v2.4.0.6
Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Revision of Prior Period Amounts for Montvale Center (Details) (USD $)
3 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Mar. 31, 2012
Feb. 20, 2013
Montvale Center [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Montvale Center [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
As Revised [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
As Reported [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]            
Total revenue $ 483,014,000 $ 443,693,000     $ 443,693,000 $ 447,662,000
Income from continuing operations 40,929,000 55,265,000     55,265,000 56,359,000
Discontinued Operations         570,000 17,651,000
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders 47,854,000 48,454,000     48,454,000 64,632,000
Income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders per share -basic $ 0.32 $ 0.33     $ 0.33 $ 0.44
Income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders per share -diluted $ 0.31 $ 0.33     $ 0.33 $ 0.43
Amount of debt extinguished       25,000,000    
Gain on forgiveness of debt from discontinued operations $ 20,182,000 $ 0 $ 20,200,000