Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 162,098	$ 113,955
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation of buildings and tenant improvements	144,618	141,353
Amortization of deferred leasing and other costs	51,287	57,686
Amortization of deferred financing costs	5,042	6,867
Straight-line rental income and expense, net	(10,892)	(8,789)
Asset Impairment Charges	2,523	3,777
Gain on acquisitions	0	(962)
Gains on land and depreciated property sales	(107,164)	(93,719)
Third-party construction contracts, net	(10,209)	8,922
Other accrued revenues and expenses, net	11,181	9,564
Operating distributions received in excess of (less than) equity in earnings from unconsolidated companies	(44,454)	(40,449)
Net cash provided by operating activities	204,030	198,205
Cash flows from investing activities:
Development of real estate investments	(226,575)	(224,202)
Acquisition of real estate investments and related intangible assets	(85,182)	(334,287)
Acquisition of undeveloped land	(11,800)	(23,234)
Second generation tenant improvements, leasing costs and building improvements	(44,367)	(37,133)
Other deferred leasing costs	(14,980)	(17,633)
Other assets	3,954	(7,774)
Proceeds from land and depreciated property sales, net	213,040	259,169
Capital distributions from unconsolidated companies	40,293	89,237
Capital contributions and advances to unconsolidated companies	(4,165)	(13,260)
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	(129,782)	(309,117)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common shares, net	191,107	601,927
Payments for redemption/repurchase of preferred shares/units	(17,656)	(177,955)
Proceeds from unsecured debt	0	500,000
Payments on unsecured debt	(1,029)	(425,967)
Proceeds from secured debt financings	0	1,933
Payments on secured indebtedness including principal amortization	(88,898)	(30,349)
Borrowings (payments) on line of credit, net	(28,000)	(197,000)
Distributions to common shareholders/unitholders	(111,919)	(109,554)
Distributions to preferred shareholders/unitholders	(14,186)	(16,905)
Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest, Net	(1,304)	(1,846)
Payments to Noncontrolling Interests	(7,717)	0
Change in book overdrafts	7,659	(38,921)
Deferred financing costs	(355)	(6,938)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	(72,298)	98,425
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,950	(12,487)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	19,275	33,889
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	21,225	21,402
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Assumption of indebtedness and other liabilities in real estate acquisitions	54	106,320
Carrying amount of pre-existing ownership interest in acquired property	0	630
Conversion of Limited Partner Units to common shares	56	338
Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	162,098	113,955
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation of buildings and tenant improvements	144,618	141,353
Amortization of deferred leasing and other costs	51,287	57,686
Amortization of deferred financing costs	5,042	6,867
Straight-line rental income and expense, net	(10,892)	(8,789)
Asset Impairment Charges	2,523	3,777
Gain on acquisitions	0	(962)
Gains on land and depreciated property sales	(107,164)	(93,719)
Third-party construction contracts, net	(10,209)	8,922
Other accrued revenues and expenses, net	11,181	9,601
Operating distributions received in excess of (less than) equity in earnings from unconsolidated companies	(44,454)	(40,449)
Net cash provided by operating activities	204,030	198,242
Cash flows from investing activities:
Development of real estate investments	(226,575)	(224,202)
Acquisition of real estate investments and related intangible assets	(85,182)	(334,287)
Acquisition of undeveloped land	(11,800)	(23,234)
Second generation tenant improvements, leasing costs and building improvements	(44,367)	(37,133)
Other deferred leasing costs	(14,980)	(17,633)
Other assets	3,954	(7,774)
Proceeds from land and depreciated property sales, net	213,040	259,169
Capital distributions from unconsolidated companies	40,293	89,237
Capital contributions and advances to unconsolidated companies	(4,165)	(13,260)
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	(129,782)	(309,117)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Contributions from the General Partner	191,107	601,927
Payments for redemption/repurchase of preferred shares/units	(17,656)	(177,955)
Proceeds from unsecured debt	0	500,000
Payments on unsecured debt	(1,029)	(425,967)
Proceeds from secured debt financings	0	1,933
Payments on secured indebtedness including principal amortization	(88,898)	(30,349)
Borrowings (payments) on line of credit, net	(28,000)	(197,000)
Distributions to common shareholders/unitholders	(113,410)	(111,088)
Distributions to preferred shareholders/unitholders	(14,186)	(16,905)
Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest, Net	187	(349)
Payments to Noncontrolling Interests	(7,717)	0
Change in book overdrafts	7,659	(38,921)
Deferred financing costs	(355)	(6,938)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	(72,298)	98,388
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,950	(12,487)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	19,275	33,889
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	21,225	21,402
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Assumption of indebtedness and other liabilities in real estate acquisitions	54	106,320
Carrying amount of pre-existing ownership interest in acquired property	0	630
Conversion of Limited Partner Units to common shares	$ 56	$ 338