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Weighted-average period over which cost not yet recognized is expected to be recognized for award under share-based payment arrangement, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

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Stock Option and Incentive Plan Stock and Units (Narrative) (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($) shares	Sep. 30, 2022 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2022 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued \| shares	157,018,080		157,018,080		156,836,767
Stock based compensation expense	$ 4,800	$ 7,700	$ 45,700	$ 43,200
Common Stock, Value, Issued	$ 1,569		$ 1,569		$ 1,568
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued \| shares	73,414		73,414
LTIP Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Value Of LTIP Units Issued			$ 29,400
Unvested Restricted stock and LTIP Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Number of Annual Installments for Vesting			4
Boston Properties Limited Partnership \| LTIP Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
LTIP units issued (in shares) \| shares	430,824		430,824
Boston Properties Limited Partnership \| MYLTIP 2023
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares issued \| shares			322,053
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Employee and director payment per share (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares			$ 0.01
Common Stock, Value, Issued	$ 5,400		$ 5,400
LTIP and MYLTIP Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Employee and director payment per share (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares			$ 0.25
Ltips (including vested MYLTIPS) And Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expenses	25,100		$ 25,100
Unvested MYLTIP Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expenses	$ 500		$ 500
Weighted-average period (years)			2 years 6 months