SEC Schedule, Article 12-28, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation Roll Forward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
SEC Schedule, 12-28, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Real Estate [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the year	$ 25,744,214	$ 24,108,220	$ 23,303,303
Additions to / improvements of real estate	1,811,036	2,228,000	1,145,084
Assets sold/written-off	(133,779)	(592,006)	(340,167)
Balance at the end of the year	27,421,471	25,744,214	24,108,220
SEC Schedule, 12-28, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Real Estate, Accumulated Depreciation [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the year	6,260,992	5,848,183	5,501,637
Depreciation expense	714,191	646,020	623,854
Assets sold/written-off	(133,779)	(233,211)	(277,308)
Balance at the end of the year	6,841,404	6,260,992	5,848,183
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
SEC Schedule, 12-28, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Real Estate [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the year	25,376,700	23,734,833	22,926,494
Additions to / improvements of real estate	1,811,036	2,228,000	1,145,084
Assets sold/written-off	(132,530)	(586,133)	(336,745)
Balance at the end of the year	27,055,206	25,376,700	23,734,833
SEC Schedule, 12-28, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Real Estate, Accumulated Depreciation [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the year	6,143,384	5,736,240	5,396,111
Depreciation expense	707,183	638,538	615,553
Assets sold/written-off	(132,530)	(231,394)	(275,424)
Balance at the end of the year	$ 6,718,037	$ 6,143,384	$ 5,736,240