Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Changes in AOCI (Detail) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance	$ (13,867)
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Before Reclassifications	(18,521)
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	16,803
Net Current Period Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	(1,718)
Balance	(15,585)
Interest Rate Protection Agreements
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance	(14,402)
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Before Reclassifications	(18,601)
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	16,803
Net Current Period Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	(1,798)
Balance	(16,200)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance	(15)
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Before Reclassifications	15
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	0
Net Current Period Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	15
Balance	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance	550
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Before Reclassifications	65
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	0
Net Current Period Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	65
Balance	615
First Industrial, L.P.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance	(14,376)
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Before Reclassifications	(18,627)
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	16,803
Net Current Period Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	(1,824)
Balance	(16,200)
First Industrial, L.P. | Interest Rate Protection Agreements
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance	(14,402)
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Before Reclassifications	(18,601)
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	16,803
Net Current Period Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	(1,798)
Balance	(16,200)
First Industrial, L.P. | Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance	26
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Before Reclassifications	(26)
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	0
Net Current Period Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	(26)
Balance	$ 0