v2.4.0.8
Segment Information (Schedule Of Reconciliation Of Net Operating Income To Net Income) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]        
Net Operating Income $ 214,803 $ 186,753 $ 592,973 $ 483,128
Development and management services income 6,475 5,475 18,197 22,063
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures 4,419 14,736 10,069 72,240
Gains on consolidation of joint ventures 0 (1,810) 0 385,991
Interest and other income 3,421 3,879 6,841 6,646
Gains (losses) from investments in securities (297) 956 651 1,872
Gains (losses) from early extinguishments of debt 0 (30) 0 122
Gain on sale of real estate from discontinued operations 0 86,448 0 86,448
Gain on forgiveness of debt from discontinued operations 0 0 0 20,182
Gains on sales of real estate 41,937 0 41,937 0
General and administrative expense 22,589 24,841 75,765 94,673
Transaction costs 1,402 766 2,500 1,744
Depreciation and amortization expense 157,245 153,253 466,143 406,162
Interest expense 113,308 122,173 337,839 325,746
Impairment loss 0 0 0 8,306
Impairment loss from discontinued operations 0 0 0 3,241
Noncontrolling interest in property partnerships 5,566 (3,279) 17,473 (924)
Noncontrolling interest-redeemable preferred units of the Operating Partnership 75 1,082 1,014 3,385
Noncontrolling interest-common units of the Operating Partnership 14,963 8,339 29,819 62,945
Noncontrolling interest in discontinued operations-common units of the Operating Partnership 0 8,970 0 11,450
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. 130,371 155,324 266,326 658,272
Business Intersegment, Eliminations [Member]
        
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]        
Net Operating Income 389,564 360,138 1,119,184 971,950
Development and management services income 6,475 5,475 18,197 22,063
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures 4,419 14,736 10,069 72,240
Gains on consolidation of joint ventures 0 (1,810) 0 385,991
Interest and other income 3,421 3,879 6,841 6,646
Gains (losses) from investments in securities (297) 956 651 1,872
Gains (losses) from early extinguishments of debt 0 (30) 0 122
Income from discontinued operations 0 1,677 0 7,486
Gain on sale of real estate from discontinued operations 0 86,448 0 86,448
Gain on forgiveness of debt from discontinued operations 0 0 0 20,182
Gains on sales of real estate 41,937 0 41,937 0
General and administrative expense 22,589 24,841 75,765 94,673
Transaction costs 1,402 766 2,500 1,744
Depreciation and amortization expense 157,245 153,253 466,143 406,162
Interest expense 113,308 122,173 337,839 325,746
Impairment loss 0 0 0 8,306
Impairment loss from discontinued operations 0 0 0 3,241
Noncontrolling interest in property partnerships 5,566 (3,279) 17,473 (924)
Noncontrolling interest-redeemable preferred units of the Operating Partnership 75 1,082 1,014 3,385
Noncontrolling interest-common units of the Operating Partnership 14,963 8,339 29,819 62,945
Noncontrolling interest in discontinued operations-common units of the Operating Partnership 0 8,970 0 11,450
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. $ 130,371 $ 155,324 $ 266,326 $ 658,272