Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Income from continuing operations attributable to Boston Properties, Inc., Income (Numerator)	$ 48,923	$ 41,249
Income from continuing operations attributable to Boston Properties, Inc., Per Share Amount	$ 0.33	$ 0.29
Discontinued operations attributable to Boston Properties, Inc., Income (Numerator)	15,709	(436)
Discontinued operations attributable to Boston Properties, Inc., Per Share Amount	$ 0.11
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc.	64,632	40,813
Net income attributable to Boston Properties Inc., Shares (Denominator)	148,343,000	142,095,000
Net income attributable to Boston Properties Inc., Per Share Amount	$ 0.44	$ 0.29
Stock Based Compensation and Exchangeable Senior Notes, Income (Numerator)
Stock Based Compensation and Exchangeable Senior Notes, Shares (Denominator)	403,000	409,000
Stock Based Compensation and Exchangeable Senior Notes, Per Share Amount	$ (0.01)	$ 0.00
Diluted Earnings: Net income, Income (Numerator)	$ 64,632	$ 40,813
Diluted Earnings: Net income, Shares (Denominator)	148,746,000	142,504,000
Diluted Earnings: Net income, Per Share Amount	$ 0.43	$ 0.29
OPP Units 2011 [Member]
OPP units included in earnings per share calculation	129,000