Whitestone REIT (WSR) 10-Q 3 Nov 17 2017 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Nov. 01, 2017
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Whitestone REIT
Entity Central Index Key	1,175,535
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		38,486,707

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Real estate assets, at cost
Property	[1]	$ 1,144,558	$ 920,310
Accumulated depreciation	[1]	(124,268)	(107,258)
Total real estate assets	[1]	1,020,290	813,052
Cash and cash equivalents	[1]	6,338	4,168
Restricted cash	[1]	105	56
Marketable securities	[1]	242	517
Escrows and acquisition deposits	[1]	9,116	6,620
Accrued rents and accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	[1]	22,212	19,951
Unamortized lease commissions and loan costs	[1]	8,397	8,083
Prepaid expenses and other assets	[1]	3,448	2,762
Total assets	[1]	1,070,148	855,209
Liabilities:
Notes payable	[2]	662,675	544,020
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	[2]	35,041	28,692
Tenants' security deposits	[2]	6,746	6,125
Dividends and distributions payable	[2]	11,401	8,729
Total liabilities	[2]	715,863	587,566
Commitments and contingencies:	[2]	0	0
Equity:
Preferred shares, $0.001 par value per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	[2]	0	0
Common shares, $0.001 par value per share; 400,000,000 shares authorized; 38,524,480 and 29,468,563 issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	[2]	38	29
Additional paid-in capital	[2]	509,774	396,494
Accumulated deficit	[2]	(167,397)	(141,695)
Accumulated other comprehensive gain	[2]	1,004	859
Total Whitestone REIT shareholders' equity	[2]	343,419	255,687
Noncontrolling interests:
Redeemable operating partnership units	[2]	11,002	11,941
Noncontrolling interest in Consolidated Partnership	[2]	(136)	15
Total noncontrolling interests	[2]	10,866	11,956
Total equity	[2]	354,285	267,643
Total liabilities and equity	[2]	1,070,148	855,209
Pillarstone Variable Interest Entity
Real estate assets, at cost
Property		93,505	92,338
Accumulated depreciation		(35,089)	(32,533)
Total real estate assets		58,416	59,805
Cash and cash equivalents		2,246	1,236
Escrows and acquisition deposits		2,087	2,274
Accrued rents and accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts		2,556	2,313
Unamortized lease commissions and loan costs		1,180	1,150
Prepaid expenses and other assets		130	82
Total assets		66,615	66,860
Liabilities:
Notes payable		49,137	50,001
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		3,480	3,481
Tenants' security deposits		1,129	996
Dividends and distributions payable		112	0
Total liabilities		$ 53,858	$ 54,478
[1]	Assets of consolidated Variable Interest Entities included in the total assets
[2]	Liabilities of consolidated Variable Interest Entities included in the total liabilities

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred shares, par value per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred shares, shares authorized (in shares)	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred shares, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred shares, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Common shares, par value per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common shares, authorized (in shares)	400,000,000	400,000,000
Common shares, issued (in shares)	38,526,489	29,468,563
Common shares, outstanding (in shares)	38,526,489	29,468,563

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Property revenues
Rental revenues	$ 24,891	$ 19,844	$ 69,197	$ 58,915
Other revenues	8,762	5,664	22,931	17,157
Total property revenues	33,653	25,508	92,128	76,072
Property expenses
Property operation and maintenance	6,104	4,904	16,973	14,381
Real estate taxes	5,181	3,414	13,588	10,072
Total property expenses	11,285	8,318	30,561	24,453
Other expenses (income)
General and administrative	5,581	6,218	17,598	16,467
Depreciation and amortization	7,247	5,449	19,936	16,362
Interest expense	6,376	4,669	17,158	14,221
Interest, dividend and other investment income	(142)	(164)	(381)	(339)
Total other expense	19,062	16,172	54,311	46,711
Income before gain (loss) on sale or disposal of properties or assets and income taxes	3,306	1,018	7,256	4,908
Provision for income taxes	(126)	(80)	(296)	(247)
Gain on sale of properties	0	0	16	2,890
Gain (loss) on sale or disposal of assets	(40)	26	(135)	10
Net income	3,140	964	6,841	7,561
Redeemable operating partnership units	84	15	201	131
Non-controlling interests in Consolidated Partnership	63	0	228	0
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	147	15	429	131
Net income attributable to Whitestone REIT	$ 2,993	$ 949	$ 6,412	$ 7,430
Basic Earnings Per Share:
Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07	$ 0.03	$ 0.18	$ 0.25
Diluted Earnings Per Share:
Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07	$ 0.03	$ 0.17	$ 0.25
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	37,992	28,195	34,406	27,210
Diluted (in shares)	38,589	29,024	35,211	28,013
Distributions declared per common share / OP unit (in dollars per share)	$ 0.285	$ 0.285	$ 0.8550	$ 0.855
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Net income	$ 3,140	$ 964	$ 6,841	$ 7,561
Other comprehensive gain (loss)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedging activities	172	1,529	124	(6,962)
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale marketable securities	(7)	(11)	26	20
Comprehensive income	3,305	2,482	6,991	619
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	147	15	429	131
Less: Comprehensive gain (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	5	26	5	(120)
Comprehensive income attributable to Whitestone REIT	$ 3,153	$ 2,441	$ 6,557	$ 608

Consolidated Statement of Chang

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2017 - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Total		ATM Program [Member]	Common Shares [Member]	Common Shares [Member]ATM Program [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]ATM Program [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Total Shareholders' Equity [Member]	Total Shareholders' Equity [Member]ATM Program [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]	General Partners' Interest in Consolidated Partnership [Member]Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Beginning Balance, at Dec. 31, 2016		$ 267,643	[1]		$ 29		$ 396,494		$ (141,695)	$ 859	$ 255,687		$ 11,941	$ 15
Beginning Balance (in shares), at Dec. 31, 2016		29,468,563			29,468,000
Beginning Balance (in units), at Dec. 31, 2016													1,103,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Exchange of noncontrolling interest OP units for common shares (in shares)					19,000								19,000
Exchange of noncontrolling interest OP units for common shares		$ 0					206				206		$ (206)
Issuance of shares under dividend reinvestment plan (in shares)					7,000
Issuance of common shares, net of offering costs		99,895		$ 7,724	$ 8	$ 1	99,887	$ 7,723			99,895	$ 7,724
Issuance of common shares, net of offering costs (in shares)					8,019,000	567,000
Issuance of shares under dividend reinvestment plan		95					95				95
Repurchase of common shares (in shares)	[2]				(154,000)
Repurchase of common shares	[2]	(1,987)					(1,987)				(1,987)
Share-based compensation (in shares)					598,000
Share-based compensation		7,347					7,347				7,347
Distributions		(33,423)							(32,114)		(32,114)		(930)	(379)
Unrealized gain on change in fair value of available-for-sale marketable securities		26								25	25		1
Unrealized gain on change in value of cash flow hedge		124								120	120		4
Reallocation of ownership percentage between parent and subsidiary		0					9				9		(9)
Net income		6,841							6,412		6,412		201	228
Ending Balance, at Sep. 30, 2017		$ 354,285	[1]		$ 38		$ 509,774		$ (167,397)	$ 1,004	$ 343,419		$ 11,002	$ (136)
Ending Balance (in shares), at Sep. 30, 2017		38,526,489			38,524,000
Ending Balance (in units), at Sep. 30, 2017													1,084,000
[1]	Liabilities of consolidated Variable Interest Entities included in the total liabilities
[2]	During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company acquired common shares held by employees who tendered owned common shares to satisfy the tax withholding on the lapse of certain restrictions on restricted common shares.

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 6,841,000		$ 7,561,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	19,936,000		16,362,000
Amortization of deferred loan costs	953,000		1,202,000
Amortization of notes payable discount	447,000		241,000
Gain on sale of marketable securities	(5,000)		0
Loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets and properties	119,000		(2,900,000)
Bad debt expense	1,442,000		1,298,000
Share-based compensation	7,347,000		6,874,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Escrows and acquisition deposits	(2,496,000)		485,000
Accrued rent and accounts receivable	(3,703,000)		(2,802,000)
Unamortized lease commissions	(2,196,000)		(2,126,000)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	411,000		725,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(1,718,000)		261,000
Tenants' security deposits	621,000		812,000
Net cash provided by operating activities	27,999,000		27,993,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of real estate	(124,557,000)		(60,616,000)
Additions to real estate	(13,499,000)		(15,362,000)
Proceeds from sales of properties	26,000		3,957,000
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities	306,000		0
Net cash used in investing activities	(137,724,000)		(72,021,000)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Distributions paid to common shareholders	(29,494,000)		(23,606,000)
Distributions paid to OP unit holders	(932,000)		(415,000)
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interest in Consolidated Partnership	(379,000)		0
Proceeds from issuance of common shares, net of offering costs	107,619,000		26,686,000
Net proceeds from credit facility	40,600,000		64,000,000
Repayments of notes payable	(2,788,000)		(13,552,000)
Payments of loan origination costs	(695,000)		0
Change in restricted cash	(49,000)		18,000
Repurchase of common shares	(1,987,000)		(2,904,000)
Net cash provided by financing activities	111,895,000		50,227,000
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	2,170,000		6,199,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	4,168,000	[1]	2,587,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	6,338,000	[1]	8,786,000
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	16,311,000		13,700,000
Cash paid for taxes	329,000		284,000
Non cash investing and financing activities:
Disposal of fully depreciated real estate	995,000		544,000
Financed insurance premiums	1,115,000		1,060,000
Value of shares issued under dividend reinvestment plan	95,000		83,000
Value of common shares exchanged for OP units	206,000		125,000
Change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	26,000		20,000
Change in fair value of cash flow hedge	124,000		(6,962,000)
Acquisition of real estate in exchange for OP units	0		8,738,000
Reallocation of ownership percentage between parent and subsidiary	$ 9,000		$ 0
[1]	Assets of consolidated Variable Interest Entities included in the total assets

Interim Financial Statements

Interim Financial Statements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Interim Financial Statements	INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The consolidated financial statements included in this report are unaudited; however, amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements as of that date. The unaudited financial statements as of and for the period ended September 30, 2017 have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information on a basis consistent with the annual audited consolidated financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-Q. The consolidated financial statements presented herein reflect all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position of Whitestone and our subsidiaries as of September 30, 2017 , and the results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , the consolidated statements of changes in equity for the nine month period ended September 30, 2017 and cash flows for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 . All of these adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for a full year. The statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto which are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 . Business . Whitestone was formed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) pursuant to the Texas Real Estate Investment Trust Act on August 20, 1998. In July 2004, we changed our state of organization from Texas to Maryland pursuant to a merger where we merged directly with and into a Maryland REIT formed for the sole purpose of the reorganization and the conversion of each of the outstanding common shares of beneficial interest of the Texas entity into 1.42857 common shares of beneficial interest of the Maryland entity. We serve as the general partner of Whitestone REIT Operating Partnership, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”), which was formed on December 31, 1998 as a Delaware limited partnership. We currently conduct substantially all of our operations and activities through the Operating Partnership. As the general partner of the Operating Partnership, we have the exclusive power to manage and conduct the business of the Operating Partnership, subject to certain customary exceptions. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , Whitestone owned or held a majority interest in 72 and 69 commercial properties, respectively, in and around Austin, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Phoenix and San Antonio. These properties consist of: Consolidated Operating Portfolio • 51 wholly-owned properties that meet our Community Centered Properties ® strategy; and • through our 81.4% majority interest in our consolidated subsidiary, Pillarstone Capital REIT Operating Partnership LP (“Pillarstone OP”) an interest in 14 consolidated properties that do not meet our Community Centered Properties ® strategy. Redevelopment, New Acquisitions Portfolio • two retail properties that meet our Community Centered Properties ® strategy; and • five parcels of land held for future development.

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Consolidation. We are the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership and possess full legal control and authority over the operations of the Operating Partnership. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , we owned a majority of the partnership interests in the Operating Partnership. Consequently, the accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Operating Partnership. We also consolidate a variable interest entity (“VIE”) when we are determined to be the primary beneficiary. Determination of the primary beneficiary is based on whether an entity has (1) the power to direct activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Our determination of the primary beneficiary considers all relationships between us and the VIE, including management and other contractual agreements. See Note 6 for additional disclosure on our VIE. Noncontrolling interest in the accompanying consolidated financial statements represents the share of equity and earnings of the Operating Partnership allocable to holders of partnership interests other than us. Net income or loss is allocated to noncontrolling interests based on the weighted-average percentage ownership of the Operating Partnership during the period. Issuance of additional common shares of beneficial interest in Whitestone (the “common shares”) and units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership that are convertible into cash or, at our option, common shares on a one -for- one basis (the “OP units”) changes the percentage of ownership interests of both the noncontrolling interests and Whitestone. Basis of Accounting. Our financial records are maintained on the accrual basis of accounting whereby revenues are recognized when earned and expenses are recorded when incurred. Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates that we use include the estimated fair values of properties acquired, the estimated useful lives for depreciable and amortizable assets and costs, the estimated allowance for doubtful accounts, the estimated fair value of interest rate swaps and the estimates supporting our impairment analysis for the carrying values of our real estate assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Reclassifications. We have reclassified certain prior period amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements in order to be consistent with the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on net income, total assets, total liabilities or equity. Restricted Cash. We classify all cash pledged as collateral to secure certain obligations and all cash whose use is limited as restricted cash. During 2015, pursuant to the terms of our $15.1 million 4.99% Note, due January 6, 2024 (see Note 7), which is collateralized by our Anthem Marketplace property, we were required by the lenders thereunder to establish a cash management account controlled by the lenders to collect all amounts generated by our Anthem Marketplace property in order to collateralize such promissory note. As a result, these amounts are reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows under cash flows from financing activities as change in restricted cash. Marketable Securities. We classify our existing marketable equity securities as available-for-sale in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (“FASB”) Investments-Debt and Equity Securities guidance. These securities are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. The fair value of the marketable securities is determined using Level 1 inputs under FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, “ Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures .” Level 1 inputs represent quoted prices available in an active market for identical investments as of the reporting date. Gains and losses on securities sold are based on the specific identification method, and are reported as a component of interest, dividend and other investment income. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. We utilize derivative financial instruments, principally interest rate swaps, to manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. We have established policies and procedures for risk assessment, and the approval, reporting and monitoring of derivative financial instruments. We recognize our interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges with the effective portion of the changes in fair value recorded in comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged transaction affects earnings. Any ineffective portion of a cash flow hedges' change in fair value is recorded immediately into earnings. Our cash flow hedges are determined using Level 2 inputs under ASC 820. Level 2 inputs represent quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable. As of September 30, 2017 , we consider our cash flow hedges to be highly effective. Development Properties. Land, buildings and improvements are recorded at cost. Expenditures related to the development of real estate are carried at cost which includes capitalized carrying charges and development costs. Carrying charges (interest, real estate taxes, loan fees, and direct and indirect development costs related to buildings under construction), are capitalized as part of construction in progress. The capitalization of such costs ceases when the property, or any completed portion, becomes available for occupancy. For the three months ended September 30, 2017 , approximately $146,000 and $96,000 in interest expense and real estate taxes, respectively, were capitalized, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , approximately $302,000 and $189,000 in interest expense and real estate taxes, respectively, were capitalized. For the three months ended September 30, 2016 , approximately $103,000 and $16,000 in interest expense and real estate taxes, respectively, were capitalized, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , approximately $235,000 and $48,000 in interest expense and real estate taxes, respectively, were capitalized. Real Estate Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations. We consider a commercial property to be held for sale when it meets all of the criteria established under ASC 205, “Presentation of Financial Statements.” For commercial properties classified as held for sale, assets and liabilities are presented separately for all periods presented. In accordance with ASC 205, a discontinued operation may include a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity. A disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity is reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results when the component of an entity or group of components of an entity is classified as held for sale, disposed of by sale or disposed of other than by sale, respectively. In addition, ASC 205 requires us to provide additional disclosures about both discontinued operations and the disposal of an individually significant component of an entity that does not meet the criteria for a discontinued operation. Share-Based Compensation. From time to time, we award nonvested restricted common share awards or restricted common share unit awards, which may be converted into common shares, to executive officers and employees under our 2008 Long-Term Equity Incentive Ownership Plan (the “2008 Plan”). The vast majority of the awarded shares and units vest when certain performance conditions are met. We recognize compensation expense when achievement of the performance conditions is probable based on management's most recent estimates using the fair value of the shares as of the grant date. We recognized $2,704,000 and $3,042,000 in share-based compensation for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively, and we recognized $7,545,000 and $6,886,000 in share-based compensation for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Noncontrolling Interests. Noncontrolling interests is the portion of equity in a subsidiary not attributable to a parent. The ownership interests not held by the parent are considered noncontrolling interests. Accordingly, we have reported noncontrolling interests in equity on the consolidated balance sheets but separate from Whitestone's equity. On the consolidated statements of operations, subsidiaries are reported at the consolidated amount, including both the amount attributable to Whitestone and noncontrolling interests. The consolidated statement of changes in equity is included for quarterly financial statements, including beginning balances, activity for the period and ending balances for shareholders' equity, noncontrolling interests and total equity. See our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for further discussion on significant accounting policies. Recent Accounting Pronouncements . In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance requiring lessees to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for all leases. Lessor accounting will remain largely unchanged with the exception of changes related to costs which qualify as initial direct costs. The guidance will also require new qualitative and quantitative disclosures to help financial statement users better understand the timing, amount and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This guidance will be effective for reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance and its impact on our consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance simplifying the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, balance sheet classification of awards and the classification on the statement of cash flows. We have adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2017. The main provision regarding excess tax benefits did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements due to our status as a REIT for taxation purposes. We have elected to continue estimating the number of shares expected to vest in order to determine compensation cost, and we will continue to classify cash paid by us for employee taxes when common shares were repurchased to cover minimum statutory requirements as financing activity. In November 2016, the FASB issued guidance requiring that the statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. This guidance will become effective for the reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance and its impact on our consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance clarifying the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. This guidance will become effective for the reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance and its impact on our consolidated financial statements. In February 2017, the FASB issued guidance clarifying the scope of asset derecognition guidance, adds guidance for partial sales of nonfinancial assets and clarifies recognizing gains and losses from the transfer of nonfinancial assets in contracts with noncustomers. This guidance will become effective for the reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance and its impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Marketable Securities

Marketable Securities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Marketable Securities	MARKETABLE SECURITIES All of our marketable securities were classified as available-for-sale securities as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 . Available-for-sale securities consisted of the following (in thousands): September 30, 2017 Amortized Cost Gains in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Losses in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Estimated Fair Value Real estate sector common stock $ 353 $ — $ (111 ) $ 242 Total available-for-sale securities $ 353 $ — $ (111 ) $ 242 December 31, 2016 Amortized Cost Gains in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Losses in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Estimated Fair Value Real estate sector common stock $ 654 $ — $ (137 ) $ 517 Total available-for-sale securities $ 654 $ — $ (137 ) $ 517 During the three months ended September 30, 2017 , available-for-sale securities were sold for total proceeds of $306,000 . The gross realized gain on these sales during the three months ended September 30, 2017 was $5,000 . During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, no available-for-sale securities were sold. For purposes of determining gross realized gains and losses, the cost of securities sold is based on specific identification. A net unrealized holding loss on available-for-sale securities in the amount of $111,000 and $198,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively, has been included in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Accrued Rents and Accounts Rece

Accrued Rents and Accounts Receivable, Net	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Receivables [Abstract]
Accrued Rents and Accounts Receivable, Net	ACCRUED RENTS AND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET Accrued rents and accounts receivable, net consists of amounts accrued, billed and due from tenants, allowance for doubtful accounts and other receivables as follows (in thousands): September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Tenant receivables $ 14,420 $ 12,972 Accrued rents and other recoveries 15,996 14,237 Allowance for doubtful accounts (8,204 ) (7,258 ) Total $ 22,212 $ 19,951

Unamortized Leasing Commissions

Unamortized Leasing Commissions, Legal Fees and Loan Costs	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Unamortized Leasing Commissions, Legal Fees and Loan Costs	UNAMORTIZED LEASE COMMISSIONS, LEGAL FEES AND LOAN COSTS Costs which have been deferred consist of the following (in thousands): September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Leasing commissions $ 10,263 $ 8,720 Deferred legal cost 326 — Deferred financing cost 4,071 4,071 Total cost 14,660 12,791 Less: leasing commissions accumulated amortization (4,394 ) (3,597 ) Less: deferred legal cost accumulated amortization (45 ) — Less: deferred financing cost accumulated amortization (1,824 ) (1,111 ) Total cost, net of accumulated amortization $ 8,397 $ 8,083

Variable Interest Entities

Variable Interest Entities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entities	VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES On December 8, 2016, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into a Contribution Agreement (the “Contribution Agreement”) with Pillarstone Capital REIT Operating Partnership LP (“Pillarstone,” “Pillarstone OP” or the “Consolidated Partnership”) and Pillarstone Capital REIT (“Pillarstone REIT”) pursuant to which we contributed all of the equity interests in four of our wholly-owned subsidiaries: Whitestone CP Woodland Ph. 2, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“CP Woodland”); Whitestone Industrial-Office, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“Industrial-Office”); Whitestone Offices, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“Whitestone Offices”); and Whitestone Uptown Tower, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Uptown Tower,” and together with CP Woodland, Industrial-Office and Whitestone Offices, the “Entities”) that own 14 non-core properties that do not fit our Community Centered Property ® strategy (the “Pillarstone Properties”), to Pillarstone OP for aggregate consideration of approximately $84 million , consisting of (1) approximately 18.1 million Class A units representing limited partnership interests in Pillarstone OP (“Pillarstone OP Units”), issued at a price of $1.331 per Pillarstone OP Unit; and (2) the assumption of approximately $65.9 million of liabilities, consisting of (a) approximately $15.5 million of our liability under the 2014 Facility (as defined in Note 7); (b) an approximately $16.3 million promissory note of Uptown Tower under the Loan Agreement, dated as of September 26, 2013, between Uptown Tower, as borrower, and U.S. Bank, National Association, as successor to Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital Holdings LLC, as lender; and (c) an approximately $34.1 million promissory note (the “Industrial-Office Promissory Note”) of Industrial-Office issued under the Loan Agreement, dated as of November 26, 2013 (the “Industrial-Office Loan Agreement”), between Industrial-Office, as borrower, and Jackson National Life Insurance Company, as lender (collectively, the “Contribution”). In connection with the Contribution, on December 8, 2016, the Operating Partnership entered into an OP Unit Purchase Agreement (the “OP Unit Purchase Agreement”) with Pillarstone REIT and Pillarstone OP pursuant to which the Operating Partnership agreed to purchase up to an aggregate of $3.0 million of Pillarstone OP Units at a price of $1.331 per Pillarstone OP Unit over the two -year term of the OP Unit Purchase Agreement on the terms set forth therein. The OP Unit Purchase Agreement contains customary closing conditions and the parties have made certain customary representations, warranties and indemnifications to each other in the OP Unit Purchase Agreement. In addition, pursuant to the OP Unit Purchase Agreement, in the event of a Change of Control (as defined therein) of the Company, Pillarstone OP shall have the right, but not the obligation, to repurchase the Pillarstone OP Units issued thereunder from the Operating Partnership at their initial issue price of $1.331 per Pillarstone OP Unit. In connection with the Contribution, (1) with respect to each Pillarstone Property (other than Uptown Tower), Whitestone TRS, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company (“Whitestone TRS”), entered into a Management Agreement with the Entity that owns such Pillarstone Property and (2) with respect to Uptown Tower, Whitestone TRS entered into a Management Agreement with Pillarstone OP (collectively, the “Management Agreements”). Pursuant to the Management Agreements with respect to each Pillarstone Property (other than Uptown Tower), Whitestone TRS agreed to provide certain property management, leasing and day-to-day advisory and administrative services to such Pillarstone Property in exchange for (x) a monthly property management fee equal to 5.0% of the monthly revenues of such Pillarstone Property and (y) a monthly asset management fee equal to 0.125% of GAV (as defined in each Management Agreement as, generally, the purchase price of the respective Pillarstone Property based upon the purchase price allocations determined pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, excluding all indebtedness, liabilities or claims of any nature) of such Pillarstone Property. Pursuant to the Management Agreement with respect to Uptown Tower, Whitestone TRS agreed to provide certain property management, leasing and day-to-day advisory and administrative services to Pillarstone OP in exchange for (x) a monthly property management fee equal to 3.0% of the monthly revenues of Uptown Tower and (y) a monthly asset management fee equal to 0.125% of GAV of Uptown Tower. In connection with the Contribution, on December 8, 2016, the Operating Partnership entered into a Tax Protection Agreement with Pillarstone REIT and Pillarstone pursuant to which Pillarstone agreed to indemnify the Operating Partnership for certain tax liabilities resulting from its recognition of income or gain prior to December 8, 2021 if such liabilities result from a transaction involving a direct or indirect taxable disposition of all or a portion of the Pillarstone Properties or if Pillarstone fails to maintain and allocate to the Operating Partnership for taxation purposes minimum levels of liabilities as specified in the Tax Protection Agreement, the result of which causes such recognition of income or gain and the Company incurs taxes that must be paid to maintain its REIT status for federal income tax purposes. As of September 30, 2017 , we owned approximately 81.4% of the total outstanding units of Pillarstone OP. Additionally, certain of our officers and trustees serve as officers and trustees of Pillarstone REIT. We have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of Pillarstone OP, through our power to direct the activities of Pillarstone OP, additional working capital required by Pillarstone OP under the OP Unit Purchase Agreement and our obligation to absorb losses and receive benefits based on our ownership percentage. Accordingly, we account for Pillarstone OP as a VIE and fully consolidate in our consolidated financial statements. The carrying amounts and classification of certain assets and liabilities for Pillarstone OP in our consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 consists of the following (in thousands): September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Real estate assets, at cost Property $ 93,505 $ 92,338 Accumulated depreciation (35,089 ) (32,533 ) Total real estate assets 58,416 59,805 Cash and cash equivalents 2,246 1,236 Escrows and acquisition deposits 2,087 2,274 Accrued rents and accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts (1) 2,556 2,313 Unamortized lease commissions and loan costs 1,180 1,150 Prepaid expenses and other assets (2) 130 82 Total assets $ 66,615 $ 66,860 Liabilities Notes payable (3) $ 49,137 $ 50,001 Accounts payable and accrued expenses (4) 3,480 3,481 Tenants' security deposits 1,129 996 Distributions payable (5) 112 — Total liabilities $ 53,858 $ 54,478 (1) Excludes approximately $2.1 million and $0.5 million in accounts receivable due from Whitestone that were eliminated in consolidation as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. (2) Excludes approximately $0.9 million in prepaid expenses due from Whitestone that were eliminated in consolidation as of December 31, 2016 . (3) Excludes approximately $15.5 million and $15.5 million in notes payable due to Whitestone that were eliminated in consolidation as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. (4) Excludes approximately $1.3 million and $0.3 million in accounts payable due to Whitestone that were eliminated in consolidation as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. (5) Excludes approximately $0.5 million in distributions payable to Whitestone that were eliminated in consolidation as of September 30, 2017 .

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	DEBT Certain subsidiaries of Whitestone are the borrowers under various financing arrangements. These subsidiaries are separate legal entities, and their respective assets and credit are not available to satisfy the debt of Whitestone or any of its other subsidiaries. Debt consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (in thousands): Description September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Fixed rate notes $10.5 million, LIBOR plus 2.00% Note, due September 24, 2018 (1) $ 9,800 $ 9,980 $50.0 million, 0.84% plus 1.35% to 1.90% Note, due October 30, 2020 (2) 50,000 50,000 $50.0 million, 1.50% plus 1.35% to 1.90% Note, due January 29, 2021 (3) 50,000 50,000 $100.0 million, 1.73% plus 1.65% to 2.25% Note, due October 30, 2022 (4) 100,000 100,000 $80.0 million, 3.72% Note, due June 1, 2027 80,000 — $37.0 million 3.76% Note, due December 1, 2020 (5) 33,406 34,166 $6.5 million 3.80% Note, due January 1, 2019 5,887 6,019 $19.0 million 4.15% Note, due December 1, 2024 19,000 19,000 $20.2 million 4.28% Note, due June 6, 2023 19,449 19,708 $14.0 million 4.34% Note, due September 11, 2024 14,000 14,000 $14.3 million 4.34% Note, due September 11, 2024 14,300 14,300 $16.5 million 4.97% Note, due September 26, 2023 (5) 16,119 16,298 $15.1 million 4.99% Note, due January 6, 2024 14,919 15,060 $9.2 million, Prime Rate less 2.00% Note, due December 29, 2017 (6) 7,844 7,869 $2.6 million 5.46% Note, due October 1, 2023 2,483 2,512 $1.1 million 2.97% Note, due November 28, 2017 217 — Floating rate notes Unsecured line of credit, LIBOR plus 1.40% to 1.95%, due October 30, 2019 (7) 227,200 186,600 Total notes payable principal 664,624 545,512 Less deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization (1,949 ) (1,492 ) Total notes payable $ 662,675 $ 544,020 (1) Promissory note includes an interest rate swap that fixed the interest rate at 3.55% for the duration of the term. (2) Promissory note includes an interest rate swap that fixed the LIBOR portion of Term Loan 1 (as defined below) at 0.84% through February 3, 2017 and 1.75% beginning February 3, 2017 through October 30, 2020. (3) Promissory note includes an interest rate swap that fixed the LIBOR portion of Term Loan 2 (as defined below) at 1.50% . (4) Promissory note includes an interest rate swap that fixed the LIBOR portion of Term Loan 3 (as defined below) at 1.73% , (5) Promissory notes were assumed by Pillarstone in December 2016. (6) Promissory note includes an interest rate swap that fixed the interest rate at 5.72% for the duration of the term. As part of our acquisition of Paradise Plaza in August 2012, we recorded a discount on the note of $1.3 million , which amortizes into interest expense over the life of the loan and results in an imputed interest rate of 4.13% . (7) Unsecured line of credit includes certain Pillarstone Properties (as defined and described in more detail below) in determining the amount of credit available under the Facility (as defined and described in more detail below). On May 26, 2017, we, through our subsidiary, Whitestone Houston BLVD Place LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, issued a $80.0 million promissory note to American General Life Insurance Company (the “BLVD Note”). The BLVD Note has a fixed interest rate of 3.72% and a maturity date of June 1, 2027. Proceeds from the BLVD Note were used to fund a portion of the purchase price of the acquisition of BLVD Place (See Note 15 below). On November 7, 2014, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into an unsecured revolving credit facility (the “2014 Facility”) with the lenders party thereto, with BMO Capital Markets, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, and U.S. Bank, National Association, as co-lead arrangers and joint book runners, and Bank of Montreal, as administrative agent (the “Agent”). The 2014 Facility amended and restated our previous unsecured revolving credit facility. On October 30, 2015, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into the First Amendment to the 2014 Facility (the “First Amendment”) with the guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto and the Agent. We refer to the 2014 Facility, as amended by the First Amendment, as the “Facility.” Pursuant to the First Amendment, the Company made the following amendments to the 2014 Facility: • extended the maturity date of the $300 million unsecured revolving credit facility under the 2014 Facility (the “Revolver”) to October 30, 2019 from November 7, 2018; • converted $100 million of outstanding borrowings under the Revolver to a new $100 million unsecured term loan under the 2014 Facility (“Term Loan 3”) with a maturity date of October 30, 2022; • extended the maturity date of the first $50 million unsecured term loan under the 2014 Facility (“Term Loan 1”) to October 30, 2020 from February 17, 2017; and • extended the maturity date of the second $50 million unsecured term loan under the 2014 Facility (“Term Loan 2” and together with Term Loan 1 and Term Loan 3, the “Term Loans”) to January 29, 2021 from November 7, 2019. Borrowings under the Facility accrue interest (at the Operating Partnership's option) at a Base Rate or an Adjusted LIBOR plus an applicable margin based upon our then existing leverage. The applicable margin for Adjusted LIBOR borrowings ranges from 1.40% to 1.95% for the Revolver and 1.35% to 2.25% for the Term Loans. Base Rate means the higher of: (a) the Agent's prime commercial rate, (b) the sum of (i) the average rate quoted by the Agent by two or more federal funds brokers selected by the Agent for sale to the Agent at face value of federal funds in the secondary market in an amount equal or comparable to the principal amount for which such rate is being determined, plus (ii) 1/2 of 1.00% , and (c) the LIBOR rate for such day plus 1.00% . Adjusted LIBOR means LIBOR divided by one minus the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage. The Eurodollar Reserve Percentage means the maximum reserve percentage at which reserves are imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System on eurocurrency liabilities. We serve as the guarantor for funds borrowed by the Operating Partnership under the Facility. The Facility contains customary terms and conditions, including, without limitation, affirmative and negative covenants such as information reporting requirements, maximum secured indebtedness to total asset value, minimum EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization or extraordinary items) to fixed charges, and maintenance of a minimum net worth. The Facility also contains customary events of default with customary notice and cure, including, without limitation, nonpayment, breach of covenant, misrepresentation of representations and warranties in a material respect, cross-default to other major indebtedness, change of control, bankruptcy and loss of REIT tax status. The Facility includes an accordion feature that will allow the Operating Partnership to increase the borrowing capacity to $700 million , upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, including new commitments from lenders. As of September 30, 2017 , $427.2 million was drawn on the Facility, and our remaining borrowing capacity was $72.8 million . Proceeds from the Facility were used for general corporate purposes, including property acquisitions, debt repayment, capital expenditures, the expansion, redevelopment and retenanting of properties in our portfolio and working capital. We intend to use the additional proceeds from the Facility for general corporate purposes, including property acquisitions, debt repayment, capital expenditure, the expansion, redevelopment and re-tenanting of properties in our portfolio and working capital. On December 8, 2016, in connection with the Contribution, the Operating Partnership entered into the Second Amendment to the Facility and Reaffirmation of Guaranties (the “Second Amendment”) with Pillarstone, the Company and the other Guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto and the Agent. Pursuant to the Second Amendment, following the Contribution, Whitestone Offices, LLC and Whitestone CP Woodland Ph. 2, LLC were permitted to remain Material Subsidiaries (as defined in the Facility) and Guarantors under the Facility and their respective Pillarstone Properties were each permitted to remain an Eligible Property (as defined in the Facility) and be included in the Borrowing Base (as defined in the Facility) under the Facility. In addition, on December 8, 2016, Pillarstone entered into the Limited Guarantee (the “Limited Guarantee”) with the Agent, pursuant to which Pillarstone agreed to be joined as a party to the Facility to provide a limited guarantee up to the amount of availability generated by the Pillarstone Properties owned by Whitestone Offices, LLC and Whitestone CP Woodland Ph. 2, LLC. As of September 30, 2017 , Pillarstone accounted for approximately $15.5 million of the total amount drawn on the Facility. As of September 30, 2017 , our $237.2 million in secured debt was collateralized by 20 properties with a carrying value of $342.0 million . Our loans contain restrictions that would require the payment of prepayment penalties for the acceleration of outstanding debt and are secured by deeds of trust on certain of our properties and by assignment of the rents and leases associated with those properties. As of September 30, 2017 , we were in compliance with all loan covenants. Scheduled maturities of our outstanding debt as of September 30, 2017 were as follows (in thousands): Year Amount Due 2017 $ 8,767 2018 12,136 2019 235,249 2020 82,827 2021 51,918 Thereafter 273,727 Total $ 664,624

Derivatives and Hedging Activit

Derivatives and Hedging Activities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES The fair value of our interest rate swaps is as follows (in thousands): Balance Sheet Location Estimated Fair Value Interest rate swaps: September 30, 2017 Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ (1,050 ) December 31, 2016 Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ (662 ) On November 19, 2015, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into an interest rate swap with Bank of Montreal that fixed the LIBOR portion of Term Loan 3 under the Facility at 1.725% . In the fourth quarter of 2015, pursuant to the terms of the agreement governing the interest rate swap, Bank of Montreal assigned $35.0 million of the swap to U.S. Bank, National Association, and $15.0 million of the swap to SunTrust Bank. See Note 7 for additional information regarding the Facility. The swap began on November 30, 2015 and will mature on October 28, 2022. We have designated the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge with the effective portion of the changes in fair value to be recorded in comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value, if any, will be recognized directly in earnings. On November 19, 2015, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into an interest rate swap with Bank of Montreal that fixed the LIBOR portion of Term Loan 1 under the Facility at 1.75% . In the fourth quarter of 2015, pursuant to the terms of the agreement governing the interest rate swap, Bank of Montreal assigned $3.8 million of the swap to Regions Bank, $6.5 million of the swap to U.S. Bank, National Association, $14.0 million of the swap to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, $14.0 million of the swap to Bank of America, N.A., and $5.0 million of the swap to SunTrust Bank. See Note 7 for additional information regarding the Facility. The swap began on February 3, 2017 and will mature on October 30, 2020. We have designated the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge with the effective portion of the changes in fair value to be recorded in comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value, if any, will be recognized directly in earnings. On November 19, 2015, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into an interest rate swap with Bank of Montreal that fixed the LIBOR portion of Term Loan 2 under the Facility at 1.50% . In the fourth quarter of 2015, pursuant to the terms of the agreement governing the interest rate swap, Bank of Montreal assigned $3.8 million of the swap to Regions Bank, $6.5 million of the swap to U.S. Bank, National Association, $14.0 million of the swap to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, $14.0 million of the swap to Bank of America, N.A., and $5.0 million of the swap to SunTrust Bank. See Note 7 for additional information regarding the Facility. The swap began on December 7, 2015 and will mature on January 29, 2021. We have designated the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge with the effective portion of the changes in fair value to be recorded in comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value, if any, will be recognized directly in earnings. A summary of our interest rate swap activity is as follows (in thousands): Amount Recognized as Comprehensive Income Location of Loss Recognized in Earnings Amount of Loss Recognized in Earnings (1) Three months ended September 30, 2017 $ 172 Interest expense $ (317 ) Three months ended September 30, 2016 $ 1,529 Interest expense $ (602 ) Nine months ended September 30, 2017 $ 124 Interest expense $ (1,266 ) Nine months ended September 30, 2016 $ (6,962 ) Interest expense $ (1,810 ) (1) There was no ineffective portion of our interest rate swaps to recognize in earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 .

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	EARNINGS PER SHARE Basic earnings per share for our common shareholders is calculated by dividing income from continuing operations excluding the net income attributable to unvested restricted common shares and the net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, by our weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing the net income attributable to common shareholders, excluding the net income attributable to unvested restricted common shares and the net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, by the weighted average number of common shares including any dilutive unvested restricted common shares. Certain of our performance-based restricted common shares are considered participating securities that require the use of the two-class method for the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share. During the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , 1,083,647 and 487,090 OP units, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive, and during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , 1,089,876 and 487,510 OP units, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive. For the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , distributions of $152,000 and $158,000 , respectively, were made to holders of certain restricted common shares, $4,000 and $12,000 , respectively, of which were charged against earnings, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , distributions of $356,000 and $510,000 , respectively, were made to holders of certain restricted common shares, $12,000 and $12,000 , respectively, of which were charged against earnings See Note 12 for information related to restricted common shares under the 2008 Plan. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, (in thousands, except per share data) 2017 2016 2017 2016 Numerator: Net income $ 3,140 $ 964 $ 6,841 $ 7,561 Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (147 ) (15 ) (429 ) (131 ) Distributions paid on unvested restricted shares (148 ) (146 ) (344 ) (498 ) Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares $ 2,845 $ 803 $ 6,068 $ 6,932 Denominator: Weighted average number of common shares - basic 37,992 28,195 34,406 27,210 Effect of dilutive securities: Unvested restricted shares 597 829 805 803 Weighted average number of common shares - dilutive 38,589 29,024 35,211 28,013 Earnings Per Share: Basic: Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares $ 0.07 $ 0.03 $ 0.18 $ 0.25 Diluted: Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares $ 0.07 $ 0.03 $ 0.17 $ 0.25

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	INCOME TAXES With the exception of our taxable REIT subsidiaries, federal income taxes are generally not provided because we intend to and believe we qualify as a REIT under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and because we have distributed and intend to continue to distribute all of our taxable income to our shareholders. As a REIT, we must distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income to our shareholders and meet certain income sources and investment restriction requirements. In addition, REITs are subject to a number of organizational and operational requirements. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to federal income tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on our taxable income at regular corporate tax rates. Income earned by our taxable REIT subsidiary, Whitestone Davenport TRS LLC (“Davenport TRS”), is subject to federal income tax. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , we recognized $45,000 in income tax expense related to Davenport TRS taxable year. Davenport TRS was dissolved in the fourth quarter of 2016. We are subject to the Texas Margin Tax, which is computed by applying the applicable tax rate ( 0.75% for us) to the profit margin, which generally will be determined for us as total revenue less a 30% standard deduction. Although the Texas Margin Tax is not an income tax, FASB ASC 740, “ Income Taxes ” applies to the Texas Margin Tax. For the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , we recognized approximately $122,000 and $75,000 in margin tax provision, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , we recognized approximately $292,000 and $237,000 in margin tax provision, respectively.

Equity

Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Equity	EQUITY Common Shares Under our declaration of trust, as amended, we have authority to issue up to 400,000,000 common shares of beneficial interest, $0.001 par value per share, and up to 50,000,000 preferred shares of beneficial interest, $0.001 par value per share. Equity Offerings On April 25, 2017, we completed the sale of 8,018,500 common shares, including 1,018,500 common shares purchased by the underwriters upon exercise of their option to purchase additional common shares, at a public offering price per share of $13.00 (the “April Offering”). Total net proceeds from the April Offering, after deducting offering expenses, were approximately $99.9 million , which we contributed to the Operating Partnership in exchange for OP units. The Operating Partnership used the net proceeds from the April Offering to repay a portion of the Facility and for general corporate purposes, including funding a portion of the purchase price of BLVD Place and Eldorado Plaza. On June 4, 2015, we entered into six amended and restated equity distribution agreements for an at-the-market equity distribution program (the “2015 equity distribution agreements”). Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the 2015 equity distribution agreements, we can issue and sell up to an aggregate of $50 million of our common shares. Actual sales will depend on a variety of factors to be determined by us from time to time, including (among others) market conditions, the trading price of our common shares, capital needs and our determinations of the appropriate sources of funding for us, and will be made in transactions that will be deemed to be “at-the-market” offerings as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act. We have no obligation to sell any of our common shares, and can at any time suspend offers under the 2015 equity distribution agreements or terminate the 2015 equity distribution agreements. We did not sell any common shares under the 2015 equity distribution agreements during the three months ended September 30, 2017 . During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , we sold 567,302 common shares under the 2015 equity distribution agreements, with net proceeds to us of approximately $7.7 million . In connection with such sales, we paid compensation of approximately $139,000 to the sales agents. During the three months ended September 30, 2016 , we sold 1,083,926 common shares under the 2015 equity distribution agreements, with net proceeds to us of approximately $16.1 million . In connection with such sales, we paid compensation of approximately $246,000 to the sales agents. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , we sold 1,819,681 common shares under the 2015 equity distribution agreements, with net proceeds to us of approximately $26.7 million . In connection with such sales, we paid compensation of approximately $408,000 to the sales agents. Operating Partnership Units Substantially all of our business is conducted through our Operating Partnership. We are the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership. As of September 30, 2017 , we owned a 97.3% interest in the Operating Partnership. Limited partners in the Operating Partnership holding OP units have the right to redeem their OP units for cash or, at our option, common shares at a ratio of one OP unit for one common share. Distributions to OP unit holders are paid at the same rate per unit as distributions per share to holders of Whitestone common shares. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , there were 39,487,305 and 30,450,377 OP units outstanding, respectively. We owned 38,403,658 and 29,347,741 OP units as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. The balance of the OP units is owned by third parties, including certain members of our board of trustees. Our weighted average share ownership in the Operating Partnership was approximately 97.3% and 98.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively, and approximately 97.0% and 98.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 . During the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , 0 and 2,434 OP units, respectively, were redeemed for an equal number of c ommon shares, and during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , 18,989 and 15,450 OP units, respectively, were redeemed for an equal number of common shares. Distributions The following table summarizes the cash distributions paid or payable to holders of common shares and to holders of noncontrolling OP units during each quarter during 2016 and the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands, except per share/and per OP unit data): Common Shares Noncontrolling OP Unit Holders Total Quarter Paid Distributions Per Common Share Amount Paid Distributions Per OP Unit Amount Paid Amount Paid 2017 Third Quarter $ 0.2850 $ 10,948 $ 0.2850 $ 309 $ 11,257 Second Quarter 0.2850 10,093 0.2850 310 10,403 First Quarter 0.2850 8,453 0.2850 313 8,766 Total $ 0.8550 $ 29,494 $ 0.8550 $ 932 $ 30,426 2016 Fourth Quarter $ 0.2850 $ 8,305 $ 0.2850 $ 314 $ 8,619 Third Quarter 0.2850 8,109 0.2850 138 8,247 Second Quarter 0.2850 7,786 0.2850 138 7,924 First Quarter 0.2850 7,711 0.2850 139 7,850 Total $ 1.1400 $ 31,911 $ 1.1400 $ 729 $ 32,640

Incentive Share Plan

Incentive Share Plan	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Incentive Share Plan	INCENTIVE SHARE PLAN On July 29, 2008, our shareholders approved the 2008 Plan. On December 22, 2010, our board of trustees amended the 2008 Plan to allow for awards in or related to Class B common shares pursuant to the 2008 Plan. On June 27, 2012, our Class B common shares were redesignated as “common shares.” The 2008 Plan, as amended, provides that awards may be made with respect to common shares of Whitestone or OP units, which may be redeemed for cash or, at our option, common shares of Whitestone. The maximum aggregate number of common shares that may be issued under the 2008 Plan is increased upon each issuance of common shares by Whitestone so that at any time the maximum number of common shares that may be issued under the 2008 Plan shall equal 12.5% of the aggregate number of common shares of Whitestone and OP units issued and outstanding (other than common shares and/or OP units issued to or held by Whitestone). The Compensation Committee of our board of trustees administers the 2008 Plan, except with respect to awards to non-employee trustees, for which the 2008 Plan is administered by our board of trustees. The Compensation Committee is authorized to grant share options, including both incentive share options and non-qualified share options, as well as share appreciation rights, either with or without a related option. The Compensation Committee is also authorized to grant restricted common shares, restricted common share units, performance awards and other share-based awards. On April 2, 2014, the Compensation Committee approved the modification of the vesting provisions with respect to awards of an aggregate of 633,704 restricted common shares and restricted common share units for certain of our employees. The modified time-based shares will vest annually in three equal installments. The modified performance-based restricted common shares and restricted common share units were modified to include performance-based vesting based on achievement of certain absolute financial goals, as well as one to two years of time-based vesting post achievement of financial goals. Continued employment is required through the applicable vesting date. Additionally, 2,049,116 restricted performance-based common share units were granted with the same vesting conditions as the modified performance-based grants described above. If the performance targets are not met prior to December 31, 2018, any unvested performance-based restricted common shares and restricted common share units will be forfeited. The Compensation Committee approved the grant of an aggregate of 320,000 and 143,000 time-based restricted common share units on June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, to James C. Mastandrea and David K. Holeman. On September 6, 2017, the Compensation Committee approved the grant of an aggregate of 267,783 performance-based restricted common share units under the 2008 Plan with market-based vesting conditions (the “TSR Units”) to certain of our employees. Vesting is contingent upon achieving Total Shareholder Return relative to the peer group defined in the TSR Unit award agreements over a three -year performance period. At the end of the performance period, the number of common shares awarded for each vested TSR Unit will vary from 0% to 200% depending on the Company's ranking in the peer group (the “TSR Peer Group Ranking”). Continued employment is required through the vesting date. The grant date fair value for each TSR Unit of $12.37 was determined using the Monte Carlo simulation method and is being recognized as share-based compensation expense ratably from the September 30, 2017 grant date to the end of the performance period, December 31, 2019. The Monte Carlo simulation model utilizes multiple input variables that determine the probability of satisfying the market condition stipulated in the award grant and calculates the fair value of the award. Expected volatilities utilized in the model were estimated using a historical period consistent with the performance period of approximately three years. The risk-free interest rate was based on the United States Treasury rate for a term commensurate with the expected life of the grant. On September 6, 2017, the Compensation Committee approved the grant of an aggregate of 965,000 performance-based restricted common share units under the 2008 Plan which only vest immediately prior to the consummation of a Change in Control (as defined in the 2008 Plan) that occurs on or before September 30, 2024 (the “CIC Units”) to certain of our employees. Continued employment is required through the vesting date. If a Change in Control does not occur on or before September 30, 2024, the CIC Units shall be immediately forfeited. The Company considers a Change in Control on or before September 30, 2024 to be improbable, and no expense has been recognized for the CIC Units. If a Change in Control occurs, any outstanding CIC Units would be expensed immediately on the date of the Change in Control using the grant date fair value. The grant date fair value for each CIC Unit of $13.05 was determined based on the Company's closing share price on the grant date. A summary of the share-based incentive plan activity as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 is as follows: Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Non-vested at January 1, 2017 2,044,334 $ 14.48 Granted 1,335,933 12.90 Vested (399,005 ) 14.62 Forfeited (31,883 ) 14.43 Non-vested at September 30, 2017 2,949,379 $ 13.74 Available for grant at September 30, 2017 775,050 A summary of our non-vested and vested shares activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 is presented below: Shares Granted Shares Vested Non-Vested Shares Issued Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Vested Shares Total Vest-Date Fair Value (in thousands) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 1,335,933 $ 12.90 (399,005 ) $ 5,832 Year Ended December 31, 2016 545,778 $ 14.85 (734,261 ) $ 10,577 Year Ended December 31, 2015 327,122 $ 13.49 (348,786 ) $ 4,969 Year Ended December 31, 2014 2,058,930 $ 14.40 (133,774 ) $ 1,721 Total compensation recognized in earnings for share-based payments was $2,704,000 and $3,042,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively, and $7,545,000 and $6,886,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Based on our current financial projections, we expect approximately 83% of the unvested awards, exclusive of 965,000 CIC Units, to vest over the next 27 months. As of September 30, 2017 , there was approximately $2.8 million in unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding non-vested performance-based shares, which are expected to vest over a period of 18 months, $3.1 million in unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding non-vested TSR Units, which are expected to vest over a period of 27 months and approximately $2.1 million in unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding non-vested time-based shares, which are expected to be recognized over a period of approximately six months beginning on October 1, 2017. We expect to record approximately $10.0 million in non-cash share-based compensation expense in 2017 and $5.5 million subsequent to 2017. The unrecognized share-based compensation cost is expected to vest over a weighted average period of 18 months. The dilutive impact of the performance-based shares will be included in the denominator of the earnings per share calculation beginning in the period that the performance conditions are expected to be met. The dilutive impact of the TSR Units is based on the Company's TSR Peer Group Ranking as of the reporting date and weighted according to the number of days outstanding in the period. As of September 30, 2017, the TSR Peer Group Ranking called for 200% attainment. The dilutive impact of the CIC Units is based on the probability of a Change in Control. Because the Company considers a Change in Control on or before September 30, 2024 to be improbable, no CIC Units are included in the Company's dilutive shares. At our annual meeting of shareholders on May 11, 2017, our shareholders voted to approve the 2018 Long-Term Equity Incentive Ownership Plan (the “2018 Plan”). The 2018 Plan provides for the issuance of up to 3,433,831 common shares and OP units pursuant to awards under the 2018 Plan. The 2018 Plan will become effective on July 30, 2018, which is the day after the 2008 Plan expires.

Grants to Trustees

Grants to Trustees	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Grants to Trustees [Abstract]
Grants To Trustees	GRANTS TO TRUSTEES On December 21, 2016, each of our four independent trustees and one trustee emeritus were granted 1,500 common shares, which vested immediately. The 7,500 common shares granted to our trustees had a grant date fair value of $14.07 per share. On December 21, 2016, two of our independent trustees elected to receive a total of 3,128 common shares with a grant date fair value of $14.07 in lieu of cash for board fees. The fair values of the shares granted were determined using quoted prices available on the date of grant.

Segment Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	SEGMENT INFORMATION Historically, our management has not differentiated results of operations by property type or location and, therefore, does not present segment information.

Real Estate

Real Estate	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Real Estate [Abstract]
Real Estate	REAL ESTATE Property acquisitions. On May 26, 2017, we acquired BLVD Place, a property that meets our Community Centered Property ® strategy, for $158.0 million , including $80.0 million of asset level mortgage financing and $78.0 million in cash and net prorations using borrowings under our Facility and a portion of the net proceeds from the April Offering. BLVD Place, a 216,944 square foot property, was 99% leased at the time of purchase and is located in Houston, Texas. Included in the purchase of BLVD Place is approximately 1.43 acres of developable land. On May 3, 2017, we acquired Eldorado Plaza, a property that meets our Community Centered Property ® strategy, for $46.6 million in cash and net prorations using borrowings under our Facility and a portion of the net proceeds from the April Offering. Eldorado Plaza, a 221,577 square foot property, was 96% leased at the time of purchase and is located in McKinney, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, Texas. On September 30, 2016, we acquired La Mirada and Seville, properties that meet our Community Centered Property ® strategy, for 621,053 OP units and $60.7 million in cash and net prorations. The OP units are redeemable for cash or, at our option, Whitestone REIT common shares on a one -for- one basis, subject to certain restrictions. La Mirada, a 147,209 square foot property, was 90% leased at the time of purchase. Seville, a 90,042 square foot property, was 88% leased at the time of purchase. Both properties are located in Scottsdale, Arizona. Unaudited pro forma financial information. The following unaudited pro forma consolidated operating data is presented for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , as if the acquisition of BLVD Place had occurred on January 1, 2016. Revenue and net income attributable to BLVD Place of $3.9 million and $2.1 million , respectively, have been included in our results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2017 , and revenue and net income attributable to BLVD Place of $5.4 million and $3.0 million , respectively, have been included in our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 . The related acquisition expenses of $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 have been reflected as a pro forma expense as of January 1, 2016. The unaudited pro forma consolidated operating data is not necessarily indicative of what the actual results of operations of the Company would have been, assuming the transaction had been completed as set forth above, nor do they purport to represent the Company's results of operations for future periods. Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (in thousands, except per share data) 2017 2016 2017 2016 Total property revenues $ 33,653 $ 29,051 $ 97,924 $ 86,701 Net income $ 3,140 $ 1,717 $ 9,079 $ 10,588 Net income attributable to Whitestone REIT (1) $ 2,993 $ 1,689 $ 8,582 $ 10,405 Basic Earnings Per Share: $ 0.07 $ 0.04 $ 0.22 $ 0.28 Diluted Earnings Per Share: $ 0.07 $ 0.04 $ 0.21 $ 0.27 Weighted-average common shares outstanding: Basic (2) 37,992 36,214 37,755 35,229 Diluted (2) 38,589 37,043 38,560 36,032 (1) Net income attributable to Whitestone REIT reflects historical ownership percentages and does not reflect the effects of the April Offering, assuming the sale of the common shares took place on January 1, 2016, as the related impact on ownership percentage is minimal. (2) Pro forma weighted averages reflect the April Offering, assuming the sale of the common shares took place on January 1, 2016. Development properties. As of March 31, 2017, we had substantially completed construction at our Pinnacle of Scottsdale Phase II property. As of September 30, 2017, we had incurred approximately $5.2 million in construction costs, including approximately $0.5 million in previously capitalized interest and real estate taxes. The 27,063 square foot Community Centered Property ® was 91% leased as of September 30, 2017 and is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and adjacent to Pinnacle of Scottsdale. On December 31, 2016, we had substantially completed construction at our Shops at Starwood Phase III property. As of September 30, 2017, we had incurred approximately $8.0 million in construction costs, including approximately $0.9 million in previously capitalized interest and real estate taxes. The 35,351 square foot Community Centered Property ® was 63% leased as of September 30, 2017 and is located in Frisco, Texas, a northern suburb of Dallas, Texas, and adjacent to Shops at Starwood. Property dispositions. On March 3, 2016, we completed the sale of Brookhill, located in Houston, Texas, for $3.1 million . This disposition was pursuant to our strategy of recycling capital by disposing of non-core properties, primarily properties that we owned at the time our current management team assumed the management of the Company, that do not fit our Community Centered Property ® strategy. We recorded a gain on sale of $1.9 million . The sale was structured as a like-kind exchange within the meaning of Section 1031 of the Code and sales proceeds were deposited into a Section 1031 exchange escrow account with a qualified intermediary and subsequently distributed for general corporate purposes. We have not included Brookhill in discontinued operations as it did not meet the definition of discontinued operations. On February 17, 2016, we completed the sale of approximately 0.5 acres of our 4.5 acre Pinnacle Phase II development parcel, located in Scottsdale, Arizona, for $1.1 million . We recorded a gain on sale of $1.0 million .

Summary of Significant Accoun22

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Consolidation	Basis of Consolidation. We are the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership and possess full legal control and authority over the operations of the Operating Partnership. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , we owned a majority of the partnership interests in the Operating Partnership. Consequently, the accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Operating Partnership. We also consolidate a variable interest entity (“VIE”) when we are determined to be the primary beneficiary. Determination of the primary beneficiary is based on whether an entity has (1) the power to direct activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Our determination of the primary beneficiary considers all relationships between us and the VIE, including management and other contractual agreements. See Note 6 for additional disclosure on our VIE. Noncontrolling interest in the accompanying consolidated financial statements represents the share of equity and earnings of the Operating Partnership allocable to holders of partnership interests other than us. Net income or loss is allocated to noncontrolling interests based on the weighted-average percentage ownership of the Operating Partnership during the period. Issuance of additional common shares of beneficial interest in Whitestone (the “common shares”) and units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership that are convertible into cash or, at our option, common shares on a one -for- one basis (the “OP units”) changes the percentage of ownership interests of both the noncontrolling interests and Whitestone.
Basis of Accounting	Basis of Accounting. Our financial records are maintained on the accrual basis of accounting whereby revenues are recognized when earned and expenses are recorded when incurred.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates that we use include the estimated fair values of properties acquired, the estimated useful lives for depreciable and amortizable assets and costs, the estimated allowance for doubtful accounts, the estimated fair value of interest rate swaps and the estimates supporting our impairment analysis for the carrying values of our real estate assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications. We have reclassified certain prior period amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements in order to be consistent with the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on net income, total assets, total liabilities or equity.
Marketable Securities	Marketable Securities. We classify our existing marketable equity securities as available-for-sale in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (“FASB”) Investments-Debt and Equity Securities guidance. These securities are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. The fair value of the marketable securities is determined using Level 1 inputs under FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, “ Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures .” Level 1 inputs represent quoted prices available in an active market for identical investments as of the reporting date. Gains and losses on securities sold are based on the specific identification method, and are reported as a component of interest, dividend and other investment income.
Restricted Cash	Restricted Cash. We classify all cash pledged as collateral to secure certain obligations and all cash whose use is limited as restricted cash. During 2015, pursuant to the terms of our $15.1 million 4.99% Note, due January 6, 2024 (see Note 7), which is collateralized by our Anthem Marketplace property, we were required by the lenders thereunder to establish a cash management account controlled by the lenders to collect all amounts generated by our Anthem Marketplace property in order to collateralize such promissory note. As a result, these amounts are reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows under cash flows from financing activities as change in restricted cash.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. We utilize derivative financial instruments, principally interest rate swaps, to manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. We have established policies and procedures for risk assessment, and the approval, reporting and monitoring of derivative financial instruments. We recognize our interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges with the effective portion of the changes in fair value recorded in comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged transaction affects earnings. Any ineffective portion of a cash flow hedges' change in fair value is recorded immediately into earnings. Our cash flow hedges are determined using Level 2 inputs under ASC 820. Level 2 inputs represent quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable. As of September 30, 2017 , we consider our cash flow hedges to be highly effective.
Development Properties	Development Properties. Land, buildings and improvements are recorded at cost. Expenditures related to the development of real estate are carried at cost which includes capitalized carrying charges and development costs. Carrying charges (interest, real estate taxes, loan fees, and direct and indirect development costs related to buildings under construction), are capitalized as part of construction in progress. The capitalization of such costs ceases when the property, or any completed portion, becomes available for occupancy. For the three months ended September 30, 2017 , approximately $146,000 and $96,000 in interest expense and real estate taxes, respectively, were capitalized, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , approximately $302,000 and $189,000 in interest expense and real estate taxes, respectively, were capitalized. For the three months ended September 30, 2016 , approximately $103,000 and $16,000 in interest expense and real estate taxes, respectively, were capitalized, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , approximately $235,000 and $48,000 in interest expense and real estate taxes, respectively, were capitalized.
Real Estate Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations	Real Estate Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations. We consider a commercial property to be held for sale when it meets all of the criteria established under ASC 205, “Presentation of Financial Statements.” For commercial properties classified as held for sale, assets and liabilities are presented separately for all periods presented. In accordance with ASC 205, a discontinued operation may include a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity. A disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity is reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results when the component of an entity or group of components of an entity is classified as held for sale, disposed of by sale or disposed of other than by sale, respectively. In addition, ASC 205 requires us to provide additional disclosures about both discontinued operations and the disposal of an individually significant component of an entity that does not meet the criteria for a discontinued operation.
Share-Based Compensation	Share-Based Compensation. From time to time, we award nonvested restricted common share awards or restricted common share unit awards, which may be converted into common shares, to executive officers and employees under our 2008 Long-Term Equity Incentive Ownership Plan (the “2008 Plan”). The vast majority of the awarded shares and units vest when certain performance conditions are met. We recognize compensation expense when achievement of the performance conditions is probable based on management's most recent estimates using the fair value of the shares as of the grant date. We recognized $2,704,000 and $3,042,000 in share-based compensation for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively, and we recognized $7,545,000 and $6,886,000 in share-based compensation for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively.
Noncontrolling Interests	Noncontrolling Interests. Noncontrolling interests is the portion of equity in a subsidiary not attributable to a parent. The ownership interests not held by the parent are considered noncontrolling interests. Accordingly, we have reported noncontrolling interests in equity on the consolidated balance sheets but separate from Whitestone's equity. On the consolidated statements of operations, subsidiaries are reported at the consolidated amount, including both the amount attributable to Whitestone and noncontrolling interests. The consolidated statement of changes in equity is included for quarterly financial statements, including beginning balances, activity for the period and ending balances for shareholders' equity, noncontrolling interests and total equity.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements . In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance requiring lessees to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for all leases. Lessor accounting will remain largely unchanged with the exception of changes related to costs which qualify as initial direct costs. The guidance will also require new qualitative and quantitative disclosures to help financial statement users better understand the timing, amount and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This guidance will be effective for reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance and its impact on our consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance simplifying the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, balance sheet classification of awards and the classification on the statement of cash flows. We have adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2017. The main provision regarding excess tax benefits did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements due to our status as a REIT for taxation purposes. We have elected to continue estimating the number of shares expected to vest in order to determine compensation cost, and we will continue to classify cash paid by us for employee taxes when common shares were repurchased to cover minimum statutory requirements as financing activity. In November 2016, the FASB issued guidance requiring that the statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. This guidance will become effective for the reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance and its impact on our consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance clarifying the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. This guidance will become effective for the reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance and its impact on our consolidated financial statements. In February 2017, the FASB issued guidance clarifying the scope of asset derecognition guidance, adds guidance for partial sales of nonfinancial assets and clarifies recognizing gains and losses from the transfer of nonfinancial assets in contracts with noncustomers. This guidance will become effective for the reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance and its impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Marketable Securities (Tables)

Marketable Securities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Schedule of Available-for-Sale Securities	All of our marketable securities were classified as available-for-sale securities as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 . Available-for-sale securities consisted of the following (in thousands): September 30, 2017 Amortized Cost Gains in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Losses in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Estimated Fair Value Real estate sector common stock $ 353 $ — $ (111 ) $ 242 Total available-for-sale securities $ 353 $ — $ (111 ) $ 242 December 31, 2016 Amortized Cost Gains in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Losses in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Estimated Fair Value Real estate sector common stock $ 654 $ — $ (137 ) $ 517 Total available-for-sale securities $ 654 $ — $ (137 ) $ 517

Accrued Rents and Accounts Re24

Accrued Rents and Accounts Receivable, Net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Receivables [Abstract]
Schedule of Accrued Rent and Accounts Receivable, Net	Accrued rents and accounts receivable, net consists of amounts accrued, billed and due from tenants, allowance for doubtful accounts and other receivables as follows (in thousands): September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Tenant receivables $ 14,420 $ 12,972 Accrued rents and other recoveries 15,996 14,237 Allowance for doubtful accounts (8,204 ) (7,258 ) Total $ 22,212 $ 19,951

Unamortized Leasing Commissio25

Unamortized Leasing Commissions, Legal Fees and Loan Costs (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Unamortized Leasing Comissions and Loan Costs	Costs which have been deferred consist of the following (in thousands): September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Leasing commissions $ 10,263 $ 8,720 Deferred legal cost 326 — Deferred financing cost 4,071 4,071 Total cost 14,660 12,791 Less: leasing commissions accumulated amortization (4,394 ) (3,597 ) Less: deferred legal cost accumulated amortization (45 ) — Less: deferred financing cost accumulated amortization (1,824 ) (1,111 ) Total cost, net of accumulated amortization $ 8,397 $ 8,083

Variable Interest Entities (Tab

Variable Interest Entities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of Variable Interest Entities	The carrying amounts and classification of certain assets and liabilities for Pillarstone OP in our consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 consists of the following (in thousands): September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Real estate assets, at cost Property $ 93,505 $ 92,338 Accumulated depreciation (35,089 ) (32,533 ) Total real estate assets 58,416 59,805 Cash and cash equivalents 2,246 1,236 Escrows and acquisition deposits 2,087 2,274 Accrued rents and accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts (1) 2,556 2,313 Unamortized lease commissions and loan costs 1,180 1,150 Prepaid expenses and other assets (2) 130 82 Total assets $ 66,615 $ 66,860 Liabilities Notes payable (3) $ 49,137 $ 50,001 Accounts payable and accrued expenses (4) 3,480 3,481 Tenants' security deposits 1,129 996 Distributions payable (5) 112 — Total liabilities $ 53,858 $ 54,478 (1) Excludes approximately $2.1 million and $0.5 million in accounts receivable due from Whitestone that were eliminated in consolidation as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. (2) Excludes approximately $0.9 million in prepaid expenses due from Whitestone that were eliminated in consolidation as of December 31, 2016 . (3) Excludes approximately $15.5 million and $15.5 million in notes payable due to Whitestone that were eliminated in consolidation as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. (4) Excludes approximately $1.3 million and $0.3 million in accounts payable due to Whitestone that were eliminated in consolidation as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. (5) Excludes approximately $0.5 million in distributions payable to Whitestone that were eliminated in consolidation as of September 30, 2017 .

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt	Debt consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (in thousands): Description September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Fixed rate notes $10.5 million, LIBOR plus 2.00% Note, due September 24, 2018 (1) $ 9,800 $ 9,980 $50.0 million, 0.84% plus 1.35% to 1.90% Note, due October 30, 2020 (2) 50,000 50,000 $50.0 million, 1.50% plus 1.35% to 1.90% Note, due January 29, 2021 (3) 50,000 50,000 $100.0 million, 1.73% plus 1.65% to 2.25% Note, due October 30, 2022 (4) 100,000 100,000 $80.0 million, 3.72% Note, due June 1, 2027 80,000 — $37.0 million 3.76% Note, due December 1, 2020 (5) 33,406 34,166 $6.5 million 3.80% Note, due January 1, 2019 5,887 6,019 $19.0 million 4.15% Note, due December 1, 2024 19,000 19,000 $20.2 million 4.28% Note, due June 6, 2023 19,449 19,708 $14.0 million 4.34% Note, due September 11, 2024 14,000 14,000 $14.3 million 4.34% Note, due September 11, 2024 14,300 14,300 $16.5 million 4.97% Note, due September 26, 2023 (5) 16,119 16,298 $15.1 million 4.99% Note, due January 6, 2024 14,919 15,060 $9.2 million, Prime Rate less 2.00% Note, due December 29, 2017 (6) 7,844 7,869 $2.6 million 5.46% Note, due October 1, 2023 2,483 2,512 $1.1 million 2.97% Note, due November 28, 2017 217 — Floating rate notes Unsecured line of credit, LIBOR plus 1.40% to 1.95%, due October 30, 2019 (7) 227,200 186,600 Total notes payable principal 664,624 545,512 Less deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization (1,949 ) (1,492 ) Total notes payable $ 662,675 $ 544,020 (1) Promissory note includes an interest rate swap that fixed the interest rate at 3.55% for the duration of the term. (2) Promissory note includes an interest rate swap that fixed the LIBOR portion of Term Loan 1 (as defined below) at 0.84% through February 3, 2017 and 1.75% beginning February 3, 2017 through October 30, 2020. (3) Promissory note includes an interest rate swap that fixed the LIBOR portion of Term Loan 2 (as defined below) at 1.50% . (4) Promissory note includes an interest rate swap that fixed the LIBOR portion of Term Loan 3 (as defined below) at 1.73% , (5) Promissory notes were assumed by Pillarstone in December 2016. (6) Promissory note includes an interest rate swap that fixed the interest rate at 5.72% for the duration of the term. As part of our acquisition of Paradise Plaza in August 2012, we recorded a discount on the note of $1.3 million , which amortizes into interest expense over the life of the loan and results in an imputed interest rate of 4.13% . (7) Unsecured line of credit includes certain Pillarstone Properties (as defined and described in more detail below) in determining the amount of credit available under the Facility (as defined and described in more detail below).
Schedule of Maturities of Debt	Scheduled maturities of our outstanding debt as of September 30, 2017 were as follows (in thousands): Year Amount Due 2017 $ 8,767 2018 12,136 2019 235,249 2020 82,827 2021 51,918 Thereafter 273,727 Total $ 664,624

Derivatives and Hedging Activ28

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of activity and fair value of interest rate swaps	The fair value of our interest rate swaps is as follows (in thousands): Balance Sheet Location Estimated Fair Value Interest rate swaps: September 30, 2017 Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ (1,050 ) December 31, 2016 Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ (662 ) A summary of our interest rate swap activity is as follows (in thousands): Amount Recognized as Comprehensive Income Location of Loss Recognized in Earnings Amount of Loss Recognized in Earnings (1) Three months ended September 30, 2017 $ 172 Interest expense $ (317 ) Three months ended September 30, 2016 $ 1,529 Interest expense $ (602 ) Nine months ended September 30, 2017 $ 124 Interest expense $ (1,266 ) Nine months ended September 30, 2016 $ (6,962 ) Interest expense $ (1,810 ) (1) There was no ineffective portion of our interest rate swaps to recognize in earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 .

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, (in thousands, except per share data) 2017 2016 2017 2016 Numerator: Net income $ 3,140 $ 964 $ 6,841 $ 7,561 Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (147 ) (15 ) (429 ) (131 ) Distributions paid on unvested restricted shares (148 ) (146 ) (344 ) (498 ) Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares $ 2,845 $ 803 $ 6,068 $ 6,932 Denominator: Weighted average number of common shares - basic 37,992 28,195 34,406 27,210 Effect of dilutive securities: Unvested restricted shares 597 829 805 803 Weighted average number of common shares - dilutive 38,589 29,024 35,211 28,013 Earnings Per Share: Basic: Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares $ 0.07 $ 0.03 $ 0.18 $ 0.25 Diluted: Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares $ 0.07 $ 0.03 $ 0.17 $ 0.25

Equity (Tables)

Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Schedule of Distributions	The following table summarizes the cash distributions paid or payable to holders of common shares and to holders of noncontrolling OP units during each quarter during 2016 and the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands, except per share/and per OP unit data): Common Shares Noncontrolling OP Unit Holders Total Quarter Paid Distributions Per Common Share Amount Paid Distributions Per OP Unit Amount Paid Amount Paid 2017 Third Quarter $ 0.2850 $ 10,948 $ 0.2850 $ 309 $ 11,257 Second Quarter 0.2850 10,093 0.2850 310 10,403 First Quarter 0.2850 8,453 0.2850 313 8,766 Total $ 0.8550 $ 29,494 $ 0.8550 $ 932 $ 30,426 2016 Fourth Quarter $ 0.2850 $ 8,305 $ 0.2850 $ 314 $ 8,619 Third Quarter 0.2850 8,109 0.2850 138 8,247 Second Quarter 0.2850 7,786 0.2850 138 7,924 First Quarter 0.2850 7,711 0.2850 139 7,850 Total $ 1.1400 $ 31,911 $ 1.1400 $ 729 $ 32,640

Incentive Share Plan (Tables)

Incentive Share Plan (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Share-Based Incentive Plan Activity	A summary of the share-based incentive plan activity as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 is as follows: Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Non-vested at January 1, 2017 2,044,334 $ 14.48 Granted 1,335,933 12.90 Vested (399,005 ) 14.62 Forfeited (31,883 ) 14.43 Non-vested at September 30, 2017 2,949,379 $ 13.74 Available for grant at September 30, 2017 775,050
Schedule of Nonvested and Vested Shares Activity	A summary of our non-vested and vested shares activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 is presented below: Shares Granted Shares Vested Non-Vested Shares Issued Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Vested Shares Total Vest-Date Fair Value (in thousands) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 1,335,933 $ 12.90 (399,005 ) $ 5,832 Year Ended December 31, 2016 545,778 $ 14.85 (734,261 ) $ 10,577 Year Ended December 31, 2015 327,122 $ 13.49 (348,786 ) $ 4,969 Year Ended December 31, 2014 2,058,930 $ 14.40 (133,774 ) $ 1,721

Real Estate (Tables)

Real Estate (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Real Estate [Abstract]
Unaudited pro forma financial information	The unaudited pro forma consolidated operating data is not necessarily indicative of what the actual results of operations of the Company would have been, assuming the transaction had been completed as set forth above, nor do they purport to represent the Company's results of operations for future periods. Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (in thousands, except per share data) 2017 2016 2017 2016 Total property revenues $ 33,653 $ 29,051 $ 97,924 $ 86,701 Net income $ 3,140 $ 1,717 $ 9,079 $ 10,588 Net income attributable to Whitestone REIT (1) $ 2,993 $ 1,689 $ 8,582 $ 10,405 Basic Earnings Per Share: $ 0.07 $ 0.04 $ 0.22 $ 0.28 Diluted Earnings Per Share: $ 0.07 $ 0.04 $ 0.21 $ 0.27 Weighted-average common shares outstanding: Basic (2) 37,992 36,214 37,755 35,229 Diluted (2) 38,589 37,043 38,560 36,032 (1) Net income attributable to Whitestone REIT reflects historical ownership percentages and does not reflect the effects of the April Offering, assuming the sale of the common shares took place on January 1, 2016, as the related impact on ownership percentage is minimal. (2) Pro forma weighted averages reflect the April Offering, assuming the sale of the common shares took place on January 1, 2016.

Interim Financial Statements (D

Interim Financial Statements (Details)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2004	Sep. 30, 2017property	Dec. 31, 2016property
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Reorganization and conversion, number of common shares (in shares)	1.42857
Wholly Owned Properties [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties		72	69
Consolidated Properties [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties		14
Pillarstone Variable Interest Entity
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Ownership percentage		81.40%
Retail Site [Member] | Wholly Owned Properties [Member] | Community Centered Properties™ [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties		51
Retail Site [Member] | Wholly Owned Properties [Member] | Community Centered Properties™ [Member] | Redevelopment, New Acquisitions Portfolio [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties		2
Land [Member] | Wholly Owned Properties [Member] | Parcels Held for Future Development [Member] | Redevelopment, New Acquisitions Portfolio [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties		5

Summary of Significant Accoun34

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Conversion basis for common shares to OP units (in shares)	1		1
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense capitalized	$ 146,000	$ 103,000	$ 302,000	$ 235,000
Real estate tax capitalized	96,000	16,000	189,000	48,000
Share-based compensation	2,704,000	$ 3,042,000	7,545,000	$ 6,886,000
Anthem Marketplace Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of debt	$ 15,100,000		$ 15,100,000
Stated interest rate	4.99%		4.99%

Marketable Securities (Details)

Marketable Securities (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		$ 353,000		$ 353,000		$ 654,000
Gains in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income		0		0		0
Losses in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income		(111,000)		(111,000)		(137,000)
Estimated Fair Value	[1]	242,000		242,000		517,000
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities		306,000	$ 0	306,000	$ 0
Gross realized gain		5,000
Net unrealized holding loss on available-for-sale securities				(111,000)	$ (198,000)
Real Estate Common Stock [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		353,000		353,000		654,000
Gains in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income		0		0		0
Losses in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income		(111,000)		(111,000)		(137,000)
Estimated Fair Value		$ 242,000		$ 242,000		$ 517,000
[1]	Assets of consolidated Variable Interest Entities included in the total assets

Accrued Rents and Accounts Re36

Accrued Rents and Accounts Receivable, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Receivables [Abstract]
Tenant receivables		$ 14,420	$ 12,972
Accrued rents and other recoveries		15,996	14,237
Allowance for doubtful accounts		(8,204)	(7,258)
Total	[1]	$ 22,212	$ 19,951
[1]	Assets of consolidated Variable Interest Entities included in the total assets

Unamortized Leasing Commissio37

Unamortized Leasing Commissions, Legal Fees and Loan Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Leasing commissions		$ 10,263	$ 8,720
Deferred legal cost		326	0
Deferred financing cost		4,071	4,071
Total cost		14,660	12,791
Less: leasing commissions accumulated amortization		(4,394)	(3,597)
Less: deferred legal cost accumulated amortization		(45)	0
Less: deferred financing cost accumulated amortization		(1,824)	(1,111)
Total cost, net of accumulated amortization	[1]	$ 8,397	$ 8,083
[1]	Assets of consolidated Variable Interest Entities included in the total assets

Variable Interest Entities (Det

Variable Interest Entities (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		Dec. 08, 2016USD ($)propertysubsidiary$ / shares	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)		Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)		Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Real estate assets, at cost
Property	[1]		$ 1,144,558		$ 920,310
Accumulated depreciation	[1]		(124,268)		(107,258)
Total real estate assets	[1]		1,020,290		813,052
Cash and cash equivalents			6,338	[1]	4,168	[1]	$ 8,786	$ 2,587
Escrows and acquisition deposits	[1]		9,116		6,620
Accrued rents and accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	[1]		22,212		19,951
Unamortized lease commissions and loan costs	[1]		8,397		8,083
Prepaid expenses and other assets	[1]		3,448		2,762
Total assets	[1]		1,070,148		855,209
Liabilities:
Notes payable	[2]		662,675		544,020
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	[2]		35,041		28,692
Tenants' security deposits	[2]		6,746		6,125
Dividends and distributions payable	[2]		11,401		8,729
Total liabilities	[2]		$ 715,863		587,566
Pillarstone Variable Interest Entity
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Number of wholly-owned subsidiaries contributed to variable interest entity | subsidiary		4
Number of non-core properties contributed to variable interest entity | property		14
Consideration amount		$ 84,000
Consideration, limited partnership interest		$ 18,100
Consideration, limited partnership interest (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 1.331
Liabilities assumed		$ 65,900
OP unit purchase agreement amount		$ 3,000
OP unit purchase agreement unit price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 1.331
OP unit purchase agreement term		2 years
Monthly property management fee		5.00%
Monthly asset management fee		0.125%
Ownership percentage			81.40%
Real estate assets, at cost
Property			$ 93,505		92,338
Accumulated depreciation			(35,089)		(32,533)
Total real estate assets			58,416		59,805
Cash and cash equivalents			2,246		1,236
Escrows and acquisition deposits			2,087		2,274
Accrued rents and accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts			2,556		2,313
Unamortized lease commissions and loan costs			1,180		1,150
Prepaid expenses and other assets			130		82
Total assets			66,615		66,860
Liabilities:
Notes payable			49,137		50,001
Accounts payable and accrued expenses			3,480		3,481
Tenants' security deposits			1,129		996
Dividends and distributions payable			112		0
Total liabilities			53,858		54,478
Pillarstone Variable Interest Entity | Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Real estate assets, at cost
Accrued rents and accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts			2,100		500
Prepaid expenses and other assets					900
Liabilities:
Notes payable			15,500		15,500
Accounts payable and accrued expenses			1,300		$ 300
Dividends and distributions payable			$ 500
Pillarstone Variable Interest Entity | Uptown Tower [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Monthly property management fee		3.00%
Monthly asset management fee		0.125%
Pillarstone Variable Interest Entity | Line of Credit [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Liabilities assumed		$ 15,500
Pillarstone Variable Interest Entity | Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member] | Uptown Tower Promissory Note [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Liabilities assumed		16,300
Pillarstone Variable Interest Entity | Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member] | Industrial-Office Promissory Note [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Liabilities assumed		$ 34,100
[1]	Assets of consolidated Variable Interest Entities included in the total assets
[2]	Liabilities of consolidated Variable Interest Entities included in the total liabilities

Debt (Schedule of Debt) (Detail

Debt (Schedule of Debt) (Details) - USD ($)	Nov. 07, 2014	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2014	May 26, 2017	Feb. 03, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Aug. 08, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total notes payable principal		$ 664,624,000					$ 545,512,000
Less deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization		(1,949,000)					(1,492,000)
Total notes payable		662,675,000					544,020,000
Fixed rate notes | $10.5 million, LIBOR plus 2.00% Note, due September 24, 2018 | LIBOR Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total notes payable principal		9,800,000					9,980,000
Face amount of debt		$ 10,500,000					10,500,000
Basis spread on variable rate		2.00%	2.00%
Fixed rate notes | $50.0 million, 0.84% plus 1.35% to 1.90% Note, due October 30, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total notes payable principal		$ 50,000,000					50,000,000
Face amount of debt							$ 50,000,000	$ 50,000,000
Imputed interest rate							0.84%	0.84%
Fixed rate notes | $50.0 million, 0.84% plus 1.35% to 1.90% Note, due October 30, 2020 | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate			1.35%	1.35%
Fixed rate notes | $50.0 million, 0.84% plus 1.35% to 1.90% Note, due October 30, 2020 | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate			1.90%	1.90%
Fixed rate notes | $50.0 million, 1.50% plus 1.35% to 1.90% Note, due January 29, 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total notes payable principal		50,000,000					$ 50,000,000
Face amount of debt							$ 50,000,000	$ 50,000,000
Imputed interest rate							1.50%	1.50%
Fixed rate notes | $50.0 million, 1.50% plus 1.35% to 1.90% Note, due January 29, 2021 | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate			1.35%	1.35%
Fixed rate notes | $50.0 million, 1.50% plus 1.35% to 1.90% Note, due January 29, 2021 | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate			1.90%	1.90%
Fixed rate notes | $100.0 million, 1.73% plus 1.65% to 2.25% Note, due October 30, 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total notes payable principal		100,000,000					$ 100,000,000
Face amount of debt							$ 100,000,000	$ 100,000,000
Imputed interest rate							1.73%	1.73%
Fixed rate notes | $100.0 million, 1.73% plus 1.65% to 2.25% Note, due October 30, 2022 | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate			1.65%	1.65%
Fixed rate notes | $100.0 million, 1.73% plus 1.65% to 2.25% Note, due October 30, 2022 | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate			2.25%	2.25%
Fixed rate notes | $80.0 million, 3.72% Note, due June 1, 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total notes payable principal		$ 80,000,000					$ 0
Stated interest rate		3.72%			3.72%		3.72%
Face amount of debt		$ 80,000,000			$ 80,000,000		$ 80,000,000
Fixed rate notes | $37.0 million 3.76% Note, due December 1, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total notes payable principal		$ 33,406,000					$ 34,166,000
Stated interest rate		3.76%					3.76%
Face amount of debt		$ 37,000,000					$ 37,000,000
Fixed rate notes | $6.5 million 3.80% Note, due January 1, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total notes payable principal		$ 5,887,000					$ 6,019,000
Stated interest rate		3.80%					3.80%
Face amount of debt		$ 6,500,000					$ 6,500,000
Fixed rate notes | $19.0 million 4.15% Note, due December 1, 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total notes payable principal		$ 19,000,000					$ 19,000,000
Stated interest rate		4.15%					4.15%
Face amount of debt		$ 19,000,000					$ 19,000,000
Fixed rate notes | $20.2 million 4.28% Note, due June 6, 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total notes payable principal		$ 19,449,000					$ 19,708,000
Stated interest rate		4.28%					4.28%
Face amount of debt		$ 20,200,000					$ 20,200,000
Fixed rate notes | $14.0 million 4.34% Note, due September 11, 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total notes payable principal		$ 14,000,000					$ 14,000,000
Stated interest rate		4.34%					4.34%
Face amount of debt		$ 14,000,000					$ 14,000,000
Fixed rate notes | $14.3 million 4.34% Note, due September 11, 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total notes payable principal		$ 14,300,000					$ 14,300,000
Stated interest rate		4.34%					4.34%
Face amount of debt		$ 14,300,000					$ 14,300,000
Fixed rate notes | $16.5 million 4.97% Note, due September 26, 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total notes payable principal		$ 16,119,000					$ 16,298,000
Stated interest rate		4.97%					4.97%
Face amount of debt		$ 16,500,000					$ 16,500,000
Fixed rate notes | $15.1 million 4.99% Note, due January 6, 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total notes payable principal		$ 14,919,000					$ 15,060,000
Stated interest rate		4.99%					4.99%
Face amount of debt		$ 15,100,000					$ 15,100,000
Fixed rate notes | $9.2 million, Prime Rate less 2.00% Note, due December 29, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized discount									$ 1,300,000
Imputed interest rate									4.13%
Fixed rate notes | $9.2 million, Prime Rate less 2.00% Note, due December 29, 2017 | Prime Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total notes payable principal		7,844,000					7,869,000
Face amount of debt		$ 9,200,000					9,200,000
Basis spread on variable rate		2.00%	2.00%
Fixed rate notes | $2.6 million 5.46% Note, due October 1, 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total notes payable principal		$ 2,483,000					$ 2,512,000
Stated interest rate		5.46%					5.46%
Face amount of debt		$ 2,600,000					$ 2,600,000
Fixed rate notes | $1.1 million 2.97% Note, due November 28, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total notes payable principal		$ 217,000					$ 0
Stated interest rate		2.97%					2.97%
Face amount of debt		$ 1,100,000					$ 1,100,000
Floating rate notes | Unsecured line of credit, LIBOR plus 1.40% to 1.95%, due October 30, 2019 | LIBOR Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total notes payable principal		$ 227,200,000					$ 186,600,000
Floating rate notes | Unsecured line of credit, LIBOR plus 1.40% to 1.95%, due October 30, 2019 | Minimum | LIBOR Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate		1.40%	1.40%
Floating rate notes | Unsecured line of credit, LIBOR plus 1.40% to 1.95%, due October 30, 2019 | Maximum | LIBOR Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate		1.95%	1.95%
Interest rate swap | $10.5 million, LIBOR plus 2.00% Note, due September 24, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		3.55%
Interest rate swap | $50.0 million, 0.84% plus 1.35% to 1.90% Note, due October 30, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		0.84%				1.75%
Interest rate swap | $50.0 million, 1.50% plus 1.35% to 1.90% Note, due January 29, 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		1.50%
Interest rate swap | $100.0 million, 1.73% plus 1.65% to 2.25% Note, due October 30, 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		1.73%
Interest rate swap | $9.2 million, Prime Rate less 2.00% Note, due December 29, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		5.72%
Term loan | Minimum | LIBOR Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.35%
Term loan | Maximum | LIBOR Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.25%

Debt (Narrative) (Details)

Debt (Narrative) (Details)	Nov. 07, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)property	May 26, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt		$ 237,200,000
Number of collateralized properties (in collateralized properties) | property		20
Carrying value of collateralized properties		$ 342,000,000
Fixed rate notes | $80.0 million, 3.72% Note, due June 1, 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of debt		$ 80,000,000	$ 80,000,000	$ 80,000,000
Stated interest rate		3.72%	3.72%	3.72%
Revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 300,000,000
Credit facility, expanded maximum borrowing capacity		$ 700,000,000
Line of credit outstanding		427,200,000
Credit facility, remaining borrowing capacity		72,800,000
Revolving credit facility | LIBOR Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.00%
Revolving credit facility | LIBOR Rate | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.40%
Revolving credit facility | LIBOR Rate | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.95%
Term loan | LIBOR Rate | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.35%
Term loan | LIBOR Rate | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.25%
Term loan | Term Loan 1 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of debt	$ 50,000,000
Term loan | Term Loan 2 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of debt	50,000,000
Term loan | Term Loan 3 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of debt	$ 100,000,000
Pillarstone [Member] | Revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit outstanding		$ 15,500,000

Debt (Schedule of Maturities of

Debt (Schedule of Maturities of Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2,017	$ 8,767
2,018	12,136
2,019	235,249
2,020	82,827
2,021	51,918
Thereafter	273,727
Total	$ 664,624	$ 545,512

Derivatives and Hedging Activ42

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Nov. 19, 2015
Term Loan 1 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest Rate Swap Assigned to Counterparty			$ 14,000
U.S. Bank National Association [Member] | Term Loan 3 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest Rate Swap Assigned to Counterparty			35,000
U.S. Bank National Association [Member] | Term Loan 1 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest Rate Swap Assigned to Counterparty			6,500
U.S. Bank National Association [Member] | Term Loan 2 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest Rate Swap Assigned to Counterparty			6,500
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association [Member] | Term Loan 1 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest Rate Swap Assigned to Counterparty			14,000
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association [Member] | Term Loan 2 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest Rate Swap Assigned to Counterparty			14,000
Bank of American, N.A. [Member] | Term Loan 2 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest Rate Swap Assigned to Counterparty			14,000
SunTrust Bank [Member] | Term Loan 3 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest Rate Swap Assigned to Counterparty			15,000
SunTrust Bank [Member] | Term Loan 1 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest Rate Swap Assigned to Counterparty			5,000
SunTrust Bank [Member] | Term Loan 2 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest Rate Swap Assigned to Counterparty			5,000
Regions Bank [Member] | Term Loan 1 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest Rate Swap Assigned to Counterparty			3,800
Regions Bank [Member] | Term Loan 2 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest Rate Swap Assigned to Counterparty			$ 3,800
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount Recognized as Comprehensive Income	$ 172	$ 1,529		$ 124	$ (6,962)
Amount of Loss Recognized in Earnings (1)	(317)	$ (602)		(1,266)	$ (1,810)
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Term Loan 3 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate							1.725%
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Term Loan 1 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate							1.75%
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Term Loan 2 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate							1.50%
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	$ (1,050)			$ (1,050)		$ (662)

Earnings Per Share (Details)

Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Distributions to holders of certain restricted common shares charged against earnings	$ 2,704	$ 3,042	$ 7,545	$ 6,886
Numerator:
Net income	3,140	964	6,841	7,561
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(147)	(15)	(429)	(131)
Distributions paid on unvested restricted shares	(148)	(146)	(344)	(498)
Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares	$ 2,845	$ 803	$ 6,068	$ 6,932
Denominator:
Weighted average number of common shares - basic (in shares)	37,992,000	28,195,000	34,406,000	27,210,000
Effect of dilutive securities:
Unvested restricted shares (in shares)	597,000	829,000	805,000	803,000
Weighted average number of common shares - dilutive (in shares)	38,589,000	29,024,000	35,211,000	28,013,000
Basic:
Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07	$ 0.03	$ 0.18	$ 0.25
Diluted:
Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07	$ 0.03	$ 0.17	$ 0.25
OP Units [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
OP units excluded from diluted earnings per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive	1,083,647	487,090	1,089,876	487,510
Restricted Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Distributions to holders of certain restricted common shares	$ 152	$ 158	$ 356	$ 510
Distributions to holders of certain restricted common shares charged against earnings	$ 4	$ 12	$ 12	$ 12

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Provision for income taxes	$ 126	$ 80	$ 296	$ 247
Texas [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Applicable tax rate used to determine state margin tax			0.75%
Standard deduction rate used to determine state margin tax			30.00%
Margin tax provision recognized	$ 122	$ 75	$ 292	237
Davenport TRS [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Provision for income taxes				$ 45

Equity (Details)

Equity (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Apr. 25, 2017USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)$ / shares	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)$ / shares	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)$ / shares	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)$ / shares	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Jun. 04, 2015USD ($)agreement
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common shares, authorized (in shares)		400,000,000			400,000,000				400,000,000		400,000,000
Common shares, par value per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 0.001			$ 0.001				$ 0.001		$ 0.001
Preferred shares, shares authorized (in shares)		50,000,000			50,000,000				50,000,000		50,000,000
Preferred shares, par value per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 0.001			$ 0.001				$ 0.001		$ 0.001
Proceeds from issuance of common shares, net of offering costs | $									$ 107,619	$ 26,686
Equity distribution agreements, authorized amount | $												$ 50,000
Number of equity distribution agreements | agreement												6
Ownership interest in operating partnership									97.30%
Conversion basis for common shares to OP units (in shares)		1							1
Weighted-average share ownership in operating partnership		97.30%				98.30%			97.00%	98.30%
Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred shares, shares authorized (in shares)		50,000,000							50,000,000
Preferred shares, par value per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 0.001							$ 0.001
OP Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
OP units outstanding (in shares)		39,487,305			30,450,377				39,487,305		30,450,377
OP units owned (in shares)		38,403,658			29,347,741				38,403,658		29,347,741
Conversion of stock, shares converted (in shares)		0				2,434			18,989	15,450
April Offering [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Issuance of common shares, net of offering costs (in shares)	8,018,500
Share price (in shares) | $ / shares	$ 13
Proceeds from issuance of common shares, net of offering costs | $	$ 99,900
Underwriter Option [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Issuance of common shares, net of offering costs (in shares)	1,018,500
2015 Equity Distribution Agreement [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Issuance of common shares, net of offering costs (in shares)						1,083,926			567,302	1,819,681
Proceeds from issuance of common shares, net of offering costs | $						$ 16,100			$ 7,700	$ 26,700
Payments for compensation to sales agents | $						246			139	$ 408
Cash Distribution [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Cash distribution paid | $		$ 11,257	$ 10,403	$ 8,766	$ 8,619	$ 8,247	$ 7,924	$ 7,850	$ 30,426		$ 32,640
Cash Distribution [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Cash distribution paid (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 0.2850	$ 0.2850	$ 0.2850	$ 0.2850	$ 0.2850	$ 0.2850	$ 0.2850	$ 0.8550		$ 1.1400
Cash distribution paid | $		$ 10,948	$ 10,093	$ 8,453	$ 8,305	$ 8,109	$ 7,786	$ 7,711	$ 29,494		$ 31,911
Cash Distribution [Member] | OP Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Cash distribution paid (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 0.2850	$ 0.2850	$ 0.2850	$ 0.2850	$ 0.2850	$ 0.2850	$ 0.2850	$ 0.8550		$ 1.1400
Cash distribution paid | $		$ 309	$ 310	$ 313	$ 314	$ 138	$ 138	$ 139	$ 932		$ 729

Incentive Share Plan (Narrative

Incentive Share Plan (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 06, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Apr. 02, 2014	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	May 11, 2017	Dec. 22, 2010
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation						$ 2,704	$ 3,042	$ 7,545	$ 6,886
Minimum | Time-Based Vesting [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period					1 year
Maximum | Time-Based Vesting [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period					2 years
Restricted Common Shares and Restricted Share Units [Member] | Time and Performance-Based Vesting [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Aggregate shares granted (in shares)					633,704
Restricted Common Shares and Restricted Share Units [Member] | Time-Based Vesting [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Aggregate shares granted (in shares)			320,000	143,000
Restricted Common Shares and Restricted Share Units [Member] | Performance Vesting [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Aggregate shares granted (in shares)					2,049,116
Restricted Stock [Member] | Market-Based Vesting (TSR Units) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock granted (in shares)		267,783
Grant date fair value (in dollars per share)		$ 12.37
Performance period		3 years
Award vesting percentage	200.00%
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 3,100					3,100		$ 3,100
Award vesting period								27 months
Restricted Stock [Member] | Immediate Vesting (CIC Units) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock granted (in shares)	965,000	965,000
Grant date fair value (in dollars per share)		$ 13.05
Restricted Stock [Member] | Minimum | Market-Based Vesting (TSR Units) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage		0.00%
Restricted Stock [Member] | Maximum | Market-Based Vesting (TSR Units) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage		200.00%
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period								27 months
Non-Cash Share Based Compensation in 2014 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 10,000					10,000		$ 10,000
Non-Cash Share Based Compensation Subsequent to 2014 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost	5,500					5,500		$ 5,500
Unrecognized compensation cost, period for recognition								18 months
2008 Long-Term Equity Incentive Ownership Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of maximum number of shares issued under plan to aggregate shares											12.50%
2008 Long-Term Equity Incentive Ownership Plan [Member] | Restricted Common Shares and Restricted Share Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage								83.00%
2008 Long-Term Equity Incentive Ownership Plan [Member] | Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost	2,800					2,800		$ 2,800
Award vesting period								18 months
2008 Long-Term Equity Incentive Ownership Plan [Member] | Non-Vested Time Based Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 2,100					$ 2,100		$ 2,100
Unrecognized compensation cost, period for recognition								6 months
2018 Long-Term Equity Incentive Ownership Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized (in shares)										3,433,831

Incentive Share Plan (Schedule

Incentive Share Plan (Schedule of Share-Based Incentive Plan Activity) (Details) - 2008 Long-Term Equity Incentive Ownership Plan [Member] - $ / shares	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Shares, Non-vested (in shares)	2,044,334
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Non-vested (in dollars per share)	$ 14.48
Shares, Granted (in shares)	1,335,933	545,778	327,122	2,058,930
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 12.90	$ 14.85	$ 13.49	$ 14.40
Shares, Vested (in shares)	(399,005)	(734,261)	(348,786)	(133,774)
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested (in dollars per share)	$ 14.62
Shares, Forfeited (in shares)	(31,883)
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$ 14.43
Shares, Non-vested (in shares)	2,949,379	2,044,334
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Non-vested (in dollars per share)	$ 13.74	$ 14.48
Shares, Available for grant (in shares)	775,050

Incentive Share Plan (Schedul48

Incentive Share Plan (Schedule of Nonvested and Vested Shares Activity) (Details) - 2008 Long-Term Equity Incentive Ownership Plan [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares, Granted, Non-Vested Shares Isused (in shares)	1,335,933	545,778	327,122	2,058,930
Shares Granted, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 12.90	$ 14.85	$ 13.49	$ 14.40
Shares, Vested (in shares)	(399,005)	(734,261)	(348,786)	(133,774)
Shares Vested, Total Vest-Date Fair Value	$ 5,832	$ 10,577	$ 4,969	$ 1,721

Grants to Trustees (Details)

Grants to Trustees (Details)	Dec. 21, 2016trustee$ / sharesshares	Dec. 21, 2015trustee$ / sharesshares
Individual Trustee Grant Agreements 1 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of independent trustees (in trustees) | trustee	4
Number of trustee emeritus (in trustees) | trustee	1
Individual Trustee Grant Agreements 1 [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock granted to each trustee (in shares) | shares	7,500
Restricted stock granted to trustees, vested in period (in shares) | shares	1,500
Restricted stock granted to trustees, weighted-average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 14.07
Individual Trustee Grant Agreements 2 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of independent trustees (in trustees) | trustee		2
Individual Trustee Grant Agreements 2 [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock granted to each trustee (in shares) | shares		3,128
Restricted stock granted to trustees, weighted-average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 14.07

Real Estate (Details)

Real Estate (Details) $ in Thousands	May 26, 2017USD ($)aft²	May 03, 2017USD ($)ft²	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)shares	Mar. 03, 2016USD ($)	Feb. 17, 2016USD ($)a	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)ft²shares	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)ft²shares	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)
Real Estate [Line Items]
Conversion basis for common shares to OP units (in shares) | shares						1		1
Gain on sale of properties						$ 0	$ 0	$ 16	$ 2,890
Loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets and properties								$ (119)	$ 2,900
La Mirada and Seville [Member]
Real Estate [Line Items]
Consideration transfered			$ 60,700
Equity interest (in shares) | shares			621,053
Conversion basis for common shares to OP units (in shares) | shares						1		1
La Mirada [Member]
Real Estate [Line Items]
Gross leasable area (in square feet) | ft²						147,209		147,209
Property percentage occupied						90.00%		90.00%
Seville [Member]
Real Estate [Line Items]
Gross leasable area (in square feet) | ft²						90,042		90,042
Property percentage occupied						88.00%		88.00%
Pinnacle of Scottsdale Phase II [Member]
Real Estate [Line Items]
Gross leasable area (in square feet) | ft²						27,063		27,063
Property percentage occupied						91.00%		91.00%
Construction Payable						$ 5,200		$ 5,200
Capitalized Interest and Real Estate Taxes						$ 500		$ 500
Shops at Starwood Phase III [Member]
Real Estate [Line Items]
Gross leasable area (in square feet) | ft²						35,351		35,351
Property percentage occupied						63.00%		63.00%
Construction Payable						$ 8,000		$ 8,000
Capitalized Interest and Real Estate Taxes						900		900
Brookhill [Member]
Real Estate [Line Items]
Proceeds from the sale of real estate				$ 3,100
Gain on sale of properties				$ 1,900
Pinnacle Phase II [Member]
Real Estate [Line Items]
Area of land (in acres) | a					4.5
Proceeds from the sale of real estate					$ 1,100
Area of land sold | a					0.5
Gain on sale of properties					$ 1,000
BLVD Place [Member]
Real Estate [Line Items]
Consideration transfered	$ 158,000
Mortgage financing	80,000
Cash purchase price	$ 78,000
Gross leasable area (in square feet) | ft²	216,944
Property percentage occupied	99.00%
Area of land (in acres) | a	1.43
Revenue						3,900		5,400
Net income						$ 2,100		$ 3,000
El Dorado Plaza [Member]
Real Estate [Line Items]
Consideration transfered		$ 46,600
Gross leasable area (in square feet) | ft²		221,577
Property percentage occupied		96.00%

Real Estate (Unaudited pro form

Real Estate (Unaudited pro forma financial information) (Details) - BLVD Place [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 3,900		$ 5,400
Net income	2,100		3,000
Acquisition expenses	400
Total property revenues	33,653	$ 29,051	97,924	$ 86,701
Net income	3,140	1,717	9,079	10,588
Net income attributable to Whitestone REIT	$ 2,993	$ 1,689	$ 8,582	$ 10,405
Basic Earnings Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07	$ 0.04	$ 0.22	$ 0.28
Diluted Earnings Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07	$ 0.04	$ 0.21	$ 0.27
Basic (in shares)	37,992	36,214	37,755	35,229
Diluted (in shares)	38,589	37,043	38,560	36,032