SEC Schedule, Article 12-28, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation Roll Forward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
SEC Schedule, 12-28, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Real Estate [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the year	$ 24,108,220	$ 23,303,303	$ 22,844,697
Additions to / improvements of real estate	2,228,000	1,145,084	996,989
Assets sold/written-off	(592,006)	(340,167)	(538,383)
Balance at the end of the year	25,744,214	24,108,220	23,303,303
SEC Schedule, 12-28, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Real Estate, Accumulated Depreciation [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the year	5,848,183	5,501,637	5,239,179
Depreciation expense	646,020	623,854	573,898
Assets sold/written-off	(233,211)	(277,308)	(311,440)
Balance at the end of the year	6,260,992	5,848,183	5,501,637
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
SEC Schedule, 12-28, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Real Estate [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the year	23,734,833	22,926,494	22,449,476
Additions to / improvements of real estate	2,228,000	1,145,084	996,989
Assets sold/written-off	(586,133)	(336,745)	(519,971)
Balance at the end of the year	25,376,700	23,734,833	22,926,494
SEC Schedule, 12-28, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Real Estate, Accumulated Depreciation [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the year	5,736,240	5,396,111	5,135,289
Depreciation expense	638,538	615,553	566,813
Assets sold/written-off	(231,394)	(275,424)	(305,991)
Balance at the end of the year	$ 6,143,384	$ 5,736,240	$ 5,396,111