Selected Interim Financial Information (unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Selected Interim Financial Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 452,787,000	$ 452,413,000	$ 436,451,000	$ 417,875,000	$ 392,482,000	$ 386,410,000	$ 393,841,000	$ 378,071,000	$ 1,759,526,000	$ 1,550,804,000	$ 1,518,190,000
Income from continuing operations	115,443,000	80,451,000	69,738,000	48,194,000	(12,756,000)	68,089,000	71,518,000	60,742,000	313,826,000	187,593,000	262,739,000
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc.	101,644,000	70,542,000	60,214,000	40,813,000	(12,903,000)	57,668,000	61,412,000	52,714,000	272,679,000	159,072,000	231,014,000
Income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. per share-basic	$ 0.69	$ 0.48	$ 0.41	$ 0.29	$ (0.09)	$ 0.41	$ 0.44	$ 0.38	$ 1.87	$ 1.14	$ 1.76
Income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. per share-diluted	$ 0.69	$ 0.48	$ 0.41	$ 0.29	$ (0.09)	$ 0.41	$ 0.44	$ 0.38	$ 1.86	$ 1.14	$ 1.76
Loss on extinguishment of debt									(1,494,000)	(89,883,000)	(510,000)
Repayments of unsecured debt										700,000,000
6.25% Senior Notes Due 2013 [Member]
Selected Interim Financial Information [Line Items]
Loss on extinguishment of debt					81,700,000
Repayments of unsecured debt					700,000,000
Coupon/Stated Rate					6.25%					6.25%
Two Grand Central Tower [Member]
Selected Interim Financial Information [Line Items]
Gains on sales of real estate	$ 46,200,000