Consolidated Statement of Partners' Capital Statement - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Boston Properties Limited Partnership [Member]
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2012		$ 3,330,605
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Contributions		626,568
Net income allocable to general and limited partner units		765,337
Distributions		(748,378)
Other comprehensive Income (loss)		2,261
Unearned compensation		5,002
Conversion of redeemable partnership units		30,291
Adjustment to reflect redeemable partnership units at redemption value		175,485
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013		4,187,171
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Contributions		652,692
Net income allocable to general and limited partner units		458,767
Distributions		(1,097,523)
Other comprehensive Income (loss)		2,252
Unearned compensation		3,298
Conversion of redeemable partnership units		2,700
Adjustment to reflect redeemable partnership units at redemption value		(569,441)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014		3,639,916
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Contributions		4,071
Acquisition of redeemable noncontrolling interest in property partnership	$ (1,586)	(1,586)
Net income allocable to general and limited partner units		592,297
Distributions		(601,594)
Other comprehensive Income (loss)		(4,810)
Unearned compensation		1,470
Conversion of redeemable partnership units		14,343
Adjustment to reflect redeemable partnership units at redemption value		40,415
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2015		$ 3,684,522