Stockholders' Equity / Partners' Capital Dividends / distributions (Details) - $ / shares		Nov. 16, 2015	Oct. 30, 2015	Aug. 17, 2015	Jul. 31, 2015	May. 15, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015	Feb. 17, 2015	Jan. 28, 2015		Feb. 16, 2016	Jan. 28, 2016
Dividends / Distributions [Line Items]
Special dividend / distribution (per share / common unit amount)									$ 4.50			$ 1.25
Common Stock / Unit, Dividends / Distributions, Per Share / Unit, Cash Paid			$ 0.65		$ 0.65		$ 0.65		5.15	[1]
Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share / Unit	[2]											1.90
Boston Properties Limited Partnership [Member]
Dividends / Distributions [Line Items]
Special dividend / distribution (per share / common unit amount)									4.50			1.25
Common Stock / Unit, Dividends / Distributions, Per Share / Unit, Cash Paid			$ 0.65		$ 0.65		$ 0.65		$ 5.15	[1]
Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share / Unit	[2]											$ 1.90
Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock / Unit [Member]
Dividends / Distributions [Line Items]
Common Stock / Unit, Dividends / Distributions, Per Share / Unit, Cash Paid		$ 32.8125		$ 32.8125		$ 32.8125		$ 32.8125
Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share / Unit											$ 32.8125

[1] Includes a special dividend/distribution of $4.50 per share/common unit.

[2] Includes a special dividend/distribution of $1.25 per share/common unit.