Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $) In Thousands	Colonial Properties Trust	Colonial Properties Trust Redeemable Common Units	Colonial Properties Trust Common Shares	Colonial Properties Trust Additional Paid-in Capital	Colonial Properties Trust Cumulative Earnings	Colonial Properties Trust Cumulative Distributions	Colonial Properties Trust Noncontrolling Interest	Colonial Properties Trust Preferred Units	Colonial Properties Trust Treasury Shares	Colonial Properties Trust Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Colonial Realty Limited Partnership	Colonial Realty Limited Partnership Redeemable Common Units	Colonial Realty Limited Partnership Common Shares	Colonial Realty Limited Partnership Noncontrolling Interest	Colonial Realty Limited Partnership Preferred Units	Colonial Realty Limited Partnership Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Redeemable Common Units at Dec. 31, 2010		$ 145,539										$ 145,539
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	1,159,757		840	1,808,298	1,260,944	(1,808,700)	769	50,000	(150,163)	(2,231)	1,165,348		1,118,086	769	48,724	(2,231)
Net income (loss)	(16,193)				(16,236)		43				(16,193)		(18,049)	43	1,813
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	260	(1,607)										(1,607)
Reclassification adjustment for amounts included in net income (loss)	777									777	777					777
Distributions on common shares and units (Six months ended June 30, 2011 and June 30, 2012 $0.30 and $0.36 per share/unit)	(24,363)	(2,181)				(24,363)					(24,363)	(2,181)	(24,363)
Distributions to preferred unitholders											(1,813)				(1,813)
Distributions to limited partner preferred unitholders	(1,813)					(1,813)					(1,813)
Issuance of restricted common shares of beneficial interest	288		3	285
Amortization of stock based compensation	2,998			2,998
Cancellation of vested restricted shares to pay taxes	(1,620)		(1)	(1,619)
Issuance of common shares from options exercised	636		0	636
Issuance of common shares of beneficial interest through the Company's dividend reinvestment plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan	2,648		2	2,646
Issuance of common shares of beneficial interest through conversion of units from Colonial Realty Limited Partnership	751	(751)	0	751							751	(751)	751
Equity Offering Programs, net of cost	156,250		81	156,169
Change in interest of limited partners	(45)						(45)				(45)			(45)
Contributions from partners and the Company related to employee stock purchase, dividend reinvestment plans and equity offerings											159,866		159,866
Change in redemption value of common units	(18,208)	18,208		(18,208)							(18,208)	18,208	(18,208)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2011	1,261,863		925	1,951,956	1,244,708	(1,834,876)	767	50,000	(150,163)	(1,454)	1,266,120		1,218,083	767	48,724	(1,454)
Redeemable Common Units at Jun. 30, 2011		159,208										159,208
Redeemable Common Units at Mar. 31, 2011
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	393
Distributions to limited partner preferred unitholders	(906)										(906)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2011	1,261,863							50,000	(150,163)		1,266,120
Redeemable Common Units at Dec. 31, 2011	159,582	159,582									159,582	159,582
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	1,204,591		931	1,964,881	1,267,958	(1,862,838)	728		(150,163)	(16,906)	1,208,769		1,224,947	728		(16,906)
Net income (loss)	10,418				10,401		17				6,273		6,256	17
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	865	848										848
Reclassification adjustment for amounts included in net income (loss)	3,332									3,332	3,332					3,332
Changes in fair value of qualifying hedges	(9,789)	(796)								(9,789)	(9,789)	(796)				(9,789)
Distributions on common shares and units (Six months ended June 30, 2011 and June 30, 2012 $0.30 and $0.36 per share/unit)	(31,623)	(2,580)				(31,623)					(31,623)	(2,580)	(31,623)
Distributions to limited partner preferred unitholders	0										0
Issuance of restricted common shares of beneficial interest	61		4	57
Amortization of stock based compensation	4,120			4,120
Cancellation of vested restricted shares to pay taxes	(1,180)		(1)	(1,179)
Issuance of common shares from options exercised	771		0	771
Issuance of common shares of beneficial interest through the Company's dividend reinvestment plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan	3,981		2	3,979
Issuance of common shares of beneficial interest through conversion of units from Colonial Realty Limited Partnership	336	(336)	0	336							336	(336)	336
Change in interest of limited partners	(38)						(38)				(38)			(38)
Contributions from partners and the Company related to employee stock purchase, dividend reinvestment plans and equity offerings											7,720		7,720
Change in redemption value of common units	(10,592)	10,592		(10,592)							(10,592)	10,592	(10,592)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2012	1,174,388		936	1,962,373	1,278,359	(1,894,461)	707		(150,163)	(23,363)	1,174,388		1,197,044	707		(23,363)
Redeemable Common Units at Jun. 30, 2012	167,310	167,310									167,310	167,310
Redeemable Common Units at Mar. 31, 2012
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,342
Distributions to limited partner preferred unitholders	0										0
Balance at Jun. 30, 2012	1,174,388								(150,163)		1,174,388
Redeemable Common Units at Jun. 30, 2012	$ 167,310										$ 167,310