Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 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	1,464,175				1,446,012	18,163	1,464,175	1,446,012	13,427		4,736	1,459,439
Other comprehensive loss	(682)			(682)			(682)			(682)		(682)
Issuance of common shares	7,309	3	7,306
Capital contribution from the General Partner							7,309	7,309				7,309
Stock based compensation plan activity	914	9	(5,510)		(1,147)	7,562	914	(6,648)	7,562			914
Conversion/redemption of Limited Partner Units	(457)	1	1,344			(1,802)	(457)	1,345	(1,802)			(457)
Distributions to Partners							(204,654)	(202,770)	(1,884)			(204,654)
Distributions to common shareholders	(202,770)				(202,770)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(8,407)					(8,407)	(6,523)				(6,523)
Ending Balance - General Partner at Sep. 30, 2017	$ 4,753,375	$ 3,561	$ 5,195,151	$ 0	$ (488,328)	$ 42,991
Ending Balance - Partnership at Sep. 30, 2017							$ 4,753,375	$ 4,710,384	$ 41,994	$ 0	$ 997	$ 4,752,378