Noncontrolling Interests Common units distributions (Details) - Boston Properties Limited Partnership - $ / shares	Jan. 28, 2016	Mar. 16, 2017
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Distributions Declared To OP And LTIP Units Per Unit		$ 0.75
Distributions Declared To MYLTIP Units Per Unit (in dollars per unit)		$ 0.075
Distributions made to OP and LTIP units per unit (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.75
Distribution paid to MYLTIP Units (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.075