Segment Information (Schedule Of Reconciliation Of Net Operating Income To Net Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders	$ 97,083	$ 181,747
Preferred Stock Dividends / Distributions	(2,625)	(2,618)
Noncontrolling interest-common units of the Operating Partnership	(11,432)	(21,393)
Noncontrolling interest in property partnerships	(4,424)	(10,464)
Interest expense	(95,534)	(105,309)
Depreciation and amortization expense	(159,205)	(159,448)
Transaction costs	(34)	(25)
General and administrative expense	(31,386)	(29,353)
Gains from investments in securities	(1,042)	(259)
Interest and other income	(614)	(1,505)
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	(3,084)	(1,791)
Development and management services income	(6,472)	(6,689)
Business Intersegment, Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders	97,083	181,747
Preferred Stock Dividends / Distributions	2,625	2,618
Noncontrolling interest-common units of the Operating Partnership	11,432	21,393
Noncontrolling interest in property partnerships	4,424	10,464
Interest expense	95,534	105,309
Depreciation and amortization expense	159,205	159,448
Transaction costs	34	25
General and administrative expense	31,386	29,353
Gains on sales of real estate	133	67,623
Gains from investments in securities	1,042	259
Interest and other income	614	1,505
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	3,084	1,791
Development and management services income	6,472	6,689
Net Operating Income	390,378	432,490
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders	110,662	207,296
Preferred Stock Dividends / Distributions	(2,625)	(2,618)
Noncontrolling interest in property partnerships	(4,424)	(10,464)
Interest expense	(95,534)	(105,309)
Depreciation and amortization expense	(157,058)	(157,461)
Transaction costs	(34)	(25)
General and administrative expense	(31,386)	(29,353)
Gains from investments in securities	(1,042)	(259)
Interest and other income	(614)	(1,505)
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	(3,084)	(1,791)
Development and management services income	(6,472)	(6,689)
Boston Properties Limited Partnership | Business Intersegment, Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders	110,662	207,296
Preferred Stock Dividends / Distributions	2,625	2,618
Noncontrolling interest in property partnerships	4,424	10,464
Interest expense	95,534	105,309
Depreciation and amortization expense	157,058	157,461
Transaction costs	34	25
General and administrative expense	31,386	29,353
Gains on sales of real estate	133	69,792
Gains from investments in securities	1,042	259
Interest and other income	614	1,505
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	3,084	1,791
Development and management services income	6,472	6,689
Net Operating Income	$ 390,378	$ 432,490