Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity - 3 months ended Mar. 31, 2017 - 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, 2016	$ 3,493,293	$ 3,548	$ 5,192,011	$ 682	$ (1,730,423)	$ 27,475
Beginning Balance - Partnership at Dec. 31, 2016							$ 3,493,293	$ 3,465,136	$ 24,691	$ 682	$ 2,784	$ 3,490,509
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income	70,781				70,200	581	70,781	70,200	652		(71)	70,852
Other comprehensive loss	(256)			(256)			(256)			(256)		(256)
Issuance of common shares	786		786
Capital contribution from the General Partner							786	786				786
Stock based compensation plan activity	1,470	7	(3,092)		(393)	4,948	1,470	(3,478)	4,948			1,470
Conversion of Limited Partner Units		1	1,684			(1,685)		1,685	(1,685)
Distributions to Partners							(68,184)	(67,554)	(630)			(68,184)
Distributions to common shareholders	(67,554)				(67,554)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(640)					(640)	(10)				(10)
Ending Balance - General Partner at Mar. 31, 2017	$ 3,497,880	$ 3,556	$ 5,191,389	$ 426	$ (1,728,170)	$ 30,679
Ending Balance - Partnership at Mar. 31, 2017							$ 3,497,880	$ 3,466,775	$ 27,976	$ 426	$ 2,703	$ 3,495,177