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Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2019	Dec. 20, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2019
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Recognition of retained equity investment in unconsolidated Ascenty joint venture			$ 110,086,000		$ 110,086,000
Remeasurement of the retained equity interests to fair value			110,086,000		110,086,000
Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustment due to deconsolidation of Ascenty			$ 0	$ 0	$ 21,687,000	$ 0
Ascenty Acquisition
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage in joint ventures	51.00%		51.00%		51.00%
Ownership interest by noncontrolling interest			2.00%		2.00%
Deconsolidation gain recognized, net of taxes and foreign currency loss					$ 67,500,000
Recognition of retained equity investment in unconsolidated Ascenty joint venture			$ 727,439,000		$ 727,439,000
Ascenty Acquisition \| Brookfield Infrastructure
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment	$ 702,000,000						$ 702,000,000
Ownership percentage in joint ventures	49.00%						49.00%
Ascenty Acquisition
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total consideration of assets and liabilities acquired		$ 2,000,000,000.0
Cash assumed in merger		116,000,000.0
Recognition of retained equity investment in unconsolidated Ascenty joint venture	$ 727,000,000
Cash proceeds from divestiture	702,000,000
Remeasurement of the retained equity interests to fair value	$ 89,200,000
Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustment due to deconsolidation of Ascenty			$ 21,700,000
Ascenty Acquisition \| Digital Realty Operating Partnership Units
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity interest in exchange for units		254,000,000
Ascenty Acquisition \| Secured Term Loan \| Secured Term Loan, 5 Year
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Long-term debt		$ 600,000,000.0
Debt instrument term		5 years
Ascenty Acquisition \| Secured Term Loan \| Unsecured Debt
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Long-term debt		$ 1,000,000,000.0