Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Land	$ 621,279		$ 555,113
Acquired ground leases	13,492		6,214
Buildings and improvements	7,363,430		5,253,754
Tenant improvements	383,627		303,502
Total investments in properties	8,381,828		6,118,583
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,116,600)		(900,044)
Net investments in properties	7,265,228		5,218,539
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	48,882		23,976
Net investments in real estate	7,314,110		5,242,515
Cash and cash equivalents	76,115		40,631
Accounts and other receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,362 and $2,436 as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	146,025		90,580
Deferred rent	301,535		246,815
Acquired above market leases, net	68,269		29,701
Acquired in place lease value and deferred leasing costs, net	492,393		335,381
Deferred financing costs, net	32,163		29,849
Restricted cash	43,217		55,165
Other assets	38,771		27,929
Total assets	8,512,598		6,098,566
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Unsecured senior notes, net of discount	1,737,881		1,441,072
Exchangeable senior debentures	266,400		266,400
Mortgage loans, net of premiums	794,485		947,132
Other secured loan			10,500
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	616,042		315,133
Accrued dividends and distributions			75,455
Acquired below market leases, net	152,876		85,819
Security deposits and prepaid rents	136,051		101,538
Total liabilities	4,985,042		3,518,155
Commitments and contingencies
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 30,000,000 shares authorized:
Common Stock: $0.01 par value, 165,000,000 shares authorized, 123,261,390 and 106,039,279 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	1,228		1,057
Additional paid-in capital	3,536,463		2,496,651
Accumulated dividends in excess of earnings	(610,337)		(488,692)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(24,524)		(55,880)
Total stockholders' equity	3,479,443		2,522,917
Noncontrolling Interests:
Noncontrolling interests in operating partnership	44,141		45,057
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures	3,972		12,437
Total noncontrolling interests	48,113		57,494
Total equity	3,527,556		2,580,411
Total liabilities and equity	8,512,598		6,098,566
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
ASSETS
Land	621,279		555,113
Acquired ground leases	13,492		6,214
Buildings and improvements	7,363,430		5,253,754
Tenant improvements	383,627		303,502
Total investments in properties	8,381,828		6,118,583
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,116,600)		(900,044)
Net investments in properties	7,265,228		5,218,539
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	48,882		23,976
Net investments in real estate	7,314,110		5,242,515
Cash and cash equivalents	76,115		40,631
Accounts and other receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,362 and $2,436 as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	146,025		90,580
Deferred rent	301,535		246,815
Acquired above market leases, net	68,269		29,701
Acquired in place lease value and deferred leasing costs, net	492,393		335,381
Deferred financing costs, net	32,163		29,849
Restricted cash	43,217		55,165
Other assets	38,771		27,929
Total assets	8,512,598		6,098,566
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Unsecured senior notes, net of discount	1,737,881		1,441,072
Exchangeable senior debentures	266,400		266,400
Mortgage loans, net of premiums	794,485		947,132
Other secured loan			10,500
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	616,042		315,133
Accrued dividends and distributions			75,455
Acquired below market leases, net	152,876		85,819
Security deposits and prepaid rents	136,051		101,538
Total liabilities	4,985,042		3,518,155
Commitments and contingencies
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 30,000,000 shares authorized:
123,261,390 and 106,039,279 common units issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	2,927,354		2,009,016
Limited partners, 3,131,814 and 3,405,814 common units, 1,075,028 and 1,054,473 profits interest units and 419,226 and 475,843 class C units outstanding as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	47,228		49,240
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(27,611)		(60,063)
Total partners' capital	3,523,584		2,567,974
Noncontrolling Interests:
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures	3,972		12,437
Total capital	3,527,556		2,580,411
Total liabilities and capital	8,512,598		6,098,566
Series C Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 30,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred Stock			123,820
Series C Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 30,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred Stock			123,820
Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 30,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred Stock	123,250		168,669
Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 30,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred Stock	123,250		168,669
Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 30,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred Stock	277,172		277,292
Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 30,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred Stock	277,172		277,292
Series F Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 30,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred Stock	176,191
Series F Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 30,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred Stock	176,191
Global Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Line of credit	526,372		275,106
Global Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Line of credit	526,372	[1]	275,106
Unsecured Term Loan [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Line of credit	754,935
Unsecured Term Loan [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Line of credit	$ 754,935

[1] Subject to a one-year extension option exercisable by us. The bank group is obligated to grant the extension option provided we give proper notice, we make certain representations and warranties and no default exists under the global revolving credit facility.