Selected Interim Financial Information (unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]

	2012 Quarter Ended
	March 31,				June 30,				September 30,				December 31,
	As Reported		As Revised		As Reported		As Revised		As Reported		As Revised		As Reported
	(in thousands, except for per share amounts)
Total revenue	$	447,662	$	445,779	$	472,897	$	473,521	$	470,904	$	471,562	$	485,405
Income from continuing operations	$	56,359	$	55,193	$	97,471	$	96,899	$	66,103	$	65,522	$	76,608
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc.	$	64,632	$	48,454	$	119,070	$	118,559	$	57,769	$	57,249	$	65,400
Income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. per share—basic	$	0.44	$	0.33	$	0.79	$	0.79	$	0.38	$	0.38	$	0.43
Income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. per share—diluted	$	0.43	$	0.33	$	0.79	$	0.78	$	0.38	$	0.38	$	0.43

	2011 Quarter Ended
	March 31,				June 30,				September 30,				December 31,
	As Reported		As Revised		As Reported		As Revised		As Reported		As Revised		As Reported		As Revised
	(in thousands, except for per share amounts)
Total revenue	$	417,875	$	415,943	$	436,451	$	434,505	$	452,413	$	450,344	$	452,787	$	450,528
Income from continuing operations	$	48,194	$	47,644	$	69,738	$	69,353	$	80,451	$	79,942	$	115,443	$	115,006
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc.	$	40,813	$	40,813	$	60,214	$	60,214	$	70,542	$	70,542	$	101,644	$	101,644
Income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. per share—basic	$	0.29	$	0.29	$	0.41	$	0.41	$	0.48	$	0.48	$	0.69	$	0.69
Income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. per share—diluted	$	0.29	$	0.29	$	0.41	$	0.41	$	0.48	$	0.48	$	0.69	$	0.69