Earnings Per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earning Per Share (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Numerator:
Loss from Continuing Operations									$ (20,980)	$ (31,054)	$ (171,345)
Gain on Sale of Real Estate, Net of Income Tax Provision		3,777				918			3,777	918	517
Noncontrolling Interest Allocable to Continuing Operations	(466)	(184)	(972)	(536)	(794)	(963)	(477)	(849)	1,962	3,027	14,841
Loss from Continuing Operations Attributable to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.									(15,241)	(27,109)	(155,987)
Preferred Dividends	(4,662)	(4,725)	(4,798)	(4,762)	(4,763)	(4,928)	(4,947)	(4,927)	(18,947)	(19,565)	(19,677)
Redemption of Preferred Stock	(1,804)								(1,804)
Loss from Continuing Operations Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.'s Common Stockholders									(35,992)	(46,674)	(175,664)
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Income Tax Provision	718	5,478	2,535	5,953	9,265	6,134	2,873	2,674	14,684	20,946	(50,791)
Noncontrolling Interest Allocable to Discontinued Operations	(33)	(265)	(134)	(329)	(539)	(360)	(187)	(196)	(761)	(1,282)	3,957
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations Attributable to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.									13,923	19,664	(46,834)
Net Loss Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.'s Common Stockholders	$ (8,437)	$ 4,194	$ (14,326)	$ (3,500)	$ (4,684)	$ (8,918)	$ (4,751)	$ (8,657)	$ (22,069)	$ (27,010)	$ (222,498)
Denominator:
Weighted Average Shares-Basic and Diluted	97,738	93,488	87,981	86,575	85,941	85,930	79,727	70,639	91,468	80,616	62,953
Basic and Diluted EPS:
Loss from Continuing Operations Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.'s Common Stockholders	$ (0.09)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.19)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.16)	$ (0.17)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.16)	$ (0.39)	$ (0.58)	$ (2.79)
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations Attributable to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.'s Common Stockholders	$ 0.01	$ 0.06	$ 0.03	$ 0.06	$ 0.10	$ 0.07	$ 0.03	$ 0.04	$ 0.15	$ 0.24	$ (0.74)
Net Loss Available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.'s Common Stockholders	$ (0.09)	$ 0.04	$ (0.16)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.12)	$ (0.24)	$ (0.34)	$ (3.53)