Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Preferred Stock [Member]	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] Preferred Stock [Member]	Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Limited Partners' Common Equity [Member]	Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Partners' Equity, Total [Member]	Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Non-controlling Interest [Member]
Beginning Balance - General Partner at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 3,044,629	$ 447,683	$ 3,264	$ 4,620,964	$ 4,119	$ (2,062,787)	$ 31,386
Beginning Balance - Partnership at Dec. 31, 2013								$ 3,044,385	$ 447,683	$ 2,565,370	$ 20,158	$ 3,037,330	$ 4,119	$ 7,055
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	246,455					243,588	2,867	246,455	24,943	218,645	2,627	246,215		240
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,093)				(1,093)			(1,093)				(1,093)	(1,093)
Issuance of common shares	289,122		164	288,958
Capital Contribution from the General Partner								289,122		289,122		289,122
Stock-based compensation plan activity	11,123		7	13,300		(2,184)		11,123		11,123		11,123
Conversion of Limited Partner Units			6	6,735			(6,741)			2,566	(2,566)
Distributions to preferred shareholders	(24,943)					(24,943)		(24,943)	(24,943)			(24,943)
Redemption/repurchase of preferred shares	(446,592)	(447,683)		14,843		(13,752)		(446,592)	(447,683)	1,091		(446,592)
Distributions to Partners								(231,112)		(228,161)	(2,951)	(231,112)
Distributions to common shareholders	(228,227)					(228,227)
Contributions from (Distributions to) noncontrolling interests, net	(2,791)						(2,791)	158						158
Buyout of noncontrolling interests	(7,803)					(2,637)	(5,166)	(7,803)		(2,637)	21	(2,616)		(5,187)
Ending Balance - General Partner at Dec. 31, 2014	2,879,880	0	3,441	4,944,800	3,026	(2,090,942)	19,555
Ending Balance - Partnership at Dec. 31, 2014								2,879,700	0	2,857,119	17,289	2,877,434	3,026	2,266
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	621,861					615,310	6,551	621,861		615,310	6,404	621,714		147
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,220)				(1,220)			(1,220)				(1,220)	(1,220)
Issuance of common shares	4,530		2	4,528
Capital Contribution from the General Partner								4,710		4,710		4,710
Stock-based compensation plan activity	9,673		8	10,114		(2,449)	2,000	9,673		7,673	2,000	9,673
Conversion of Limited Partner Units			2	2,481			(2,483)			2,483	(2,483)
Distributions to Partners								(241,292)		(238,114)	(3,178)	(241,292)
Distributions to common shareholders	(238,114)					(238,114)
Distributions to common shareholders/Partners - special	(69,055)					(69,055)		(69,055)		(69,055)		(69,055)
Contributions from (Distributions to) noncontrolling interests, net	(2,754)						(2,754)	424						424
Ending Balance - General Partner at Dec. 31, 2015	3,204,801	0	3,453	4,961,923	1,806	(1,785,250)	22,869
Ending Balance - Partnership at Dec. 31, 2015								3,204,801	0	3,180,126	20,032	3,201,964	1,806	2,837
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	315,278					312,143	3,135	315,278		312,143	3,089	315,232		46
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,124)				(1,124)			(1,124)				(1,124)	(1,124)
Issuance of common shares	220,258		86	220,172
Capital Contribution from the General Partner								220,258		220,258		220,258
Stock-based compensation plan activity	11,999		8	8,950		(2,037)	5,078	11,999		6,921	5,078	11,999
Conversion of Limited Partner Units			1	966			(967)			967	(967)
Distributions to Partners								(257,820)		(255,279)	(2,541)	(257,820)
Distributions to common shareholders	(255,279)					(255,279)
Contributions from (Distributions to) noncontrolling interests, net	(2,640)						(2,640)	(99)						(99)
Ending Balance - General Partner at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 3,493,293	$ 0	$ 3,548	$ 5,192,011	$ 682	$ (1,730,423)	$ 27,475
Ending Balance - Partnership at Dec. 31, 2016								$ 3,493,293	$ 0	$ 3,465,136	$ 24,691	$ 3,490,509	$ 682	$ 2,784