| Document and Entity Information | Aug. 11, 2020 |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Amendment Flag | true |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0000077281 |
| Document Type | 8-K/A |
| Document Period End Date | Aug. 11, 2020 |
| Entity Registrant Name | Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust |
| Entity Incorporation State Country Code | PA |
| Entity File Number | 1-6300 |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 23-6216339 |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | One Commerce Square |
| Entity Address, Address Line Two | 2005 Market Street |
| Entity Address, Address Line Three | Suite 1000 |
| Entity Address, City or Town | Philadelphia |
| Entity Address, State or Province | PA |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 19103 |
| City Area Code | (215) |
| Local Phone Number | 875-0700 |
| Written Communications | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre Commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre Commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Amendment Description | This Amendment No. 1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (the “Trust”), on August 12, 2020 (the “Original Form 8-K”), is being filed solely to replace the incorrect version of the Trust’s Secured Term Loan Credit Agreement that was attached as Exhibit 10.1 thereto. The corrected Exhibit 10.1 is attached hereto and supersedes in its entirety Exhibit 10.1 to the Original Form 8-K. In all other respects, the Original Form 8-K is unchanged. |
| Shares Of Beneficial Interest Par Value 1.00 Per Share [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value $1.00 per share |
| Trading Symbol | PEI |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series B Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | Series B Preferred Shares, par value $0.01 per share |
| Trading Symbol | PEIPrB |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series C Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | Series C Preferred Shares, par value $0.01 per share |
| Trading Symbol | PEIPrC |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series D Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | Series D Preferred Shares, par value $0.01 per share |
| Trading Symbol | PEIPrD |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
