Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Accounts and other receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 1,955	$ 3,250
Preferred Stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred Stock, authorized	30,000,000	30,000,000
Common Stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Stock, authorized	145,000,000	145,000,000
Common Stock, shares issued	98,754,727	91,159,221
Common Stock, shares outstanding	98,754,727	91,159,221
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Accounts and other receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	1,955	3,250
Common Units, issued	98,754,727	91,159,221
Common Units, outstanding	98,754,727	91,159,221
Limited Partners, common units	3,430,814	3,937,827
Limited Partners, profits interest units	1,092,184	982,618
Limited Partners, Class C units outstanding	511,848	543,004
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] | Series C Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference	369,715	519,681
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference per share/unit	$ 25	$ 25
Preferred Units, issued	5,270,980	6,999,955
Preferred Units, outstanding	5,270,980	6,999,955
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] | Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference	369,715	519,681
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference per share/unit	$ 25	$ 25
Preferred Units, issued	9,517,580	13,787,300
Preferred Units, outstanding	9,517,580	13,787,300
Series C Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred Stock, dividend rate	4.375%	4.375%
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference	131,775	174,999
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference per share/unit	$ 25.00	$ 25.00
Preferred Stock, issued	5,270,980	6,999,955
Preferred Stock, outstanding	5,270,980	6,999,955
Series D Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred Stock, dividend rate	5.50%	5.50%
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference	$ 237,940	$ 344,683
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference per share/unit	$ 25.00	$ 25.00
Preferred Stock, issued	9,517,580	13,787,300
Preferred Stock, outstanding	9,517,580	13,787,300