Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Basic Earnings:
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$ 171,182	$ 54,034
Net income attributable to Boston Properties Inc., Shares (Denominator)	153,230	153,030
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 1.12us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.35us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
Allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities	(188)
Allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities (in shares)	0
Allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities(per share)	$ 0
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	170,994
Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding After Allocation of Undistributed Earnings to Participating Securities Basic (in shares)	153,230
Earnings Per Share After Allocation of Undistributed Earnings to Particiapting Securities Basic (dollars per share)	$ 1.12
Effect of Dilutive Securities:
Stock Based Compensation, Income (Numerator)	0us-gaap_DilutiveSecurities	0us-gaap_DilutiveSecurities
Stock Based Compensation, Shares (Denominator)	643	139
Stock Based Compensation, Per Share Amount (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)bxp_DilutiveSecuritiesPerShareAmount	$ 0.00bxp_DilutiveSecuritiesPerShareAmount
Diluted Earnings:
Diluted Earnings: Net income, Income (Numerator)	$ 170,994	$ 54,034
Diluted Earnings: Net income, Shares (Denominator)	153,873	153,169
Diluted Earnings: Net income, Per Share Amount (in dollars per share)	$ 1.11us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.35us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted

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Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders After Allocation of Undistributed Earnings to Participating Securities Basic

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Stock Based Compensation And Exchangeable Senior Notes Shares

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Amount of increase (decrease) to net income used for calculating diluted earnings per share (EPS), resulting from the assumed exercise stock options, restrictive stock units (RSUs), convertible preferred stock of an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), and other dilutive convertible securities.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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Net income after adjustments for dividends on preferred stock (declared in the period) and/or cumulative preferred stock (accumulated for the period).

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Net Income or Loss Available to Common Stockholders plus adjustments resulting from the assumption that dilutive convertible securities were converted, options or warrants were exercised, or that other shares were issued upon the satisfaction of certain conditions.

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