Real Estate Real Estate Properties Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Land		$ 4,879,020	$ 4,806,021
Land held for future development	[1]	243,887	252,195
Buildings and improvements		11,792,853	11,709,285
Tenant improvements		2,001,259	1,920,247
Furniture, fixtures and equipment		31,724	29,852
Construction in Progress		954,013	763,935
Total		19,902,756	19,481,535
Accumulated depreciation		(4,113,553)	(3,925,894)
Total real estate		15,789,203	15,555,641
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Land		4,774,460	4,700,793
Land held for future development	[1]	243,887	252,195
Buildings and improvements		11,484,022	11,394,119
Tenant improvements		2,001,259	1,920,247
Furniture, fixtures and equipment		31,724	29,852
Construction in Progress		954,013	763,935
Total		19,489,365	19,061,141
Accumulated depreciation		(4,030,172)	(3,846,816)
Total real estate		$ 15,459,193	$ 15,214,325

[1] Includes pre-development costs.