Earnings Per Share (EPS) - Computation of Basic and Diluted EPS (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Numerator:
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations									$ 23,265	$ 3,972	$ (25,063)
(Loss) Gain on Sale of Real Estate, Net of Income Tax Provision	(83)	0	0	0	337	291	0	262	(83)	890	3,777
Noncontrolling Interest Allocable to Continuing Operations	309	325	124	58	47	(13)	(308)	(159)	(813)	396	2,173
Income from Continuing Operations Allocable to Participating Securities	(32)	(33)	(32)	(18)	(6)	0	0	(36)	(75)	0	0
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.									22,294	5,258	(19,113)
Preferred Dividends	0	0	0	(1,019)	(1,227)	(1,392)	(2,277)	(3,837)	(1,019)	(8,733)	(18,947)
Redemption of Preferred Stock	0	0	0	(1,462)	0	(2,121)	(3,546)	0	(1,462)	(5,667)	(1,804)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.’s Common Stockholders									19,813	(9,142)	(39,864)
Income from Discontinued Operations	11,698	13,932	1,052	1,141	19,850	5,303	13,011	(1,598)	27,823	36,566	18,767
Noncontrolling Interest Allocable to Discontinued Operations	(452)	(543)	(41)	(46)	(817)	(220)	(553)	73	(1,082)	(1,517)	(972)
Income from Discontinued Operations Allocable to Participating Securities	(47)	(57)	(11)	(14)	(84)	(42)	(42)	0	(100)	(162)	0
Income from Discontinued Operations Attributable to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.									26,641	34,887	17,795
Net Income (Loss) Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.’s Common Stockholders and Participating Securities	18,781	21,327	4,039	2,482	20,322	5,031	5,294	(4,740)	46,629	25,907	(22,069)
Net Income Allocable to Participating Securities									(175)	(162)	0
Net Income (Loss) Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.’s Common Stockholders									$ 46,454	$ 25,745	$ (22,069)
Denominator:
Weighted Average Shares - Basic	110,118	110,072	109,815	109,676	109,490	109,474	108,117	100,774	109,922	106,995	91,468
LTIP Unit Awards	287	199	589	539	485	0	0	0	403	0	0
Weighted Average Shares - Diluted	110,405	110,271	110,404	110,215	109,975	109,474	108,117	100,774	110,325	106,995	91,468
Basic and Diluted EPS:
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.’s Common Stockholders	$ 0.07	$ 0.07	$ 0.03	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.00	$ (0.06)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.18	$ (0.09)	$ (0.44)
Income from Discontinued Operations Attributable to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.’s Common Stockholders	$ 0.10	$ 0.12	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.17	$ 0.05	$ 0.11	$ (0.02)	$ 0.24	$ 0.33	$ 0.20
Net Income (Loss) Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.’s Common Stockholders	$ 0.17	$ 0.19	$ 0.04	$ 0.02	$ 0.18	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ (0.05)	$ 0.42	$ 0.24	$ (0.24)