Noncontrolling Interests Common units distributions (Details) - Boston Properties Limited Partnership - $ / shares	Jan. 30, 2018	Mar. 15, 2018
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Distributions Declared To OP And LTIP Units Per Unit		$ 0.80
Distributions Declared To MYLTIP Units Per Unit (in dollars per unit)		$ 0.080
Distributions made to OP and LTIP units per unit (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.80
Distribution paid to MYLTIP Units (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.080