Stockholders' Equity / Partners' Capital Partners' Capital Changes in Issued and Outstanding Partners' Capital Units (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued in exchange for OP Units	190,857	424,236
Limited Partners' Ending Balance	152,072,432
General Partners' Ending Balance	1,717,743
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
General Partners' Beginning Balance	1,715,092
Limited Partners Beginning Balance	151,864,874
Partners' Capital Beginning Balance	153,579,966	153,113,945	152,983,101
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan	5,695	6,199	6,964
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued under the Stock Option and Incentive Plan, net	13,657	35,586	43,634
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued in exchange for OP Units	190,857	424,236	80,246
Limited Partners' Ending Balance	152,072,432	151,864,874
Partners' Capital Ending Balance	153,790,175	153,579,966	153,113,945
General Partners' Ending Balance	1,717,743	1,715,092
Boston Properties Limited Partnership | General Partner [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
General Partners' Beginning Balance	1,715,092	1,710,644	1,700,222
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan	72	59	555
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued under the Stock Option and Incentive Plan, net	172	340	3,476
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued in exchange for OP Units	2,407	4,049	6,391
General Partners' Ending Balance	1,717,743	1,715,092	1,710,644
Boston Properties Limited Partnership | Limited Partner [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Limited Partners Beginning Balance	151,864,874	151,403,301	151,282,879
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan	5,623	6,140	6,409
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued under the Stock Option and Incentive Plan, net	13,485	35,246	40,158
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued in exchange for OP Units	188,450	420,187	73,855
Limited Partners' Ending Balance	152,072,432	151,864,874	151,403,301