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Stockholders' Equity / Partners' Capital Partners' Capital Changes in Issued and Outstanding Partners' Capital Units (Details) - shares | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items] |  |  |
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued in exchange for OP Units | 424,236 | 80,246 |
Limited Partners' Ending Balance | 151,864,874 |  |
General Partners' Ending Balance | 1,715,092 |  |
Boston Properties Limited Partnership [Member] |  |  |
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items] |  |  |
General Partners' Beginning Balance | 1,710,644 |  |
Limited Partners Beginning Balance | 151,403,301 |  |
Partners' Capital Beginning Balance | 153,113,945 | 152,983,101 | 151,601,209
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan | 6,199 | 6,964 | 6,442
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued under the Stock Option and Incentive Plan, net | 35,586 | 43,634 | 26,893
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued in exchange for OP Units | 424,236 | 80,246 | 929,441
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued under the “at the market” (ATM) stock offering programs |  |  | 419,116
Limited Partners' Ending Balance | 151,864,874 | 151,403,301 |
Partners' Capital Ending Balance | 153,579,966 | 153,113,945 | 152,983,101
General Partners' Ending Balance | 1,715,092 | 1,710,644 |
Boston Properties Limited Partnership [Member] | General Partner [Member] |  |  |
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items] |  |  |
General Partners' Beginning Balance | 1,710,644 | 1,700,222 | 1,689,580
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan | 59 | 555 | 50
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued under the Stock Option and Incentive Plan, net | 340 | 3,476 | 207
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued in exchange for OP Units | 4,049 | 6,391 | 7,158
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued under the “at the market” (ATM) stock offering programs |  |  | 3,227
General Partners' Ending Balance | 1,715,092 | 1,710,644 | 1,700,222
Boston Properties Limited Partnership [Member] | Limited Partner [Member] |  |  |
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items] |  |  |
Limited Partners Beginning Balance | 151,403,301 | 151,282,879 | 149,911,629
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan | 6,140 | 6,409 | 6,392
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued under the Stock Option and Incentive Plan, net | 35,246 | 40,158 | 26,686
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued in exchange for OP Units | 420,187 | 73,855 | 922,283
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued under the “at the market” (ATM) stock offering programs |  |  | 415,889
Limited Partners' Ending Balance | 151,864,874 | 151,403,301 | 151,282,879

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