Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity - 6 months ended Jun. 30, 2018 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [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 Partners' Common Equity [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, 2017	$ 4,574,378	$ 3,564	$ 5,205,316	$ (676,036)	$ 41,534
Beginning Balance - Partnership at Dec. 31, 2017						$ 4,574,378	$ 4,532,844	$ 40,563	$ 971	$ 4,573,407
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income	269,319			266,808	2,511	269,319	266,808	2,507	4	269,315
Issuance of common shares	1,376	1	1,375
Capital contribution from the General Partner						1,376	1,376			1,376
Stock based compensation plan activity	8,065	6	977	(650)	7,732	8,065	333	7,732		8,065
Conversion of Limited Partner Units		1	1,937		(1,938)		1,938	(1,938)
Distributions to Partners						(144,168)	(142,807)	(1,361)		(144,168)
Distributions to common shareholders	(142,807)			(142,807)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(1,361)				(1,361)
Ending Balance - General Partner at Jun. 30, 2018	$ 4,708,970	$ 3,572	$ 5,209,605	$ (552,685)	$ 48,478
Ending Balance - Partnership at Jun. 30, 2018						$ 4,708,970	$ 4,660,492	$ 47,503	$ 975	$ 4,707,995