Capital and Comprehensive Income (Schedule of Dividends Declared and Payable) (Details) (Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member], USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011
Common Units [Member] | February 10, 2011 [Member]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units	$ 66,252	[1]
February 10, 2011 [Member]
Date distribution declared	Feb. 10, 2011
Distribution payable date	Mar. 31, 2011
February 10, 2011 [Member] | Series C Preferred Units [Member]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units	1,832	[2]
February 10, 2011 [Member] | Series D Preferred Units [Member]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units	4,690	[3]
Common Units [Member] | April 25, 2011 [Member]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units	70,577	[1]
April 25, 2011 [Member]
Date distribution declared	Apr. 25, 2011
Distribution payable date	Jun. 30, 2011
April 25, 2011 [Member] | Series C Preferred Units [Member]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units	1,441	[2]
April 25, 2011 [Member] | Series D Preferred Units [Member]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units	$ 3,272	[3]
Series C Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Units, annual rate of distribution per unit	$ 1.094
Series D Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Units, annual rate of distribution per unit	$ 1.375
Common Units [Member]
Common Units, annual rate of distribution per unit	$ 2.720

[1] $2.720 annual rate of distribution per unit.

[2] $1.094 annual rate of distribution per unit.

[3] $1.375 annual rate of distribution per unit.