Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Basic Earnings:
Income from continuing operations attributable to Boston Properties, Inc., Income (Numerator)	$ 54,034	$ 30,485
Net income attributable to Boston Properties Inc., Shares (Denominator)	153,030	151,646
Inceom (loss) from continuing operations before discontinued operations and allocation of undistributed earnings (dollars per share)	$ 0.35
Income from continuing operations attributable to Boston Properties, Inc., Per Share Amount (in dollars per share)	$ 0.35	$ 0.20
Discontinued operations attributable to Boston Properties, Inc., Income (Numerator)		17,369
Discontinued operations attributable to Boston Properties, Inc., Per Share Amount (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.12
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	54,034	47,854
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 0.35	$ 0.32
Effect of Dilutive Securities:
Stock Based Compensation and Exchangeable Senior Notes, Income (Numerator)	0	0
Stock Based Compensation and Exchangeable Senior Notes, Shares (Denominator)	139	306
Stock Based Compensation and Exchangeable Senior Notes, Per Share Amount (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)
Diluted Earnings:
Diluted Earnings: Net income, Income (Numerator)	$ 54,034	$ 47,854
Diluted Earnings: Net income, Shares (Denominator)	153,169	151,952
Diluted Earnings: Net income, Per Share Amount (in dollars per share)	$ 0.35	$ 0.31