Selected Interim Financial Information (unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Total revenue	$ 636,061	$ 625,228	$ 623,546	$ 665,985	$ 624,240	$ 629,884	$ 618,221	$ 618,476	$ 2,550,820	$ 2,490,821	$ 2,396,998
Income before gains on sales of real estate	164,894	58,521	117,357	148,599	85,406	123,792	100,739	114,086	489,371	424,023	358,018
Net income attributable to the Company	$ 147,214	$ 76,753	$ 96,597	$ 181,747	$ 137,851	$ 184,082	$ 79,460	$ 171,182	$ 512,785	$ 583,106	$ 443,611
Income attributable to the Company (in dollars per share / unit) - Basic	$ 0.96	$ 0.50	$ 0.63	$ 1.18	$ 0.90	$ 1.20	$ 0.52	$ 1.12	$ 3.27	$ 3.73	$ 2.83
Income attributable to the Company (in dollars per share / unit) - Diluted	$ 0.96	$ 0.50	$ 0.63	$ 1.18	$ 0.90	$ 1.20	$ 0.52	$ 1.11	$ 3.26	$ 3.72	$ 2.83
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Total revenue	$ 636,061	$ 625,228	$ 623,546	$ 665,985	$ 624,240	$ 629,884	$ 618,221	$ 618,476	$ 2,550,820	$ 2,490,821	$ 2,396,998
Income before gains on sales of real estate	167,384	63,687	119,341	150,586	87,404	125,790	102,737	116,085	500,998	432,016	366,527
Net income attributable to the Company	$ 166,801	$ 91,306	$ 109,938	$ 207,296	$ 156,901	$ 207,626	$ 90,852	$ 193,369	$ 585,841	$ 659,248	$ 509,629
Income attributable to the Company (in dollars per share / unit) - Basic	$ 0.97	$ 0.53	$ 0.64	$ 1.21	$ 0.92	$ 1.21	$ 0.53	$ 1.13	$ 3.36	$ 3.79	$ 2.93
Income attributable to the Company (in dollars per share / unit) - Diluted	$ 0.97	$ 0.53	$ 0.64	$ 1.21	$ 0.92	$ 1.21	$ 0.53	$ 1.12	$ 3.35	$ 3.78	$ 2.92