Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2016 - 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 Partners' Common Equity [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, 2015	$ 3,204,801	$ 3,453	$ 4,961,923	$ 1,806	$ (1,785,250)	$ 22,869
Beginning Balance - Partnership at Dec. 31, 2015							$ 3,204,801	$ 3,180,126	$ 20,032	$ 1,806	$ 2,837	$ 3,201,964
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income	267,098				264,388	2,710	267,098	264,388	2,670		40	267,058
Other comprehensive loss	(868)			(868)			(868)			(868)		(868)
Issuance of common shares	217,513	84	217,429
Capital contribution from the General Partner							217,513	217,513				217,513
Stock based compensation plan activity	10,218	8	7,008		(1,468)	4,670	10,218	5,548	4,670			10,218
Conversion of Limited Partner Units		1	1,014			(1,015)		1,015	(1,015)
Distributions to Partners							(189,764)	(187,885)	(1,879)			(189,764)
Distributions to common shareholders	(187,885)				(187,885)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(1,955)					(1,955)	(76)				(76)
Ending Balance - General Partner at Sep. 30, 2016	$ 3,508,922	$ 3,546	$ 5,187,374	$ 938	$ (1,710,215)	$ 27,279
Ending Balance - Partnership at Sep. 30, 2016							$ 3,508,922	$ 3,480,705	$ 24,478	$ 938	$ 2,801	$ 3,506,121