Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011 Series F Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Series F Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Series G Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Series G Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Series J Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Series J Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Series K Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Series K Preferred Stock [Member]
Investment in Real Estate:
Real Estate and Other Assets Held for Sale, Net of Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization	$ 39,413	$ 165,211
Indebtedness:
Accrued Interest Mortgage Loan Payable	0	6
Deferred Leasing Intangibles, Accumulated Amortization	415	2,668
First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.'s Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred Stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred Stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred Stock, shares issued			500	500	250	250	600	600	200	200
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding			500	500	250	250	600	600	200	200
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference per share			$ 100,000	$ 100,000	$ 100,000	$ 100,000	$ 250,000	$ 250,000	$ 250,000	$ 250,000
Preferred Stock liquidation preference value			$ (50,000)	$ (50,000)	$ (25,000)	$ (25,000)	$ (150,000)	$ (150,000)	$ (50,000)	$ (50,000)
Common Stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Stock, shares authorized	150,000,000	100,000,000
Common Stock, shares issued	91,131,516	73,165,410
Common Stock, shares outstanding	86,807,402	68,841,296
Treasury Shares at cost, shares	4,324,114	4,324,114