Equity - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Douglas Emmett, Inc. Stockholders' Equity, Beginning Balance	$ 2,437,524
Noncontrolling Interests, Beginning Balance	1,464,525
Beginning Balance	3,902,049	$ 3,014,071
Adjustment to opening balance of accumulated deficit	(211)
Net income attributable to common stockholders	28,206	19,049
Noncontrolling Interests, Net Income	4,425	2,731
Net income	32,631	21,780
Cash flow hedge fair value adjustment, total equity	44,369	9,829
Contributions to consolidated JVs		250
Dividends and distributions, Douglas Emmett, Inc. Stockholders' Equity	(42,483)	(35,223)
Dividends and distributions, total equity	(55,560)	(44,855)
Exchange of OP units for common stock	0	0
Exercise of stock options(2)	(313)	(52,704)
Stock-based compensation, total equity	3,502	2,936
Douglas Emmett, Inc. Stockholders' Equity, Ending Balance	2,458,852
Noncontrolling Interests, Ending Balance	1,467,615
Ending Balance	3,926,467	2,951,307
DEI Stockholders' Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Douglas Emmett, Inc. Stockholders' Equity, Beginning Balance	2,437,524	1,921,143
Adjustment to opening balance of accumulated deficit	(211)
Net income attributable to common stockholders	28,206	19,049
Cash flow hedge fair value adjustment, Douglas Emmett, Inc. Stockholders' Equity	30,922	7,702
Contributions to consolidated JVs		0
Dividends and distributions, Douglas Emmett, Inc. Stockholders' Equity	(42,475)	(35,223)
Exchange of OP units for common stock	5,199	4,523
Exercise of stock options(2)	(313)	(52,704)
Stock-based compensation, Douglas Emmett Stockholders' Equity	0	0
Douglas Emmett, Inc. Stockholders' Equity, Ending Balance	2,458,852	1,864,490
Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling Interests, Beginning Balance	1,464,525	1,092,928
Adjustment to opening balance of accumulated deficit	0
Noncontrolling Interests, Net Income	4,425	2,731
Cash flow hedge fair value adjustment, noncontrolling interest	13,447	2,127
Contributions to consolidated JVs		250
Dividends and distributions, noncontrolling interest	(13,085)	(9,632)
Exchange of OP units for common stock	(5,199)	(4,523)
Exercise of stock options(2)	0	0
Stock-based compensation, noncontrolling interest	3,502	2,936
Noncontrolling Interests, Ending Balance	$ 1,467,615	$ 1,086,817