Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets [Abstract]
Real Estate Assets	$ 6,593,567	$ 5,144,805
Construction in Progress	401,407	303,644
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	126,487	197,807
Undeveloped land	226,987	237,436
Real estate investment property, at cost, total	7,348,448	5,883,692
Accumulated depreciation	(1,193,905)	(1,042,944)
Net real estate investments	6,154,543	4,840,748
Real estate investments and other assets held-for-sale	17,550	1,324,258
Cash and cash equivalents	67,562	12,639
Accounts receivable, net of allowance	19,427	15,838
Straight-line rent receivable, net of allowance	93,005	82,554
Receivables on construction contracts, including retentions	13,480	6,159
Deferred Leasing and other costs, net of accumulated amortization	292,682	258,741
Restricted cash held in escrow for like-kind exchange	116,405	40,102
Notes receivable from property sales	426,657	25,460
Other escrow deposits and other assets	186,885	165,503
Total Assets	7,388,196	6,772,002
Liabilities and Equity [Abstract]
Secured debt, net of deferred financing costs	311,349	383,725
Unsecured debt, net of deferred financing costs	2,111,542	2,476,752
Unsecured line of credit	0	48,000
Long-term debt, total	2,422,891	2,908,477
Liabilities related to real estate investments held-for-sale	1,163	56,291
Construction payables and amounts due subcontractors, including retentions	54,545	44,250
Accrued real estate taxes	67,374	59,112
Accrued interest	17,911	23,633
Other Liabilities	210,825	153,846
Tenant Security Deposits and Prepaid Rents	39,109	33,100
Total Liabilities	2,813,818	3,278,709
Equity:
Common shares	3,564	3,548
Additional paid in capital	5,205,316	5,192,011
Accumulated other comprehensive income	0	682
Distributions in excess of net income	(676,036)	(1,730,423)
Total stockholders' equity	4,532,844	3,465,818
Noncontrolling interests	41,534	27,475
Total Equity	4,574,378	3,493,293
Total Liabilities and Equity	7,388,196	6,772,002
Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Real Estate Assets	6,593,567	5,144,805
Construction in Progress	401,407	303,644
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	126,487	197,807
Undeveloped land	226,987	237,436
Real estate investment property, at cost, total	7,348,448	5,883,692
Accumulated depreciation	(1,193,905)	(1,042,944)
Net real estate investments	6,154,543	4,840,748
Real estate investments and other assets held-for-sale	17,550	1,324,258
Cash and cash equivalents	67,562	12,639
Accounts receivable, net of allowance	19,427	15,838
Straight-line rent receivable, net of allowance	93,005	82,554
Receivables on construction contracts, including retentions	13,480	6,159
Deferred Leasing and other costs, net of accumulated amortization	292,682	258,741
Restricted cash held in escrow for like-kind exchange	116,405	40,102
Notes receivable from property sales	426,657	25,460
Other escrow deposits and other assets	186,885	165,503
Total Assets	7,388,196	6,772,002
Liabilities and Equity [Abstract]
Secured debt, net of deferred financing costs	311,349	383,725
Unsecured debt, net of deferred financing costs	2,111,542	2,476,752
Unsecured line of credit	0	48,000
Long-term debt, total	2,422,891	2,908,477
Liabilities related to real estate investments held-for-sale	1,163	56,291
Construction payables and amounts due subcontractors, including retentions	54,545	44,250
Accrued real estate taxes	67,374	59,112
Accrued interest	17,911	23,633
Other Liabilities	210,825	153,846
Tenant Security Deposits and Prepaid Rents	39,109	33,100
Total Liabilities	2,813,818	3,278,709
Equity:
Common equity	4,532,844	3,465,136
Limited Partners' common equity	40,563	24,691
Accumulated other comprehensive income	0	682
Total partners' equity	4,573,407	3,490,509
Noncontrolling interest	971	2,784
Total Equity	4,574,378	3,493,293
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 7,388,196	$ 6,772,002