Condensed Consolidated Statement Of Capital (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011
Balance		$ 2,054,663
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units		6,560
Net proceeds from issuance of common units		413,592
Issuance of common units in connection with the exercise of stock options		3,416
Issuance of common stock in exchange for debentures		(11,450)
Issuance of series E preferred stock, net of offering costs		277,402
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred units		277,402
Amortization of unearned compensation regarding share based awards		12,308
Distributions		(225,747)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests of a consolidated joint venture		(53,240)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures		119
Net income	37,689	114,929
Other comprehensive loss - foreign currency translation adjustments	(35,580)	(10,543)
Other comprehensive loss - fair value of interest rate swaps	(2,089)	(3,036)
Other comprehensive income - reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense	1,293	4,467
Balance	2,576,880	2,576,880
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] | General Partner [Member] | Preferred Units [Member]
Balance		502,341
Balance (units)		20,787,255
Issuance of series E preferred stock, net of offering costs		277,402
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred units		277,402
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred units (units)		11,500,000
Conversion of preferred units		(165,160)
Conversion of preferred units (units)		(6,834,776)
Distributions		(15,671)
Net income		15,671
Balance	614,583	614,583
Balance (units)	25,452,479	25,452,479
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] | General Partner [Member] | Common Units [Member]
Balance		1,502,258
Balance (units)		91,159,221
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units		6,560
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units (units)		570,181
Issuance of restricted common units, net of forfeitures (units)		79,481
Net proceeds from issuance of common units		413,592
Net proceeds from issuance of common units (units)		7,078,687
Issuance of common units in connection with the exercise of stock options		3,416
Issuance of common units in connection with the exercise of stock options (units)		90,171
Issuance of common stock in exchange for debentures		(11,450)
Issuance of common stock in exchange for debentures (shares/units)		1,087,820
Conversion of preferred units		165,160
Conversion of preferred units (units)		4,037,317
Amortization of unearned compensation regarding share based awards		12,308
Reclassification of vested share based awards		(7,929)
Distributions		(199,320)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests of a consolidated joint venture		(26,720)
Net income		94,878
Balance	1,952,753	1,952,753
Balance (units)	104,102,878	104,102,878
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] | Limited Partner [Member] | Common Units [Member]
Balance		56,215
Balance (units)		5,463,449
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units		(6,560)
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units (units)		(570,181)
Issuance of common units, net of forfeitures (units)		131,404
Reclassification of vested share based awards		7,929
Distributions		(10,756)
Net income		4,655
Balance	51,483	51,483
Balance (units)	5,024,672	5,024,672
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net [Member]
Balance		(45,860)
Other comprehensive loss - foreign currency translation adjustments		(10,543)
Other comprehensive loss - fair value of interest rate swaps		(3,036)
Other comprehensive income - reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense		4,467
Balance	(54,972)	(54,972)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] | Noncontrolling Interests In Consolidated Joint Ventures [Member]
Balance		39,709
Purchase of noncontrolling interests of a consolidated joint venture		(26,520)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures		119
Net income		(275)
Balance	13,033	13,033
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Balance		2,054,663
Purchase of noncontrolling interests of a consolidated joint venture		(53,240)
Net income	37,689	114,929
Other comprehensive loss - foreign currency translation adjustments	(35,580)	(10,543)
Other comprehensive loss - fair value of interest rate swaps	(2,089)	(3,036)
Other comprehensive income - reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense	1,293	4,467
Balance	$ 2,576,880	$ 2,576,880