Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share Reconciling the Components of Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) per Common Share (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders/unitholders, Basic	$ 449,380	$ 127,688	$ 514,624	$ 146,371
Participating Securities, Distributed and Undistributed Earnings (Loss), Basic	(589)	(646)	(1,209)	(1,289)
Basic Net Income (Loss) Attributable To Common Stockholders, Basic	448,791	127,042	513,415	145,082
Noncontrolling Interest in Net Income (Loss) Operating Partnerships, Redeemable	4,762	1,693	5,461	1,943
Diluted Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders	$ 453,553	$ 128,735	$ 518,876	$ 147,025
Weighted average number of common shares/units outstanding, Basic	345,098	331,753	344,849	329,442
Weighted Average Limited Partnership Units Outstanding, Basic	3,630	4,386	3,662	4,386
Other potential dilutive shares/units	433	275	434	274
Weighted average number of common shares/units and potential dilutive securities	349,161	336,414	348,945	334,102
Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders/unitholders, Basic	$ 454,142	$ 129,381	$ 520,085	$ 148,314
Participating Securities, Distributed and Undistributed Earnings (Loss), Basic	(589)	(646)	(1,209)	(1,289)
Basic Net Income (Loss) Attributable To Common Stockholders, Basic	$ 453,553	$ 128,735	$ 518,876	$ 147,025
Weighted average number of common shares/units outstanding, Basic	348,728	336,139	348,511	333,828
Other potential dilutive shares/units	433	275	434	274
Weighted average number of common shares/units and potential dilutive securities	349,161	336,414	348,945	334,102