Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Properties:
Land	$ 690,356		$ 661,058
Acquired ground leases	13,216		13,658
Buildings and improvements	8,125,636		7,662,973
Tenant improvements	432,631		404,830
Total investments in properties	9,261,839		8,742,519
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,377,375)		(1,206,017)
Net investments in properties	7,884,464		7,536,502
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	74,047		66,634
Net investments in real estate	7,958,511		7,603,136
Cash and cash equivalents	24,260		56,281
Accounts and other receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,603 and $3,609 as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	159,847		168,286
Deferred rent	360,588		321,715
Acquired above market leases, net	56,310		65,055
Acquired in place lease value and deferred leasing costs, net	492,884		495,205
Deferred financing costs, net	31,881		30,621
Restricted cash	38,977		44,050
Other assets	61,601		34,865
Total assets	9,184,859		8,819,214
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Unsecured senior notes, net of discount	2,342,990		1,738,221
Exchangeable senior debentures	266,400		266,400
Mortgage loans, net of premiums	737,352		792,376
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	617,766		646,427
Accrued dividends and distributions			93,434
Acquired below market leases, net	137,297		148,233
Security deposits and prepaid rents	148,278		154,171
Total liabilities	5,601,589		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, 215,000,000 shares authorized, 128,421,888 and 125,140,783 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	1,279		1,247
Additional paid-in capital	3,681,618		3,562,642
Accumulated dividends in excess of earnings	(766,704)		(656,104)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(64,010)		(12,191)
Total stockholders' equity	3,547,111		3,468,305
Noncontrolling Interests:
Noncontrolling interests in operating partnership	28,935		24,135
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures	7,224		5,944
Total noncontrolling interests	36,159		30,079
Total equity	3,583,270		3,498,384
Total liabilities and equity	9,184,859		8,819,214
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Properties:
Land	690,356		661,058
Acquired ground leases	13,216		13,658
Buildings and improvements	8,125,636		7,662,973
Tenant improvements	432,631		404,830
Total investments in properties	9,261,839		8,742,519
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,377,375)		(1,206,017)
Net investments in properties	7,884,464		7,536,502
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	74,047		66,634
Net investments in real estate	7,958,511		7,603,136
Cash and cash equivalents	24,260		56,281
Accounts and other receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,603 and $3,609 as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	159,847		168,286
Deferred rent	360,588		321,715
Acquired above market leases, net	56,310		65,055
Acquired in place lease value and deferred leasing costs, net	492,884		495,205
Deferred financing costs, net	31,881		30,621
Restricted cash	38,977		44,050
Other assets	61,601		34,865
Total assets	9,184,859		8,819,214
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Unsecured senior notes, net of discount	2,342,990		1,738,221
Exchangeable senior debentures	266,400		266,400
Mortgage loans, net of premiums	737,352		792,376
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	617,766		646,427
Accrued dividends and distributions			93,434
Acquired below market leases, net	137,297		148,233
Security deposits and prepaid rents	148,278		154,171
Total liabilities	5,601,589		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	2,916,193		2,907,785
Limited partners, 1,505,814 and 1,515,814 common units, 1,093,687 and 937,208 profits interest units and 397,369 and 398,378 class C units outstanding as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	32,650		26,854
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(67,725)		(14,910)
Total partners' capital	3,576,046		3,492,440
Noncontrolling Interests:
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures	7,224		5,944
Total capital	3,583,270		3,498,384
Total liabilities and capital	9,184,859		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
Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] [Member]
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 30,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred Stock	241,565
Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 30,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred Stock	241,565
Global Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Line of credit	610,328		723,729
Global Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Line of credit	610,328	[1]	723,729
Unsecured Term Loan [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Line of credit	741,178		757,839
Unsecured Term Loan [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Line of credit	$ 741,178		$ 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.