Earnings Per Share (Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Income from continuing operations attributable to Boston Properties, Inc.	$ 57,769	$ 70,524	$ 191,997	$ 171,411
Discontinued operations attributable to Boston Properties, Inc.		18	49,476	(52)
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc.	57,769	70,542	241,473	171,359
Stock Based Compensation and Exchangeable Senior Notes
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc., Diluted	$ 57,769	$ 70,542	$ 241,473	$ 171,359
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc.	150,801	147,006	149,823	145,006
Stock Based Compensation and Exchangeable Senior Notes	1,182	616	655	619
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc., Diluted	151,983	147,622	150,478	145,625
Income from continuing operations attributable to Boston Properties, Inc.	$ 0.38	$ 0.48	$ 1.28	$ 1.18
Discontinued operations attributable to Boston Properties, Inc.			$ 0.33
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc.	$ 0.38	$ 0.48	$ 1.61	$ 1.18
Stock Based Compensation and Exchangeable Senior Notes			(0.01)
Net income	$ 0.38	$ 0.48	$ 1.60	$ 1.18