Noncontrolling Interests Common units distributions (Details) - $ / shares		Jan. 28, 2016	Mar. 09, 2016
special dividend [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Distributions Declared To OP And LTIP Units Per Unit (in dollars per unit)		$ 1.25
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Distributions Declared To OP And LTIP Units Per Unit (in dollars per unit)			$ 0.65
Distributions Declared To MYLTIP Units Per Unit (in dollars per unit)			$ 0.065
Distributions made to OP and LTIP units per unit (in dollars per unit)	[1]	1.90
Distribution paid to outperformance awards, MYLTIP Units (in dollars per unit)		$ 0.065

[1] Includes a special distribution of $1.25 per unit.