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Real Estate Activity During the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 (Summary Of The Discontinued Operations Related To Montvale Center, 303 Almaden Blvd and Bedford Business Park) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Mar. 31, 2012
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]    
Total revenue $ 483,014 $ 443,693
Expenses    
Depreciation and amortization 120,595 108,462
Total expenses 352,579 300,126
Operating income 130,435 143,567
Other expense    
Interest expense (100,433) (103,237)
Noncontrolling interest in income (loss) from discontinued operations - common units of the Operating Partnership (1,819) (61)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. 15,183 509
Gain on forgiveness of debt from discontinued operations 20,182 0
Impairment loss from discontinued operations 3,241 0
Montvale Center and 303 Almaden Blvd [Member] [Member]
    
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]    
Total revenue 1,847  
Expenses    
Operating 830  
Depreciation and amortization 596  
Total expenses 1,426  
Operating income 421  
Other expense    
Interest expense (360)  
Income from discontinued operations 61  
Noncontrolling interest in income (loss) from discontinued operations - common units of the Operating Partnership (6)  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. 55  
Gain on forgiveness of debt from discontinued operations 20,182 0
Impairment loss from discontinued operations 3,241  
Noncontrolling interest in gain on forgiveness of debt from discontinued operations - common units of the Operating Partnership 1,813  
Gain On Forgiveness of Debt and Impairment Losses from Discontinued Operations Attributable to Company 15,128  
Montvale Center, 303 Almaden Blvd and Bedford Business Park [Member]
    
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]    
Total revenue   4,521
Expenses    
Operating   1,903
Depreciation and amortization   1,403
Total expenses   3,306
Operating income   1,215
Other expense    
Interest expense   (645)
Income from discontinued operations   570
Noncontrolling interest in income (loss) from discontinued operations - common units of the Operating Partnership   (61)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Boston Properties, Inc.   509
Impairment loss from discontinued operations   0
Noncontrolling interest in gain on forgiveness of debt from discontinued operations - common units of the Operating Partnership   0
Gain On Forgiveness of Debt and Impairment Losses from Discontinued Operations Attributable to Company   $ 0