Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	20. Subsequent Events On January 25, 2017, Boston Properties, Inc.’s Compensation Committee approved the 2017 Multi-Year Long-Term Incentive Program (the “2017 MYLTIP”) awards under Boston Properties, Inc.’s 2012 Plan to certain officers and employees of Boston Properties, Inc. The 2017 MYLTIP awards utilize Boston Properties, Inc.’s total stockholder return (“TSR”) over a three-year measurement period, on an annualized, compounded basis, as the performance metric. Earned awards will be based on Boston Properties, Inc.’s TSR relative to (i) the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Portfolio Index (50% weight) and (ii) the NAREIT Office Index adjusted to include Vornado Realty Trust (50% weight). Earned awards will range from zero to a maximum of approximately $42.7 million depending on Boston Properties, Inc.’s TSR relative to the two indices, with four tiers (threshold: approximately $10.7 million; target: approximately $21.3 million; high: approximately $32.0 million; exceptional: approximately $42.7 million) and linear interpolation between tiers. Earned awards measured on the basis of relative TSR performance are subject to an absolute TSR component in the form of relatively simple modifiers that (A) reduce the level of earned awards in the event Boston Properties, Inc.’s annualized TSR is less than 0% and (B) cause some awards to be earned in the event Boston Properties, Inc.’s annualized TSR is more than 12% even though on a relative basis alone Boston Properties, Inc.’s TSR would not result in any earned awards. Earned awards (if any) will vest 50% on February 6, 2020 and 50% on February 6, 2021, based on continued employment. Vesting will be accelerated in the event of a change in control, termination of employment by Boston Properties, Inc. without cause, or termination of employment by the award recipient for good reason, death, disability or retirement. If there is a change of control prior to February 6, 2020, earned awards will be calculated based on TSR performance up to the date of the change of control. The 2017 MYLTIP awards are in the form of LTIP Units issued on the grant date which (i) are subject to forfeiture to the extent awards are not earned and (ii) prior to the performance measurement date are only entitled to one-tenth (10%) of the regular quarterly distributions payable on common partnership units. Under ASC 718, the 2017 MYLTIP awards have an aggregate value of approximately $17.7 million, which amount will generally be amortized into earnings over the four-year plan period under the graded vesting method. On February 3, 2017, the measurement period for the Company’s 2014 MYLTIP awards ended and, based on Boston Properties, Inc.’s relative TSR performance, the final awards were determined to be 27.7% of target or an aggregate of approximately $3.5 million (after giving effect to voluntary employee separations and the unallocated reserve). As a result, an aggregate of 447,386 2014 MYLTIP Units that had been previously granted were automatically forfeited. On February 3, 2017, Boston Properties, Inc. issued 35,839 shares of restricted common stock and Boston Properties Limited Partnership issued 100,639 LTIP units under the 2012 Plan to certain employees of Boston Properties, Inc.

20. Subsequent Events

On January 25, 2017, Boston Properties, Inc.’s Compensation Committee approved the 2017 Multi-Year Long-Term Incentive Program (the “2017 MYLTIP”) awards under Boston Properties, Inc.’s 2012 Plan to certain officers and employees of Boston Properties, Inc. The 2017 MYLTIP awards utilize Boston Properties, Inc.’s total stockholder return (“TSR”) over a three-year measurement period, on an annualized, compounded basis, as the performance metric. Earned awards will be based on Boston Properties, Inc.’s TSR relative to (i) the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Portfolio Index (50% weight) and (ii) the NAREIT Office Index adjusted to include Vornado Realty Trust (50% weight). Earned awards will range from zero to a maximum of approximately $42.7 million depending on Boston Properties, Inc.’s TSR relative to the two indices, with four tiers (threshold: approximately $10.7 million; target: approximately $21.3 million; high: approximately $32.0 million; exceptional: approximately $42.7 million) and linear interpolation between tiers. Earned awards measured on the basis of relative TSR performance are subject to an absolute TSR component in the form of relatively simple modifiers that (A) reduce the level of earned awards in the event Boston Properties, Inc.’s annualized TSR is less than 0% and (B) cause some awards to be earned in the event Boston Properties, Inc.’s annualized TSR is more than 12% even though on a relative basis alone Boston Properties, Inc.’s TSR would not result in any earned awards. Earned awards (if any) will vest 50% on February 6, 2020 and 50% on February 6, 2021, based on continued employment. Vesting will be accelerated in the event of a change in control, termination of employment by Boston Properties, Inc. without cause, or termination of employment by the award recipient for good reason, death, disability or retirement. If there is a change of control prior to February 6, 2020, earned awards will be calculated based on TSR performance up to the date of the change of control. The 2017 MYLTIP awards are in the form of LTIP Units issued on the grant date which (i) are subject to forfeiture to the extent awards are not earned and (ii) prior to the performance measurement date are only entitled to one-tenth (10%) of the regular quarterly distributions payable on common partnership units. Under ASC 718, the 2017 MYLTIP awards have an aggregate value of approximately $17.7 million, which amount will generally be amortized into earnings over the four-year plan period under the graded vesting method.

On February 3, 2017, the measurement period for the Company’s 2014 MYLTIP awards ended and, based on Boston Properties, Inc.’s relative TSR performance, the final awards were determined to be 27.7% of target or an aggregate of approximately $3.5 million (after giving effect to voluntary employee separations and the unallocated reserve). As a result, an aggregate of 447,386 2014 MYLTIP Units that had been previously granted were automatically forfeited.

On February 3, 2017, Boston Properties, Inc. issued 35,839 shares of restricted common stock and Boston Properties Limited Partnership issued 100,639 LTIP units under the 2012 Plan to certain employees of Boston Properties, Inc.