v2.4.0.8

Real Estate Activity During the Six Months Ended June 30, 2013 Business Acquistion Pro Forma (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2012 Mountain View Research And Technology Parks [Member] | May 31, 2013 767 Fifth Avenue (The GM Building) [Member] | Jun. 30, 2012 767 Fifth Avenue (The GM Building) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total revenue |  |  | $ 1,119,893 | $ 1,065,877 |  |  |
Income from continuing operations |  |  | 147,627 | 508,812 |  |  |
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. |  |  | 154,077 | 501,060 |  |  |
Basic earnings per share, Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. (dollars per share) |  |  | $ 1.00 | $ 3.33 |  |  |
Diluted earnings per share, Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. (dollars per share) |  |  | $ 0.99 | $ 3.32 |  |  |
Gain on consolidation of joint ventures | $ 387,801 | $ 0 | $ 387,801 | $ 0 | $ 24,400 | $ 363,400 | $ 363,400

X
- Definition Gain on Consolidation of Joint Ventures + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | bxp_GainonConsolidationofJointVentures
Namespace Prefix: | bxp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The pro forma basic net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (h)(2)-(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25497992&loc=d3e1392-128463 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaEarningsPerShareBasic
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:perShareItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The pro forma diluted net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (h)(2)-(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25497992&loc=d3e1392-128463 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaEarningsPerShareDiluted
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:perShareItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The pro forma income from continuing operations before changes in accounting and extraordinary items, net of tax effect, for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (h)(2)-(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25497992&loc=d3e1392-128463 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaIncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeChangesInAccountingAndExtraordinaryItemsNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The pro forma net Income or Loss for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (h)(2)-(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25497992&loc=d3e1392-128463 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaNetIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The pro forma revenue for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (h)(2)-(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25497992&loc=d3e1392-128463 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaRevenue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration