Real Estate Activity Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Restricted cash, proceeds from delayed tax exempt exchange					$ 15,500,000
Property Revenues:
Total revenues	99,603,000	89,905,000	196,950,000	175,667,000
Property Expenses:
Depreciation	(30,472,000)	(29,130,000)	(60,818,000)	(57,874,000)
Amortization	(1,324,000)	(1,773,000)	(3,142,000)	(3,584,000)
Income from discontinued operations before net loss on disposition of discontinued operations	(3,266,000)	(5,065,000)	(6,249,000)	(10,644,000)
Segment, Discontinued Operations
Property Revenues:
Minimum rent	3,726,000	6,957,000	7,323,000	13,545,000
Tenant recoveries	749,000	570,000	1,436,000	1,261,000
Other revenue	404,000	610,000	410,000	1,957,000
Total revenues	4,879,000	8,137,000	9,169,000	16,763,000
Property Expenses:
Property operating and administrative expense	1,342,000	3,072,000	2,649,000	6,119,000
Depreciation	875,000	2,932,000	2,706,000	6,248,000
Amortization	143,000	305,000	405,000	704,000
Impairment	271,000	0	271,000	0
Total operating expenses	2,631,000	6,309,000	6,031,000	13,071,000
Interest income (expense), net	2,000	(311,000)	39,000	(587,000)
Debt cost amortization	0	(7,000)	0	(13,000)
Income from discontinued operations before net loss on disposition of discontinued operations	2,250,000	1,510,000	3,177,000	3,092,000
Net loss on disposition of discontinued operations	(12,000)	0	(14,000)	0
Noncontrolling interest in CRLP from discontinued operations	(168,000)	(119,000)	(239,000)	(251,000)
Income from discontinued operations attributable to parent company	2,070,000	1,391,000	2,924,000	2,841,000
Operating Properties
Operating property dispositions	0	0	0	0
Real estate assets held for sale	4		4
For Sale
Real estate assets held for sale	2		2
Real estate held-for-sale	8,600,000		8,600,000
Total units	9		9
Commercial Outparcels/Pads
Real estate assets held for sale	7		7
Colonial Properties Trust
Restricted cash, proceeds from delayed tax exempt exchange			19,852,000	0
Real estate held-for-sale	148,412,000		148,412,000		10,543,000
Loans payable to bank	0		0
Property Revenues:
Minimum rent	81,582,000	73,093,000	161,628,000	143,168,000
Tenant recoveries	2,120,000	1,928,000	4,437,000	3,935,000
Other revenue	14,430,000	12,711,000	28,070,000	24,580,000
Total revenues	99,603,000	89,905,000	196,950,000	175,667,000
Property Expenses:
Property operating and administrative expense	27,335,000	25,131,000	53,894,000	48,990,000
Depreciation	30,472,000	29,130,000	60,818,000	57,874,000
Amortization	1,324,000	1,773,000	3,142,000	3,584,000
Total operating expenses	81,062,000	75,873,000	162,554,000	152,608,000
Debt cost amortization	(1,402,000)	(1,146,000)	(2,835,000)	(2,298,000)
Income from discontinued operations before net loss on disposition of discontinued operations	2,250,000	1,510,000	3,177,000	3,092,000
Net loss on disposition of discontinued operations	(12,000)	0	(14,000)	0
Noncontrolling interest in CRLP from discontinued operations	(168,000)	(119,000)	(239,000)	(251,000)
Income from discontinued operations attributable to parent company	$ (2,070,000)	$ (1,391,000)	$ (2,924,000)	$ (2,841,000)