SEC Schedule, Article 12-28, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation Roll Forward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
SEC Schedule, 12-28, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Real Estate [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the year	$ 23,303,303	$ 22,844,697	$ 21,605,545
Additions to / improvements of real estate	1,145,084	996,989	1,671,898
Assets sold/written-off	(340,167)	(538,383)	(432,746)
Balance at the end of the year	24,108,220	23,303,303	22,844,697
SEC Schedule, 12-28, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Real Estate, Accumulated Depreciation [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the year	5,501,637	5,239,179	4,871,102
Depreciation expense	623,854	573,898	564,938
Assets sold/written-off	(277,308)	(311,440)	(196,861)
Balance at the end of the year	5,848,183	5,501,637	5,239,179
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
SEC Schedule, 12-28, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Real Estate [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the year	22,926,494	22,449,476	21,207,189
Additions to / improvements of real estate	1,145,084	996,989	1,671,898
Assets sold/written-off	(336,745)	(519,971)	(429,611)
Balance at the end of the year	23,734,833	22,926,494	22,449,476
SEC Schedule, 12-28, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Real Estate, Accumulated Depreciation [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the year	5,396,111	5,135,289	4,773,800
Depreciation expense	615,553	566,813	557,130
Assets sold/written-off	(275,424)	(305,991)	(195,641)
Balance at the end of the year	$ 5,736,240	$ 5,396,111	$ 5,135,289