Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member]	Non-controlling Interest [Member]	Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member]	Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Preferred Stock [Member]	Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Limited Partner [Member]	Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Stockholders' Equity, Total [Member]	Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Non-controlling Interest [Member]
Beginning Balance - Partnership at Dec. 31, 2011								$ 2,779,582	$ 793,910	$ 1,923,886	$ 56,254	$ 987	$ 2,775,037	$ 4,545
Beginning Balance - General Partner at Dec. 31, 2011	2,779,658	793,910	2,529	3,594,588	987	(1,677,328)	64,972
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	(75,868)					(73,977)	(1,891)	(75,868)	46,438	(120,415)	(2,273)		(76,250)	382
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,704				1,704			1,704				1,704	1,704
Issuance of common shares	314,823		227	314,596
Capital Contribution from the General Partner								314,823		314,823			314,823
Stock-based compensation plan activity	6,432		13	9,395		(2,976)		6,457		6,457			6,457
Conversion of Limited Partner Units			25	29,188			(29,213)			29,213	(29,213)
Distributions to preferred shareholders	(46,438)					(46,438)		(46,438)	(46,438)				(46,438)
Redemption/repurchase of preferred shares	(168,272)	(168,272)		5,730		(5,730)		(168,272)	(168,272)				(168,272)
Distributions to Partners								(185,299)		(182,008)	(3,291)		(185,299)
Distributions to common shareholders	(181,892)					(181,892)
Contributions from (distributions to) noncontrolling interests, net	2,179						2,179	5,470						5,470
Buyout of noncontrolling interests	(6,208)					(4,865)	(1,343)	(6,208)		(4,865)	(94)		(4,959)	(1,249)
Ending Balance - Partnership at Dec. 31, 2012								2,625,951	625,638	1,967,091	21,383	2,691	2,616,803	9,148
Ending Balance - General Partner at Dec. 31, 2012	2,626,118	625,638	2,794	3,953,497	2,691	(1,993,206)	34,704
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	196,549					190,592	5,957	196,549	31,616	158,976	2,094		192,686	3,863
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,428				1,428			1,428				1,428	1,428
Issuance of common shares	649,690		462	649,228
Capital Contribution from the General Partner								649,690		649,690			649,690
Stock-based compensation plan activity	9,656		8	11,976		(2,328)		9,656		9,656			9,656
Conversion of Limited Partner Units				331			(331)			331	(331)
Distributions to preferred shareholders	(31,616)					(31,616)		(31,616)	(31,616)				(31,616)
Redemption/repurchase of preferred shares	(177,955)	(177,955)		5,932		(5,932)		(177,955)	(177,955)				(177,955)
Distributions to Partners								(223,362)		(220,374)	(2,988)		(223,362)
Distributions to common shareholders	(220,297)					(220,297)
Contributions from (distributions to) noncontrolling interests, net	(8,944)						(8,944)	(5,956)						(5,956)
Ending Balance - Partnership at Dec. 31, 2013								3,044,385	447,683	2,565,370	20,158	4,119	3,037,330	7,055
Ending Balance - General Partner at Dec. 31, 2013	3,044,629	447,683	3,264	4,620,964	4,119	(2,062,787)	31,386
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	246,455					243,588	2,867	246,455	24,943	218,645	2,627		246,215	240
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,093)				(1,093)			(1,093)				(1,093)	(1,093)
Issuance of common shares	289,122		164	288,958
Capital Contribution from the General Partner								289,122		289,122			289,122
Stock-based compensation plan activity	11,123		7	13,300		(2,184)		11,123		11,123			11,123
Conversion of Limited Partner Units			6	6,735			(6,741)			2,566	(2,566)
Distributions to preferred shareholders	(24,943)					(24,943)		(24,943)	(24,943)				(24,943)
Redemption/repurchase of preferred shares	(446,592)	(447,683)		14,843		(13,752)		(446,592)	(447,683)	1,091			(446,592)
Distributions to Partners								(231,112)		(228,161)	(2,951)		(231,112)
Distributions to common shareholders	(228,227)					(228,227)
Contributions from (distributions to) noncontrolling interests, net	(2,791)						(2,791)	158						158
Buyout of noncontrolling interests	(7,803)					(2,637)	(5,166)	(7,803)		(2,637)	21		(2,616)	(5,187)
Ending Balance - Partnership at Dec. 31, 2014								2,879,700	0	2,857,119	17,289	3,026	2,877,434	2,266
Ending Balance - General Partner at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 2,879,880	$ 0	$ 3,441	$ 4,944,800	$ 3,026	$ (2,090,942)	$ 19,555