Real Estate Real Estate Properties Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Land		$ 4,880,331	$ 4,879,020
Land held for future development	[1]	212,585	246,656
Buildings and improvements		12,155,126	11,890,626
Tenant improvements		2,186,953	2,060,315
Furniture, fixtures and equipment		37,612	32,687
Construction in Progress		1,386,638	1,037,959
Total		20,859,245	20,147,263
Accumulated depreciation		(4,484,798)	(4,222,235)
Total real estate		16,374,447	15,925,028
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Land		4,775,955	4,774,460
Land held for future development	[1]	212,585	246,656
Buildings and improvements		11,848,024	11,581,795
Tenant improvements		2,186,953	2,060,315
Furniture, fixtures and equipment		37,612	32,687
Construction in Progress		1,386,638	1,037,959
Total		20,447,767	19,733,872
Accumulated depreciation		(4,394,077)	(4,136,364)
Total real estate		$ 16,053,690	$ 15,597,508

[1] Includes pre-development costs.