Selected Interim Financial Information (unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Total revenue	$ 655,229	$ 657,712	$ 656,907	$ 632,228	$ 636,061	$ 625,228	$ 623,546	$ 665,985	$ 2,602,076	$ 2,550,820	$ 2,490,821
Income before gains on sales of real estate	131,331	144,813	163,243	115,431	164,894	58,521	117,357	148,599	554,818	489,371	424,023
Net income attributable to the Company	$ 103,829	$ 117,337	$ 133,709	$ 97,083	$ 147,214	$ 76,753	$ 96,597	$ 181,747	$ 462,439	$ 512,785	$ 583,106
Income attributable to the Company (in dollars per share / unit) - Basic	$ 0.67	$ 0.76	$ 0.87	$ 0.63	$ 0.96	$ 0.50	$ 0.63	$ 1.18	$ 2.93	$ 3.27	$ 3.73
Income attributable to the Company (in dollars per share / unit) - Diluted	$ 0.67	$ 0.76	$ 0.87	$ 0.63	$ 0.96	$ 0.50	$ 0.63	$ 1.18	$ 2.93	$ 3.26	$ 3.72
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Total revenue	$ 655,229	$ 657,712	$ 656,907	$ 632,228	$ 636,061	$ 625,228	$ 623,546	$ 665,985	$ 2,602,076	$ 2,550,820	$ 2,490,821
Income before gains on sales of real estate	133,285	146,767	165,328	117,578	167,384	63,687	119,341	150,586	562,958	500,998	432,016
Net income attributable to the Company	$ 117,667	$ 132,693	$ 151,844	$ 110,662	$ 166,801	$ 91,306	$ 109,938	$ 207,296	$ 523,366	$ 585,841	$ 659,248
Income attributable to the Company (in dollars per share / unit) - Basic	$ 0.69	$ 0.77	$ 0.88	$ 0.64	$ 0.97	$ 0.53	$ 0.64	$ 1.21	$ 2.99	$ 3.36	$ 3.79
Income attributable to the Company (in dollars per share / unit) - Diluted	$ 0.68	$ 0.77	$ 0.88	$ 0.64	$ 0.97	$ 0.53	$ 0.64	$ 1.21	$ 2.98	$ 3.35	$ 3.78