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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, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items] |  |  |
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued in exchange for OP Units | 495,637 | 190,857 |
Limited Partners' Ending Balance | 152,605,746 |  |
General Partners' Ending Balance | 1,719,540 |  |
Boston Properties Limited Partnership |  |  |
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items] |  |  |
General Partners' Beginning Balance | 1,717,743 |  |
Limited Partners Beginning Balance | 152,072,432 |  |
Partners' Capital Beginning Balance | 153,790,175 | 153,579,966 | 153,113,945
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan | 6,317 | 5,695 | 6,199
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued under the Stock Option and Incentive Plan, net | 33,157 | 13,657 | 35,586
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued in exchange for OP Units | 495,637 | 190,857 | 424,236
Limited Partners' Ending Balance | 152,605,746 | 152,072,432 |
Partners' Capital Ending Balance | 154,325,286 | 153,790,175 | 153,579,966
General Partners' Ending Balance | 1,719,540 | 1,717,743 |
Boston Properties Limited Partnership | General Partner [Member] |  |  |
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items] |  |  |
General Partners' Beginning Balance | 1,717,743 | 1,715,092 | 1,710,644
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan | 21 | 72 | 59
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued under the Stock Option and Incentive Plan, net | 111 | 172 | 340
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued in exchange for OP Units | 1,665 | 2,407 | 4,049
General Partners' Ending Balance | 1,719,540 | 1,717,743 | 1,715,092
Boston Properties Limited Partnership | Limited Partner [Member] |  |  |
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items] |  |  |
Limited Partners Beginning Balance | 152,072,432 | 151,864,874 | 151,403,301
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan | 6,296 | 5,623 | 6,140
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued under the Stock Option and Incentive Plan, net | 33,046 | 13,485 | 35,246
Units issued to Boston Properties, Inc. related to Common Stock issued in exchange for OP Units | 493,972 | 188,450 | 420,187
Limited Partners' Ending Balance | 152,605,746 | 152,072,432 | 151,864,874

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- Definition The number of new shares issued in the conversion of stock in a noncash (or part noncash) transaction. Noncash is defined as transactions during a period that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4313-108586 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4332-108586 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4304-108586 + Details
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