Acquired Intangible Assets And Liabilities (Summary Of Acquired Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired in place lease value, Net	$ 335,381	$ 334,366
Acquired above market leases, Net	29,701	40,539
Acquired below market leases, Net	85,819	93,250
Acquired In Place Lease Value [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired in place lease value, Gross amount	545,409	515,958
Accumulated amortization	(312,499)	(261,978)
Acquired in place lease value, Net	232,910	253,980
Acquired Above Market Lease Value [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired above market leases, Gross amount	87,800	87,622
Accumulated amortization	(58,099)	(47,083)
Acquired above market leases, Net	29,701	40,539
Acquired Below Market Lease Value [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired below market leases, Gross amount	201,275	189,990
Accumulated amortization	(115,456)	(96,740)
Acquired below market leases, Net	$ 85,819	$ 93,250

Finite Lived Intangible Asset Off Market Lease Favorable Net

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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- Definition

Finite Lived Intangible Assets Acquired In Place Lease Gross

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Off Market Lease Unfavorable Gross

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	dlr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the amount of value allocated by a lessor (acquirer) to lease agreements which exist at acquisition of a leased property. Such amount may include the value assigned to existing tenant relationships and excludes the market adjustment component of the value assigned for above or below-market leases acquired.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the identifiable intangible asset established upon acquisition based on a favorable difference between the terms of an acquired lease and the current market terms for that lease at the acquisition date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141

-Paragraph 37

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.15)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The accumulated amount of amortization of a major finite-lived intangible asset class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph a(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6905858&loc=d3e16323-109275

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents a liability associated with the acquisition of an off-market lease when the terms of the lease are unfavorable to the market terms for the lease at the date of acquisition.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141

-Paragraph 37

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.24)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant