Fan Pier Leases (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 building squarefeet leases	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Property and Equipment
Number of leases (leases)	2
Area of leased property (in square feet)	1,100,000
Number of buildings under lease agreement (buildings)	2
Property and equipment, net		$ 696,911	[1]	$ 433,609	[1]
Construction financing lease obligation		440,937	[1]	268,031	[1]
Construction costs for Buildings at Gan Pier
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment, net		$ 506,100		$ 290,700
Kendall Square Lease
Property and Equipment
Optional term of lease agreement (in years)	10 years

[1] Amounts as of December 31, 2012 include the assets and liabilities of Vertex’s variable interest entity (“VIE”), Alios BioPharma, Inc. (“Alios”). The Company deconsolidated Alios as of December 31, 2013. 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 B, "Collaborative Arrangements," to these consolidated financial statements for amounts.