<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-05-13</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001043121</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BOSTON PROPERTIES LTD PARTNERSHIP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>N/A</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001217099</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LANDIS ALAN B</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O THE LANDIS GROUP</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>745 FIFTH AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10151</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><derivativeTable><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Series One Preferred Units (liquidation preference $34.00)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>38.25</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F1"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F1"/></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common OP Units</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>247966</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Series One Preferred Units (liquidation preference $34.00)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>38.25</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F1"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F1"/></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common OP Units</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>247966</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value><footnoteId id="F2"/></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>By spouse</value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Series One Preferred Units (liquidation preference $34.00)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>38.25</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F1"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F1"/></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common OP Units</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>936510</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>By trusts</value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Series One Preferred Units (liquidation preference $34.00)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>38.25</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F1"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F1"/></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common OP Units</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>106571</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>By general partnership</value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Series One Preferred Units (liquidation preference $34.00)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>38.25</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F1"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F1"/></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common OP Units</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>12242</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>By corporations</value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">Each Series One Preferred Unit may be converted (i) at the election of the holder at any time and (ii) at the election of BPLP on or after June 30, 2003 into approximately 0.88889 of a Common OP Unit.</footnote><footnote id="F2">The Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that the Reporting Person is the beneficial owner of such securities for purposes of Section 16 or for any other purpose.</footnote></footnotes><remarks/><ownerSignature><signatureName>Kelli A. DiLuglio, a Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-09-03</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

