Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member]	Non-controlling Interest [Member]	Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member]	Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Preferred Stock [Member]	Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Limited Partner [Member]	Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Non-controlling Interest [Member]	Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Stockholders' Equity, Total [Member]
Beginning Balance - Partnership at Dec. 31, 2013								$ 3,044,385	$ 447,683	$ 2,565,370	$ 20,158	$ 4,119	$ 7,055	$ 3,037,330
Beginning Balance - General Partner at Dec. 31, 2013	3,044,629	447,683	3,264	4,620,964	4,119	(2,062,787)	31,386
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income	233,655					230,772	2,883	233,655	20,155	210,617	2,738		145	233,510
Other comprehensive income	(806)				(806)			(806)				(806)		(806)
Issuance of common shares	255,962		146	255,816
Capital contribution from the General Partner								255,962		255,962				255,962
Stock based compensation plan activity	9,486		7	11,122		(1,643)		9,486		9,486				9,486
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Units	0			56			(56)	0		56	(56)			0
Distributions to preferred shareholders/unitholders	(20,155)					(20,155)		(20,155)	(20,155)					(20,155)
Repurchase of preferred shares/units	(113,797)	(114,889)		3,805		(2,713)		(113,797)	(114,898)	1,101				(113,797)
Partners' Capital Account, Distributions								(172,153)		(169,917)	(2,236)			(172,153)
Distributions to common shareholders	(169,917)					(169,917)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net	(2,044)						(2,044)	192					192
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Redemptions or Purchase of Interests	(7,803)					(2,637)	(5,166)	(7,803)		(2,637)	21		(5,187)	(2,616)
Ending Balance - Partnership at Sep. 30, 2014								3,228,966	332,785	2,870,038	20,625	3,313	2,205	3,226,761
Ending Balance - General Partner at Sep. 30, 2014	3,229,210	332,794	3,417	4,891,763	3,313	(2,029,080)	27,003
Beginning Balance - Partnership at Jun. 30, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income	71,557							71,557
Other comprehensive income	(287)							(287)
Ending Balance - Partnership at Sep. 30, 2014								3,228,966
Ending Balance - General Partner at Sep. 30, 2014	$ 3,229,210