Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Properties:
Land	$ 684,644		$ 661,058
Acquired ground leases	14,355		13,658
Buildings and improvements	8,357,786		7,662,973
Tenant improvements	466,616		404,830
Total investments in properties	9,523,401		8,742,519
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,459,055)		(1,206,017)
Net investments in properties	8,064,346		7,536,502
Land held for sale	11,015
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	53,066		66,634
Net investments in real estate	8,128,427		7,603,136
Cash and cash equivalents	55,118		56,281
Accounts and other receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $5,269 and $3,609 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	191,715		168,286
Deferred rent	369,979		321,715
Acquired above market leases, net	54,446		65,055
Acquired in place lease value and deferred leasing costs, net	484,445		495,205
Deferred financing costs, net	39,132		30,621
Restricted cash	42,457		44,050
Other assets	60,322		34,865
Total assets	9,426,041		8,819,214
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Unsecured senior notes, net of discount	2,382,059		1,738,221
Exchangeable senior debentures	266,400		266,400
Mortgage loans, net of premiums	683,651		792,376
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	652,720		646,427
Accrued dividends and distributions			93,434
Acquired below market leases, net	133,625		148,233
Security deposits and prepaid rents	178,730		154,171
Total liabilities	5,745,472		5,320,830
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 30,000,000 shares authorized:
Common Stock: $0.01 par value, 215,000,000 shares authorized, 128,438,970 and 125,140,783 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	1,279		1,247
Additional paid-in capital	3,685,668		3,562,642
Accumulated dividends in excess of earnings	(728,012)		(656,104)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(10,327)		(12,191)
Total stockholders' equity	3,643,482		3,468,305
Noncontrolling Interests:
Noncontrolling interests in operating partnership	30,264		24,135
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures	6,823		5,944
Total noncontrolling interests	37,087		30,079
Total equity	3,680,569		3,498,384
Total liabilities and equity	9,426,041		8,819,214
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Properties:
Land	684,644		661,058
Acquired ground leases	14,355		13,658
Buildings and improvements	8,357,786		7,662,973
Tenant improvements	466,616		404,830
Total investments in properties	9,523,401		8,742,519
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,459,055)		(1,206,017)
Net investments in properties	8,064,346		7,536,502
Land held for sale	11,015
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	53,066		66,634
Net investments in real estate	8,128,427		7,603,136
Cash and cash equivalents	55,118		56,281
Accounts and other receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $5,269 and $3,609 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	191,715		168,286
Deferred rent	369,979		321,715
Acquired above market leases, net	54,446		65,055
Acquired in place lease value and deferred leasing costs, net	484,445		495,205
Deferred financing costs, net	39,132		30,621
Restricted cash	42,457		44,050
Other assets	60,322		34,865
Total assets	9,426,041		8,819,214
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Unsecured senior notes, net of discount	2,382,059		1,738,221
Exchangeable senior debentures	266,400		266,400
Mortgage loans, net of premiums	683,651		792,376
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	652,720		646,427
Accrued dividends and distributions			93,434
Acquired below market leases, net	133,625		148,233
Security deposits and prepaid rents	178,730		154,171
Total liabilities	5,745,472		5,320,830
Commitments and contingencies
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 30,000,000 shares authorized:
Common Units: 128,438,970 and 125,140,783 units issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	2,958,935		2,907,785
Limited partners, 1,500,814 and 1,515,814 common units, 1,083,848 and 937,208 profits interest units and 397,369 and 398,378 class C units outstanding as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	32,913		26,854
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(12,976)		(14,910)
Total partners' capital	3,673,746		3,492,440
Noncontrolling Interests:
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures	6,823		5,944
Total capital	3,680,569		3,498,384
Total liabilities and capital	9,426,041		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	241,511
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	241,511
Global Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Line of credit	498,082		723,729
Global Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Line of credit	498,082	[1]	723,729
Unsecured Term Loan [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Line of credit	950,205		757,839
Unsecured Term Loan [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Line of credit	$ 950,205	[1]	$ 757,839

[1] Subject to two six-month extension options exercisable by us. The bank group is obligated to grant the extension options provided we give proper notice, we make certain representations and warranties and no default exists under the global revolving credit facility and the unsecured term loan, as applicable.