Related-Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 Wells Management Leasing_Fee	Sep. 30, 2012 Management and Leasing Fees Wells Management	Sep. 30, 2011 Management and Leasing Fees Wells Management	Sep. 30, 2012 Management and Leasing Fees Wells Management	Sep. 30, 2011 Management and Leasing Fees Wells Management	Sep. 30, 2012 Administrative Expenses Wells Capital and Wells Management	Sep. 30, 2011 Administrative Expenses Wells Capital and Wells Management	Sep. 30, 2012 Administrative Expenses Wells Capital and Wells Management	Sep. 30, 2011 Administrative Expenses Wells Capital and Wells Management	Apr. 21, 2008 In re Wells Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. Securities Litigation Pending Litigation Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. Defendants	Mar. 31, 2008 In re Wells Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. Securities Litigation Pending Litigation Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. Legal_Complaints	Mar. 12, 2007 In re Wells Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. Securities Litigation Pending Litigation Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. Legal_Complaints	Oct. 22, 2012 Subsequent Event Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc.
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Monthly management fee (percent)	3.00%
Monthly leasing fee (percent)	3.00%
Number of times initial leasing fee incurred	1
Minimum commercial lease term (in years)	10 years
Monthly management and leasing fee for long-term commercial property leases (percent)	1.00%
Initial leasing fee (percent)	3.00%
Partnership's share of costs incurred through joint ventures		$ 11,080	$ 15,039	$ 36,982	$ 47,325	$ 25,445	$ 22,869	$ 68,783	$ 67,303
Number of dismissed complaints											5
Number of complaints in original filing of litigation												7
Number of complaints allowed by court											2
Damages sought in complaint										159,000,000
Proposed cash payment to settle lawsuit													$ 4,900,000
Number of defendants										17
Number of non-affiliated defendants										11
Prior notice requirement for termination of agreements (in days)	60 days