Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets
Investments in real estate, net	$ 6,208,354	$ 6,008,440
Cash and cash equivalents	80,937	78,539
Restricted cash	41,897	23,332
Tenant receivables	6,143	7,480
Deferred rent	155,295	142,097
Deferred leasing and financing costs, net	151,355	135,550
Investments	104,454	95,777
Other assets	93,304	82,914
Total assets	6,841,739	6,574,129
Liabilities, Noncontrolling Interests, and Equity
Secured notes payable	719,977	724,305
Unsecured senior notes payable	549,783	84,959
Unsecured senior line of credit	379,000	370,000
Unsecured senior bank term loans	1,350,000	1,600,000
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and tenant security deposits	348,037	325,393
Dividends payable	38,357	36,579
Total liabilities	3,385,154	3,141,236
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	15,817	16,034
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.'s stockholders' equity:
Series D Convertible Preferred Stock	250,000	250,000
Common stock	622	616
Additional paid-in capital	3,053,269	3,028,558
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(37,370)	(34,511)
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.'s stockholders' equity	3,396,521	3,374,301
Noncontrolling interests	44,247	42,558
Total equity	3,440,768	3,416,859
Total liabilities, noncontrolling interests, and equity	6,841,739	6,574,129
Series C Preferred Stock
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.'s stockholders' equity:
Preferred Stock		129,638
Total equity		129,638
Series E Preferred Stock
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.'s stockholders' equity:
Preferred Stock	130,000
Total equity	$ 130,000