Information by Business Segment (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
segment
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]      
Number of primary office property segments 10    
Segment financial information for real estate operations      
Revenues from real estate operations $ 122,710 $ 124,896  
Property operating expenses 50,686 49,752  
NOI from real estate operations 72,024 75,144  
Segment assets 3,777,155 3,605,897 3,670,257
Operating Segment Total      
Segment financial information for real estate operations      
Revenues from real estate operations 122,710 124,896  
Property operating expenses 50,686 49,752  
NOI from real estate operations 72,024 75,144  
Additions to long-lived assets 71,971 13,729  
Transfers from non-operating properties 117,272 56,940  
Segment assets 3,110,380 2,932,749  
Baltimore and Washington Corridor      
Segment financial information for real estate operations      
Revenues from real estate operations 61,792 61,113  
Property operating expenses 23,583 23,597  
NOI from real estate operations 38,209 37,516  
Additions to long-lived assets 3,445 5,741  
Transfers from non-operating properties 12,930 6,911  
Segment assets 1,280,742 1,244,876  
Northern Virginia      
Segment financial information for real estate operations      
Revenues from real estate operations 21,749 24,968  
Property operating expenses 9,121 8,973  
NOI from real estate operations 12,628 15,995  
Additions to long-lived assets 2,821 3,495  
Transfers from non-operating properties 58,571 26,588  
Segment assets 696,276 636,895  
San Antonio      
Segment financial information for real estate operations      
Revenues from real estate operations 9,171 8,479  
Property operating expenses 4,975 4,474  
NOI from real estate operations 4,196 4,005  
Additions to long-lived assets 21 (6)  
Transfers from non-operating properties 31,091 0  
Segment assets 147,078 117,812  
Huntsville      
Segment financial information for real estate operations      
Revenues from real estate operations 2,446 2,555  
Property operating expenses 829 653  
NOI from real estate operations 1,617 1,902  
Additions to long-lived assets 83 2,507  
Transfers from non-operating properties 2,997 20,102  
Segment assets 99,335 99,378  
Washington, DC - Capitol Riverfront      
Segment financial information for real estate operations      
Revenues from real estate operations 3,364 3,634  
Property operating expenses 1,814 1,765  
NOI from real estate operations 1,550 1,869  
Additions to long-lived assets 393 63  
Transfers from non-operating properties 0 0  
Segment assets 94,400 97,843  
St. Mary's and King George Counties      
Segment financial information for real estate operations      
Revenues from real estate operations 3,901 4,316  
Property operating expenses 1,584 1,504  
NOI from real estate operations 2,317 2,812  
Additions to long-lived assets 1,200 839  
Transfers from non-operating properties 0 0  
Segment assets 100,849 95,645  
Greater Baltimore      
Segment financial information for real estate operations      
Revenues from real estate operations 11,485 11,496  
Property operating expenses 4,997 5,476  
NOI from real estate operations 6,488 6,020  
Additions to long-lived assets 63,604 1,012  
Transfers from non-operating properties 0 74  
Segment assets 334,271 300,619  
Greater Philadelphia      
Segment financial information for real estate operations      
Revenues from real estate operations 3,224 3,340  
Property operating expenses 1,375 1,300  
NOI from real estate operations 1,849 2,040  
Additions to long-lived assets 294 11  
Transfers from non-operating properties 11,498 3,176  
Segment assets 117,919 94,428  
Other      
Segment financial information for real estate operations      
Revenues from real estate operations 2,543 2,594  
Property operating expenses 196 322  
NOI from real estate operations 2,347 2,272  
Additions to long-lived assets 80 55  
Transfers from non-operating properties 8 11  
Segment assets 77,340 79,542  
Wholesale Data Center      
Segment financial information for real estate operations      
Revenues from real estate operations 3,035 2,401  
Property operating expenses 2,212 1,688  
NOI from real estate operations 823 713  
Additions to long-lived assets 30 12  
Transfers from non-operating properties 177 78  
Segment assets $ 162,170 $ 165,711