Stockholders' Equity / Partners' Capital Dividends / Distributions (Details) - $ / shares	Nov. 15, 2016	Oct. 31, 2016	Aug. 15, 2016	Jul. 29, 2016	May 16, 2016	Apr. 29, 2016	Feb. 16, 2016	Jan. 28, 2016		Dec. 19, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 28, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Dividends / Distributions [Line Items]
Special dividend / distribution (per share / common unit amount)								$ 1.25			$ 1.25		$ 4.50
Common Stock / Unit, Dividends / Distributions, Per Share / Unit, Cash Paid		$ 0.65		$ 0.65		$ 0.65		1.90	[1]
Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share / Unit										$ 0.75
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Dividends / Distributions [Line Items]
Special dividend / distribution (per share / common unit amount)								1.25				$ 4.50
Common Stock / Unit, Dividends / Distributions, Per Share / Unit, Cash Paid		$ 0.65		$ 0.65		$ 0.65		$ 1.90	[1]
Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share / Unit										0.75
Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock / Unit [Member]
Dividends / Distributions [Line Items]
Common Stock / Unit, Dividends / Distributions, Per Share / Unit, Cash Paid	$ 32.8125		$ 32.8125		$ 32.8125		$ 32.8125
Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share / Unit										$ 32.8125

[1] Includes a special dividend/distribution of $1.25 per share/OP Unit and LTIP Unit.