Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity - 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] Partners' Equity, Total [Member]	Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Non-controlling Interest [Member]
Beginning Balance - General Partner at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 3,204,801	$ 3,453	$ 4,961,923	$ 1,806	$ (1,785,250)	$ 22,869
Beginning Balance - Partnership at Dec. 31, 2015							$ 3,204,801	$ 3,180,126	$ 20,032	$ 3,201,964	$ 1,806	$ 2,837
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	315,278				312,143	3,135	315,278	312,143	3,089	315,232		46
Other comprehensive loss	(1,124)			(1,124)			(1,124)			(1,124)	(1,124)
Issuance of common shares	220,258	86	220,172
Capital Contribution from the General Partner							220,258	220,258		220,258
Stock-based compensation plan activity	11,999	8	8,950		(2,037)	5,078	11,999	6,921	5,078	11,999
Conversion of Limited Partner Units		1	966			(967)		967	(967)
Distributions to Partners							(257,820)	(255,279)	(2,541)	(257,820)
Distributions to common shareholders/Partners - regular	(255,279)				(255,279)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net	(2,640)					(2,640)	(99)					(99)
Ending Balance - General Partner at Dec. 31, 2016	3,493,293	3,548	5,192,011	682	(1,730,423)	27,475
Ending Balance - Partnership at Dec. 31, 2016							3,493,293	3,465,136	24,691	3,490,509	682	2,784
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	1,654,341				1,634,431	19,910	1,654,341	1,634,431	15,176	1,649,607		4,734
Other comprehensive loss	(682)			(682)			(682)			(682)	(682)
Issuance of common shares	13,383	5	13,378
Capital Contribution from the General Partner							13,383	13,383		13,383
Stock-based compensation plan activity	3,214	10	(1,555)		(3,212)	7,971	3,214	(4,757)	7,971	3,214
Conversion of Limited Partner Units		1	1,846			(1,847)		1,847	(1,847)
Redemption of Limited Partner Units	(457)		(364)			(93)	(457)	(364)	(93)	(457)
Distributions to Partners							(276,539)	(273,999)	(2,540)	(276,539)
Distributions to common shareholders/Partners - regular	(273,999)				(273,999)
Distributions to common shareholders/Partners - special	(302,833)				(302,833)		(305,628)	(302,833)	(2,795)	(305,628)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net	(11,882)					(11,882)	(6,547)					(6,547)
Ending Balance - General Partner at Dec. 31, 2017	4,574,378	3,564	5,205,316	0	(676,036)	41,534
Ending Balance - Partnership at Dec. 31, 2017							4,574,378	4,532,844	40,563	4,573,407	0	971
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	387,268				383,729	3,539	387,268	383,729	3,528	387,257		11
Other comprehensive loss	(4,676)			(4,676)			(4,676)			(4,676)	(4,676)
Issuance of common shares	34,913	12	34,901
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	3,475					3,475	3,475					3,475
Capital Contribution from the General Partner							34,913	34,913		34,913
Stock-based compensation plan activity	12,118	8	4,432		(1,278)	8,956	12,118	3,162	8,956	12,118
Conversion of Limited Partner Units		5	(274)			269		(269)	269
Distributions to Partners							(294,233)	(291,502)	(2,731)	(294,233)
Distributions to common shareholders/Partners - regular	(291,502)				(291,502)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net	(2,731)					(2,731)
Ending Balance - General Partner at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 4,713,243	$ 3,589	$ 5,244,375	$ (4,676)	$ (585,087)	$ 55,042
Ending Balance - Partnership at Dec. 31, 2018							$ 4,713,243	$ 4,662,877	$ 50,585	$ 4,708,786	$ (4,676)	$ 4,457