Segment Information (Schedule Of Reconciliation Of Net Operating Income To Net Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net Operating Income	$ 250,353	$ 206,209
Development and management services income	6,689	5,328
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	1,791	14,834
Interest and other income	1,505	1,407
Gains from investments in securities	259	393
General and administrative expense	29,353	28,791
Transaction costs	25	327
Depreciation and amortization expense	159,448	154,223
Interest expense	105,309	108,757
Noncontrolling interest in property partnerships	10,464	15,208
Noncontrolling interest-redeemable preferred units	0	3
Noncontrolling interest-common units of the Operating Partnership	21,393	20,188
Preferred dividends / distributions	2,618	2,589
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders	181,747	171,182
Business Intersegment, Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net Operating Income	432,490	384,222
Development and management services income	6,689	5,328
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	1,791	14,834
Interest and other income	1,505	1,407
Gains from investments in securities	259	393
Gains on sales of real estate	67,623	95,084
General and administrative expense	29,353	28,791
Transaction costs	25	327
Depreciation and amortization expense	159,448	154,223
Interest expense	105,309	108,757
Noncontrolling interest in property partnerships	10,464	15,208
Noncontrolling interest-redeemable preferred units	0	3
Noncontrolling interest-common units of the Operating Partnership	21,393	20,188
Preferred dividends / distributions	2,618	2,589
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders	181,747	171,182
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net Operating Income	252,340	208,208
Development and management services income	6,689	5,328
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	1,791	14,834
Interest and other income	1,505	1,407
Gains from investments in securities	259	393
General and administrative expense	29,353	28,791
Transaction costs	25	327
Depreciation and amortization expense	157,461	152,224
Interest expense	105,309	108,757
Noncontrolling interest in property partnerships	10,464	15,208
Noncontrolling interest-redeemable preferred units	0	3
Preferred dividends / distributions	2,618	2,589
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders	207,296	193,369
Boston Properties Limited Partnership | Business Intersegment, Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net Operating Income	432,490	384,222
Development and management services income	6,689	5,328
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	1,791	14,834
Interest and other income	1,505	1,407
Gains from investments in securities	259	393
Gains on sales of real estate	69,792	95,084
General and administrative expense	29,353	28,791
Transaction costs	25	327
Depreciation and amortization expense	157,461	152,224
Interest expense	105,309	108,757
Noncontrolling interest in property partnerships	10,464	15,208
Noncontrolling interest-redeemable preferred units	0	3
Preferred dividends / distributions	2,618	2,589
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders	$ 207,296	$ 193,369