Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity - 3 months ended Mar. 31, 2018 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [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] Non-controlling Interest [Member]	Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Stockholders' Equity, Total [Member]
Beginning Balance - General Partner at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 4,574,378	$ 3,564	$ 5,205,316	$ (676,036)	$ 41,534
Beginning Balance - Partnership at Dec. 31, 2017						$ 4,574,378	$ 4,532,844	$ 40,563	$ 971	$ 4,573,407
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income	73,648			72,963	685	73,648	72,963	683	2	73,646
Issuance of common shares	706		706
Capital contribution from the General Partner						706	706			706
Stock based compensation plan activity	4,530	6	(1,167)	(449)	6,140	4,530	(1,610)	6,140		4,530
Distributions to Partners						(72,078)	(71,398)	(680)		(72,078)
Distributions to common shareholders	(71,398)			(71,398)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(680)				(680)
Ending Balance - General Partner at Mar. 31, 2018	$ 4,581,184	$ 3,570	$ 5,204,855	$ (674,920)	$ 47,679
Ending Balance - Partnership at Mar. 31, 2018						$ 4,581,184	$ 4,533,505	$ 46,706	$ 973	$ 4,580,211