Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	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] 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] Non-controlling Interest [Member]	Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Stockholders' Equity, Total [Member]
Beginning Balance - Partnership at Dec. 31, 2014							$ 2,879,700	$ 2,857,119	$ 17,289	$ 3,026	$ 2,266	$ 2,877,434
Beginning Balance - General Partner at Dec. 31, 2014	2,879,880	3,441	4,944,800	3,026	(2,090,942)	19,555
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income	65,969				65,244	725	65,969	65,244	699		26	65,943
Other comprehensive income	(287)			(287)			(287)			(287)		(287)
Issuance of common shares	4,882	2	4,880
Capital contribution from the General Partner							4,885	4,885				4,885
Stock based compensation plan activity	3,052	6	2,290		(505)	1,261	3,052	1,791	1,261			3,052
Conversion of Limited Partner Units		1	349			(350)		350	(350)
Distributions to Partners'							(59,239)	(58,607)	(632)			(59,239)
Distributions to common shareholders	(58,607)				(58,607)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net	(706)					(706)	(74)		(12)		(62)	(12)
Ending Balance - Partnership at Mar. 31, 2015							2,894,006	2,870,782	18,255	2,739	2,230	2,891,776
Ending Balance - General Partner at Mar. 31, 2015	$ 2,894,183	$ 3,450	$ 4,952,319	$ 2,739	$ (2,084,810)	$ 20,485