Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share Reconciling the Components of Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) per Common Share (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income attributable to common shareholders	$ 165,269	$ 112,014	$ 1,446,012	$ 264,388
Less: dividends on participating securities	(444)	(580)	(1,527)	(1,751)
Basic net income attributable to common shareholders	164,825	111,434	1,444,485	262,637
Add back dividends on dilutive participating securities	444	580	1,527	1,751
Noncontrolling interest in earnings of common unitholders	1,535	1,131	13,427	2,670
Diluted net income attributable to common shareholders	$ 166,804	$ 113,145	$ 1,459,439	$ 267,058
Weighted average number of common shares/units outstanding, Basic	355,905	351,856	355,614	348,341
Weighted average Limited Partner Units outstanding	3,301	3,495	3,307	3,499
Other potential dilutive shares/units	2,896	3,630	3,026	3,565
Weighted average number of common shares/units and potential dilutive securities	362,102	358,981	361,947	355,405
Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income attributable to common shareholders	$ 166,804	$ 113,145	$ 1,459,439	$ 267,058
Less: dividends on participating securities	(444)	(580)	(1,527)	(1,751)
Basic net income attributable to common unitholders	166,360	112,565	1,457,912	265,307
Add back dividends on dilutive participating securities	444	580	1,527	1,751
Diluted net income attributable to common unitholders	$ 166,804	$ 113,145	$ 1,459,439	$ 267,058
Weighted average number of common shares/units outstanding, Basic	359,206	355,351	358,921	351,840
Other potential dilutive shares/units	2,896	3,630	3,026	3,565
Weighted average number of common shares/units and potential dilutive securities	362,102	358,981	361,947	355,405