Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2015 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	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 - General Partner at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 2,879,880	$ 3,441	$ 4,944,800	$ 3,026	$ (2,090,942)	$ 19,555
Beginning Balance - Partnership at Dec. 31, 2014							$ 2,879,700	$ 2,857,119	$ 17,289	$ 3,026	$ 2,266	$ 2,877,434
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income	597,342				591,058	6,284	597,342	591,058	6,212		72	597,270
Other comprehensive income	(960)			(960)			(960)			(960)		(960)
Issuance of common shares	4,592	2	4,590
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	590					590	590				590
Capital contribution from the General Partner							4,772	4,772				4,772
Stock based compensation plan activity	7,959	8	7,256		(1,463)	2,158	7,959	5,801	2,158			7,959
Conversion of Limited Partner Units		2	2,414			(2,416)		2,416	(2,416)
Distributions to Partners'							(177,815)	(175,967)	(1,848)			(177,815)
Distributions to common shareholders	(175,967)				(175,967)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(1,993)					(1,993)	(145)				(145)
Ending Balance - General Partner at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 3,311,443	$ 3,453	$ 4,959,060	$ 2,066	$ (1,677,314)	$ 24,178
Ending Balance - Partnership at Sep. 30, 2015							$ 3,311,443	$ 3,285,199	$ 21,395	$ 2,066	$ 2,783	$ 3,308,660