Business Acquisition, Expenses Reimbursed

No definition available.

Name:	bfs_BusinessAcquisitionExpensesReimbursed
Namespace Prefix:	bfs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Lessee, Operating Lease, Incremental Borrowing Rate

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bfs_LesseeOperatingLeaseIncrementalBorrowingRate
Namespace Prefix:	bfs_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of amortization of acquired leases acquired as part of a real property acquisition at below market lease rate with a finite life.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AmortizationOfBelowMarketLease
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123570139&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66006027&loc=d3e16323-109275

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388964&loc=d3e16225-109274

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Area of land held.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AreaOfLand
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:areaItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of consideration transferred in asset acquisition. Includes, but is not limited to, cash, liability incurred by acquirer, and equity interest issued by acquirer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 50
-Section 30
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123362884&loc=d3e9215-128498

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 50
-Section 55
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6829253&loc=SL6831962-166255

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 50
-Section 25
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123385561&loc=d3e9135-128495

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 50
-Section 30
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123362884&loc=d3e9212-128498

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferred
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of accumulated amortization of leases acquired as part of a real property acquisition at below market lease rate with a finite life.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAccumulatedAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount before amortization of leases acquired as part of a real property acquisition at below market lease rate with a finite life.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of direct costs of the business combination including legal, accounting, and other costs incurred to consummate the business acquisition.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityTransactionCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The current amount of expenditures for a real estate project that has not yet been completed.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.10)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400017&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DevelopmentInProcess
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of interest expense on finance lease liability.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123408670&loc=SL77918686-209980

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123391704&loc=SL77918638-209977

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 53
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123414884&loc=SL77918982-209971

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinanceLeaseInterestExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Present value of lessee's discounted obligation for lease payments from finance lease.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123408670&loc=SL77918701-209980

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123391704&loc=SL77918627-209977

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiability
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of amortization expense attributable to right-of-use asset from finance lease.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Accumulated amount of amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66006027&loc=d3e16323-109275

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount before amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 928
-SubTopic 340
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6473545&loc=d3e61844-108004

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66006027&loc=d3e16323-109275

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Remaining amortization period of finite-lived intangible assets, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 926
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120154696&loc=d3e54445-107959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsRemainingAmortizationPeriod1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of business during the period. The cash portion only of the acquisition price.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120321790&loc=d3e6927-128479

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123570139&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of real estate investment property which may include the following: (1) land available-for-sale; (2) land available-for-development; (3) investments in building and building improvements; (4) tenant allowances; (5) developments in-process; (6) rental properties; and (7) other real estate investments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(d))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400017&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCost
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of increase in right-of-use asset obtained in exchange for finance lease liability.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 53
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123414884&loc=SL77918982-209971

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (g)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123408670&loc=SL77918686-209980

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RightOfUseAssetObtainedInExchangeForFinanceLeaseLiability
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of shares of stock issued during the period pursuant to acquisitions.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(29))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120397183&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(28))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=bfs_LeaseAcquisitionCostsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=us-gaap_AboveMarketLeasesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=bfs_BelowMarketLeasesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis=bfs_A2018AcquisitionsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=bfs_ContributionAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=bfs_BFSaulRealEstateInvestmentTrustMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=bfs_LeaseholdInterestContributedInContributionAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis=us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=bfs_TwinbrookMetroStationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=bfs_TwinbrookMetroStationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=bfs_TwinbrookMetroStationLeaseholdInterestMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=bfs_TwinbrookQuarterMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=bfs_A7316WisconsinAvenueMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Real Estate - Additional Information (Detail)			12 Months Ended
Real Estate - Additional Information (Detail)	Jun. 29, 2021 USD ($) shares	Mar. 15, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Mar. 05, 2021 USD ($) a	Nov. 05, 2019 a	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Lessee, operating lease, incremental borrowing rate			5.63%
Finance lease, right-of-use asset, amortization			$ 104,000
Finance lease, interest expense			362,800
Construction in progress			205,911,000	$ 69,477,000
Total purchase price			2,284,126,000	2,124,796,000	$ 2,081,597,000			$ 1,948,165,000
Below market lease, carrying amount			23,300,000	23,700,000
Below market lease, accumulated amortization			16,200,000	15,000,000
Accretion income, intangible liabilities			1,400,000	1,400,000	1,500,000
Lease acquisition costs
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Intangible assets gross carrying amount			11,000,000	11,000,000
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization			9,100,000	8,600,000
Amortization expense			$ 500,000	600,000	900,000
Weighted-average amortization period			4 years 7 months 6 days
Above Market Leases
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Intangible assets gross carrying amount			$ 600,000	600,000
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization			161,800	128,900
Amortization expense			$ 32,900	43,600	$ 109,600
Weighted-average amortization period			6 years 9 months 18 days
Below Market Leases
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Weighted-average amortization period			4 years 10 months 24 days
2018 Acquisitions
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Total purchase price								$ 108,300,000
Contribution Agreement
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Business acquisition, transaction costs						$ 1,200,000
Right-of-use asset obtained in exchange for finance lease liability		$ 19,400,000
Finance lease, liability						$ 19,400,000
Contribution Agreement \| BF Saul Real Estate Investment Trust
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Area of land \| a							10.3
Leasehold Interest Contributed In Contribution Agreement
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Asset acquisition, consideration transferred	$ 21,500,000
Payments to acquire businesses, gross	$ 700,000
Leasehold Interest Contributed In Contribution Agreement \| Limited Partner
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Stock issued during period, shares, acquisitions \| shares	469,740
Twinbrook Metro Station
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Stock issued during period, shares, acquisitions \| shares			469,740,000
Twinbrook Metro Station \| Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Stock issued during period, shares, acquisitions \| shares			1,416,071,000
Twinbrook Metro Station \| Contribution Agreement \| BF Saul Real Estate Investment Trust
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Area of land \| a						6.8	6.8
Twinbrook Metro Station Leasehold Interest \| Contribution Agreement \| BF Saul Real Estate Investment Trust
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Area of land \| a						1.3	1.3
Twinbrook Quarter
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Business acquisition, expenses reimbursed						$ 7,400,000
Construction in progress			$ 138,069,000	0
7316 Wisconsin Avenue
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Construction in progress			$ 56,898,000	$ 50,723,000