Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flow Statement (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012 Colonial Properties Trust	Jun. 30, 2011 Colonial Properties Trust	Jun. 30, 2012 Colonial Realty Limited Partnership	Jun. 30, 2011 Colonial Realty Limited Partnership
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 11,266	$ (17,800)	$ 7,121	$ (17,800)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	67,272	68,614	67,272	68,614
(Income) loss from partially-owned unconsolidated entities	(22,022)	474	(17,877)	474
Loss on sale of property	249	56	249	56
Impairment and other losses	1,166	2,244	1,166	2,244
Distributions of income from partially-owned unconsolidated entities	471	2,072	471	2,072
Share-based compensation expense	4,120	2,998	4,120	2,998
Other, net	511	1,529	511	1,529
Change in:
Restricted cash	221	(368)	221	(368)
Accounts receivable	876	(93)	876	(93)
Prepaid expenses	2,500	(3,259)	2,500	(3,259)
Other assets	2,550	1,244	2,550	1,244
Accounts payable	(12,001)	(4,385)	(12,001)	(4,385)
Accrued interest	107	(894)	107	(894)
Accrued expenses and other	13,175	17,786	13,175	17,786
Net cash provided by operating activities	70,461	70,218	70,461	70,218
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of properties	(78,215)	(96,837)	(78,215)	(96,837)
Development expenditures	(45,444)	(12,941)	(45,444)	(12,941)
Capital expenditures, tenant improvements and leasing commissions	(13,106)	(9,942)	(13,106)	(9,942)
Proceeds from sales of property, net of selling costs	1,862	4,157	1,862	4,157
Restricted cash	19,852	0	19,852	0
Issuance of notes receivable	0	(17,941)	0	(17,941)
Repayments of notes receivable	1,666	963	1,666	963
Distributions from partially-owned unconsolidated entities	3,029	0	3,029	0
Capital contributions to partially-owned unconsolidated entities	(54)	(186)	(54)	(186)
Net cash used in investing activities	(110,410)	(132,727)	(110,410)	(132,727)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from additional borrowings	150,000	0	150,000	0
Proceeds from dividend reinvestment plan and exercise of stock options	3,575	1,667	3,575	1,667
Proceeds from common share issuance, net of expenses	0	156,250
Proceeds from issuance of common units			0	156,250
Principal reductions of debt	(1,139)	(57,775)	(1,139)	(57,775)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(5,264)	0	(5,264)	0
Proceeds from borrowings on revolving credit lines	305,000	978,000	305,000	978,000
Payments on revolving credit lines and overdrafts	(377,463)	(981,205)	(377,463)	(981,205)
Dividends paid to common and preferred shareholders	(31,623)	(26,176)	(31,623)	(26,176)
Distributions to noncontrolling partners in CRLP	(2,580)	(2,181)	(2,580)	(2,181)
Net cash provided by financing activities	40,506	68,580	40,506	68,580
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	557	6,071	557	6,071
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	6,452	4,954	6,452	4,954
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	7,009	11,025	7,009	11,025
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for interest, including amounts capitalized	46,758	43,015	46,758	43,015
Cash received during the period for income taxes	0	(729)	0	(729)
Accrual associated with construction, capital expenditures and retainage	$ (633)	$ (283)	$ (633)	$ (283)