-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 HEiLJ6bVXfot7Mdjcoemqazu7UihLq9E1AyUdK2RnQOBvua944nrsuqecGdq8/9+
 l4whrgUJgzmp/WtUrQv0aQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001246991-04-000108.txt : 20040702
<SEC-HEADER>0001246991-04-000108.hdr.sgml : 20040702
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040702113628
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001246991-04-000108
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040630
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040702

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PATRICOF ALAN J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001217107

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13087
		FILM NUMBER:		04898007

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O BOSTON PROPERTIES KELLI A DILUGLIO
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02199

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BOSTON PROPERTIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001037540
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				042473675
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		800 BOYLSTON STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 400
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02199
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6172363300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		800 BOYLSTON STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 400
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02199
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-06-30</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001037540</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BOSTON PROPERTIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BXP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001217107</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>PATRICOF ALAN J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>APAX PARTNERS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>445 PARK AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-06-30</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>389.38</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>50.08</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>389.38</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>9844.49</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The Phantom Stock Units are awarded under the Boston Properties, Inc. 1997 Stock Option and Incentive Plan to non-employee directors who elected to receive Phantom Stock Units in lieu of director compensation fees.  The Phantom Stock Units are to be settled in shares of Common Stock upon Mr. Patricof's retirement from the Boston Properties Board of Directors.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Arthur S. Flashman, as attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-07-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----