Segment Information (Schedule Of Reconciliation Of Net Operating Income To Net Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders	$ 176,021	$ 97,083
Preferred Stock Dividends / Distributions	(2,625)	(2,625)
Noncontrolling interest-common units of the Operating Partnership	(20,432)	(11,432)
Noncontrolling interest in property partnerships	(17,234)	(4,424)
Interest expense	(90,220)	(95,534)
Losses (gains) from investments in securities	(126)	1,042
Depreciation and amortization expense	(165,797)	(159,205)
Transaction costs	(21)	(34)
Payroll and related costs from management services contracts	(2,885)	0
General and administrative expense	(35,894)	(31,386)
Interest and other income	(1,648)	(614)
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	(461)	(3,084)
Direct reimbursements of payroll and related costs from management services contracts	(2,885)	0
Development and management services income	(8,405)	(6,472)
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	176,021	97,083
Preferred Stock Dividends / Distributions	2,625	2,625
Noncontrolling interest-common units of the Operating Partnership	20,432	11,432
Noncontrolling interest in property partnerships	17,234	4,424
Interest expense	90,220	95,534
Losses (gains) from investments in securities	126	(1,042)
Depreciation and amortization expense	165,797	159,205
Transaction costs	21	34
Payroll and related costs from management services contracts	2,885	0
General and administrative expense	35,894	31,386
Gains on sales of real estate	96,397	133
Interest and other income	1,648	614
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	461	3,084
Direct reimbursements of payroll and related costs from management services contracts	2,885	0
Development and management services income	8,405	6,472
Net Operating Income	401,459	390,378
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	200,907	110,662
Preferred Stock Dividends / Distributions	(2,625)	(2,625)
Noncontrolling interest in property partnerships	(17,234)	(4,424)
Interest expense	(90,220)	(95,534)
Losses (gains) from investments in securities	(126)	1,042
Depreciation and amortization expense	(163,853)	(157,058)
Transaction costs	(21)	(34)
Payroll and related costs from management services contracts	(2,885)	0
General and administrative expense	(35,894)	(31,386)
Interest and other income	(1,648)	(614)
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	(461)	(3,084)
Direct reimbursements of payroll and related costs from management services contracts	(2,885)	0
Development and management services income	(8,405)	(6,472)
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	200,907	110,662
Preferred Stock Dividends / Distributions	2,625	2,625
Noncontrolling interest in property partnerships	17,234	4,424
Interest expense	90,220	95,534
Losses (gains) from investments in securities	126	(1,042)
Depreciation and amortization expense	163,853	157,058
Transaction costs	21	34
Payroll and related costs from management services contracts	2,885	0
General and administrative expense	35,894	31,386
Gains on sales of real estate	98,907	133
Interest and other income	1,648	614
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	461	3,084
Direct reimbursements of payroll and related costs from management services contracts	2,885	0
Development and management services income	8,405	6,472
Net Operating Income	$ 401,459	$ 390,378