Derivative and Hedging Instruments (Details) $ in Thousands			12 Months Ended
	Apr. 24, 2017 USD ($)	Aug. 17, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) yr swaps	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Derivative [Line Items]
Mortgage notes payable, net (amounts related to VIEs of $2,939,183 and $2,018,483 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively)			$ 2,979,281	$ 2,063,087
Other liabilities			(44,914)	(106,022)	$ (34,005)
Losses from interest rate contracts			$ 0	$ (140)	0
Boston Properties Limited Partnership | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of interest rate swap agreements entered into | swaps				17
Term of anticipated mortgage loan (in years) | yr				10
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate				2.423%
Derivative, Notional Amount				$ 550,000
767 Fifth Partners LLC [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage by Parent			60.00%
767 Fifth Partners LLC [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of interest rate swap agreements entered into | swaps				16
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate				2.619%
Derivative, Notional Amount				$ 450,000
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount				100,000
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount				350,000
Other liabilities	$ 14,400
Derivative Instruments, Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion	14,400
Derivative instrument, yearly amount reclassed to interest expense	1,400
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Derivative [Line Items]
Mortgage notes payable, net (amounts related to VIEs of $2,939,183 and $2,018,483 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively)			$ 2,979,281	2,063,087
Other liabilities			(44,914)	(106,022)	(34,005)
Losses from interest rate contracts			$ 0	$ (140)	$ 0
Boston Properties Limited Partnership | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Other liabilities		$ 49,300
Losses from interest rate contracts		(100)
Derivative Instruments, Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion		49,200
Derivative instrument, yearly amount reclassed to interest expense		$ 4,900
Unsecured Senior Note 3.495% | Senior Notes [Member] | Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Derivative [Line Items]
Coupon/Stated Rate		2.75%	2.75%
767 Fifth Avenue (the general motors building) [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Mortgage notes payable, net (amounts related to VIEs of $2,939,183 and $2,018,483 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively)	$ 2,300,000
Coupon/Stated Rate	3.43%