Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 233,655	$ 115,292
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation of buildings and tenant improvements	216,963	214,118
Amortization of deferred leasing and other costs	73,942	89,359
Amortization of deferred financing costs	7,423	9,913
Straight-line rental income and expense, net	(16,419)	(12,421)
Asset Impairment Charges	8,891	3,777
Gain on acquisitions	0	(962)
Gains on land and depreciated property sales	(163,689)	(105,525)
Third-party construction contracts, net	(4,397)	27,117
Other accrued revenues and expenses, net	18,059	11,367
Operating distributions received in excess of (less than) equity in earnings from unconsolidated companies	(53,429)	(34,411)
Net cash provided by operating activities	320,999	317,624
Cash flows from investing activities:
Development of real estate investments	(385,088)	(320,698)
Acquisition of real estate investments and related intangible assets	(94,032)	(372,934)
Acquisition of undeveloped land	(37,579)	(30,101)
Second generation tenant improvements, leasing costs and building improvements	(69,475)	(60,052)
Other deferred leasing costs	(24,948)	(26,647)
Other assets	514	(14,725)
Proceeds from land and depreciated property sales, net	386,215	330,740
Capital distributions from unconsolidated companies	70,054	106,306
Capital contributions and advances to unconsolidated companies	(5,874)	(38,959)
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	(160,213)	(427,070)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common shares, net	255,962	632,531
Payments for redemption/repurchase of preferred shares/units	(113,797)	(177,955)
Proceeds from unsecured debt	0	500,000
Payments on unsecured debt	(1,556)	(426,462)
Proceeds from secured debt financings	0	1,933
Payments on secured indebtedness including principal amortization	(93,036)	(112,097)
Borrowings (payments) on line of credit, net	52,000	(75,000)
Distributions to common shareholders/unitholders	(169,917)	(164,811)
Distributions to preferred shareholders/unitholders	(20,789)	(24,261)
Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest, Net	(2,044)	(2,692)
Payments to Noncontrolling Interests	(7,803)	0
Change in book overdrafts	(12,450)	(44,225)
Deferred financing costs	(499)	(7,292)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	(113,929)	99,669
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	46,857	(9,777)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	19,275	33,889
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	66,132	24,112
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Assumption of indebtedness and other liabilities in real estate acquisitions	54	106,555
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)	233,655	115,292
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation of buildings and tenant improvements	216,963	214,118
Amortization of deferred leasing and other costs	73,942	89,359
Amortization of deferred financing costs	7,423	9,913
Straight-line rental income and expense, net	(16,419)	(12,421)
Asset Impairment Charges	8,891	3,777
Gain on acquisitions	0	(962)
Gains on land and depreciated property sales	(163,689)	(105,525)
Third-party construction contracts, net	(4,397)	27,117
Other accrued revenues and expenses, net	18,059	11,405
Operating distributions received in excess of (less than) equity in earnings from unconsolidated companies	(53,429)	(34,411)
Net cash provided by operating activities	320,999	317,662
Cash flows from investing activities:
Development of real estate investments	(385,088)	(320,698)
Acquisition of real estate investments and related intangible assets	(94,032)	(372,934)
Acquisition of undeveloped land	(37,579)	(30,101)
Second generation tenant improvements, leasing costs and building improvements	(69,475)	(60,052)
Other deferred leasing costs	(24,948)	(26,647)
Other assets	514	(14,725)
Proceeds from land and depreciated property sales, net	386,215	330,740
Capital distributions from unconsolidated companies	70,054	106,306
Capital contributions and advances to unconsolidated companies	(5,874)	(38,959)
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	(160,213)	(427,070)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Contributions from the General Partner	255,962	632,531
Payments for redemption/repurchase of preferred shares/units	(113,797)	(177,955)
Proceeds from unsecured debt	0	500,000
Payments on unsecured debt	(1,556)	(426,462)
Proceeds from secured debt financings	0	1,933
Payments on secured indebtedness including principal amortization	(93,036)	(112,097)
Borrowings (payments) on line of credit, net	52,000	(75,000)
Distributions to common shareholders/unitholders	(172,153)	(167,092)
Distributions to preferred shareholders/unitholders	(20,789)	(24,261)
Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest, Net	192	(449)
Payments to Noncontrolling Interests	(7,803)	0
Change in book overdrafts	(12,450)	(44,225)
Deferred financing costs	(499)	(7,292)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	(113,929)	99,631
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	46,857	(9,777)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	19,275	33,889
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	66,132	24,112
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Assumption of indebtedness and other liabilities in real estate acquisitions	54	106,555
Carrying amount of pre-existing ownership interest in acquired property	0	630
Conversion of Limited Partner Units to common shares	$ 56	$ 338