Noncontrolling Interests Common Units Distributions (Details) - $ / shares	Oct. 31, 2016	Jul. 29, 2016	Apr. 29, 2016	Jan. 28, 2016		Dec. 19, 2016
special dividend [Member] | OP Units [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Distributions Declared To OP And LTIP Units Per Unit				$ 1.25
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Distributions Declared To OP And LTIP Units Per Unit						$ 0.75
Distributions Declared To MYLTIP Units Per Unit						$ 0.075
Distributions made to OP and LTIP units per unit (in dollars per share)	$ 0.65	$ 0.65	$ 0.65	1.90	[1]
Distributions Made To MYLTIP Units Per Unit	$ 0.065	$ 0.065	$ 0.065	$ 0.065

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