Earnings Per Share ("EPS") - Computation of Basic and Diluted EPS (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Numerator:
Loss from Continuing Operations	$ (2,175)	$ (12,765)	$ (660)	$ (17,394)
Gain on Sale of Real Estate	0	0	262	0
Noncontrolling Interest Allocable to Continuing Operations	315	969	430	1,494
(Loss) Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.	(1,860)	(11,796)	32	(15,900)
Preferred Stock Dividends	(2,277)	(4,798)	(6,114)	(9,560)
Redemption of Preferred Stock	(3,546)	0	(3,546)	0
Loss from Continuing Operations Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.’s Common Stockholders	(7,683)	(16,594)	(9,628)	(25,460)
Income from Discontinued Operations	13,537	2,399	10,637	8,083
Noncontrolling Interest Allocable to Discontinued Operations	(560)	(131)	(455)	(449)
Income from Discontinued Operations Allocable to Participating Securities	(42)	0	(78)	0
Income from Discontinued Operations Attributable to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.	12,935	2,268	10,104	7,634
Net Income (Loss) Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.'s Common Stockholders and Participating Securities	5,294	(14,326)	554	(17,826)
Net Income Allocable to Participating Securities	(42)	0	(78)	0
Net Income (Loss) Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.’s Common Stockholders	$ 5,252	$ (14,326)	$ 476	$ (17,826)
Denominator:
Weighted Average Shares—Basic and Diluted	108,117	87,981	104,466	87,278
Basic and Diluted EPS:
Loss from Continuing Operations Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.’s Common Stockholders	$ (0.07)	$ (0.19)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.29)
Income from Discontinued Operations Attributable to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.’s Common Stockholders	$ 0.12	$ 0.03	$ 0.10	$ 0.09
Net Income (Loss) Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.’s Common Stockholders	$ 0.05	$ (0.16)	$ 0.01	$ (0.20)