Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Properties:
Land	$ 693,791		$ 661,058
Acquired ground leases	14,618		13,658
Buildings and improvements	8,680,677	[1]	7,662,973	[1]
Tenant improvements	490,492		404,830
Total investments in properties	9,879,578		8,742,519
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,565,996)		(1,206,017)
Net investments in properties	8,313,582		7,536,502
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	70,504		66,634
Net investments in real estate	8,384,086		7,603,136
Cash and cash equivalents	56,808		56,281
Accounts and other receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $5,576 and $3,609 as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	181,163		168,286
Deferred rent	393,504		321,715
Acquired above market leases, net of accumulated amortization of $80,486 and $69,425 as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	52,264		65,055
Acquired in place lease value and deferred leasing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $501,033 and $424,039 as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	489,456		495,205
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $53,939 and $43,292 as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	36,475		30,621
Restricted cash	40,362		44,050
Other assets	51,627		34,865
Total assets	9,685,745		8,819,214
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Unsecured senior notes, net of discount	2,364,232		1,738,221
Exchangeable senior debentures	266,400		266,400
Mortgage loans, net of premiums	585,608		792,376
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	662,687		646,427
Accrued dividends and distributions	102,509		93,434
Acquired below market leases, net of accumulated amortization of $161,369 and $137,276 as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	130,269		148,233
Security deposits and prepaid rents	181,876		154,171
Total liabilities	6,039,233		5,320,830
Commitments and contingencies
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 70,000,000 shares authorized:
Common Stock: $0.01 par value, 215,000,000 shares authorized, 128,455,350 and 125,140,783 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	1,279		1,247
Additional paid-in capital	3,688,937		3,562,642
Accumulated dividends in excess of earnings	(785,222)		(656,104)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	10,691		(12,191)
Total stockholders' equity	3,610,516		3,468,305
Noncontrolling Interests:
Noncontrolling interests in operating partnership	29,027		24,135
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures	6,969		5,944
Total noncontrolling interests	35,996		30,079
Total equity	3,646,512		3,498,384
Total liabilities and equity/capital	9,685,745		8,819,214
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Properties:
Land	693,791		661,058
Acquired ground leases	14,618		13,658
Buildings and improvements	8,680,677		7,662,973
Tenant improvements	490,492		404,830
Total investments in properties	9,879,578		8,742,519
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,565,996)		(1,206,017)
Net investments in properties	8,313,582		7,536,502
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	70,504		66,634
Net investments in real estate	8,384,086		7,603,136
Cash and cash equivalents	56,808		56,281
Accounts and other receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $5,576 and $3,609 as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	181,163		168,286
Deferred rent	393,504		321,715
Acquired above market leases, net of accumulated amortization of $80,486 and $69,425 as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	52,264		65,055
Acquired in place lease value and deferred leasing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $501,033 and $424,039 as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	489,456		495,205
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $53,939 and $43,292 as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	36,475		30,621
Restricted cash	40,362		44,050
Other assets	51,627		34,865
Total assets	9,685,745		8,819,214
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Unsecured senior notes, net of discount	2,364,232		1,738,221
Exchangeable senior debentures	266,400		266,400
Mortgage loans, net of premiums	585,608		792,376
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	662,687		646,427
Accrued dividends and distributions	102,509		93,434
Acquired below market leases, net of accumulated amortization of $161,369 and $137,276 as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	130,269		148,233
Security deposits and prepaid rents	181,876		154,171
Total liabilities	6,039,233		5,320,830
Commitments and contingencies
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 70,000,000 shares authorized:
Common Units: 128,455,350 and 125,140,783 units issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	2,904,994		2,907,785
Limited partners, 1,491,814 and 1,515,814 common units, 1,077,838 and 937,208 profits interest units and 397,369 and 398,378 class C units outstanding as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	31,261		26,854
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	8,457		(14,910)
Total partners' capital	3,639,543		3,492,440
Noncontrolling Interests:
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures	6,969		5,944
Total capital	3,646,512		3,498,384
Total liabilities and equity/capital	9,685,745		8,819,214
Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 70,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred Stock			119,348
Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 70,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred Stock			119,348
Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 70,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred Stock	277,172		277,172
Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 70,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred Stock	277,172		277,172
Series F Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 70,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred Stock	176,191		176,191
Series F Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 70,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred Stock	176,191		176,191
Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 70,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred Stock	241,468
Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 70,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred Stock	241,468
Global Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Line of credit	724,668		723,729
Global Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Line of credit	724,668		723,729
Unsecured Term Loan [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Line of credit	1,020,984		757,839
Unsecured Term Loan [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Line of credit	$ 1,020,984		$ 757,839

[1] Balance includes, as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, $1,053.2 million and $777.3 million of direct and accrued costs associated with construction in progress, respectively.