Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Assets [Abstract]
Land and improvements	$ 1,511,264	$ 1,391,763
Buildings and tenant Improvements	4,970,891	4,740,837
Construction in Progress	347,193	321,062
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated companies	197,807	268,390
Undeveloped land	237,436	383,045
Real estate investment property, at cost, total	7,264,591	7,105,097
Accumulated depreciation	(1,283,629)	(1,192,425)
Net real estate investments	5,980,962	5,912,672
Real estate investments and other assets held-for-sale	51,627	45,801
Cash and cash equivalents	12,639	22,533
Accounts receivable, net of allowance	20,373	18,846
Straight-line rent receivable, net of allowance	115,922	116,781
Receivables on construction contracts, including retentions	10,441	16,459
Deferred Leasing and other costs, net of accumulated amortization	342,263	346,374
Escrow deposits and other assets	237,775	416,049
Total Assets	6,772,002	6,895,515
Liabilities and Equity [Abstract]
Secured Debt	383,725	738,444
Unsecured debt	2,476,752	2,510,697
Unsecured line of credit	48,000	71,000
Long-term debt, total	2,908,477	3,320,141
Liabilities related to real estate investments held-for-sale	1,661	972
Construction payables and amounts due subcontractors, including retentions	53,742	54,921
Accrued real estate taxes	73,190	71,617
Accrued interest	23,633	34,447
Other accrued expenses	63,617	61,827
Other Liabilities	114,569	106,283
Tenant Security Deposits and Prepaid Rents	39,820	40,506
Total Liabilities	3,278,709	3,690,714
Equity:
Common shares	3,548	3,453
Additional paid in capital	5,192,011	4,961,923
Accumulated other comprehensive income	682	1,806
Distributions in excess of net income	(1,730,423)	(1,785,250)
Total stockholders' equity	3,465,818	3,181,932
Noncontrolling interests	27,475	22,869
Total Equity	3,493,293	3,204,801
Total Liabilities and Equity	6,772,002	6,895,515
Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Land and improvements	1,511,264	1,391,763
Buildings and tenant Improvements	4,970,891	4,740,837
Construction in Progress	347,193	321,062
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated companies	197,807	268,390
Undeveloped land	237,436	383,045
Real estate investment property, at cost, total	7,264,591	7,105,097
Accumulated depreciation	(1,283,629)	(1,192,425)
Net real estate investments	5,980,962	5,912,672
Real estate investments and other assets held-for-sale	51,627	45,801
Cash and cash equivalents	12,639	22,533
Accounts receivable, net of allowance	20,373	18,846
Straight-line rent receivable, net of allowance	115,922	116,781
Receivables on construction contracts, including retentions	10,441	16,459
Deferred Leasing and other costs, net of accumulated amortization	342,263	346,374
Escrow deposits and other assets	237,775	416,049
Total Assets	6,772,002	6,895,515
Liabilities and Equity [Abstract]
Secured Debt	383,725	738,444
Unsecured debt	2,476,752	2,510,697
Unsecured line of credit	48,000	71,000
Long-term debt, total	2,908,477	3,320,141
Liabilities related to real estate investments held-for-sale	1,661	972
Construction payables and amounts due subcontractors, including retentions	53,742	54,921
Accrued real estate taxes	73,190	71,617
Accrued interest	23,633	34,447
Other accrued expenses	63,617	61,827
Other Liabilities	114,569	106,283
Tenant Security Deposits and Prepaid Rents	39,820	40,506
Total Liabilities	3,278,709	3,690,714
Equity:
Common equity	3,465,136	3,180,126
General Partners' equity	3,465,136	3,180,126
Limited Partners' common equity	24,691	20,032
Accumulated other comprehensive income	682	1,806
Total partners' equity	3,490,509	3,201,964
Noncontrolling interest	2,784	2,837
Total Equity	3,493,293	3,204,801
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 6,772,002	$ 6,895,515