Investments in real estate, net Investment in unconsolidated entity (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013 Extension_Option	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments amount	$ 0	$ 6,000
Greater Boston market \| Equity Method Investee
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity interest percentage (in percent)	27.50%	55.00%
Area of real estate property	413,536
Equity method investments amount	46,600,000
Greater Boston market \| Construction Loans \| Equity Method Investee
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Aggregate commitments of construction loan	213,200,000
Drawn and outstanding construction loan	$ 87,900,000
Greater Boston market \| LIBOR \| Construction Loans \| Equity Method Investee
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Base rate	LIBOR
Basis spread on LIBOR (as a percent)	3.75%
Minimum stated interest rate		5.25%
Number of one-year extension options	2
Greater Boston market \| Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc. \| Equity Method Investee
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Pre-Leased percentage of property	37.00%

Debt Instrument, Number of One-Year Maturity Date Extension Option

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- Definition

Long-term Construction Loan, Aggregate Commitments from Lenders

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Real Estate Property, Pre-Leased Percentage

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Area of a real estate property.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

This element represents the carrying value of a short-term real estate loan to finance building costs. The funds are disbursed as needed or in accordance with a prearranged plan; generally, a portion of the funds is disbursed at inception and the remainder as construction progresses. The money is repaid on completion of the project, usually from the proceeds of a mortgage loan. The rate is normally higher than the prime rate, and there is usually an origination fee. The effective yield on these loans tends to be high, and the lender has a security interest in the real property. Note that there are separate concepts for the current and noncurrent portions of long-term construction loans.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(a)(1))

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-Publisher AICPA

-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)

-Number AAG-DEP

-Paragraph 52

-IssueDate 2006-05-01

-Chapter 8

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20

-Article 5

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- Definition

The percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The reference rate for the variable rate of the debt instrument, such as LIBOR or the US Treasury rate and the maturity of the reference rate used, such as three months or six months LIBOR.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

When presenting a range of interest rates, the lowest stated (contractual) rate for funds borrowed under the debt agreement as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 159

-Paragraph 18

-Subparagraph f

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

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-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 18

-Paragraph 20

-Subparagraph a (1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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- Definition

This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized.

+ References

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