Noncontrolling Interests Common Units Distributions (Details) - Boston Properties Limited Partnership - $ / shares	Oct. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2017	Apr. 28, 2017	Jan. 30, 2017	Dec. 18, 2017
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Distributions Declared To OP And LTIP Units Per Unit					$ 0.80
Distributions Declared To MYLTIP Units Per Unit					$ 0.080
Distributions made to OP and LTIP units per unit (in dollars per share)	$ 0.75	$ 0.75	$ 0.75	$ 0.75
Distributions Made To MYLTIP Units Per Unit	$ 0.075	$ 0.075	$ 0.075	$ 0.075