Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity - 3 months ended Mar. 31, 2016 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	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] 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 - General Partner at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 3,204,801	$ 3,453	$ 4,961,923	$ 1,806	$ (1,785,250)	$ 22,869
Beginning Balance - Partnership at Dec. 31, 2015							$ 3,204,801	$ 3,180,126	$ 20,032	$ 1,806	$ 2,837	$ 3,201,964
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income	43,756				43,307	449	43,756	43,307	438		11	43,745
Other comprehensive loss	(295)			(295)			(295)			(295)		(295)
Issuance of common shares	548		548
Capital contribution from the General Partner							548	548				548
Stock based compensation plan activity	4,199	6	2,605		(560)	2,148	4,199	2,051	2,148			4,199
Conversion of Limited Partner Units			150			(150)		150	(150)
Distributions to Partners'							(62,889)	(62,262)	(627)			(62,889)
Distributions to common shareholders	(62,262)				(62,262)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(630)					(630)	(3)				(3)
Ending Balance - General Partner at Mar. 31, 2016	$ 3,190,117	$ 3,459	$ 4,965,226	$ 1,511	$ (1,804,765)	$ 24,686
Ending Balance - Partnership at Mar. 31, 2016							$ 3,190,117	$ 3,163,920	$ 21,841	$ 1,511	$ 2,845	$ 3,187,272