Condensed Consolidated Statement of Capital (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011
Balance		$ 2,054,663
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units		6,434
Net proceeds from issuance of common units		176,266
Issuance of common units in connection with the exercise of stock options		3,053
Issuance of common stock in exchange for debentures		(11,441)
Amortization of unearned compensation regarding share based awards		8,031
Distributions		(148,064)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests of a consolidated joint venture		(53,240)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures		42
Net income	38,228	77,240
Other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation adjustments	8,631	25,037
Other comprehensive income - fair value of interest rate swaps	(2,453)	(947)
Other comprehensive income - reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense	1,589	3,174
Balance	2,133,814	2,133,814
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] | General Partner [Member] | Preferred Units [Member]
Balance		502,341
Balance (units)		20,787,255
Conversion of preferred units		(144,955)
Conversion of preferred units (units)		(5,998,695)
Distributions		(11,235)
Net income		11,235
Balance	357,386	357,386
Balance (units)	14,788,560	14,788,560
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] | General Partner [Member] | Common Units [Member]
Balance		1,502,258
Balance (units)		91,159,221
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units		6,434
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units (units)		558,970
Issuance of restricted common units, net of forfeitures (units)		79,848
Net proceeds from issuance of common units		176,266
Net proceeds from issuance of common units (units)		2,967,545
Issuance of common units in connection with the exercise of stock options		3,053
Issuance of common units in connection with the exercise of stock options (units)		80,303
Issuance of common stock in exchange for debentures		(11,441)
Issuance of common stock in exchange for debentures (shares/units)		372,068
Conversion of preferred units		144,955
Conversion of preferred units (units)		3,536,772
Amortization of unearned compensation regarding share based awards		8,031
Reclassification of vested share based awards		(6,381)
Distributions		(129,490)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests of a consolidated joint venture		(26,720)
Net income		62,970
Balance	1,729,935	1,729,935
Balance (units)	98,754,727	98,754,727
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] | Limited Partner [Member] | Common Units [Member]
Balance		56,215
Balance (units)		5,463,449
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units		(6,434)
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units (units)		(558,970)
Issuance of common units, net of forfeitures (units)		130,367
Reclassification of vested share based awards		6,381
Distributions		(7,339)
Net income		3,234
Balance	52,057	52,057
Balance (units)	5,034,846	5,034,846
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, net [Member]
Balance		(45,860)
Other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation adjustments		25,037
Other comprehensive income - fair value of interest rate swaps		(947)
Other comprehensive income - reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense		3,174
Balance	(18,596)	(18,596)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] | Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Joint Ventures [Member]
Balance		39,709
Purchase of noncontrolling interests of a consolidated joint venture		(26,520)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures		42
Net income		(199)
Balance	13,032	13,032
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Balance		2,054,663
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units		6,434
Purchase of noncontrolling interests of a consolidated joint venture		(53,240)
Net income	38,228	77,240
Other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation adjustments	8,631	25,037
Other comprehensive income - fair value of interest rate swaps	(2,453)	(947)
Other comprehensive income - reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense	1,589	3,174
Balance	$ 2,133,814	$ 2,133,814