Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets [Abstract]
Land and improvements	$ 1,391,763	$ 1,412,867
Buildings and tenant Improvements	4,740,837	4,986,390
Construction in Progress	321,062	246,062
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated companies	268,390	293,650
Undeveloped land	383,045	499,960
Real estate investment property, at cost, total	7,105,097	7,438,929
Accumulated depreciation	(1,192,425)	(1,235,337)
Net real estate investments	5,912,672	6,203,592
Real estate investments and other assets held-for-sale	45,801	725,051
Cash and cash equivalents	22,533	17,922
Accounts receivable, net of allowance	18,846	26,168
Straight-line rent receivable, net of allowance	116,781	109,657
Receivables on construction contracts, including retentions	16,459	36,224
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization	28,363	38,734
Deferred Leasing and other costs, net of accumulated amortization	346,374	387,635
Escrow deposits and other assets	409,284	209,856
Total Assets	6,917,113	7,754,839
Liabilities and Equity [Abstract]
Secured Debt	739,996	942,478
Unsecured debt	2,530,743	3,364,161
Unsecured line of credit	71,000	106,000
Long-term debt, total	3,341,739	4,412,639
Liabilities related to real estate investments held-for-sale	972	59,092
Construction payables and amounts due subcontractors, including retentions	54,921	69,470
Accrued real estate taxes	71,617	76,308
Accrued interest	34,447	55,110
Other accrued expenses	61,827	62,632
Other Liabilities	106,283	95,566
Tenant Security Deposits and Prepaid Rents	40,506	44,142
Total Liabilities	3,712,312	4,874,959
Equity:
Common shares	3,453	3,441
Additional paid in capital	4,961,923	4,944,800
Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,806	3,026
Distributions in excess of net income	(1,785,250)	(2,090,942)
Total stockholders' equity	3,181,932	2,860,325
Noncontrolling interests	22,869	19,555
Total Equity	3,204,801	2,879,880
Total Liabilities and Equity	6,917,113	7,754,839
Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Land and improvements	1,391,763	1,412,867
Buildings and tenant Improvements	4,740,837	4,986,390
Construction in Progress	321,062	246,062
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated companies	268,390	293,650
Undeveloped land	383,045	499,960
Real estate investment property, at cost, total	7,105,097	7,438,929
Accumulated depreciation	(1,192,425)	(1,235,337)
Net real estate investments	5,912,672	6,203,592
Real estate investments and other assets held-for-sale	45,801	725,051
Cash and cash equivalents	22,533	17,922
Accounts receivable, net of allowance	18,846	26,168
Straight-line rent receivable, net of allowance	116,781	109,657
Receivables on construction contracts, including retentions	16,459	36,224
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization	28,363	38,734
Deferred Leasing and other costs, net of accumulated amortization	346,374	387,635
Escrow deposits and other assets	409,284	209,856
Total Assets	6,917,113	7,754,839
Liabilities and Equity [Abstract]
Secured Debt	739,996	942,478
Unsecured debt	2,530,743	3,364,161
Unsecured line of credit	71,000	106,000
Long-term debt, total	3,341,739	4,412,639
Liabilities related to real estate investments held-for-sale	972	59,092
Construction payables and amounts due subcontractors, including retentions	54,921	69,470
Accrued real estate taxes	71,617	76,308
Accrued interest	34,447	55,110
Other accrued expenses	61,827	62,812
Other Liabilities	106,283	95,566
Tenant Security Deposits and Prepaid Rents	40,506	44,142
Total Liabilities	3,712,312	4,875,139
Equity:
Common equity	3,180,126	2,857,119
General Partners' equity	3,180,126	2,857,119
Limited Partners' common equity	20,032	17,289
Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,806	3,026
Total partners' equity	3,201,964	2,877,434
Noncontrolling interest	2,837	2,266
Total Equity	3,204,801	2,879,700
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 6,917,113	$ 7,754,839