Fan Pier Leases (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011 building leases squarefeet	Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Fan Pier Leases [Abstract]
Number of leases (leases)	2
Area of leased property (in square feet)	1,100,000
Number of buildings under lease agreement (buildings)	2
Initial term of lease agreement (in years)	15 years
Optional term of lease agreement (in years)	10 years
Construction in progress		$ 356,900,000		$ 290,700,000
Construction financing lease obligation		$ 316,821,000	[1]	$ 268,031,000	[1]

[1] Amounts include the assets and liabilities of Vertex’s variable interest entity (“VIE”), Alios BioPharma, Inc. (“Alios”). Vertex’s interests and obligations with respect to the VIE’s assets and liabilities are limited to those accorded to Vertex in its agreement with Alios. See Note C, "Collaborative Arrangements," to these condensed consolidated financial statements for amounts.