Noncontrolling Interests Common Units Distributions (Details) - Boston Properties Limited Partnership - $ / shares	Oct. 31, 2018	Jul. 31, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018	Jan. 30, 2018	Dec. 17, 2018
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Distributions Declared To OP And LTIP Units Per Unit					$ 0.95
Distributions Declared To MYLTIP Units Per Unit					$ 0.095
Distributions made to OP and LTIP units per unit (in dollars per share)	$ 0.95	$ 0.80	$ 0.80	$ 0.80
Distributions Made To MYLTIP Units Per Unit	$ 0.095	$ 0.080	$ 0.080	$ 0.080