Stockholders' Equity / Partners'' Capital Stockholders' Equity / Partners' Capital Dividends / Distributions (Details) - $ / shares		Feb. 16, 2016	Jan. 28, 2016	Mar. 09, 2016
Entity Information [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share / Unit				$ 0.65
Dividends, Per Share / Unit	[1]		$ 1.90
Special dividend / distribution (per share / common unit amount)			1.25
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Entity Information [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share / Unit				0.65
Dividends, Per Share / Unit	[1]		1.90
Special dividend / distribution (per share / common unit amount)			$ 1.25
Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share / Unit				$ 32.8125
Dividends, Per Share / Unit		$ 32.8125

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