Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
REVENUE
Property revenue	$ 179,982	$ 157,507	$ 132,754
Office revenue	1,497	1,046	0
Construction and other services	0	0	16,869
Total revenue	181,479	158,553	149,623
EXPENSES
Property operating and maintenance	67,879	60,628	51,768
Depreciation and amortization	58,053	49,938	45,768
Construction and other services	0	176	19,297
General and administrative	19,481	16,995	15,944
Development costs	912	864	435
Costs associated with acquisitions	524	798	539
Total expenses	146,849	129,399	133,751
Operating income	34,630	29,154	15,872
Interest expense	(29,342)	(29,273)	(28,743)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	5,288	(119)	(12,871)
Income from discontinued operations:
Operating income, net of interest expense	3,179	3,881	3,642
Gain on disposition of properties	52,828	26,849	14,597
Income from discontinued operations	56,007	30,730	18,239
Net income	61,295	30,611	5,368
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(45)	(19)	(40)
Net income attributable to AERC	61,250	30,592	5,328
Allocation to participating securities	228	0	0
Net income applicable to common shares	61,022	30,592	5,328
Earnings per common share - basic:
Income (loss) from continuing operations applicable to common shares	$ 0.10	$ 0.00	$ (0.31)
Income from discontinued operations	$ 1.08	$ 0.66	$ 0.44
Net income applicable to common shares	$ 1.18	$ 0.66	$ 0.13
Earnings per common share - diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations applicable to common shares	$ 0.10	$ 0.00	$ (0.31)
Income from discontinued operations	$ 1.07	$ 0.66	$ 0.44
Net income applicable to common shares	$ 1.17	$ 0.66	$ 0.13
Comprehensive income:
Net income	61,295	30,611	5,368
Other comprehensive income:
Change in fair value and reclassification of hedge intstruments	2,232	(2,529)	(405)
Total comprehensive income	63,527	28,082	4,963
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(45)	(19)	(40)
Total comprehensive income attributable to AERC	$ 63,482	$ 28,063	$ 4,923
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	51,622	46,063	41,657
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	52,184	46,063	41,657