Noncontrolling Interests Common units for Boston Properties LImited Partnership (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Conversion of redeemable partnership units		$ 0
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ (56,706)	(11,907)	$ (14,114)	$ (9,304)
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Conversion of redeemable partnership units	438	(5,162)
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(65,830)	(15,879)	$ (18,337)	$ (12,973)
Boston Properties Limited Partnership | Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Beginning balance	2,286,689	2,310,046
Contributions	30,808	38,371
Net Income	21,393	20,188
Distributions	(11,865)	(11,705)
Conversion of redeemable partnership units	(446)	(8,689)
Unearned Compensation	(22,424)	(18,597)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(4,901)	(303)
Adjustments To Reflect Redeemable Preferred Units At Redemption Value	8,218	211,747
Ending balance	$ 2,307,472	$ 2,541,058