Real Estate Real Estate Properties Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Land		$ 4,879,015	$ 4,879,020
Land held for future development	[1]	249,800	246,656
Buildings and improvements		11,904,196	11,890,626
Tenant improvements		2,111,336	2,060,315
Furniture, fixtures and equipment		36,589	32,687
Construction in Progress		1,211,324	1,037,959
Total		20,392,260	20,147,263
Accumulated depreciation		(4,302,283)	(4,222,235)
Total real estate		16,089,977	15,925,028
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Land		4,774,455	4,774,460
Land held for future development	[1]	249,800	246,656
Buildings and improvements		11,595,365	11,581,795
Tenant improvements		2,111,336	2,060,315
Furniture, fixtures and equipment		36,589	32,687
Construction in Progress		1,211,324	1,037,959
Total		19,978,869	19,733,872
Accumulated depreciation		(4,214,265)	(4,136,364)
Total real estate		$ 15,764,604	$ 15,597,508

[1] Includes pre-development costs.