Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Properties:
Land	$ 679,803		$ 661,058
Acquired ground leases	13,137		13,658
Buildings and improvements	7,826,501		7,662,973
Tenant improvements	419,062		404,830
Total investments in properties	8,938,503		8,742,519
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,288,440)		(1,206,017)
Net investments in properties	7,650,063		7,536,502
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	72,930		66,634
Net investments in real estate	7,722,993		7,603,136
Cash and cash equivalents	42,130		56,281
Accounts and other receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,709 and $3,609 as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	177,951		168,286
Deferred rent	340,753		321,715
Acquired above market leases, net	59,079		65,055
Acquired in place lease value and deferred leasing costs, net	494,384		495,205
Deferred financing costs, net	33,393		30,621
Restricted cash	43,929		44,050
Other assets	56,880		34,865
Total assets	8,971,492		8,819,214
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Unsecured senior notes, net of discount	2,341,972		1,738,221
Exchangeable senior debentures	266,400		266,400
Mortgage loans, net of premiums	779,273		792,376
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	613,537		646,427
Accrued dividends and distributions			93,434
Acquired below market leases, net	141,257		148,233
Security deposits and prepaid rents	152,626		154,171
Total liabilities	5,589,544		5,320,830
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, 128,413,791 and 125,140,783 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	1,279		1,247
Additional paid-in capital	3,677,070		3,562,642
Accumulated dividends in excess of earnings	(713,612)		(656,104)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(72,473)		(12,191)
Total stockholders' equity	3,345,627		3,468,305
Noncontrolling Interests:
Noncontrolling interests in operating partnership	30,186		24,135
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures	6,135		5,944
Total noncontrolling interests	36,321		30,079
Total equity	3,381,948		3,498,384
Total liabilities and equity	8,971,492		8,819,214
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Properties:
Land	679,803		661,058
Acquired ground leases	13,137		13,658
Buildings and improvements	7,826,501		7,662,973
Tenant improvements	419,062		404,830
Total investments in properties	8,938,503		8,742,519
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,288,440)		(1,206,017)
Net investments in properties	7,650,063		7,536,502
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	72,930		66,634
Net investments in real estate	7,722,993		7,603,136
Cash and cash equivalents	42,130		56,281
Accounts and other receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,709 and $3,609 as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	177,951		168,286
Deferred rent	340,753		321,715
Acquired above market leases, net	59,079		65,055
Acquired in place lease value and deferred leasing costs, net	494,384		495,205
Deferred financing costs, net	33,393		30,621
Restricted cash	43,929		44,050
Other assets	56,880		34,865
Total assets	8,971,492		8,819,214
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Unsecured senior notes, net of discount	2,341,972		1,738,221
Exchangeable senior debentures	266,400		266,400
Mortgage loans, net of premiums	779,273		792,376
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	613,537		646,427
Accrued dividends and distributions			93,434
Acquired below market leases, net	141,257		148,233
Security deposits and prepaid rents	152,626		154,171
Total liabilities	5,589,544		5,320,830
Commitments and contingencies
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 30,000,000 shares authorized:
Common Units: 128,413,791 and 125,140,783 units issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	2,964,737		2,907,785
Limited partners, 1,515,814 and 3,405,814 common units, 937,208 and 1,054,473 profits interest units and 398,378 and 475,843 class C units outstanding as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	34,069		26,854
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(76,356)		(14,910)
Total partners' capital	3,375,813		3,492,440
Noncontrolling Interests:
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures	6,135		5,944
Total capital	3,381,948		3,498,384
Total liabilities and capital	8,971,492		8,819,214
Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 30,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred Stock			119,348
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			119,348
Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 30,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred Stock	277,172		277,172
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		277,172
Series F Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 30,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred Stock	176,191		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		176,191
Global Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Line of credit	546,649		723,729
Global Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Line of credit	546,649	[1]	723,729
Unsecured Term Loan [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Line of credit	747,830		757,839
Unsecured Term Loan [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Line of credit	$ 747,830		$ 757,839

[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.