Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share Reconciling the Components of Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) per Common Share (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income attributable to common shareholders	$ 70,200	$ 43,307
Less: Dividends on participating securities	(542)	(584)
Basic net income attributable to common shareholders	69,658	42,723
Participating Securities, Distributed and Undistributed Earnings (Loss), Diluted	305	0
Noncontrolling Interest in Net Income (Loss) Operating Partnerships, Redeemable	652	438
Diluted net income attributable to common shareholders	$ 70,615	$ 43,161
Weighted average number of common shares/units outstanding, Basic	355,282	345,665
Weighted Average Limited Partnership Units Outstanding, Basic	3,316	3,498
Other potential dilutive shares/units	2,102	511
Weighted average number of common shares/units and potential dilutive securities	360,700	349,674
Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income attributable to common shareholders	$ 70,852	$ 43,745
Less: Dividends on participating securities	(542)	(584)
Basic net income attributable to common unitholders	70,310	43,161
Participating Securities, Distributed and Undistributed Earnings (Loss), Diluted	305	0
Diluted Net Income Loss Attributable To Common Unitholders	$ 70,615	$ 43,161
Weighted average number of common shares/units outstanding, Basic	358,598	349,163
Other potential dilutive shares/units	2,102	511
Weighted average number of common shares/units and potential dilutive securities	360,700	349,674