Organization, Formation and Structure (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020 store property
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Distribution of REIT taxable income (excluding net capital gains) to its stockholders (percent)	90.00%
Number of shopping centers | store	33
Revenue
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of total revenue	2.50%
Giant Food
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of shopping centers | store	11
Percentage of total revenue	4.90%
Saul Holdings Limited Partnership
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership in operating partnership	74.60%
Shopping Centers
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties	50
Mixed-Use Properties
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties	6
Non-operating Development Properties
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties	4