Real Estate (Pro Forma In Connection With Acquisition) (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($) $ / shares
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 2,257,098
Income from continuing operations	302,354
Net income attributable to the Company	$ 400,017
Basic earnings per share / unit: Net income per share / unit attributable to the Company (in dollars per share / unit) \| $ / shares	$ 2.58
Diluted earnings per share / unit: Net income per share / unit attributable to the Company(in dollars per share / unit) \| $ / shares	$ 2.57
Boston Properties Limited Partnership [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 2,257,098
Income from continuing operations	314,307
Net income attributable to the Company	$ 452,813
Basic earnings per share / unit: Net income per share / unit attributable to the Company (in dollars per share / unit) \| $ / shares	$ 2.68
Diluted earnings per share / unit: Net income per share / unit attributable to the Company(in dollars per share / unit) \| $ / shares	$ 2.67

The pro forma basic net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (h)(2)-(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56956515&loc=d3e1392-128463

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