Noncontrolling Interests Common Units Distributions (Details) - $ / shares	Jan. 28, 2021	Apr. 30, 2020	Jan. 30, 2020	Mar. 18, 2021
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Distributions Payable, Amount Per Unit				$ 0.98
Dividends, Per Unit, Cash Paid	$ 0.98	$ 0.98	$ 0.98
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Distributions Payable, Amount Per Unit				0.98
Dividends, Per Unit, Cash Paid	0.98	0.98	0.98
Boston Properties Limited Partnership | Op units and LTIP units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Distributions Payable, Amount Per Unit				0.98
Dividends, Per Unit, Cash Paid	0.98	0.98	0.98
Boston Properties Limited Partnership | Unvested MYLTIP Units [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Distributions Payable, Amount Per Unit				$ 0.098
Dividends, Per Unit, Cash Paid	$ 0.098	$ 0.098	$ 0.098