Stockholders' Equity / Partners'' Capital Narrative (Details)		3 Months Ended
	Jun. 03, 2014 USD ($) yr	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Mar. 27, 2018 $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding		153,604,966		153,579,966
Shares of Common Stock in connection with the redemption of an equal number of OP Units (in shares)		13,259
Common Stock, Value, Issued | $		$ 1,536,000		$ 1,536,000
Atm Program [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
At the market stock offering program, aggregate value of common stock | $	$ 600,000,000
At Market Stock Offering Program Maximum Length Of Sale In Years | yr	3
Common Stock, Value, Issued | $		$ 0
Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Series B, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		80,000		80,000
Series B, Dividend Rate, Percentage		5.25%
Series B, Liquidation Preference Per Share (dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 2,500.00		$ 2,500
Ratio of depository shares to shares of Series B Preferred Stock		0.01
Depository shares of Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Series B, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		8,000,000
Series B, Liquidation Preference Per Share (dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 25.00
Subsequent Event [Member] | Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Series B, Liquidation Preference Per Share (dollars per share) | $ / shares			$ 2,500.00
Subsequent Event [Member] | Depository shares of Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Series B, Liquidation Preference Per Share (dollars per share) | $ / shares			$ 25.00
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Class of Stock [Line Items]
General Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding		1,717,626		1,715,092
Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding		151,887,340		151,864,874
Boston Properties Limited Partnership | Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Series B, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		80,000		80,000
Series B, Liquidation Preference Per Share (dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 2,500.00		$ 2,500.00