Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 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	322,842			319,833	3,009	322,842	319,833	3,002	7	322,835
Issuance of common shares	30,591	11	30,580
Capital contribution from the General Partner						30,591	30,591			30,591
Stock based compensation plan activity	10,122	7	2,633	(951)	8,433	10,122	1,689	8,433		10,122
Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Subsidiary Equity Issuance	3,475				3,475	3,475			3,475
Conversion of Limited Partner Units		1	1,966		(1,967)		1,967	(1,967)
Distributions to Partners						(216,484)	(214,463)	(2,021)		(216,484)
Distributions to common shareholders	(214,463)			(214,463)
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders					(2,021)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(2,021)
Ending Balance - General Partner at Sep. 30, 2018	$ 4,724,924	$ 3,583	$ 5,240,495	$ (571,617)	$ 52,463
Ending Balance - Partnership at Sep. 30, 2018						$ 4,724,924	$ 4,672,461	$ 48,010	$ 4,453	$ 4,720,471