Elme Communities (ELME) 10-Q 2 Nov 16 2016 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Oct. 28, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	WASHINGTON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST
Entity Central Index Key	104,894
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		74,579,610

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Assets
Land	$ 573,315	$ 561,256
Income producing property	2,092,201	2,076,541
Real estate investment property, at cost	2,665,516	2,637,797
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(634,945)	(692,608)
Net income producing property	2,030,571	1,945,189
Properties under development or held for future development	37,463	36,094
Total real estate held for investment, net	2,068,034	1,981,283
Cash and cash equivalents	8,588	23,825
Restricted cash	10,091	13,383
Rents and other receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,987 and $2,297, respectively	62,989	62,890
Prepaid expenses and other assets	100,788	109,787
Total assets	2,250,490	2,191,168
Liabilities
Notes payable, net	744,063	743,181
Mortgage notes payable, net	251,232	418,052
Lines of credit	125,000	105,000
Accounts payable and other liabilities	54,629	45,367
Dividend payable	0	20,434
Advance rents	10,473	12,744
Tenant security deposits	8,634	9,378
Total liabilities	1,194,031	1,354,156
Shareholders’ equity
Preferred shares; $0.01 par value; 10,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding	0	0
Shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value; 100,000 shares authorized; 74,579 and 68,191 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	745	682
Additional paid in capital	1,368,438	1,193,298
Distributions in excess of net income	(309,042)	(357,781)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(4,870)	(550)
Total shareholders’ equity	1,055,271	835,649
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	1,188	1,363
Total equity	1,056,459	837,012
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,250,490	$ 2,191,168

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Rents and other receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 1,987	$ 2,297
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized (in shares)	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Shares of beneficial interest, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Shares of beneficial interest, shares authorized (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Shares of beneficial interest, shares issued (in shares)	74,579,000	68,191,000
Shares of beneficial interest, shares outstanding (in shares)	74,579,000	68,191,000

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Revenue
Real estate rental revenue	$ 79,770	$ 78,243	$ 236,312	$ 227,325
Expenses
Real estate expenses	29,164	28,109	86,073	84,546
Depreciation and amortization	30,905	29,349	82,104	80,127
Acquisition costs	0	929	1,178	1,937
General and administrative	4,539	4,911	15,018	15,269
Casualty (gain) and real estate impairment loss, net	0	0	(676)	5,909
Operating Expenses	64,608	63,298	183,697	187,788
Gain on sale of real estate	77,592	0	101,704	31,731
Real estate operating income	92,754	14,945	154,319	71,268
Other income (expense)
Interest expense	(13,173)	(14,486)	(41,353)	(44,534)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	0	(119)
Other income	83	163	205	547
Income tax (expense) benefit	(2)	(42)	691	(70)
Total other income (expense)	(13,092)	(14,365)	(40,457)	(44,176)
Net income	79,662	580	113,862	27,092
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	12	67	32	515
Net income attributable to the controlling interests	$ 79,674	$ 647	$ 113,894	$ 27,607
Basic net income per share:
Net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.07	$ 0.01	$ 1.59	$ 0.40
Diluted net income per share:
Net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.07	$ 0.01	$ 1.59	$ 0.40
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	73,994	68,186	71,348	68,168
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	74,133	68,305	71,520	68,290
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.30	$ 0.30	$ 0.9	$ 0.90

Condensed Consolidated Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Statement - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 79,662	$ 580	$ 113,862	$ 27,092
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	739	(2,288)	(4,320)	(2,288)
Comprehensive income (loss)	80,401	(1,708)	109,542	24,804
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(12)	(67)	(32)	(515)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the controlling interests	$ 80,413	$ (1,641)	$ 109,574	$ 25,319

Consolidated Statements of Shar

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2016 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Shares of Beneficial Interest at Par Value [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]	Parent [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015		68,191,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 837,012	$ 682	$ 1,193,298	$ (357,781)	$ (550)	$ 835,649	$ 1,363
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to the controlling interests	113,894			113,894		113,894
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(32)						(32)
Unrealized loss on interest rate hedge	(4,320)				(4,320)	(4,320)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(143)						(143)
Dividends	(65,155)			(65,155)		(65,155)
Equity offerings, net of issuance costs (in shares)		6,223,000
Equity offerings, net of issuance costs	172,936	$ 62	172,874			172,936
Shares issued under dividend reinvestment program (in shares)		17,500
Shares issued under dividend reinvestment program	545	$ 500	545			545
Share grants, net of forfeitures (in shares)		147,000
Share grants, net of forfeitures	1,722	$ 1	1,721			1,722
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2016		74,579,000
Balance at Sep. 30, 2016	$ 1,056,459	$ 745	$ 1,368,438	$ (309,042)	$ (4,870)	$ 1,055,271	$ 1,188

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity offerings, net of issuance costs	$ 172,936
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Net income	113,862	$ 27,092
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	82,104	80,127
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	1,163	1,337
Casualty (gain) and real estate impairment loss, net	(676)	5,909
Gain on sale of real estate	(101,704)	(31,731)
Share-based compensation expense	2,736	3,962
Deferred tax benefit	(741)	0
Amortization of debt premiums, discounts and related financing costs	2,389	2,661
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	119
Changes in operating other assets	(12,864)	(9,733)
Changes in operating other liabilities	(1,394)	(3,531)
Net cash provided by operating activities	84,875	76,212
Cash flows from investing activities
Real estate acquisitions, net	(227,413)	(151,682)
Net cash received for sale of real estate	243,624	53,566
Capital improvements to real estate	(38,202)	(23,085)
Development in progress	(19,658)	(29,136)
Cash released from (held in) replacement reserve escrows	1,947	(2,897)
Insurance proceeds	883	0
Non-real estate capital improvements	(278)	(2,116)
Net cash used in investing activities	(39,097)	(155,350)
Cash flows from financing activities
Line of credit borrowings, net	20,000	145,000
Dividends paid	(85,648)	(61,510)
Principal payments – mortgage notes payable	(167,197)	(3,358)
Borrowings under construction loan	0	4,017
Notes payable repayments	0	(150,000)
Proceeds from term loan	0	150,000
Payment of financing costs	(1,508)	(4,910)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	0	5
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(143)	0
Proceeds from dividend reinvestment program	545	0
Net proceeds from equity offering	172,936	5,079
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(61,015)	84,323
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(15,237)	5,185
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	23,825	15,827
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	8,588	21,012
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized	34,421	38,023
Change in accrued capital improvements and development costs	2,622	$ 656
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Equity offerings, net of issuance costs	$ 172,874

Nature of Business

Nature of Business	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Nature of Business	NATURE OF BUSINESS Washington Real Estate Investment Trust (“Washington REIT”), a Maryland real estate investment trust, is a self-administered, self-managed equity real estate investment trust, successor to a trust organized in 1960. Our business consists of the ownership and operation of income-producing real estate properties in the greater Washington metro region. We own a diversified portfolio of office buildings, multifamily buildings and retail centers. Federal Income Taxes We believe that we qualify as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under Sections 856-860 of the Internal Revenue Code and intend to continue to qualify as such. To maintain our status as a REIT, we are, among other things, required to distribute 90% of our REIT taxable income (which is, generally, our ordinary taxable income, with certain modifications), excluding any net capital gains and any deductions for dividends paid to our shareholders on an annual basis. When selling a property, we generally have the option of (a) reinvesting the sales proceeds of property sold, in a way that allows us to defer recognition of some or all taxable gain realized on the sale, (b) distributing the gain to the shareholders with no tax to us or (c) retaining our net long-term capital gain but treating it as having been distributed to our shareholders, paying the tax on the gain deemed distributed and allocating the tax paid as a credit to our shareholders. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , we sold the following properties: Disposition Date Property Name Segment Gain on Sale May 26, 2016 Dulles Station, Phase II (1) Office $ 527 June 27, 2016 Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction I (2) Office 23,585 September 22, 2016 Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction II (3) Office 77,592 Total $ 101,704 (1) Land held for future development and an interest in a parking garage. (2) Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction I consists of 6110 Executive Boulevard, Wayne Plaza, 600 Jefferson Plaza and West Gude Drive. (3) Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction II consists of 51 Monroe Street and One Central Plaza. The taxable gains for Dulles Station II and the properties included in Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction I will be distributed to shareholders through the quarterly dividends. The properties included in Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction II were identified for a reverse tax deferred exchange under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. We acquired the replacement property, Riverside Apartments, during the second quarter of 2016 (see note 3, under "Acquisition"). Generally, and subject to our ongoing qualification as a REIT, no provisions for income taxes are necessary except for taxes on undistributed taxable income and taxes on the income generated by our taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”). Our TRSs are subject to corporate federal and state income tax on their taxable income at regular statutory rates, or as calculated under the alternative minimum tax, as appropriate. During the second quarter of 2016, we recognized an income tax benefit of $0.7 million from a reduction of the reserve for a deferred tax asset at one of our taxable REIT subsidiaries. As of September 30, 2016 , our TRSs had net deferred tax assets of $0.6 million . Our TRSs had no net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2015. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, our TRSs had net deferred tax liabilities of $0.5 million and $0.7 million , respectively. These deferred tax liabilities are primarily related to temporary differences in the timing of the recognition of revenue, amortization and depreciation.

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND BASIS OF PRESENTATIONS Significant Accounting Policies We have prepared our consolidated financial statements using the accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 . New Accounting Pronouncements In August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which provides specific guidance on how cash receipts and payments should be presented and classified in the statement of cash flows for eight specific issues. The new standard is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and for interim periods therein, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact the new standard may have on Washington REIT’s consolidated financial statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requires financial assets measured at an amortized cost basis, including trade receivables, to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The new standard is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and for interim periods therein with adoption one year earlier permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact the new standard may have on Washington REIT’s consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which amends existing accounting standards for employee share-based payments, including by allowing an employer to make a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur or to continue to provide for an estimate as currently required. The new standard also allows an employer to withhold shares in a net settlement in an amount that does not exceed the maximum statutory tax rate in the employees' tax jurisdiction without causing liability classification. The new standard is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and for interim periods therein with early adoption permitted. We do not expect the new standard to have a material impact on Washington REIT’s consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-05, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) , which clarifies that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument that has been designated as the hedging instrument under Topic 815, in and of itself, does not require dedesignation of that hedging relationship provided that all other hedging criteria continue to be met. The new standard is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and for interim periods therein with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact the new standard may have on Washington REIT’s consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which amends existing accounting standards for lease accounting, including by requiring lessees to recognize most leases on the balance sheet and making certain changes to lessor accounting. The new standard is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and for interim periods therein with early adoption permitted. Upon adoption, the majority of our revenue will be subject to the allocation provisions outlined within Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09. We are currently evaluating the specific implementation requirements for allocating the consideration within our contracts in accordance with ASU No. 2014-09. In February 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810) , which changes the analysis an entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. Specifically, the new standard i) modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities ("VIEs") or voting interest entities, ii) eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership and iii) affects the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships. The new standard is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and for interim periods therein. We adopted the new standard on January 1, 2016, and the provisions of the new standard did not have any impact on the consolidation of our legal entities. In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , which creates a single source of revenue guidance. The new standard provides accounting guidance for all revenue arising from contracts with customers and affects all entities that enter into contracts to provide goods or services to their customers (unless the contracts are in the scope of other U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requirements, such as the leasing literature). The guidance also provides a model for the measurement and recognition of gains and losses on the sale of certain nonfinancial assets, such as property and equipment, including real estate. The new standard is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and for interim periods therein. Early adoption is permitted for public entities beginning after December 15, 2016. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), the majority of our revenue will be subject to the allocation provisions outlined within the revenue standard. We are currently evaluating the specific implementation requirements for allocating the consideration within our contracts in accordance with ASU No. 2014-09. Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the consolidated accounts of Washington REIT, our majority-owned subsidiaries and entities in which Washington REIT has a controlling interest, including where Washington REIT has been determined to be a primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (“VIE”). See note 3 for additional information on the property for which there is a noncontrolling interest. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. We have prepared the accompanying unaudited financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although we believe that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. In addition, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the periods presented have been included. These unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 . Within these notes to the financial statements, we refer to the three months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015 as the “ 2016 Quarter” and the “ 2015 Quarter,” respectively, and the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015 as the " 2016 Period" and " 2015 Period," respectively. Use of Estimates in the Financial Statements The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Real Estate

Real Estate	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Real Estate [Abstract]
Real Estate	REAL ESTATE Acquisition Our current strategy is focused on properties inside the Washington metro region’s Beltway, near major transportation nodes and in areas with strong employment drivers and superior growth demographics. We seek to upgrade our portfolio with acquisitions as opportunities arise. Properties and land for development acquired during the 2016 Period were as follows: Acquisition Date Property Type # of units (unaudited) Contract Purchase Price (In thousands) May 20, 2016 Riverside Apartments Multifamily 1,222 $ 244,750 Riverside Apartments consists of apartment buildings and an adjacent parcel of land for potential future multifamily development. The results of operations from the acquired operating property are included in the consolidated statements of income as of the acquisition date and are as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Real estate rental revenue $ 5,408 $ 7,892 Net income 1,001 1,584 We record the acquired physical assets (land, building and tenant improvements), in-place leases (absorption, tenant origination costs, leasing commissions, and net lease intangible assets/liabilities), and any other liabilities at their fair values. We have recorded the total purchase price of the above acquisition as follows (in thousands): Land $ 38,922 Land for development 15,969 Buildings 184,855 Leasing commissions/absorption costs 4,992 Net lease intangible assets 22 Net lease intangible liabilities (10 ) Total $ 244,750 The weighted remaining average life for 2016 acquisition components above, other than land and building, are 90 months for net lease intangible assets and 46 months for net lease intangible liabilities. The leasing commissions/absorption costs were substantially amortized by the end of the 2016 Quarter, as such costs were primarily related to assumed apartment leases. The net lease intangible assets and liabilities are associated with leases for retail space at Riverside Apartments. The difference in the total contract price of $244.8 million for the acquisition and the acquisition cost per the consolidated statements of cash flows of $243.4 million is primarily due to credits received at settlement totaling $1.4 million . The portion of the acquisition cost allocated to land for development is reported on the consolidated statements of cash flows as Development in progress. The following unaudited pro-forma combined condensed statements of operations set forth the consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 as if the above-described acquisition in 2016 had occurred on January 1, 2015. The pro forma adjustments include removing acquisition costs directly related to the above-described acquisition. The unaudited pro-forma information does not purport to be indicative of the results that actually would have occurred if the acquisitions had been in effect for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 . The unaudited data presented is in thousands, except per share data. Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Real estate rental revenue $ 79,770 $ 83,661 $ 244,557 $ 243,403 Net income 84,442 2,054 122,127 26,861 Diluted net income per share 1.14 0.03 1.70 0.39 Development/Redevelopment In the office segment, we had a redevelopment project to renovate Silverline Center, an office property in Tysons, Virginia. As of September 30, 2016 , we had invested $36.3 million in the renovation. We completed major construction activities on this project during the second quarter of 2015, and placed into service substantially completed portions of the project at that time totaling $25.9 million , with the remaining components placed into service as of March 31, 2016. We also currently have a redevelopment project at the Army Navy Club Building, an office property in Washington, DC, to upgrade its common areas and add significant amenities in order to make the property more competitive within its sub-market. As of September 30, 2016 , we had invested $0.9 million in the redevelopment. We have also begun predevelopment activities for the construction of a multifamily building on land adjacent to The Wellington in Arlington, Virginia. As of September 30, 2016 , we had invested $17.7 million in the development. Variable Interest Entities In June 2011, we executed a joint venture operating agreement with a real estate development company to develop The Maxwell, a mid-rise multifamily property at 650 North Glebe Road in Arlington, Virginia. Major construction activities at The Maxwell ended during December 2014, and the building became available for occupancy during the first quarter of 2015. Washington REIT is the 90% owner of the joint venture. The real estate development company owns 10% of the joint venture and was responsible for the development and construction of the property. We have determined that The Maxwell joint venture is a VIE primarily based on the fact that the equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional financial support. We also determined that Washington REIT was the primary beneficiary of the VIE due to the fact that Washington REIT was determined to have a controlling financial interest in the entity. As of December 31, 2015 , $32.2 million was outstanding on The Maxwell's construction loan. In January 2016, Washington REIT exercised its right to purchase at par The Maxwell's construction loan from the original third-party lender. Upon the purchase, the loan became an intercompany payable from the consolidated VIE to Washington REIT that is eliminated in consolidation. We include joint venture land acquisitions and related capitalized development costs on our consolidated balance sheets in properties under development or held for future development until placed in service or sold. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , The Maxwell's assets were as follows (in thousands): September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Land $ 12,851 $ 12,851 Income producing property 37,914 37,791 Accumulated depreciation and amortization (4,008 ) (2,347 ) Other assets 749 1,188 $ 47,506 $ 49,483 As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , The Maxwell's liabilities were as follows (in thousands): September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Mortgage notes payable $ 31,975 (1) $ 32,214 Accounts payable and other liabilities 186 256 Tenant security deposits 96 82 $ 32,257 $ 32,552 (1) The mortgage notes payable balance as of September 30, 2016 is eliminated in consolidation due to the purchase of the loan by Washington REIT in January 2016. Properties Sold and Held for Sale We intend to hold our properties for investment with a view to long-term appreciation, to engage in the business of acquiring, developing and owning our properties, and to make occasional sales of the properties that no longer meet our long-term strategy or return objectives and where market conditions for sale are favorable. The proceeds from the sales may be reinvested into other properties, used to fund development operations or to support other corporate needs, or distributed to our shareholders. Depreciation on these properties is discontinued when classified as held for sale, but operating revenues, other operating expenses and interest continue to be recognized until the date of sale. There were no properties held for sale as of September 30, 2016 or December 31, 2015. During the 2016 Period, we sold Dulles Station, Phase II, which consists of land held for future development and an interest in a parking garage in Herndon, Virginia, for $12.1 million . Also during the 2016 Period, we executed two purchase and sale agreements with a single buyer for the sale of a portfolio of six office properties located in Maryland: 6110 Executive Boulevard, Wayne Plaza, 600 Jefferson Plaza, West Gude Drive, 51 Monroe Street and One Central Plaza (collectively, the "Maryland Office Portfolio") for an aggregate contract sales price of $240.0 million . We closed on the first sale transaction in June 2016 and closed on the second sale transaction in September 2016. We sold the following properties in 2016 and 2015 : Disposition Date Property Name Segment # of units Rentable Square Feet Contract Gain on Sale May 26, 2016 Dulles Station, Phase II (1) Office N/A N/A $ 12,100 $ 527 June 27, 2016 Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction I (2) Office N/A 692,000 111,500 23,585 September 22, 2016 Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction II (3) Office N/A 491,000 128,500 77,592 Total 2016 1,183,000 $ 252,100 $ 101,704 March 20, 2015 Country Club Towers Multifamily 227 N/A $ 37,800 $ 30,277 September 9, 2015 1225 First Street (4) Multifamily N/A N/A 14,500 — October 21, 2015 Munson Hill Towers Multifamily 279 N/A 57,050 51,395 December 14, 2015 Montgomery Village Center Retail N/A 197,000 27,750 7,981 Total 2015 506 197,000 $ 137,100 $ 89,653 (1) Land held for future development and an interest in a parking garage. (2) Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction I consists of 6110 Executive Boulevard, 600 Jefferson Plaza, Wayne Plaza and West Gude Drive. (3) Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction II consists of 51 Monroe Street and One Central Plaza. (4) Interest in land held for future development. While the Maryland Office Portfolio, in the aggregate, constitutes an individually significant disposition, it does not qualify for presentation and disclosure as a discontinued operation as it does not represent a strategic shift in our operations. Real estate rental revenue and net income for the Maryland Office Portfolio for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 is as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 (1) 2015 2016 2015 Real estate rental revenue $ 3,689 $ 8,127 $ 20,266 $ 24,009 Net income 2,474 2,415 9,376 6,852 (1) Four of the Maryland Office Portfolio properties, 6110 Executive Boulevard, 600 Jefferson Plaza, Wayne Plaza and West Gude Drive, were sold on June 27, 2016, prior to the start of the 2016 Quarter. We do not have significant continuing involvement in the operations of the disposed properties. Casualty Gains We recorded a net casualty gain of $0.7 million during the 2016 Period associated with a fire at Bethesda Hill Towers that damaged four units, which is included in casualty (gain) and real estate impairment loss, net on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The net casualty gain is comprised of $0.9 million in third-party insurance proceeds received by us, which were partially offset by casualty charges of $0.2 million to write off the net book value of the damaged units at Bethesda Hill Towers.

Mortgage Notes Payable

Mortgage Notes Payable	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Mortgage Note Payable	MORTGAGE NOTES PAYABLE In January 2016, we exercised our right to purchase the construction loan in the amount of $32.2 million secured by The Maxwell without penalty from the lender (see note 3, under "Variable Interest Entities"). In February 2016, we prepaid without penalty the remaining $50.9 million of the mortgage note secured by John Marshall II. In June 2016, we repaid without penalty the remaining $81.0 million of mortgage notes secured by 3801 Connecticut Avenue, Bethesda Hill Apartments and Walker House Apartments. Subsequent to the end of the 2016 Quarter, we prepaid without penalty the remaining $101.9 million of the mortgage note secured by 2445 M Street using borrowings on our unsecured revolving credit facility.

Unsecured Lines of Credit Payab

Unsecured Lines of Credit Payable	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Unsecured Debt [Abstract]
Unsecured Lines of Credit Payable	UNSECURED LINES OF CREDIT PAYABLE We have a $600.0 million unsecured revolving credit agreement ("Revolving Credit Facility") that matures in June 2019 , unless extended pursuant to one or both of the two six months extension options. The Revolving Credit Facility has an accordion feature, which we utilized a portion of in September 2015, as described below, that allows us to increase the facility to $1.0 billion , subject to the extent the lenders agree to provide additional revolving loan commitments or term loans. In September 2015, we entered into a $150.0 million unsecured term loan ("2015 Term Loan") by executing a portion of the accordion feature under the Revolving Credit Facility. The 2015 Term Loan has a 5.5 year term and currently has an interest rate of one month LIBOR plus 110 basis points, based on Washington REIT's current unsecured debt ratings. We entered into two interest rate swaps to effectively fix the interest rate at 2.7% (see note 7 ). The Revolving Credit Facility bears interest at a rate of either one month LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 0.875% to 1.55% or the base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.0% to 0.55% (in each case depending upon Washington REIT’s credit rating). The base rate is the highest of the administrative agent's prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.50% and the LIBOR market index rate plus 1.0% . In addition, the Revolving Credit Facility requires the payment of a facility fee ranging from 0.125% to 0.30% (depending on Washington REIT’s credit rating) on the $600.0 million committed capacity, without regard to usage. As of September 30, 2016 , the interest rate on the facility is one month LIBOR plus 1.00% and the facility fee is 0.20% . The amount of the Revolving Credit Facility's unsecured line of credit unused and available at September 30, 2016 is as follows (in thousands): Committed capacity $ 600,000 Borrowings outstanding (125,000 ) Letters of credit issued — Unused and available $ 475,000 We executed borrowings and repayments on the Revolving Credit Facility during the 2016 Period as follows (in thousands): Revolving Credit Facility Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 105,000 Borrowings 538,000 Repayments (518,000 ) Balance at September 30, 2016 $ 125,000

Note Payable (Notes)

Note Payable (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Notes Payable	NOTES PAYABLE During the 2016 Quarter, we entered into a seven year, $150.0 million unsecured term loan ("2016 Term Loan") maturing on July 21, 2023 with a deferred draw period of up to six months commencing on July 22, 2016. The 2016 Term Loan bears interest at a rate of either LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.45% or the base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.5% to 1.45% (in each case depending upon Washington REIT’s credit rating). The base rate is the highest of the administrative agent's prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.50% and the daily one-month LIBOR rate plus 1.0% . The 2016 Term Loan currently has an interest rate of one month LIBOR plus 165 basis points, based on Washington REIT's current unsecured debt ratings. As of September 30, 2016 , there have been no drawdowns on the 2016 Term Loan. We also entered into forward interest rate derivatives commencing on March 31, 2017 to effectively fix the interest rate on the 2016 Term Loan at 2.9% (see note 7 ).

Derivatives

Derivatives	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS On September 15, 2015 , we entered into two interest rate swap arrangements with a total notional amount of $150.0 million to swap the floating interest rate under the 2015 Term Loan (see note 5 ) to an all-in fixed interest rate of 2.7% starting on October 15, 2015 and extending until the maturity of the 2015 Term Loan on March 15, 2021 . On July 22, 2016 , we entered into two forward interest rate swap arrangements with a total notional amount of $150.0 million to swap the floating interest rate under the 2016 Term Loan (see note 6 ) to an all-in fixed interest rate of 2.9% , starting on March 31, 2017 and extending until the maturity of the 2016 Term Loan on July 21, 2023 . The interest rate swaps qualify as cash flow hedges and are recorded at fair value in accordance with GAAP, based on discounted cash flow methodologies and observable inputs. We record the effective portion of changes in fair value of the cash flow hedge in other comprehensive loss. The resulting unrealized loss on the effective portions of the cash flow hedges was the only activity in other comprehensive loss during the periods presented in our consolidated financial statements. We assess the effectiveness of our cash flow hedges both at inception and on an ongoing basis. The cash flow hedges were effective for the 2016 Quarter and Period and 2015 Quarter and Period, and hedge ineffectiveness did not impact earnings during the 2016 Quarter and Period and 2015 Quarter and Period. The fair value and balance sheet locations of the interest rate swaps as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , are as follows (in thousands): Fair Value Derivative Instrument Aggregate Notional Amount Effective Date Maturity Date Balance Sheet Location September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Interest rate swaps $ 150,000 October 15, 2015 March 15, 2021 Accounts payable and other liabilities $ 4,408 $ 550 Interest rate swaps 150,000 March 31, 2017 July 21, 2023 Accounts payable and other liabilities 462 N/A $ 300,000 $ 4,870 $ 550 The interest rate swaps have been effective since inception. The net gains or losses on the effective swaps are recognized in other comprehensive loss, as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate hedges $ 739 $ (2,288 ) $ (4,320 ) $ (2,288 ) Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on our variable-rate debt. During the next twelve months, we estimate that an additional $1.8 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense. We have agreements with each of our derivative counterparties that contain a provision whereby we could be declared in default on our derivative obligations if repayment of the underlying indebtedness is accelerated by the lender due to our default on the indebtedness. As of September 30, 2016 , the fair value of derivatives is in a net liability position of $4.9 million , which includes accrued interest but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk. As of September 30, 2016 , we have not posted any collateral related to these agreements. If we had breached any of these provisions at September 30, 2016 , we could have been required to settle our obligations under the agreements at their termination value of $4.9 million . Derivative instruments expose us to credit risk in the event of non-performance by the counterparty under the terms of the interest rate hedge agreement. We believe that we minimize our credit risk on these transactions by dealing with major, creditworthy financial institutions. We monitor the credit ratings of counterparties and our exposure to any single entity, thus minimizing our credit risk concentration.

Fair Value Disclosures

Fair Value Disclosures	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Disclosures	FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value For assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, quantitative disclosures about the fair value measurements are required to be disclosed separately for each major category of assets and liabilities, as follows: Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets Level 2: Significant other observable inputs Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs The only assets or liabilities we had at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis are the assets held in the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP"), which primarily consists of investments in mutual funds, and the interest rate swaps (see note 7 ). We base the valuations related to the SERP on assumptions derived from significant other observable inputs and accordingly these valuations fall into Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The valuation of the interest rate swaps is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each interest rate swap. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the interest rate swaps, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities. The fair values of interest rate swaps are determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash payments (or receipts) and the discounted expected variable cash receipts (or payments). The variable cash payments (or receipts) are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves. To comply with the provisions of ASC 820, we incorporate credit valuation adjustments in the fair value measurements to appropriately reflect both our own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk. These credit valuation adjustments were concluded to not be significant inputs for the fair value calculations for the periods presented. In adjusting the fair value of our derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, we have considered the impact of netting and any applicable credit enhancements, such as the posting of collateral, thresholds, mutual puts and guarantees. The valuation of interest rate swaps fall into Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair values of these assets and liabilities at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were as follows (in thousands): September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: SERP $ 1,619 $ — $ 1,619 $ — $ 1,408 $ — $ 1,408 $ — Liabilities: Interest rate swaps $ 4,870 $ — $ 4,870 $ — $ 550 $ — $ 550 $ — Financial Assets and Liabilities Not Measured at Fair Value The following disclosures of estimated fair value were determined by management using available market information and established valuation methodologies, including discounted cash flow. Many of these estimates involve significant judgment. The estimated fair value disclosed may not necessarily be indicative of the amounts we could realize on disposition of the financial instruments. The use of different market assumptions or estimation methodologies could have an effect on the estimated fair value amounts. In addition, fair value estimates are made at a point in time and thus, estimates of fair value subsequent to September 30, 2016 may differ significantly from the amounts presented. Following is a summary of significant methodologies used in estimating fair values and a schedule of fair values at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 . Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash include cash and commercial paper with original maturities of less than 90 days, which are valued at the carrying value, which approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments (Level 1 inputs). Notes Receivable We acquired a note receivable ("2445 M Street note") in 2008 with the purchase of 2445 M Street. We estimate the fair value of the 2445 M Street note based on a discounted cash flow methodology using market discount rates (Level 3 inputs). Debt Mortgage notes payable consist of instruments in which certain of our real estate assets are used for collateral. We estimate the fair value of the mortgage notes payable by discounting the contractual cash flows at a rate equal to the relevant treasury rates (with respect to the timing of each cash flow) plus credit spreads estimated through independent comparisons to real estate assets or loans with similar characteristics. Lines of credit payable consist of our bank facility which we use for various purposes including working capital, acquisition funding and capital improvements. The lines of credit advances are priced at a specified rate plus a spread. We estimate the market value based on a comparison of the spreads of the advances to market given the adjustable base rate. We estimate the fair value of the notes payable by discounting the contractual cash flows at a rate equal to the relevant treasury rates (with respect to the timing of each cash flow) plus credit spreads derived using the relevant securities’ market prices. We classify these fair value measurements as Level 3 as we use significant unobservable inputs and management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , the carrying values and estimated fair values of our financial instruments were as follows (in thousands): September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Cash and cash equivalents $ 8,588 $ 8,588 $ 23,825 $ 23,825 Restricted cash 10,091 10,091 13,383 13,383 2445 M Street note receivable 3,513 3,568 3,849 4,275 Mortgage notes payable, net 251,232 256,055 418,052 426,693 Lines of credit 125,000 125,000 105,000 105,000 Notes payable, net 744,063 784,643 743,181 753,816

Stock Based Compensation

Stock Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock Based Compensation	STOCK BASED COMPENSATION Washington REIT maintains short-term ("STIP") and long-term ("LTIP") incentive plans that allow for stock-based awards to officers and non-officer employees. Stock based awards are provided to officers and non-officer employees, as well as trustees, under the Washington Real Estate Investment Trust 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan which allows for awards in the form of restricted shares, restricted share units, options and other awards up to an aggregate of 2,400,000 shares over the ten -year period in which the plan will be in effect. Restricted share units are converted into shares of our stock upon full vesting through the issuance of new shares. In February 2016, we adopted a revised long-term incentive plan ("New LTIP") for non-executive officers and other employees that replaced the previous long-term incentive plan for non-executive officers and other employees. The New LTIP is effective January 1, 2016 for performance years beginning on or after that date. Non-executive officers and other employees earn restricted share unit awards under the New LTIP based upon various percentages of their salaries and annual performance calculations. The restricted share unit awards vest ratably over three years beginning on the grant date based upon continued employment. We initially measure compensation expense for awards under the New LTIP based on the fair value at the grant date, and recognize compensation expense for these awards according to a graded vesting schedule over the three -year requisite service period. Total Compensation Expense Total compensation expense recognized in the consolidated financial statements for all outstanding share based awards was $0.3 million and $0.9 million for the 2016 Quarter and 2015 Quarter, respectively, and $2.7 million and $4.0 million for the 2016 Period and 2015 Period, respectively. Restricted Share Awards The total fair values of restricted share awards vested was $2.5 million and $2.6 million for the 2016 Period and 2015 Period, respectively. The total unvested restricted share awards at September 30, 2016 was 210,366 shares, which had a weighted average grant date fair value of $26.37 per share. As of September 30, 2016 , the total compensation cost related to unvested restricted share awards was $2.4 million , which we expect to recognize over a weighted average period of 21 months.

Earnings per Common Share

Earnings per Common Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings per Common Share	EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE We determine “Basic earnings per share” using the two-class method as our unvested restricted share awards and units have non-forfeitable rights to dividends, and are therefore considered participating securities. We compute basic earnings per share by dividing net income attributable to the controlling interest less the allocation of undistributed earnings to unvested restricted share awards and units by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. We also determine “Diluted earnings per share” as the more dilutive of the two-class method or the treasury stock method with respect to the unvested restricted share awards. We further evaluate any other potentially dilutive securities at the end of the period and adjust the basic earnings per share calculation for the impact of those securities that are dilutive. Our diluted earnings per share calculation includes the dilutive impact of our share based awards with performance conditions prior to the grant date and awards with market conditions under the contingently issuable method. The computations of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were as follows (in thousands, except per share data): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Numerator: Net income $ 79,662 $ 580 $ 113,862 $ 27,092 Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries 12 67 32 515 Allocation of earnings to unvested restricted share awards (200 ) (47 ) (329 ) (184 ) Adjusted net income attributable to the controlling interests $ 79,474 $ 600 $ 113,565 $ 27,423 Denominator: Weighted average shares outstanding – basic 73,994 68,186 71,348 68,168 Effect of dilutive securities: Employee restricted share awards 139 119 172 122 Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted 74,133 68,305 71,520 68,290 Basic net income attributable to the controlling interests per common share $ 1.07 $ 0.01 $ 1.59 $ 0.40 Diluted net income attributable to the controlling interests per common share $ 1.07 $ 0.01 $ 1.59 $ 0.40

Segment Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment [Abstract]
Segment Information	SEGMENT INFORMATION We have three reportable segments: office, multifamily and retail. Office properties provide office space for various types of businesses and professions. Multifamily properties provide rental housing for individuals and families throughout the Washington metro region. Retail properties are typically grocery store-anchored neighborhood centers that include other small shop tenants or regional power centers with several junior box tenants. We evaluate performance based upon net operating income from the combined properties in each segment. Our reportable operating segments are consolidations of similar properties. GAAP requires that segment disclosures present the measure(s) used by the chief operating decision maker for purposes of assessing segments’ performance. Net operating income is a key measurement of our segment profit and loss. Net operating income is defined as segment real estate rental revenue less segment real estate expenses. The following tables present revenues, net operating income, capital expenditures and total assets for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 from these segments, and reconcile net operating income of reportable segments to net income attributable to the controlling interests as reported (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Office Retail Multifamily Corporate and Other Consolidated Real estate rental revenue $ 40,646 $ 15,404 $ 23,720 $ — $ 79,770 Real estate expenses 15,839 3,570 9,755 — 29,164 Net operating income $ 24,807 $ 11,834 $ 13,965 $ — $ 50,606 Depreciation and amortization (30,905 ) General and administrative (4,539 ) Interest expense (13,173 ) Other income 83 Gain on sale of real estate 77,592 Income tax expense (2 ) Net income 79,662 Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries 12 Net income attributable to the controlling interests $ 79,674 Capital expenditures $ 13,919 $ 2,107 $ 5,837 $ 236 $ 22,099 Total assets $ 1,107,687 $ 354,624 $ 761,388 $ 26,791 $ 2,250,490 Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Office Retail Multifamily Corporate and Other Consolidated Real estate rental revenue $ 43,616 $ 15,684 $ 18,943 $ — $ 78,243 Real estate expenses 16,612 3,649 7,848 — 28,109 Net operating income $ 27,004 $ 12,035 $ 11,095 $ — $ 50,134 Depreciation and amortization (29,349 ) Acquisition costs (929 ) General and administrative (4,911 ) Interest expense (14,486 ) Other income 163 Income tax expense (42 ) Net income 580 Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries 67 Net income attributable to the controlling interests $ 647 Capital expenditures $ 7,413 $ 792 $ 2,489 $ 280 $ 10,974 Total assets $ 1,265,738 $ 377,687 $ 541,044 $ 38,929 $ 2,223,398 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Office Retail Multifamily Corporate Consolidated Real estate rental revenue $ 128,201 $ 45,864 $ 62,247 $ — $ 236,312 Real estate expenses 49,508 11,660 24,905 — 86,073 Net operating income $ 78,693 $ 34,204 $ 37,342 $ — $ 150,239 Depreciation and amortization (82,104 ) Interest expense (41,353 ) General and administrative (15,018 ) Other income 205 Acquisition costs (1,178 ) Gain on sale of real estate, continuing operations 101,704 Casualty gain and real estate impairment (loss), net 676 Income tax benefit 691 Net income 113,862 Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries 32 Net income attributable to the controlling interests $ 113,894 Capital expenditures $ 21,944 $ 6,238 $ 10,037 $ 278 $ 38,497 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Office Retail Multifamily Corporate Consolidated Real estate rental revenue $ 129,255 $ 47,754 $ 50,316 $ — $ 227,325 Real estate expenses 50,597 12,138 21,811 — 84,546 Net operating income $ 78,658 $ 35,616 $ 28,505 $ — $ 142,779 Depreciation and amortization (80,127 ) Interest expense (44,534 ) General and administrative (15,269 ) Acquisition costs (1,937 ) Gain on sale of real estate 31,731 Other income 547 Loss on extinguishment of debt, net (119 ) Casualty gain and real estate impairment (loss), net (5,909 ) Income tax expense (70 ) Net income 27,092 Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries 515 Net income attributable to the controlling interests $ 27,607 Capital expenditures $ 16,023 $ 2,291 $ 4,771 $ 2,116 $ 25,201

Shareholders' Equity (Notes)

Shareholders' Equity (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY On May 4, 2016, we issued approximately 5.3 million common shares, including 693,750 shares issued pursuant to the underwriters' over-allotment option, at a price to the public of $28.20 per share. We received net proceeds of approximately $143.4 million . On June 23, 2015, we entered into four separate equity distribution agreements (collectively, the “Equity Distribution Agreements”) with each of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and RBC Capital Markets, LLC relating to the issuance of up to $200.0 million of our common shares from time to time. Issuances of our common shares are made at market prices prevailing at the time of issuance. We may use net proceeds from the issuance of common shares under this program for general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, working capital, the acquisition, renovation, expansion, improvement, development or redevelopment of income producing properties or the repayment of debt. During the 2016 Quarter and Period, we issued 0.9 million common shares under the Equity Distribution Agreements at a weighted average price of $33.32 per share, raising $29.6 million in net proceeds. We have a dividend reinvestment program, whereby shareholders may use their dividends and optional cash payments to purchase common shares. The common shares sold under this program may either be common shares issued by us or common shares purchased in the open market. During the 2016 Quarter and Period, we issued approximately 17,500 common shares under this program at a weighted average price of $31.21 per share, raising $0.5 million in net proceeds.

Summary of Significant Accoun20

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation (Policy)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Fiscal Period	Significant Accounting Policies We have prepared our consolidated financial statements using the accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncements	New Accounting Pronouncements In August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which provides specific guidance on how cash receipts and payments should be presented and classified in the statement of cash flows for eight specific issues. The new standard is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and for interim periods therein, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact the new standard may have on Washington REIT’s consolidated financial statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requires financial assets measured at an amortized cost basis, including trade receivables, to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The new standard is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and for interim periods therein with adoption one year earlier permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact the new standard may have on Washington REIT’s consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which amends existing accounting standards for employee share-based payments, including by allowing an employer to make a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur or to continue to provide for an estimate as currently required. The new standard also allows an employer to withhold shares in a net settlement in an amount that does not exceed the maximum statutory tax rate in the employees' tax jurisdiction without causing liability classification. The new standard is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and for interim periods therein with early adoption permitted. We do not expect the new standard to have a material impact on Washington REIT’s consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-05, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) , which clarifies that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument that has been designated as the hedging instrument under Topic 815, in and of itself, does not require dedesignation of that hedging relationship provided that all other hedging criteria continue to be met. The new standard is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and for interim periods therein with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact the new standard may have on Washington REIT’s consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which amends existing accounting standards for lease accounting, including by requiring lessees to recognize most leases on the balance sheet and making certain changes to lessor accounting. The new standard is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and for interim periods therein with early adoption permitted. Upon adoption, the majority of our revenue will be subject to the allocation provisions outlined within Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09. We are currently evaluating the specific implementation requirements for allocating the consideration within our contracts in accordance with ASU No. 2014-09. In February 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810) , which changes the analysis an entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. Specifically, the new standard i) modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities ("VIEs") or voting interest entities, ii) eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership and iii) affects the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships. The new standard is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and for interim periods therein. We adopted the new standard on January 1, 2016, and the provisions of the new standard did not have any impact on the consolidation of our legal entities. In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , which creates a single source of revenue guidance. The new standard provides accounting guidance for all revenue arising from contracts with customers and affects all entities that enter into contracts to provide goods or services to their customers (unless the contracts are in the scope of other U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requirements, such as the leasing literature). The guidance also provides a model for the measurement and recognition of gains and losses on the sale of certain nonfinancial assets, such as property and equipment, including real estate. The new standard is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and for interim periods therein. Early adoption is permitted for public entities beginning after December 15, 2016. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), the majority of our revenue will be subject to the allocation provisions outlined within the revenue standard. We are currently evaluating the specific implementation requirements for allocating the consideration within our contracts in accordance with ASU No. 2014-09.
Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the consolidated accounts of Washington REIT, our majority-owned subsidiaries and entities in which Washington REIT has a controlling interest, including where Washington REIT has been determined to be a primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (“VIE”). See note 3 for additional information on the property for which there is a noncontrolling interest. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Basis of Accounting	We have prepared the accompanying unaudited financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although we believe that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. In addition, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the periods presented have been included. These unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 . Within these notes to the financial statements, we refer to the three months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015 as the “ 2016 Quarter” and the “ 2015 Quarter,” respectively, and the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015 as the " 2016 Period" and " 2015 Period," respectively.
Use of Estimates in the Financial Statements	Use of Estimates in the Financial Statements The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Nature of Business (Tables)

Nature of Business (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations	During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , we sold the following properties: Disposition Date Property Name Segment Gain on Sale May 26, 2016 Dulles Station, Phase II (1) Office $ 527 June 27, 2016 Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction I (2) Office 23,585 September 22, 2016 Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction II (3) Office 77,592 Total $ 101,704 (1) Land held for future development and an interest in a parking garage. (2) Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction I consists of 6110 Executive Boulevard, Wayne Plaza, 600 Jefferson Plaza and West Gude Drive. (3) Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction II consists of 51 Monroe Street and One Central Plaza. Real estate rental revenue and net income for the Maryland Office Portfolio for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 is as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 (1) 2015 2016 2015 Real estate rental revenue $ 3,689 $ 8,127 $ 20,266 $ 24,009 Net income 2,474 2,415 9,376 6,852

Real Estate (Tables)

Real Estate (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Real Estate [Abstract]
Schedule of Real Estate Property Acquired	Properties and land for development acquired during the 2016 Period were as follows: Acquisition Date Property Type # of units (unaudited) Contract Purchase Price (In thousands) May 20, 2016 Riverside Apartments Multifamily 1,222 $ 244,750
Revenue and Earnings from Acquisitions	The results of operations from the acquired operating property are included in the consolidated statements of income as of the acquisition date and are as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Real estate rental revenue $ 5,408 $ 7,892 Net income 1,001 1,584
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition	We have recorded the total purchase price of the above acquisition as follows (in thousands): Land $ 38,922 Land for development 15,969 Buildings 184,855 Leasing commissions/absorption costs 4,992 Net lease intangible assets 22 Net lease intangible liabilities (10 ) Total $ 244,750
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information	The unaudited pro-forma information does not purport to be indicative of the results that actually would have occurred if the acquisitions had been in effect for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 . The unaudited data presented is in thousands, except per share data. Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Real estate rental revenue $ 79,770 $ 83,661 $ 244,557 $ 243,403 Net income 84,442 2,054 122,127 26,861 Diluted net income per share 1.14 0.03 1.70 0.39
Schedule of assets in joint venture	As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , The Maxwell's assets were as follows (in thousands): September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Land $ 12,851 $ 12,851 Income producing property 37,914 37,791 Accumulated depreciation and amortization (4,008 ) (2,347 ) Other assets 749 1,188 $ 47,506 $ 49,483
Schedule of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities of Joint Ventures	As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , The Maxwell's liabilities were as follows (in thousands): September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Mortgage notes payable $ 31,975 (1) $ 32,214 Accounts payable and other liabilities 186 256 Tenant security deposits 96 82 $ 32,257 $ 32,552 (1) The mortgage notes payable balance as of September 30, 2016 is eliminated in consolidation due to the purchase of the loan by Washington REIT in January 2016.
Schedule of Dispositions	We sold the following properties in 2016 and 2015 : Disposition Date Property Name Segment # of units Rentable Square Feet Contract Gain on Sale May 26, 2016 Dulles Station, Phase II (1) Office N/A N/A $ 12,100 $ 527 June 27, 2016 Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction I (2) Office N/A 692,000 111,500 23,585 September 22, 2016 Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction II (3) Office N/A 491,000 128,500 77,592 Total 2016 1,183,000 $ 252,100 $ 101,704 March 20, 2015 Country Club Towers Multifamily 227 N/A $ 37,800 $ 30,277 September 9, 2015 1225 First Street (4) Multifamily N/A N/A 14,500 — October 21, 2015 Munson Hill Towers Multifamily 279 N/A 57,050 51,395 December 14, 2015 Montgomery Village Center Retail N/A 197,000 27,750 7,981 Total 2015 506 197,000 $ 137,100 $ 89,653 (1) Land held for future development and an interest in a parking garage. (2) Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction I consists of 6110 Executive Boulevard, 600 Jefferson Plaza, Wayne Plaza and West Gude Drive. (3) Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction II consists of 51 Monroe Street and One Central Plaza. (4) Interest in land held for future development.
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations	During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , we sold the following properties: Disposition Date Property Name Segment Gain on Sale May 26, 2016 Dulles Station, Phase II (1) Office $ 527 June 27, 2016 Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction I (2) Office 23,585 September 22, 2016 Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction II (3) Office 77,592 Total $ 101,704 (1) Land held for future development and an interest in a parking garage. (2) Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction I consists of 6110 Executive Boulevard, Wayne Plaza, 600 Jefferson Plaza and West Gude Drive. (3) Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction II consists of 51 Monroe Street and One Central Plaza. Real estate rental revenue and net income for the Maryland Office Portfolio for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 is as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 (1) 2015 2016 2015 Real estate rental revenue $ 3,689 $ 8,127 $ 20,266 $ 24,009 Net income 2,474 2,415 9,376 6,852

Unsecured Lines of Credit Pay23

Unsecured Lines of Credit Payable (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Unsecured Debt [Abstract]
Unsecured Lines Of Credit Unused And Available [Table Text Block]	The amount of the Revolving Credit Facility's unsecured line of credit unused and available at September 30, 2016 is as follows (in thousands): Committed capacity $ 600,000 Borrowings outstanding (125,000 ) Letters of credit issued — Unused and available $ 475,000
Lines Of Credit Repayments And Borrowings [Table Text Block]	We executed borrowings and repayments on the Revolving Credit Facility during the 2016 Period as follows (in thousands): Revolving Credit Facility Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 105,000 Borrowings 538,000 Repayments (518,000 ) Balance at September 30, 2016 $ 125,000

Derivatives (Tables)

Derivatives (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Derivative Liabilities at Fair Value [Table Text Block]	The fair value and balance sheet locations of the interest rate swaps as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , are as follows (in thousands): Fair Value Derivative Instrument Aggregate Notional Amount Effective Date Maturity Date Balance Sheet Location September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Interest rate swaps $ 150,000 October 15, 2015 March 15, 2021 Accounts payable and other liabilities $ 4,408 $ 550 Interest rate swaps 150,000 March 31, 2017 July 21, 2023 Accounts payable and other liabilities 462 N/A $ 300,000 $ 4,870 $ 550
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Effect on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	The interest rate swaps have been effective since inception. The net gains or losses on the effective swaps are recognized in other comprehensive loss, as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate hedges $ 739 $ (2,288 ) $ (4,320 ) $ (2,288 )

Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)

Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value	The fair values of these assets and liabilities at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were as follows (in thousands): September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: SERP $ 1,619 $ — $ 1,619 $ — $ 1,408 $ — $ 1,408 $ — Liabilities: Interest rate swaps $ 4,870 $ — $ 4,870 $ — $ 550 $ — $ 550 $ —
Financial Assets and Liabilities Not Measured at Fair Value	As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , the carrying values and estimated fair values of our financial instruments were as follows (in thousands): September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Cash and cash equivalents $ 8,588 $ 8,588 $ 23,825 $ 23,825 Restricted cash 10,091 10,091 13,383 13,383 2445 M Street note receivable 3,513 3,568 3,849 4,275 Mortgage notes payable, net 251,232 256,055 418,052 426,693 Lines of credit 125,000 125,000 105,000 105,000 Notes payable, net 744,063 784,643 743,181 753,816

Earnings per Common Share (Tabl

Earnings per Common Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share	The computations of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were as follows (in thousands, except per share data): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Numerator: Net income $ 79,662 $ 580 $ 113,862 $ 27,092 Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries 12 67 32 515 Allocation of earnings to unvested restricted share awards (200 ) (47 ) (329 ) (184 ) Adjusted net income attributable to the controlling interests $ 79,474 $ 600 $ 113,565 $ 27,423 Denominator: Weighted average shares outstanding – basic 73,994 68,186 71,348 68,168 Effect of dilutive securities: Employee restricted share awards 139 119 172 122 Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted 74,133 68,305 71,520 68,290 Basic net income attributable to the controlling interests per common share $ 1.07 $ 0.01 $ 1.59 $ 0.40 Diluted net income attributable to the controlling interests per common share $ 1.07 $ 0.01 $ 1.59 $ 0.40

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Net Operating Income of Reportable Segments	The following tables present revenues, net operating income, capital expenditures and total assets for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 from these segments, and reconcile net operating income of reportable segments to net income attributable to the controlling interests as reported (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Office Retail Multifamily Corporate and Other Consolidated Real estate rental revenue $ 40,646 $ 15,404 $ 23,720 $ — $ 79,770 Real estate expenses 15,839 3,570 9,755 — 29,164 Net operating income $ 24,807 $ 11,834 $ 13,965 $ — $ 50,606 Depreciation and amortization (30,905 ) General and administrative (4,539 ) Interest expense (13,173 ) Other income 83 Gain on sale of real estate 77,592 Income tax expense (2 ) Net income 79,662 Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries 12 Net income attributable to the controlling interests $ 79,674 Capital expenditures $ 13,919 $ 2,107 $ 5,837 $ 236 $ 22,099 Total assets $ 1,107,687 $ 354,624 $ 761,388 $ 26,791 $ 2,250,490 Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Office Retail Multifamily Corporate and Other Consolidated Real estate rental revenue $ 43,616 $ 15,684 $ 18,943 $ — $ 78,243 Real estate expenses 16,612 3,649 7,848 — 28,109 Net operating income $ 27,004 $ 12,035 $ 11,095 $ — $ 50,134 Depreciation and amortization (29,349 ) Acquisition costs (929 ) General and administrative (4,911 ) Interest expense (14,486 ) Other income 163 Income tax expense (42 ) Net income 580 Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries 67 Net income attributable to the controlling interests $ 647 Capital expenditures $ 7,413 $ 792 $ 2,489 $ 280 $ 10,974 Total assets $ 1,265,738 $ 377,687 $ 541,044 $ 38,929 $ 2,223,398 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Office Retail Multifamily Corporate Consolidated Real estate rental revenue $ 128,201 $ 45,864 $ 62,247 $ — $ 236,312 Real estate expenses 49,508 11,660 24,905 — 86,073 Net operating income $ 78,693 $ 34,204 $ 37,342 $ — $ 150,239 Depreciation and amortization (82,104 ) Interest expense (41,353 ) General and administrative (15,018 ) Other income 205 Acquisition costs (1,178 ) Gain on sale of real estate, continuing operations 101,704 Casualty gain and real estate impairment (loss), net 676 Income tax benefit 691 Net income 113,862 Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries 32 Net income attributable to the controlling interests $ 113,894 Capital expenditures $ 21,944 $ 6,238 $ 10,037 $ 278 $ 38,497 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Office Retail Multifamily Corporate Consolidated Real estate rental revenue $ 129,255 $ 47,754 $ 50,316 $ — $ 227,325 Real estate expenses 50,597 12,138 21,811 — 84,546 Net operating income $ 78,658 $ 35,616 $ 28,505 $ — $ 142,779 Depreciation and amortization (80,127 ) Interest expense (44,534 ) General and administrative (15,269 ) Acquisition costs (1,937 ) Gain on sale of real estate 31,731 Other income 547 Loss on extinguishment of debt, net (119 ) Casualty gain and real estate impairment (loss), net (5,909 ) Income tax expense (70 ) Net income 27,092 Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries 515 Net income attributable to the controlling interests $ 27,607 Capital expenditures $ 16,023 $ 2,291 $ 4,771 $ 2,116 $ 25,201

Nature of Business - Narrative

Nature of Business - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Document Period End Date			Sep. 30, 2016
Percentage of distribution of ordinary taxable income			90.00%
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ 2,000	$ 42,000	$ (691,000)	$ 70,000
Taxable Reit Subsidiary [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	700,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	600,000		600,000		$ 0
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	$ 500,000		$ 500,000		$ 700,000

Nature of Business - Properties

Nature of Business - Properties Sold (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on sale of real estate		$ 77,592	$ 0	$ 101,704	$ 31,731	$ 89,653
Dulles Station II [Member] | Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on sale of real estate	[1]			527
Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction I [Member] | Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on sale of real estate	[2]			23,585
Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction II [Member] | Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on sale of real estate	[3]			$ 77,592
[1]	1) Land held for future development and an interest in a parking garage.
[2]	Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction I consists of 6110 Executive Boulevard, 600 Jefferson Plaza, Wayne Plaza and West Gude Drive.
[3]	(3) Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction II consists of 51 Monroe Street and One Central Plaza.

Real Estate - Acquisition (Deta

Real Estate - Acquisition (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	May 20, 2016USD ($)unit	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost	$ 2,665,516		$ 2,665,516			$ 2,637,797
Real estate rental revenue	79,770	$ 78,243	236,312	$ 227,325
Net income	79,662	$ 580	113,862	$ 27,092
Riverside Apartments [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | unit					1,222
Property Acquired [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Real estate rental revenue	5,408		7,892
Net income	$ 1,001		$ 1,584
Property Acquired [Member] | Riverside Apartments [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost					$ 244,750

Real Estate - Business Acquisit

Real Estate - Business Acquisition (Details) $ in Thousands	May 20, 2016USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Land	$ 38,922
Payments to Acquire Land Held-for-use	15,969
Payments to Acquire Buildings	184,855
Leasing commissions absorption costs	4,992
Net lease intangible assets	22
Net lease intangible liabilities	10
Property Acquired [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost, Net of Adjustments	$ 244,750

Real Estate - Business Acquis32

Real Estate - Business Acquisition Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	May 20, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost	$ 2,665,516		$ 2,637,797
Payments to Acquire Real Estate	243,400
Riverside Apartments [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Credits Received At Settlement	$ 1,400
Riverside Apartments [Member] | Leases, Acquired-in-Place [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	90 months
Riverside Apartments [Member] | Leases, Acquired-in-Place, Market Adjustment [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	46 months
Property Acquired [Member] | Riverside Apartments [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost		$ 244,750

Real Estate - Business Acquis33

Real Estate - Business Acquisition Pro Forma (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Real Estate [Abstract]
Real estate rental revenue	$ 79,770	$ 83,661	$ 244,557	$ 243,403
Net income	$ 84,442	$ 2,054	$ 122,127	$ 26,861
Diluted net income per share	$ 1.14	$ 0.03	$ 1.70	$ 0.39

Real Estate - Development_Redev

Real Estate - Development/Redevelopment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Properties under development or held for future development	$ 37,463	$ 36,094
7900 Westpark Drive [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Investment Building and Building Improvements	36,300		$ 25,900
Army Navy Club [Domain]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Properties under development or held for future development	900
Devonshire [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Properties under development or held for future development	$ 17,700

Real Estate - Variable Interest

Real Estate - Variable Interest Entities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2016
Land	$ 573,315		$ 561,256
Accounts payable and other liabilities	54,629		45,367
Tenant security deposits	$ 8,634		9,378
Six Fifty North Glebe Road [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Variable interest entity, qualitative or quantitative information, ownership percentage	90.00%
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	10.00%
Land	$ 12,851		12,851
Investment Building and Building Improvements	37,914		37,791
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	(4,008)		(2,347)
Other Assets	749		1,188
Real Estate Investments, Joint Ventures	47,506		49,483
Loans Payable	31,975	[1]	32,214
Accounts payable and other liabilities	186		256
Tenant security deposits	96		82
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities related to joint ventures	$ 32,257		$ 32,552
[1]	The mortgage notes payable balance as of September 30, 2016 is eliminated in consolidation due to the purchase of the loan by Washington REIT in January 2016.

Real Estate - Held for Sale and

Real Estate - Held for Sale and Sold Properties (Details) $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Apr. 28, 2016buildingsContracts	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)ft²	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)ft²	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)ft²apartmentunit
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Consideration			$ 252,100		$ 252,100		$ 137,100
Rentable Square Feet | ft²			1,183,000		1,183,000		197,000
Gain on sale of real estate			$ 77,592	$ 0	$ 101,704	$ 31,731	$ 89,653
Disposal Group, Held-for-sale or Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | Maryland Portfolio [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of Purchase and Sale Agreements | Contracts		2
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | apartment							506
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | Maryland Portfolio [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of Buildings Sold | buildings		6
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | Dulles Station II [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Consideration	[1]		12,100		12,100
Gain on sale of real estate	[2]				527
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction I [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Consideration	[3]		$ 111,500		$ 111,500
Rentable Square Feet | ft²	[3]		692,000		692,000
Gain on sale of real estate	[3]				$ 23,585
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction II [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Consideration			$ 128,500		$ 128,500
Rentable Square Feet | ft²			491,000		491,000
Gain on sale of real estate	[4]				$ 77,592
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | Country Club Towers [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Consideration							$ 37,800
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | unit							227
Gain on sale of real estate							$ 30,277
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | First Street 1225 [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Consideration	[5]						14,500
Gain on sale of real estate							0
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | Munson Hill Towers [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Consideration							$ 57,050
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | apartment							279
Gain on sale of real estate							$ 51,395
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | Montgomery Village Center [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Consideration							$ 27,750
Rentable Square Feet | ft²							197,000
Gain on sale of real estate							$ 7,981
Multifamily [Member] | Maryland Portfolio [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Consideration			$ 240,000		$ 240,000
[1]	1) Land held for future development and an interest in a parking garage.
[2]	1) Land held for future development and an interest in a parking garage.
[3]	Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction I consists of 6110 Executive Boulevard, 600 Jefferson Plaza, Wayne Plaza and West Gude Drive.
[4]	(3) Maryland Office Portfolio Transaction II consists of 51 Monroe Street and One Central Plaza.
[5]	(4) Interest in land held for future development

Real Estate - Disposal Group re

Real Estate - Disposal Group revenue and net income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Rental Income	$ 3,689	$ 8,127	$ 20,266	$ 24,009
Income (Loss) from Individually Significant Component Disposed of or Held-for-sale, Excluding Discontinued Operations, before Income Tax	$ 2,474	$ 2,415	$ 9,376	$ 6,852

Real Estate -Casualty Gains (De

Real Estate -Casualty Gains (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Real Estate [Line Items]
Casualty (gain) and real estate impairment loss, net	$ 0	$ 0	$ (676)	$ 5,909
Insurance proceeds			883	$ 0
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net	(62,989)		(62,989)		$ (62,890)
Bethesda Hill Apartments [Member]
Real Estate [Line Items]
Casualty (gain) and real estate impairment loss, net			700
Insurance proceeds			900
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net	$ (200)		$ (200)

Mortgage Notes Payable (Details

Mortgage Notes Payable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Notes Payable				$ 167,197	$ 3,358
Six Fifty North Glebe Road [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loans Payable						$ 32,200
John Marshall II Member
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Notes Payable			$ 50,900
Residential Mortgage [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Notes Payable		$ 81,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | 2445 M Street [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Notes Payable	$ 101,900

Unsecured Lines of Credit Pay40

Unsecured Lines of Credit Payable - Schedule of Credit Unused and Available (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 23, 2015USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Borrowings outstanding	$ (125,000,000)	$ (105,000,000)
Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Committed capacity			$ 1,000,000,000
Line of Credit | Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Committed capacity	$ 600,000,000		$ 600,000,000
line of credit facility, number of extensions allowed	2
Line of Credit Facility, extension period	6 months
Borrowings outstanding	$ (125,000,000)	$ (105,000,000)
Letters of credit issued	0
Unused and available	$ 475,000,000
Term Loan [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Term	5 years 6 months

Unsecured Lines of Credit Pay41

Unsecured Lines of Credit Payable - Narrative (Details)	Jun. 23, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Jul. 21, 2016	Sep. 15, 2015USD ($)
Line of Credit
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage		0.20%
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate During Period		1.00%
Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Committed capacity	$ 1,000,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility | Term Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Long-term Line of Credit, Noncurrent				$ 150,000,000
Debt Instrument, Term		5 years 6 months
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		11000.00%
Revolving Credit Facility | Line of Credit
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Committed capacity	$ 600,000,000	$ 600,000,000
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Jun. 22, 2019
line of credit facility, number of extensions allowed		2
Line of Credit Facility, extension period		6 months
Minimum [Member] | Line of Credit
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.125%
Maximum [Member] | Line of Credit
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.30%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		1.10%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Line of Credit
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.00%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Line of Credit
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.875%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Line of Credit
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.55%
Base Rate [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Line of Credit
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.00%
Base Rate [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Line of Credit
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.55%
Federal Funds Effective Swap Rate [Member] | Line of Credit
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.50%
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held			2	2

Unsecured Lines of Credit Pay42

Unsecured Lines of Credit Payable - Line of Credit Facility, Increase (decrease), net (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility, Increase (Decrease) During the Period [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 31, 2015	$ 105,000
Balance at September 30, 2016	125,000
Revolving Credit Facility | Line of Credit
Line of Credit Facility, Increase (Decrease) During the Period [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 31, 2015	105,000
Borrowings	538,000
Repayments	(518,000)
Balance at September 30, 2016	$ 125,000

Note Payable (Details)

Note Payable (Details) - 2016 Term Loan [Member]	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.00%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.50%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.45%
Base Rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.50%
Base Rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.45%
Federal Funds Effective Swap Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.50%
Unsecured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Term	7 years
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 150,000,000	$ 150,000,000
Debt Instrument, Deferred Draw Period	6 months
Proceeds from Issuance of Unsecured Debt	$ 0
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	2.90%	2.90%
Unsecured Debt [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		1.65%

Derivatives - Schedule of Deriv

Derivatives - Schedule of Derivative Liability at Fair Value (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps	$ 4,870,000	$ 550,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	300,000,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Accounts payable and other liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps	4,870,000	550,000
2015 Term Loan [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	150,000,000
2015 Term Loan [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Accounts payable and other liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps	4,408,000	$ 550,000
2016 Term Loan [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	150,000,000
2016 Term Loan [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Accounts payable and other liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps	$ 462,000

Derivatives - Schedule of Gains

Derivatives - Schedule of Gains (Losses) on Derivatives (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate hedges	$ (739)	$ 2,288	$ 4,320	$ 2,288

Derivatives - Narrative (Detail

Derivatives - Narrative (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Jul. 22, 2016	Jul. 21, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 15, 2015	Sep. 15, 2015USD ($)
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps	$ 4,870,000			$ 550,000
Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified within Twelve Months	1,800,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held			2		2	2
Derivative, Notional Amount	300,000,000
Accounts payable and other liabilities | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps	4,870,000			550,000
2015 Term Loan [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 150,000,000
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	2.70%
2015 Term Loan [Member] | Accounts payable and other liabilities | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps	$ 4,408,000			$ 550,000
2016 Term Loan [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	150,000,000
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate		2.90%
2016 Term Loan [Member] | Accounts payable and other liabilities | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps	$ 462,000

Fair Value Disclosures - Financ

Fair Value Disclosures - Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
SERP		$ 1,408
Interest rate swaps	$ 4,870	550
Level 1
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
SERP	0	0
Interest rate swaps	0	0
Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
SERP	1,619	1,408
Interest rate swaps	4,870	550
Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
SERP	0	0
Interest rate swaps	0	$ 0
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
SERP	$ 1,619

Fair Value Disclosures - Fina48

Fair Value Disclosures - Financial Assets and Liabilities Not Measured at Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Commercial paper, maturity	90
Carrying Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 8,588	$ 23,825
Restricted cash	10,091	13,383
Mortgage notes payable, net	251,232	418,052
Lines of credit	125,000	105,000
Notes payable, net	744,063	743,181
Carrying Value | 2445 M Street Note Receivable [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
2445 M Street note receivable	3,513	3,849
Fair Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	8,588	23,825
Restricted cash	10,091	13,383
Mortgage notes payable, net	256,055	426,693
Lines of credit	125,000	105,000
Notes payable, net	784,643	753,816
Fair Value | 2445 M Street Note Receivable [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
2445 M Street note receivable	$ 3,568	$ 4,275

Stock Based Compensation (Detai

Stock Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 0.3	$ 0.9	$ 2.7	$ 4
Restricted Share Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fair value of share grants vested			$ 2.5	$ 2.6
Total unvested restricted share awards (in shares)	210,366		210,366
Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 26.37		$ 26.37
Total compensation costs, non-vested restricted share awards	$ 2.4		$ 2.4
Total compensation cost not yet recognized, period for recognition (in months)			21 months
Washington Real Estate Investment Trust 2007 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock based plan, aggregate number of shares authorized (in shares)	2,400,000		2,400,000
Stock based plan, period in effect (in years)			10 years
New LTIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period		3 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Requisite Service Period	3 years

Earnings per Common Share - EPS

Earnings per Common Share - EPS Schedule (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income	$ 79,662	$ 580	$ 113,862	$ 27,092
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	12	67	32	515
Allocation of earnings to unvested restricted share awards	200	47	329	184
Adjusted net income attributable to the controlling interests	$ 79,474	$ 600	$ 113,565	$ 27,423
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	73,994	68,186	71,348	68,168
Employee restricted share awards	139	119	172	122
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	74,133	68,305	71,520	68,290
Basic net income attributable to the controlling interests per common share( in dollars per share)	$ 1.07	$ 0.01	$ 1.59	$ 0.40
Diluted net income attributable to the controlling interests per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.07	$ 0.01	$ 1.59	$ 0.40

Segment Information - Segment S

Segment Information - Segment Schedules (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)segment	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments | segment			3
Real estate rental revenue	$ 79,770	$ 78,243	$ 236,312	$ 227,325
Real estate expenses	29,164	28,109	86,073	84,546
Gross Profit	50,606	50,134	150,239	142,779
Depreciation and amortization	(30,905)	(29,349)	(82,104)	(80,127)
Acquisition costs	0	(929)	(1,178)	(1,937)
General and administrative	(4,539)	(4,911)	(15,018)	(15,269)
Interest expense	(13,173)	(14,486)	(41,353)	(44,534)
Other income	83	163	205	547
Gain on sale of real estate	77,592	0	101,704	31,731	$ 89,653
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(2)	(42)	691	(70)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	0	(119)
Casualty (gain) and real estate impairment loss, net	0	0	(676)	5,909
Net income	79,662	580	113,862	27,092
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	12	67	32	515
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	79,674	647	113,894	27,607
Capital expenditures	22,099	10,974	38,497	25,201
Total assets	2,250,490	2,223,398	2,250,490	2,223,398	$ 2,191,168
Office
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Real estate rental revenue	40,646	43,616	128,201	129,255
Real estate expenses	15,839	16,612	49,508	50,597
Gross Profit	24,807	27,004	78,693	78,658
Capital expenditures	13,919	7,413	21,944	16,023
Total assets	1,107,687	1,265,738	1,107,687	1,265,738
Retail
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Real estate rental revenue	15,404	15,684	45,864	47,754
Real estate expenses	3,570	3,649	11,660	12,138
Gross Profit	11,834	12,035	34,204	35,616
Capital expenditures	2,107	792	6,238	2,291
Total assets	354,624	377,687	354,624	377,687
Multifamily [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Real estate rental revenue	23,720	18,943	62,247	50,316
Real estate expenses	9,755	7,848	24,905	21,811
Gross Profit	13,965	11,095	37,342	28,505
Capital expenditures	5,837	2,489	10,037	4,771
Total assets	761,388	541,044	761,388	541,044
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Real estate rental revenue	0	0	0	0
Real estate expenses	0	0	0	0
Gross Profit	0	0	0	0
Capital expenditures	236	280	278	2,116
Total assets	$ 26,791	$ 38,929	$ 26,791	$ 38,929

Shareholders' Equity

Shareholders' Equity - USD ($)	May 04, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Net proceeds from equity offering			$ 172,936,000	$ 5,079,000
Shares issued under dividend reinvestment program			$ 545,000
Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock issued during period (in shares)	5,300,000	900,000	6,223,000
Shares issued, pursuant of underwriter over-allotment	693,750
Shares issued (in dollars per share)	$ 28.20
Net proceeds from equity offering	$ 143,400,000	$ 29,600,000
Capital shares reserved for future issuances		$ 200,000,000	$ 200,000,000
Stock issued during period, weighted average price, ATM 2016		$ 33.32
Shares issued under dividend reinvestment program (in shares)			17,500
Stock issued during period, weighted share price, Dividend Reinstated Plan			$ 31.21
Shares issued under dividend reinvestment program			$ 500,000