due under the lease entered into in connection with the transactions involving the sale of property to another party and the lease of the property back to the seller.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 40

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6456341&loc=d3e50796-112755

+ Details

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

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of Notes with the highest claim on the assets of the issuer in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer). Senior note holders are paid off in full before any payments are made to junior note holders.

+ 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 210.7-03.16(a))

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=bfs_VariableRateLoansPayableMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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Period Type:

- Details

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Period Type:

- Details

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Notes Payable, Revolving Credit Facility, Interest and Amortization of Deferred Debt Costs - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)			1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2015	Mar. 03, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding debt				$ 869,403,000
Debt outstanding with fixed-rate				824,500,000	$ 784,800,000
Debt outstanding with variable-rate				44,900,000	72,600,000
Revolving credit facility payable				30,000,000	43,000,000
Carrying value of properties collateralizing mortgage notes				860,500,000	895,500,000
Construction loan				31,413,000	5,391,000
Total outstanding debt					857,400,000
Olney Center
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of real estate			$ 11,000,000	11,000,000
Sale-leaseback, monthly lease payments				$ 60,400
Annual increase in rental payments, percentage				1.50%
Sale-leaseback, fixed interest rate				8.00%
Sales price of property				$ 11,000,000
Sale leaseback, option to purchase the property			$ 14,600,000	14,600,000
Metro Pike Center Bank Loan \| Fixed Rate Mortgage Notes Payable
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Guarantor obligations, maximum exposure				7,800,000
Metro Pike Center Bank Loan \| Variable Rate Loans Payable
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount outstanding				14,900,000
Shops at Fairfax and Boulevard
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Construction-to-permanent loan		$ 30,000,000
Debt term		15 years
Debt maturity year		2030
Fixed interest rate		3.69%
Shops at Fairfax and Boulevard \| Fixed Rate Mortgage Notes Payable
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Monthly principal and interest payments		$ 153,300
Debt amortization period		25 years
Final payment amount		$ 15,500,000
Northrock
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Construction-to-permanent loan	$ 16,000,000
Debt term	15 years
Debt maturity year	2030
Fixed interest rate	3.99%
Northrock \| Fixed Rate Mortgage Notes Payable
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Monthly principal and interest payments	$ 84,400
Debt amortization period	25 years
Final payment amount	$ 8,400,000
Van Ness Square
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Construction-to-permanent loan				71,600,000
Construction loan				31,400,000
Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility payable				30,000,000	$ 43,000,000
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity				$ 275,000,000
Line of credit facility maturity date				Jun. 23, 2018
Extension in line of credit facility period				1 year
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity				$ 244,600,000
Description of variable rate basis				one-month LIBOR
Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility \| LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate spread on LIBOR				1.45%
Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility \| LIBOR \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate spread on LIBOR				1.45%
Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility \| LIBOR \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate spread on LIBOR				2.00%
Letter of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity				$ 448,000