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		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income attributable to common shareholders	$ 193,845	$ 1,210,543	$ 266,808	$ 1,280,743
Less: dividends on participating securities	(418)	(540)	(855)	(1,083)
Basic net income attributable to common shareholders	193,427	1,210,003	265,953	1,279,660
Add back dividends on dilutive participating securities	418	540	855	1,083
Noncontrolling interest in earnings of common unitholders	1,824	11,240	2,507	11,892
Diluted net income attributable to common shareholders	$ 195,669	$ 1,221,783	$ 269,315	$ 1,292,635
Weighted average number of common shares/units outstanding, Basic	357,054	355,647	356,898	355,466
Weighted average Limited Partner Units outstanding	3,393	3,305	3,374	3,310
Other potential dilutive shares/units	2,294	3,029	2,279	3,013
Weighted average number of common shares/units and potential dilutive securities	362,741	361,981	362,551	361,789
Duke Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income attributable to common shareholders	$ 195,669	$ 1,221,783	$ 269,315	$ 1,292,635
Less: dividends on participating securities	(418)	(540)	(855)	(1,083)
Basic net income attributable to common unitholders	195,251	1,221,243	268,460	1,291,552
Add back dividends on dilutive participating securities	418	540	855	1,083
Diluted net income attributable to common unitholders	$ 195,669	$ 1,221,783	$ 269,315	$ 1,292,635
Weighted average number of common shares/units outstanding, Basic	360,447	358,952	360,272	358,776
Other potential dilutive shares/units	2,294	3,029	2,279	3,013
Weighted average number of common shares/units and potential dilutive securities	362,741	361,981	362,551	361,789