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, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income attributable to common shareholders	$ 72,963	$ 70,200
Less: dividends on participating securities	(437)	(542)
Basic net income attributable to common shareholders	72,526	69,658
Add back dividends on dilutive participating securities	0	305
Noncontrolling interest in earnings of common unitholders	683	652
Diluted net income attributable to common shareholders	$ 73,209	$ 70,615
Weighted average number of common shares/units outstanding, Basic	356,740	355,282
Weighted average Limited Partner Units outstanding	3,355	3,316
Other potential dilutive shares/units	305	2,102
Weighted average number of common shares/units and potential dilutive securities	360,400	360,700
Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income attributable to common shareholders	$ 73,646	$ 70,852
Less: dividends on participating securities	(437)	(542)
Basic net income attributable to common unitholders	73,209	70,310
Add back dividends on dilutive participating securities	0	305
Diluted net income attributable to common unitholders	$ 73,209	$ 70,615
Weighted average number of common shares/units outstanding, Basic	360,095	358,598
Other potential dilutive shares/units	305	2,102
Weighted average number of common shares/units and potential dilutive securities	360,400	360,700