Boston Properties LTD Partnership 10-Q 8 May 17 2017 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	May 03, 2017
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Registrant Name	BOSTON PROPERTIES INC
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	1,037,540
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		153,857,334
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Registrant Name	BOSTON PROPERTIES LTD PARTNERSHIP
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	1,043,121
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		0

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
ASSETS
Real estate, at cost (amounts related to variable interest entities (“VIEs”) of $6,908,551 and $6,760,078 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	$ 20,392,260	$ 20,147,263
Less: accumulated depreciation (amounts related to VIEs of $(774,077) and $(758,640) at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	(4,302,283)	(4,222,235)
Total real estate	16,089,977	15,925,028
Cash and cash equivalents (amounts related to VIEs of $271,494 and $253,999 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	302,939	356,914
Cash held in escrows (amounts related to VIEs of $4,901 and $4,955 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	51,244	63,174
Investments in securities	25,817	23,814
Tenant and other receivables (amounts related to VIEs of $16,652 and $23,525 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	73,012	92,548
Accrued rental income (amounts related to VIEs of $227,638 and $224,185 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	812,124	799,138
Deferred charges, net (amounts related to VIEs of $277,519 and $290,436 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	666,677	686,163
Prepaid expenses and other assets (amounts related to VIEs of $68,910 and $42,718 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	150,905	129,666
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	793,932	775,198
Total assets	18,966,627	18,851,643
Liabilities:
Mortgage notes payable, net (amounts related to VIEs of $2,004,163 and $2,018,483 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	2,046,959	2,063,087
Unsecured senior notes, net	7,248,152	7,245,953
Unsecured line of credit	105,000	0
Mezzanine notes payable (amounts related to VIEs of $306,734 and $307,093 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	306,734	307,093
Outside members’ notes payable (amounts related to VIEs of $180,000 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016)	180,000	180,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (amounts related to VIEs of $133,749 and $110,457 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	313,723	298,524
Dividends and distributions payable	130,418	130,308
Accrued interest payable (amounts related to VIEs of $171,395 and $162,226 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	266,714	243,933
Other liabilities (amounts related to VIEs of $181,535 and $175,146 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	446,489	450,821
Total liabilities	11,044,189	10,919,719
Commitments and contingencies	0	0
Equity / Capital:
Excess stock, $0.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding	0	0
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized
5.25% Series B cumulative redeemable preferred stock/unit, liquidation preference $2,500 per share/unit, 92,000 shares authorized, 80,000 shares/units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016	200,000	200,000
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized, 153,928,131 and 153,869,075 issued and 153,849,231 and 153,790,175 outstanding at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	1,538	1,538
Additional paid-in capital	6,339,970	6,333,424
Dividends in excess of earnings	(712,270)	(693,694)
Treasury common stock at cost, 78,900 shares at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016	(2,722)	(2,722)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(50,983)	(52,251)
Total stockholders’ equity attributable to Boston Properties, Inc.	5,775,533	5,786,295
Noncontrolling interests:
Common units of Boston Properties Limited Partnership	617,252	614,982
Property partnerships	1,529,653	1,530,647
Total equity / capital	7,922,438	7,931,924
Total liabilities and equity / capital	18,966,627	18,851,643
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
ASSETS
Real estate, at cost (amounts related to variable interest entities (“VIEs”) of $6,908,551 and $6,760,078 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	19,978,869	19,733,872
Less: accumulated depreciation (amounts related to VIEs of $(774,077) and $(758,640) at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	(4,214,265)	(4,136,364)
Total real estate	15,764,604	15,597,508
Cash and cash equivalents (amounts related to VIEs of $271,494 and $253,999 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	302,939	356,914
Cash held in escrows (amounts related to VIEs of $4,901 and $4,955 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	51,244	63,174
Investments in securities	25,817	23,814
Tenant and other receivables (amounts related to VIEs of $16,652 and $23,525 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	73,012	92,548
Accrued rental income (amounts related to VIEs of $227,638 and $224,185 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	812,124	799,138
Deferred charges, net (amounts related to VIEs of $277,519 and $290,436 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	666,677	686,163
Prepaid expenses and other assets (amounts related to VIEs of $68,910 and $42,718 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	150,905	129,666
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	793,932	775,198
Total assets	18,641,254	18,524,123
Liabilities:
Mortgage notes payable, net (amounts related to VIEs of $2,004,163 and $2,018,483 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	2,046,959	2,063,087
Unsecured senior notes, net	7,248,152	7,245,953
Unsecured line of credit	105,000	0
Mezzanine notes payable (amounts related to VIEs of $306,734 and $307,093 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	306,734	307,093
Outside members’ notes payable (amounts related to VIEs of $180,000 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016)	180,000	180,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (amounts related to VIEs of $133,749 and $110,457 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	313,723	298,524
Dividends and distributions payable	130,418	130,308
Accrued interest payable (amounts related to VIEs of $171,395 and $162,226 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	266,714	243,933
Other liabilities (amounts related to VIEs of $181,535 and $175,146 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	446,489	450,821
Total liabilities	11,044,189	10,919,719
Commitments and contingencies	0	0
Noncontrolling interest:
Redeemable partnership units—17,277,109 and 17,079,511 common units and 811,476 and 904,588 long term incentive units outstanding at redemption value at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	2,395,110	2,262,040
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized
5.25% Series B cumulative redeemable preferred stock/unit, liquidation preference $2,500 per share/unit, 92,000 shares authorized, 80,000 shares/units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016	193,623	193,623
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(59,439)	(60,853)
Noncontrolling interests:
Boston Properties Limited Partnership partners’ capital—1,719,378 and 1,717,743 general partner units and 152,129,853 and 152,072,432 limited partner units outstanding at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	3,478,679	3,618,094
Temporary Equity, Carrying Amount Redeemable Interest in Property Partnerships	1,529,653	1,530,647
Total equity / capital	5,201,955	5,342,364
Total liabilities and equity / capital	$ 18,641,254	$ 18,524,123

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Excess stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Excess stock, shares authorized	150,000,000	150,000,000
Excess stock, shares issued	0	0
Excess stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	250,000,000	250,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	153,928,131	153,869,075
Common stock, shares outstanding	153,849,231	153,790,175
Treasury common stock at cost, shares	78,900	78,900
General Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding	1,719,378
Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding	152,129,853
Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost	$ 20,392,260	$ 20,147,263
Construction in Progress	1,211,324	1,037,959
Accumulated depreciation	(4,302,283)	(4,222,235)
Cash and Cash Equivalents	302,939	356,914
Cash held in escrow	51,244	63,174
Tenant and other receivables	73,012	92,548
Accrued rental income	812,124	799,138
Deferred Charges, net	666,677	686,163
Prepaid expense and other assets	150,905	129,666
Mortgage notes payable, net	2,046,959	2,063,087
Mezzanine notes payable	306,734	307,093
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	313,723	298,524
Accrued interest payable	266,714	243,933
Other Liabilities	$ 446,489	$ 450,821
Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	92,000	92,000
Series B Dividend Rate Percentage	5.25%	5.25%
Series B, Liquidation Preference Per Share (dollars per share)	$ 2,500	$ 2,500
Series B, shares issued	80,000	80,000
Series B, Shares Outstanding (in shares)	80,000	80,000
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
NonControlling Interest Redeemable Partnership Units Common Units Shares Outstanding	17,277,109	17,079,511
NonControlling Interest Redeemable Partnership Units Common Units Long Term Incentive Units At Redemption Value Shares Outstanding	811,476	904,588
General Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding	1,719,378	1,717,743
Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding	152,129,853	152,072,432
Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost	$ 19,978,869	$ 19,733,872
Construction in Progress	1,211,324	1,037,959
Accumulated depreciation	(4,214,265)	(4,136,364)
Cash and Cash Equivalents	302,939	356,914
Cash held in escrow	51,244	63,174
Tenant and other receivables	73,012	92,548
Accrued rental income	812,124	799,138
Deferred Charges, net	666,677	686,163
Prepaid expense and other assets	150,905	129,666
Mortgage notes payable, net	2,046,959	2,063,087
Mezzanine notes payable	306,734	307,093
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	313,723	298,524
Accrued interest payable	266,714	243,933
Other Liabilities	$ 446,489	$ 450,821
Boston Properties Limited Partnership | Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Series B Dividend Rate Percentage	5.25%	5.25%
Series B, Liquidation Preference Per Share (dollars per share)	$ 2,500	$ 2,500
Series B, shares issued	80,000	80,000
Series B, Shares Outstanding (in shares)	80,000	80,000
VIE
Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost	$ 6,908,551	$ 6,760,078
Construction in Progress	0
Accumulated depreciation	(774,077)	(758,640)
Cash and Cash Equivalents	271,494	253,999
Cash held in escrow	4,901	4,955
Tenant and other receivables	16,652	23,525
Accrued rental income	227,638	224,185
Deferred Charges, net	277,519	290,436
Prepaid expense and other assets	68,910	42,718
Mortgage notes payable, net	2,004,163	2,018,483
Mezzanine notes payable	306,734	307,093
Outside member's notes payable	180,000	180,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	133,749	110,457
Accrued interest payable	171,395	162,226
Other Liabilities	181,535	175,146
VIE | Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost	6,908,551	6,760,078
Construction in Progress	0	0
Accumulated depreciation	(774,077)	(758,640)
Cash and Cash Equivalents	271,494	253,999
Cash held in escrow	4,901	4,955
Tenant and other receivables	16,652	23,525
Accrued rental income	227,638	224,185
Deferred Charges, net	277,519	290,436
Prepaid expense and other assets	68,910	42,718
Mortgage notes payable, net	2,004,163	2,018,483
Mezzanine notes payable	306,734	307,093
Outside member's notes payable	180,000	180,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	133,749	110,457
Accrued interest payable	171,395	162,226
Other Liabilities	$ 181,535	$ 175,146

Consolidated Statements Of Oper

Consolidated Statements Of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Revenue
Base rent	$ 503,562	$ 536,128
Recoveries from tenants	89,164	89,586
Parking and other	25,610	24,825
Total rental revenue	618,336	650,539
Hotel revenue	7,420	8,757
Development and management services	6,472	6,689
Total revenue	632,228	665,985
Expenses
Rental	228,287	219,172
Hotel	7,091	7,634
General and administrative	31,386	29,353
Transaction costs	34	25
Depreciation and amortization	159,205	159,448
Total expenses	426,003	415,632
Operating income	206,225	250,353
Other income (expense)
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	3,084	1,791
Interest and other income	614	1,505
Gains from investments in securities	1,042	259
Interest expense	(95,534)	(105,309)
Income before gains on sales of real estate	115,431	148,599
Gains on sales of real estate	133	67,623
Net income	115,564	216,222
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Noncontrolling interests in property partnerships	(4,424)	(10,464)
Noncontrolling interest—common units of Boston Properties Limited Partnership	(11,432)	(21,393)
Net income attributable to the Company	99,708	184,365
Preferred dividends / distributions	(2,625)	(2,618)
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders	$ 97,083	$ 181,747
Basic earnings per common share / unit attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders
Net income (in dollars per share / unit)	$ 0.63	$ 1.18
Weighted average number of common shares / units outstanding	153,860	153,626
Diluted earnings per common share / unit attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders
Diluted Earnings: Net income, Per Share Amount (in dollars per share / unit)	$ 0.63	$ 1.18
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares / units outstanding (in shares / units)	154,214	153,917
Dividends / Distributions, Per Share / Unit, Declared	$ 0.75	$ 0.65
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Revenue
Base rent	$ 503,562	$ 536,128
Recoveries from tenants	89,164	89,586
Parking and other	25,610	24,825
Total rental revenue	618,336	650,539
Hotel revenue	7,420	8,757
Development and management services	6,472	6,689
Total revenue	632,228	665,985
Expenses
Rental	228,287	219,172
Hotel	7,091	7,634
General and administrative	31,386	29,353
Transaction costs	34	25
Depreciation and amortization	157,058	157,461
Total expenses	423,856	413,645
Operating income	208,372	252,340
Other income (expense)
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	3,084	1,791
Interest and other income	614	1,505
Gains from investments in securities	1,042	259
Interest expense	(95,534)	(105,309)
Income before gains on sales of real estate	117,578	150,586
Gains on sales of real estate	133	69,792
Net income	117,711	220,378
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Noncontrolling interests in property partnerships	(4,424)	(10,464)
Net income attributable to the Company	113,287	209,914
Preferred dividends / distributions	(2,625)	(2,618)
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders	$ 110,662	$ 207,296
Basic earnings per common share / unit attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders
Net income (in dollars per share / unit)	$ 0.64	$ 1.21
Weighted average number of common shares / units outstanding	171,581	171,309
Diluted earnings per common share / unit attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders
Diluted Earnings: Net income, Per Share Amount (in dollars per share / unit)	$ 0.64	$ 1.21
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares / units outstanding (in shares / units)	171,935	171,600
Dividends / Distributions, Per Share / Unit, Declared	$ 0.75	$ 0.65

Consolidated Statements Of Comp

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Net income		$ 115,564	$ 216,222
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Effective portion of interest rate contracts		180	(58,646)
Amortization of interest rate contracts	[1]	1,306	627
Other comprehensive income (loss)		1,486	(58,019)
Comprehensive income		117,050	158,203
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(15,856)	(31,857)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		(218)	15,427
Comprehensive income attributable to the Company		100,976	141,773
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Net income		117,711	220,378
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Effective portion of interest rate contracts		180	(58,646)
Amortization of interest rate contracts	[2]	1,306	627
Other comprehensive income (loss)		1,486	(58,019)
Comprehensive income		119,197	162,359
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(4,496)	62
Comprehensive income attributable to the Company		$ 114,701	$ 162,421
[1]	Amounts reclassified from comprehensive income primarily to interest expense within the Boston Properties, Inc.’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.
[2]	Amounts reclassified from comprehensive income primarily to interest expense within the Boston Properties Limited Partnership's Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Consolidated Statements Of Stoc

Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Dividends In Excess Of Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock, At Cost [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Equity, value at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 7,886,927	$ 1,536	$ 200,000	$ 6,305,687	$ (780,952)	$ (2,722)	$ (14,114)	$ 2,177,492
Equity, shares at Dec. 31, 2015		153,580,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Conversion of operating partnership units to Common Stock, shares		13,000
Conversion of operating partnership units to Common Stock, value	0	$ 0		446				(446)
Allocated net income for the year	216,222				184,365			31,857
Dividends/distributions declared	(114,326)				(102,461)			(11,865)
Shares issued pursuant to stock purchase plan, shares		3,000
Shares issued pursuant to stock purchase plan, value	332			332
Net activity from stock option and incentive plan, shares		9,000
Net activity from stock option and incentive plan, value	9,080	$ 0		696				8,384
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in property partnerships	2,489							2,489
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in property partnerships	(12,915)							(12,915)
Effective portion of interest rate contracts	(58,646)						(43,154)	(15,492)
Amortization of interest rate contracts	627						562	65
Reallocation of noncontrolling interest	0			(438)				438
Equity, value at Mar. 31, 2016	7,929,790	$ 1,536	200,000	6,306,723	(699,048)	(2,722)	(56,706)	2,180,007
Equity, shares at Mar. 31, 2016		153,605,000
Equity, value at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 7,931,924	$ 1,538	200,000	6,333,424	(693,694)	(2,722)	(52,251)	2,145,629
Equity, shares at Dec. 31, 2016	153,790,175	153,790,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Conversion of operating partnership units to Common Stock, shares		23,000
Conversion of operating partnership units to Common Stock, value		$ 0		793				(793)
Allocated net income for the year	$ 115,564				99,708			15,856
Dividends/distributions declared	(131,665)				(118,012)			(13,653)
Shares issued pursuant to stock purchase plan, shares		3,000
Shares issued pursuant to stock purchase plan, value	373			373
Net activity from stock option and incentive plan, shares		33,000
Net activity from stock option and incentive plan, value	12,281			996				11,285
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle	(2,035)				(272)			(1,763)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in property partnerships	8,145							8,145
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in property partnerships	(13,635)							(13,635)
Effective portion of interest rate contracts	180						97	83
Amortization of interest rate contracts	1,306						1,171	135
Reallocation of noncontrolling interest				4,384				(4,384)
Equity, value at Mar. 31, 2017	$ 7,922,438	$ 1,538	$ 200,000	$ 6,339,970	$ (712,270)	$ (2,722)	$ (50,983)	$ 2,146,905
Equity, shares at Mar. 31, 2017	153,849,231	153,849,000

Consolidated Statement of Partn

Consolidated Statement of Partners' Capital Statement - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2015		$ 3,684,522
Contributions		1,165
Net income allocable to general and limited partner units		188,521
Distributions		(102,461)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(42,592)
Unearned compensation		(137)
Conversion of redeemable partnership units		446
Adjustment to reflect redeemable partnership units at redemption value		(8,218)
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2016		3,721,246
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2016		3,811,717
Contributions		4,491
Net income allocable to general and limited partner units		101,855
Distributions		(118,012)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		1,268
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle	$ (2,035)	(272)
Unearned compensation		(3,122)
Conversion of redeemable partnership units		793
Adjustment to reflect redeemable partnership units at redemption value		(126,416)
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2017		$ 3,672,302

Consolidated Statements Of Cash

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 115,564	$ 216,222
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	159,205	159,448
Non-cash compensation expense	10,802	10,069
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	(3,084)	(1,791)
Distributions of net cash flow from operations of unconsolidated joint ventures	1,861	10,718
Gains from investments in securities	(1,042)	(259)
Non-cash portion of interest expense	(7,729)	(10,138)
Gains on sales of real estate	(133)	(67,623)
Change in assets and liabilities:
Cash held in escrows	6,664	1,940
Tenant and other receivables, net	19,023	25,018
Accrued rental income, net	(9,158)	(12,981)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(21,197)	45,560
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(16,306)	(5,209)
Accrued interest payable	22,781	31,192
Other liabilities	(7,090)	(33,319)
Tenant leasing costs	(23,631)	(19,867)
Total adjustments	130,966	132,758
Net cash provided by operating activities	246,530	348,980
Cash flows from investing activities:
Construction in progress	(154,518)	(122,940)
Building and other capital improvements	(43,687)	(25,329)
Tenant improvements	(50,810)	(55,739)
Proceeds from sales of real estate	133	104,816
Proceeds from sales of real estate placed in escrow	0	(104,696)
Proceeds from sales of real estate released from escrow	0	104,696
Cash released from escrow for investing activities	5,230	0
Cash released from escrow for land sale contracts	0	488
Capital contributions to unconsolidated joint ventures	(17,980)	(10,215)
Investments in securities, net	(961)	(438)
Net cash used in investing activities	(262,593)	(109,357)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of mortgage notes payable	(5,038)	(6,265)
Proceeds from unsecured senior notes	0	997,080
Borrowings on unsecured line of credit	175,000	0
Repayments of unsecured line of credit	(70,000)	0
Payments on real estate financing transactions	(480)	(781)
Deferred financing costs	0	(8,047)
Net proceeds from equity transactions	(183)	(657)
Dividends and distributions	(131,555)	(328,567)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in property partnerships	8,145	2,489
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in property partnerships	(13,801)	(12,915)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(37,912)	642,337
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(53,975)	881,960
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	356,914	723,718
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	302,939	1,605,678
Supplemental disclosures:
Cash paid for interest	92,774	93,524
Interest capitalized	12,345	9,269
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Write off of fully depreciated real estate	(49,292)	(17,518)
Additions to real estate included in accounts payable and accrued expenses	44,708	(24,857)
Dividends and distributions declared but not paid	130,418	113,079
Conversions of noncontrolling interests to stockholders’ equity	793	446
Issuance of restricted securities to employees	34,592	32,630
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	117,711	220,378
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	157,058	157,461
Non-cash compensation expense	10,802	10,069
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	(3,084)	(1,791)
Distributions of net cash flow from operations of unconsolidated joint ventures	1,861	10,718
Gains from investments in securities	(1,042)	(259)
Non-cash portion of interest expense	(7,729)	(10,138)
Gains on sales of real estate	(133)	(69,792)
Change in assets and liabilities:
Cash held in escrows	6,664	1,940
Tenant and other receivables, net	19,023	25,018
Accrued rental income, net	(9,158)	(12,981)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(21,197)	45,560
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(16,306)	(5,209)
Accrued interest payable	22,781	31,192
Other liabilities	(7,090)	(33,319)
Tenant leasing costs	(23,631)	(19,867)
Total adjustments	128,819	128,602
Net cash provided by operating activities	246,530	348,980
Cash flows from investing activities:
Construction in progress	(154,518)	(122,940)
Building and other capital improvements	(43,687)	(25,329)
Tenant improvements	(50,810)	(55,739)
Proceeds from sales of real estate	133	104,816
Proceeds from sales of real estate placed in escrow	0	(104,696)
Proceeds from sales of real estate released from escrow	0	104,696
Cash released from escrow for investing activities	5,230	0
Cash released from escrow for land sale contracts	0	488
Capital contributions to unconsolidated joint ventures	(17,980)	(10,215)
Investments in securities, net	(961)	(438)
Net cash used in investing activities	(262,593)	(109,357)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of mortgage notes payable	(5,038)	(6,265)
Proceeds from unsecured senior notes	0	997,080
Borrowings on unsecured line of credit	175,000	0
Repayments of unsecured line of credit	(70,000)	0
Payments on real estate financing transactions	(480)	(781)
Deferred financing costs	0	(8,047)
Net proceeds from equity transactions	(183)	(657)
Dividends and distributions	(131,555)	(328,567)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in property partnerships	8,145	2,489
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in property partnerships	(13,801)	(12,915)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(37,912)	642,337
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(53,975)	881,960
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	356,914	723,718
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	302,939	1,605,678
Supplemental disclosures:
Cash paid for interest	92,774	93,524
Interest capitalized	12,345	9,269
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Write off of fully depreciated real estate	(49,292)	(17,518)
Additions to real estate included in accounts payable and accrued expenses	44,708	(24,857)
Dividends and distributions declared but not paid	130,418	113,079
Conversions of noncontrolling interests to stockholders’ equity	793	446
Issuance of restricted securities to employees	$ 34,592	$ 32,630

Organization

Organization	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization	1. Organization Boston Properties, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”). Boston Properties, Inc. is the sole general partner of Boston Properties Limited Partnership, its operating partnership, and at March 31, 2017 owned an approximate 89.5% ( 89.5% at December 31, 2016 ) general and limited partnership interest in Boston Properties Limited Partnership. Unless stated otherwise or the context requires, the “Company” refers to Boston Properties, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including Boston Properties Limited Partnership, and its consolidated subsidiaries. Partnership interests in Boston Properties Limited Partnership include: • common units of partnership interest (also referred to as “OP Units”), • long term incentive units of partnership interest (also referred to as “LTIP Units”), and • preferred units of partnership interest (also referred to as “Preferred Units”). Unless specifically noted otherwise, all references to OP Units exclude units held by Boston Properties, Inc. A holder of an OP Unit may present such OP Unit to Boston Properties Limited Partnership for redemption at any time (subject to restrictions agreed upon at the time of issuance of OP Units to particular holders that may restrict such redemption right for a period of time, generally one year from issuance). Upon presentation of an OP Unit for redemption, Boston Properties Limited Partnership is obligated to redeem such OP Unit for cash equal to the value of a share of common stock of Boston Properties, Inc. (“Common Stock”) at such time. In lieu of a cash redemption, Boston Properties, Inc. may elect to acquire such OP Unit for one share of Common Stock. Because the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at all times equals the number of OP Units that Boston Properties, Inc. owns, one share of Common Stock is generally the economic equivalent of one OP Unit, and the quarterly distribution that may be paid to the holder of an OP Unit equals the quarterly dividend that may be paid to the holder of a share of Common Stock. The Company uses LTIP Units as a form of equity-based award for annual long-term incentive equity compensation. The Company has also issued LTIP Units to employees in the form of (1) 2012 outperformance plan awards (“2012 OPP Units”) and (2) 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 multi-year, long-term incentive program awards (also referred to as “2013 MYLTIP Units,” “2014 MYLTIP Units,” “2015 MYLTIP Units,” “2016 MYLTIP Units” and “2017 MYLTIP Units,” respectively, and collectively as “MYLTIP Units”), each of which, upon the satisfaction of certain performance and vesting conditions, is convertible into one OP Unit. The three-year measurement periods for the 2012 OPP Units, 2013 MYLTIP Units and 2014 MYLTIP Units expired on February 6, 2015, February 4, 2016 and February 3, 2017, respectively, and Boston Properties, Inc.’s total stockholder return (“TSR”) was sufficient for employees to earn and therefore become eligible to vest in a portion of the awards. Unless and until they are earned, the rights, preferences and privileges of the 2015, 2016 and 2017 MYLTIP Units differ from other LTIP Units granted to employees (including the 2012 OPP Units, the 2013 MYLTIP Units and the 2014 MYLTIP Units, which have been earned). Therefore, unless specifically noted otherwise, all references to LTIP Units exclude the 2015, 2016 and 2017 MYLTIP Units. LTIP Units (including the 2012 OPP Units, the 2013 MYLTIP Units and the 2014 MYLTIP Units), whether vested or not, will receive the same quarterly per unit distributions as OP Units, which equal per share dividends on Common Stock (See Notes 7 , 8 and 10 ). At March 31, 2017 , there was one series of Preferred Units outstanding (i.e., Series B Preferred Units). The Series B Preferred Units were issued to Boston Properties, Inc. on March 27, 2013 in connection with the issuance of 80,000 shares ( 8,000,000 depositary shares each representing 1/100th of a share) of 5.25% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock”). Boston Properties, Inc. contributed the net proceeds from the offering to Boston Properties Limited Partnership in exchange for 80,000 Series B Preferred Units having terms and preferences generally mirroring those of the Series B Preferred Stock (See Note 8 ). Properties At March 31, 2017 , the Company owned or had interests in a portfolio of 174 commercial real estate properties (the “Properties”) aggregating approximately 47.7 million net rentable square feet of primarily Class A office properties, including eight properties under construction/redevelopment totaling approximately 4.0 million net rentable square feet. At March 31, 2017 , the Properties consisted of: • 164 Office properties (including six properties under construction/redevelopment); • one hotel; • five retail properties; and • four residential properties (including two properties under construction). The Company considers Class A office properties to be centrally located buildings that are professionally managed and maintained, attract high-quality tenants and command upper-tier rental rates, and that are modern structures or have been modernized to compete with newer buildings.

Basis Of Presentation And Summa

Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Boston Properties, Inc. does not have any other significant assets, liabilities or operations, other than its investment in Boston Properties Limited Partnership, nor does it have employees of its own. Boston Properties Limited Partnership, not Boston Properties, Inc., generally executes all significant business relationships other than transactions involving securities of Boston Properties, Inc. All majority-owned subsidiaries and joint ventures over which the Company has financial and operating control and variable interest entities (“VIEs”) in which the Company has determined it is the primary beneficiary are included in the consolidated financial statements. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company accounts for all other unconsolidated joint ventures using the equity method of accounting. Accordingly, the Company’s share of the earnings of these joint ventures and companies is included in consolidated net income. The accompanying interim financial statements are unaudited; however, the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in conjunction with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring matters) necessary for a fair statement of the financial statements for these interim periods have been included. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be obtained for other interim periods or for the full fiscal year. The year-end consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosure required by GAAP. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report in the Company’s Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 . Fair Value of Financial Instruments The Company determines the fair value of its unsecured senior notes using market prices. The inputs used in determining the fair value of the Company’s unsecured senior notes are categorized at a level 1 basis (as defined in the accounting standards for Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures) due to the fact that the Company uses quoted market rates to value these instruments. However, the inputs used in determining the fair value could be categorized at a level 2 basis (as defined in the accounting standards for Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures) if trading volumes are low. The Company determines the fair value of its mortgage notes payable using discounted cash flow analysis by discounting the spread between the future contractual interest payments and hypothetical future interest payments on mortgage debt based on current market rates for similar securities. In determining the current market rates, the Company adds its estimates of market spreads to the quoted yields on federal government treasury securities with similar maturity dates to its debt. The inputs used in determining the fair value of the Company’s mortgage notes payable and mezzanine notes payable are categorized at a level 3 basis (as defined in the accounting standards for Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures) due to the fact that the Company considers the rates used in the valuation techniques to be unobservable inputs. To the extent that there are outstanding borrowings under the unsecured line of credit, the Company utilizes a discounted cash flow methodology in order to estimate the fair value. To the extent that credit spreads have changed since the origination, the net present value of the difference between future contractual interest payments and future interest payments based on the Company’s estimate of a current market rate would represent the difference between the book value and the fair value. The Company’s estimate of a current market rate is based upon the rate, considering current market conditions and the Company’s specific credit profile, at which it estimates it could obtain similar borrowings. To the extent there are outstanding borrowings, this current market rate is internally estimated and therefore would be primarily based upon a level 3 input. Because the Company’s valuations of its financial instruments are based on these types of estimates, the actual fair values of its financial instruments may differ materially if the Company’s estimates do not prove to be accurate, and the Company’s estimated fair values for these instruments as of the end of the applicable reporting period are not necessarily indicative of estimated or actual fair values in future reporting periods. The following table presents the aggregate carrying value of the Company’s mortgage notes payable, net, mezzanine notes payable, unsecured line of credit and unsecured senior notes, net and the Company’s corresponding estimate of fair value as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands): March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Mortgage notes payable, net $ 2,046,959 $ 2,074,954 $ 2,063,087 $ 2,092,237 Mezzanine notes payable 306,734 307,600 307,093 308,344 Unsecured line of credit 105,000 105,099 — — Unsecured senior notes, net 7,248,152 7,460,437 7,245,953 7,428,077 Total $ 9,706,845 $ 9,948,090 $ 9,616,133 $ 9,828,658 The Company uses interest rate swap agreements to manage its interest rate risk. The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves. To comply with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, the Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. Although the Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by the Company and its counterparties. However, as of March 31, 2017 , the Company has assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and has determined that the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the overall valuation of its derivatives. As a result, the Company has determined that its derivative valuations in their entirety are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) Consolidated VIEs are those where the Company is considered to be the primary beneficiary of a VIE. The primary beneficiary is the entity that has a controlling financial interest in the VIE, which is defined by the entity having both of the following characteristics: (1) the power to direct the activities that, when taken together, most significantly impact the VIE’s performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive the returns from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company has determined that it is the primary beneficiary for seven of the eight entities that are VIEs. Consolidated Variable Interest Entities As of March 31, 2017 , Boston Properties, Inc. has identified seven consolidated VIEs, including Boston Properties Limited Partnership. The VIEs own (1) the following five in-service properties: 767 Fifth Avenue (the General Motors Building), Time Square Tower, 601 Lexington Avenue, Atlantic Wharf Office Building and 100 Federal Street and (2) the entity that owns Salesforce Tower, which is currently under development. The Company consolidates these VIEs because it is the primary beneficiary. The third parties’ interests in these consolidated entities, with the exception of Boston Properties Limited Partnership, are reflected as noncontrolling interest in property partnerships in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements (See Note 7 ). In addition, Boston Properties, Inc.’s significant asset is its investment in Boston Properties Limited Partnership and, consequently, substantially all of Boston Properties, Inc.’s assets and liabilities are the assets and liabilities of Boston Properties Limited Partnership. All of Boston Properties, Inc.’s debt is an obligation of Boston Properties Limited Partnership. Variable Interest Entities Not Consolidated The Company has determined that its BNY Tower Holdings LLC joint venture, which owns Dock 72 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, is a VIE. The Company does not consolidate this entity because the Company does not have the power to direct the activities that, when taken together, most significantly impact the VIE’s performance and, therefore, the Company is not considered to be the primary beneficiary. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Standards Accounting Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASU 2014-09”). The objective of ASU 2014-09 is to establish a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and will supersede most of the existing revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In applying ASU 2014-09, companies will perform a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. ASU 2014-09 applies to all contracts with customers except those that are within the scope of other topics in the FASB’s ASC. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date” (“ASU 2015-14”), which delayed the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year making it effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted as of the original effective date. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients” (“ASU 2016-12”). ASU 2016-12 is intended to clarify and provide practical expedients for certain aspects of ASU 2014-09, which outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenues arising from contracts with customers and notes that lease contracts with customers are a scope exception. The Company may elect to adopt ASU 2016-12 as of the original effective date; however, adoption is required for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company has commenced the process of adopting ASU 2014-09 for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including forming a project team and compiling an inventory of the sources of revenue the Company expects will be impacted by the adoption of ASU 2014-09. The Company expects that executory costs and certain non-lease components of revenue from leases (upon the adoption of ASU 2016-02), tenant service revenue, development and management services revenue, parking revenue and gains on sales of real estate may be impacted by the adoption of ASU 2014-09, although the Company expects that the impact will be to the pattern of revenue recognition and not the total revenue recognized over time. The Company is in the process of evaluating the significance of the impact on the changes in the recognition pattern of its revenue and is still completing its assessment of the overall impact of adopting ASU 2014-09. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “ Leases (Topic 842) ” (“ASU 2016-02”) , which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract (i.e., lessees and lessors). ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase of the leased asset by the lessee. This classification will determine whether the lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for similar to existing guidance for operating leases today. The new standard requires lessors to account for leases using an approach that is substantially equivalent to existing guidance for sales-type leases, direct financing leases and operating leases. ASU 2016-02 supersedes previous leasing standards . ASU 2016-02 is effective for the Company for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company has commenced the process of adopting ASU 2016-02 by forming a project team and beginning to compile an inventory of its leases that will be impacted by the adoption of ASU 2016-02. The Company is still assessing the impact of adopting ASU 2016-02. However, the Company expects that its operating leases where it is the lessor will be accounted for on its balance sheet similar to its current accounting with the underlying leased asset recognized as real estate. The Company expects that executory costs and certain other non-lease components will need to be accounted for separately from the lease component of the lease with the lease component continuing to be recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and the executory costs and certain other non-lease components being accounted for under the new revenue recognition guidance in ASU 2014-09. For leases in which the Company is the lessee, primarily consisting of ground leases, the Company expects to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability equal to the present value of the minimum lease payments with rental payments being applied to the lease liability and to interest expense and the right-of-use asset being amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. In addition, under ASU 2016-02, lessors may only capitalize incremental direct leasing costs. As a result, the Company expects that it will no longer be able to capitalize its internal leasing wages and instead will expense these costs as incurred. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2016-09”) . ASU 2016-09 is intended to improve the accounting for share-based payments and affects all organizations that issue share-based payment awards to their employees. Several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment awards are simplified with ASU 2016-09, including income tax consequences, classification of awards as equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for the Company for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. On January 1, 2017, the Company adopted ASU 2016-09 and elected to make an accounting policy change to its method of accounting for forfeitures on its awards of stock-based compensation including the issuance of shares of restricted common stock, LTIP Units and MYLTIP Units. The Company now accounts for forfeitures as they occur instead of estimating the number of forfeitures upon the issuance of such awards of stock-based compensation. The adoption resulted in the Company recognizing cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle adjustments to its consolidated balance sheets totaling approximately $0.3 million to Dividends in Excess of Earnings and Partners’ Capital for Boston Properties, Inc. and Boston Properties Limited Partnership, respectively, and approximately $1.8 million to noncontrolling interests - common units of Boston Properties Limited Partnership and noncontrolling interests - redeemable partnership units for Boston Properties, Inc. and Boston Properties Limited Partnership, respectively. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business” (“ASU 2017-01”). ASU 2017-01 clarifies the framework for determining whether an integrated set of assets and activities meets the definition of a business. The revised framework establishes a screen for determining whether an integrated set of assets and activities is a business and narrows the definition of a business, which is expected to result in fewer transactions being accounted for as business combinations. Acquisitions of integrated sets of assets and activities that do not meet the definition of a business are accounted for as asset acquisitions. This update is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted for transactions that have not been reported in previously issued (or available to be issued) financial statements and shall be applied on a prospective basis. The Company early adopted ASU 2017-01 during the first quarter of 2017. The Company expects that acquisitions of real estate or in-substance real estate will not meet the revised definition of a business because substantially all of the fair value is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets (i.e. land, buildings, and related intangible assets) or because the acquisition does not include a substantive process in the form of an acquired workforce or an acquired contract that cannot be replaced without significant cost, effort or delay. In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-05, “Other Income - Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets” (“ASU 2017-05”). ASU 2017-05 updates the definition of an “in substance nonfinancial asset” and clarifies the derecognition guidance for nonfinancial assets to conform with the new revenue recognition standard. The effective date and transition methods of ASU 2017-05 are aligned with ASU 2014-09 described above and are effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact that the adoption of ASU 2017-05 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Real Estate

Real Estate	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Real Estate [Abstract]
Real Estate	Boston Properties, Inc. Real estate consisted of the following at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands): March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Land $ 4,879,015 $ 4,879,020 Land held for future development (1) 249,800 246,656 Buildings and improvements 11,904,196 11,890,626 Tenant improvements 2,111,336 2,060,315 Furniture, fixtures and equipment 36,589 32,687 Construction in progress 1,211,324 1,037,959 Total 20,392,260 20,147,263 Less: Accumulated depreciation (4,302,283 ) (4,222,235 ) $ 16,089,977 $ 15,925,028 _______________ (1) Includes pre-development costs. Boston Properties Limited Partnership Real estate consisted of the following at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands): March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Land $ 4,774,455 $ 4,774,460 Land held for future development (1) 249,800 246,656 Buildings and improvements 11,595,365 11,581,795 Tenant improvements 2,111,336 2,060,315 Furniture, fixtures and equipment 36,589 32,687 Construction in progress 1,211,324 1,037,959 Total 19,978,869 19,733,872 Less: Accumulated depreciation (4,214,265 ) (4,136,364 ) $ 15,764,604 $ 15,597,508 _______________ (1) Includes pre-development costs.

Investments in Unconsolidated J

Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Investments In Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Investments In Unconsolidated Joint Ventures	4. Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures The investments in unconsolidated joint ventures consist of the following at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : Nominal % Ownership Carrying Value of Investment (1) Entity Properties March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (in thousands) Square 407 Limited Partnership Market Square North 50.0 % $ (7,837 ) $ (8,134 ) The Metropolitan Square Associates LLC Metropolitan Square 20.0 % 2,007 2,004 BP/CRF 901 New York Avenue LLC 901 New York Avenue 25.0 % (2) (10,167 ) (10,564 ) WP Project Developer LLC Wisconsin Place Land and Infrastructure 33.3 % (3) 41,151 41,605 Annapolis Junction NFM, LLC Annapolis Junction 50.0 % (4) 19,920 20,539 540 Madison Venture LLC 540 Madison Avenue 60.0 % 67,653 67,816 500 North Capitol Venture LLC 500 North Capitol Street, NW 30.0 % (3,606 ) (3,389 ) 501 K Street LLC 1001 6th Street 50.0 % (5) 42,474 42,528 Podium Developer LLC The Hub on Causeway 50.0 % 36,888 29,869 Residential Tower Developer LLC The Hub on Causeway - Residential 50.0 % 21,666 20,803 Hotel Tower Developer LLC The Hub on Causeway - Hotel 50.0 % 1,167 933 1265 Main Office JV LLC 1265 Main Street 50.0 % 4,866 4,779 BNY Tower Holdings LLC Dock 72 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard 50.0 % (6) 43,497 33,699 CA-Colorado Center Limited Partnership Colorado Center 49.8 % 512,643 510,623 $ 772,322 $ 753,111 _______________ (1) Investments with deficit balances aggregating approximately $21.6 million and $22.1 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively, have been reflected within Other Liabilities in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. (2) The Company’s economic ownership has increased based on the achievement of certain return thresholds. (3) The Company’s wholly-owned entity that owns the office component of the project also owns a 33.3% interest in the entity owning the land, parking garage and infrastructure of the project. (4) The joint venture owns four in-service buildings and two undeveloped land parcels. (5) Under the joint venture agreement for this land parcel, the partner will be entitled to up to two additional payments from the venture based on increases in total entitled square footage of the project above 520,000 square feet and achieving certain project returns at stabilization. (6) The entity is a VIE (See Note 2 ). Certain of the Company’s unconsolidated joint venture agreements include provisions whereby, at certain specified times, each partner has the right to initiate a purchase or sale of its interest in the joint ventures. With limited exception, under these provisions, the Company is not compelled to purchase the interest of its outside joint venture partners. Under certain of the Company’s joint venture agreements, if certain return thresholds are achieved, the partners will be entitled to an additional promoted interest or payments. The combined summarized balance sheets of the Company’s unconsolidated joint ventures are as follows: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (in thousands) ASSETS Real estate and development in process, net $ 1,553,799 $ 1,519,217 Other assets 297,969 297,263 Total assets $ 1,851,768 $ 1,816,480 LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’/PARTNERS’ EQUITY Mortgage and notes payable, net $ 864,344 $ 865,665 Other liabilities 68,695 67,167 Members’/Partners’ equity 918,729 883,648 Total liabilities and members’/partners’ equity $ 1,851,768 $ 1,816,480 Company’s share of equity $ 471,112 $ 450,662 Basis differentials (1) 301,210 302,449 Carrying value of the Company’s investments in unconsolidated joint ventures (2) $ 772,322 $ 753,111 _______________ (1) This amount represents the aggregate difference between the Company’s historical cost basis and the basis reflected at the joint venture level, which is typically amortized over the life of the related assets and liabilities. Basis differentials result from impairments of investments, acquisitions through joint ventures with no change in control and upon the transfer of assets that were previously owned by the Company into a joint venture. In addition, certain acquisition, transaction and other costs may not be reflected in the net assets at the joint venture level. At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , there was an aggregate basis differential of approximately $327.4 million and $328.8 million , respectively, between the carrying value of the Company’s investment in the joint venture that owns Colorado Center and the joint venture’s basis in the assets and liabilities, which differential (excluding land) shall be amortized over the remaining lives of the related assets and liabilities. (2) Investments with deficit balances aggregating approximately $21.6 million and $22.1 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively, have been reflected within Other Liabilities in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The combined summarized statements of operations of the Company’s unconsolidated joint ventures are as follows: Three months ended March 31, 2017 2016 (in thousands) Total revenue (1) $ 54,761 $ 37,669 Expenses Operating 22,079 16,667 Depreciation and amortization 14,309 9,064 Total expenses 36,388 25,731 Operating income 18,373 11,938 Other expense Interest expense 9,300 8,389 Net income $ 9,073 $ 3,549 Company’s share of net income $ 4,323 $ 1,599 Basis differential (2) (1,239 ) 192 Income from unconsolidated joint ventures $ 3,084 $ 1,791 _______________ (1) Includes straight-line rent adjustments of approximately $7.0 million and $2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. (2) Includes a straight-line rent adjustment of approximately $0.7 million and a net above-/below-market rent adjustment of approximately $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 .

Derivative Instruments and Hedg

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Text Block]	5. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities During the year ended December 31, 2015, Boston Properties Limited Partnership commenced a planned interest rate hedging program and entered into 17 forward-starting interest rate swap contracts that fixed the 10-year swap rate at a weighted-average rate of approximately 2.423% per annum on notional amounts aggregating $550.0 million . These interest rate swap contracts were entered into in advance of a financing with a target commencement date in September 2016 and maturity in September 2026. On August 17, 2016, in conjunction with Boston Properties Limited Partnership’s offering of its 2.750% senior unsecured notes due 2026, the Company terminated the forward-starting interest rate swap contracts and cash-settled the contracts by making cash payments to the counterparties aggregating approximately $49.3 million . The Company recognized approximately $0.1 million of losses on interest rate contracts during the year ended December 31, 2016 related to the partial ineffectiveness of the interest rate contracts. The Company is reclassifying into earnings, as an increase to interest expense, approximately $49.2 million (or approximately $4.9 million per year over the 10-year term of the 2.750% senior unsecured notes due 2026) of the amounts recorded in the consolidated balance sheets within accumulated other comprehensive loss, which represents the effective portion of the applicable interest rate contracts. In addition, 767 Fifth Partners LLC, which is a subsidiary of the consolidated entity in which the Company has a 60% interest and owns 767 Fifth Avenue (the General Motors Building) in New York City, entered into 16 forward-starting interest rate swap contracts (including two contracts entered into during the three months ended March 31, 2016 with notional amounts aggregating $50.0 million ) that fix the 10 -year swap rate at a weighted-average rate of approximately 2.619% per annum on notional amounts aggregating $450.0 million . These interest rate swap contracts were entered into in advance of a financing with a target commencement date in June 2017 and maturity in June 2027 (See Note 12 ). 767 Fifth Partners LLC’s interest rate swap contracts consisted of the following at March 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands): Derivative Instrument Aggregate Notional Amount Effective Date Maturity Date Strike Rate Range Balance Sheet Location Fair Value Low High Interest Rate Swaps $ 325,000 June 7, 2017 June 7, 2027 2.423 % - 2.950 % Other Liabilities $ (8,635 ) Interest Rate Swaps 125,000 June 7, 2017 June 7, 2027 2.336 % - 2.418 % Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets 551 $ 450,000 $ (8,084 ) 767 Fifth Avenue Partners LLC’s interest rate swap contracts consisted of the following at December 31, 2016 (dollars in thousands): Derivative Instrument Aggregate Notional Amount Effective Date Maturity Date Strike Rate Range Balance Sheet Location Fair Value Low High Interest Rate Swaps $ 350,000 June 7, 2017 June 7, 2027 2.418 % - 2.950 % Other Liabilities $ (8,773 ) Interest Rate Swaps 100,000 June 7, 2017 June 7, 2027 2.336 % - 2.388 % Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets 509 $ 450,000 $ (8,264 ) Boston Properties Limited Partnership entered into the interest rate swap contracts designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges to reduce its exposure to the variability in future cash flows attributable to changes in the 10 -year swap rate in contemplation of obtaining 10 -year fixed-rate financing in September 2016. The Company’s 767 Fifth Partners LLC consolidated entity entered into the interest rate swap contracts designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges to reduce its exposure to the variability in future cash flows attributable to changes in the 10 -year swap rate in contemplation of obtaining 10 -year fixed-rate financing in June 2017 (See Note 12). Boston Properties Limited Partnership has formally documented all of its relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. Boston Properties Limited Partnership also assesses and documents, both at the hedging instrument’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows associated with the hedged items. All components of the forward-starting interest rate swap contracts were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness. 767 Fifth Partners LLC has agreements with each of its derivative counterparties that contain a provision where it could be declared in default on its derivative obligations if repayment of its indebtedness is accelerated by the lender due to its default on the indebtedness. As of March 31, 2017 , the fair value of 767 Fifth Partners LLC’s derivatives is in a net liability position, excluding any adjustment for nonperformance risk and excluding accrued interest, related to these agreements of approximately $8.6 million . As of March 31, 2017 , 767 Fifth Partners LLC has not posted any collateral related to these agreements. If 767 Fifth Partners LLC had breached any of these provisions at March 31, 2017 , it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements at their termination value of approximately $8.6 million . The Company accounts for the effective portion of changes in the fair value of a derivative in accumulated other comprehensive loss and subsequently reclassifies the effective portion to earnings over the term that the hedged transaction affects earnings. The Company accounts for the ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of a derivative directly in earnings. The Company classifies cash flows related to derivative instruments within its Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows consistent with the nature of the hedged item. 767 Fifth Partners LLC has recorded the changes in fair value of the swap contracts related to the effective portion of the interest rate contracts aggregating approximately $8.6 million in Other Liabilities and approximately $0.6 million in Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss within the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, 767 Fifth Partners LLC did not record any hedge ineffectiveness. 767 Fifth Partners LLC expects that within the next twelve months it will reclassify into earnings as an increase to interest expense approximately $0.7 million of the amounts recorded within Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss relating to the forward-starting interest rate swap contracts in effect and as of March 31, 2017 . The following table presents the location in the financial statements of the gains (losses) recognized related to the Company’s cash flow hedges for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 : Three months ended March 31, 2017 2016 (in thousands) Amount of gain (loss) related to the effective portion recognized in other comprehensive loss $ 180 $ (58,646 ) Amount of loss related to the effective portion subsequently reclassified to earnings $ (1,306 ) $ (627 ) Amount of (gain) loss related to the ineffective portion and amount excluded from effectiveness testing $ — $ — Boston Properties, Inc. The following table reflects the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands): Balance at December 31, 2016 $ (52,251 ) Effective portion of interest rate contracts 180 Amortization of interest rate contracts 1,306 Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (218 ) Balance at March 31, 2017 $ (50,983 ) Balance at December 31, 2015 $ (14,114 ) Effective portion of interest rate contracts (58,646 ) Amortization of interest rate contracts 627 Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests 15,427 Balance at March 31, 2016 $ (56,706 ) Boston Properties Limited Partnership The following table reflects the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands): Balance at December 31, 2016 $ (60,853 ) Effective portion of interest rate contracts 180 Amortization of interest rate contracts 1,306 Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (72 ) Balance at March 31, 2017 $ (59,439 ) Balance at December 31, 2015 $ (18,337 ) Effective portion of interest rate contracts (58,646 ) Amortization of interest rate contracts 627 Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests 10,526 Balance at March 31, 2016 $ (65,830 )

Commitments And Contingencies

Commitments And Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments And Contingencies	6. Commitments and Contingencies General In the normal course of business, the Company guarantees its performance of services or indemnifies third parties against its negligence. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Company guarantees to certain tenants the obligations of its subsidiaries for the payment of tenant improvement allowances and brokerage commissions in connection with their leases and limited costs arising from delays in delivery of their premises. The Company has letter of credit and performance obligations related to lender and development requirements that total approximately $12.0 million . Certain of the Company’s joint venture agreements include provisions whereby, at certain specified times, each partner has the right to initiate a purchase or sale of its interest in the joint ventures. With limited exception, under these provisions, the Company is not compelled to purchase the interest of its outside joint venture partners. Under certain of the Company’s joint venture agreements, if certain return thresholds are achieved, the partners will be entitled to an additional promoted interest or payments. In connection with the assumption of 767 Fifth Avenue’s (the General Motors Building) secured loan by the Company’s consolidated joint venture entity, 767 Venture, LLC, the Company guaranteed the consolidated joint venture’s obligation to fund various escrows, including tenant improvements, taxes and insurance in lieu of cash deposits. As of March 31, 2017 , the maximum funding obligation under the guarantee was approximately $25.0 million . The Company earns a fee from the joint venture for providing the guarantee and has an agreement with the outside partners to reimburse the joint venture for their share of any payments made under the guarantee. In connection with 767 Fifth Partners LLC entering into interest rate swap contracts (See Notes 5 and 12 ), the Company guaranteed 767 Fifth Partners LLC’s obligations under the hedging agreements in favor of each hedge counterparty. 767 Fifth Partners LLC is the entity that owns 767 Fifth Avenue (the General Motors Building). It is a subsidiary of 767 Venture, LLC, a consolidated entity in which the Company has a 60% interest. The Company earns a fee from the joint venture for providing the guarantee and has an agreement with the outside partners to reimburse the joint venture for their share of any payments made under the guarantee. From time to time, the Company (or the applicable joint venture) has also agreed to guarantee portions of the principal, interest or other amounts in connection with other unconsolidated joint venture borrowings. In addition to the financial guarantees referenced above, the Company has agreed to customary environmental indemnifications and nonrecourse carve-outs (e.g., guarantees against fraud, misrepresentation and bankruptcy) on certain of its unconsolidated joint venture loans. In 2009, the Company filed a general unsecured creditor’s claim against Lehman Brothers, Inc. for approximately $45.3 million related to its rejection of a lease at 399 Park Avenue in New York City. On January 10, 2014, the trustee for the liquidation of the business of Lehman Brothers allowed the Company’s claim in the amount of approximately $45.2 million . During 2014 and 2015, the Company received distributions of approximately $7.7 million and $8.1 million , respectively. On July 5, 2016, the Company received a fourth interim distribution totaling approximately $1.4 million , leaving a remaining claim of approximately $28.0 million . The Company will continue to evaluate whether to attempt to sell the remaining claim or wait until the trustee distributes proceeds from the Lehman Brothers estate. Given the inherent uncertainties in bankruptcy proceedings, there can be no assurance as to the timing or amount of additional proceeds, if any, that the Company may ultimately realize on the remaining claim, whether by sale to a third party or by one or more distributions from the trustee. Accordingly, the Company has not recorded any estimated recoveries associated with this gain contingency within its Consolidated Financial Statements at March 31, 2017 . Insurance The Company carries insurance coverage on its properties, including those under development, of types and in amounts and with deductibles that it believes are in line with coverage customarily obtained by owners of similar properties. Certain properties owned in joint ventures with third parties are insured by the third party partner with insurance coverage of types and in amounts and with deductibles the Company believes are in line with coverage customarily obtained by owners of similar properties. In response to the uncertainty in the insurance market following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Federal Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (as amended, “TRIA”) was enacted in November 2002 to require regulated insurers to make available coverage for “certified” acts of terrorism (as defined by the statute). The expiration date of TRIA was extended to December 31, 2014 by the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 and further extended to December 31, 2020 by the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2015 (“TRIPRA”), and the Company can provide no assurance that it will be extended further. Currently, the Company’s property insurance program per occurrence limits are $1.0 billion for its portfolio insurance program, including coverage for acts of terrorism other than nuclear, biological, chemical or radiological terrorism (“Terrorism Coverage”). The Company also carries $250 million of Terrorism Coverage for 601 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York (“601 Lexington Avenue”) in excess of the $1.0 billion of coverage in the Company’s property insurance program. Certain properties, including the General Motors Building located at 767 Fifth Avenue in New York, New York (“767 Fifth Avenue”), are currently insured in separate insurance programs. The property insurance program per occurrence limits for 767 Fifth Avenue are $1.625 billion , including Terrorism Coverage. The Company also currently carries nuclear, biological, chemical and radiological terrorism insurance coverage for acts of terrorism certified under TRIA (“NBCR Coverage”), which is provided by IXP as a direct insurer, for the properties in our portfolio, including 767 Fifth Avenue, but excluding certain other properties owned in joint ventures with third parties or which the Company manages. The per occurrence limit for NBCR Coverage is $1.0 billion . Under TRIA, after the payment of the required deductible and coinsurance, the NBCR Coverage provided by IXP is backstopped by the Federal Government if the aggregate industry insured losses resulting from a certified act of terrorism exceed a “program trigger.” In 2017, the program trigger is $140 million and the coinsurance is 17% , however, both will increase in subsequent years pursuant to TRIPRA. If the Federal Government pays out for a loss under TRIA, it is mandatory that the Federal Government recoup the full amount of the loss from insurers offering TRIA coverage after the payment of the loss pursuant to a formula in TRIPRA. The Company may elect to terminate the NBCR Coverage if the Federal Government seeks recoupment for losses paid under TRIA, if there is a change in its portfolio or for any other reason. The Company intends to continue to monitor the scope, nature and cost of available terrorism insurance and maintain terrorism insurance in amounts and on terms that are commercially reasonable. The Company also currently carries earthquake insurance on its properties located in areas known to be subject to earthquakes in an amount and subject to self-insurance that the Company believes is commercially reasonable. In addition, this insurance is subject to a deductible in the amount of 3% of the value of the affected property. Specifically, the Company currently carries earthquake insurance which covers its San Francisco (including Salesforce Tower) and Los Angeles regions with a $240 million (increased from $170 million on March 1, 2017) per occurrence limit, and a $240 million (increased from $170 million on March 1, 2017) annual aggregate limit, $20 million of which is provided by IXP, as a direct insurer. Prior to March 1, 2017, the builders risk policy maintained for the development of Salesforce Tower in San Francisco included a $60 million per occurrence and annual aggregate limit of earthquake coverage. The amount of the Company’s earthquake insurance coverage may not be sufficient to cover losses from earthquakes. In addition, the amount of earthquake coverage could impact the Company’s ability to finance properties subject to earthquake risk. The Company may discontinue earthquake insurance or change the structure of its earthquake insurance program on some or all of its properties in the future if the premiums exceed the Company’s estimation of the value of the coverage. IXP, a captive insurance company which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, acts as a direct insurer with respect to a portion of the Company’s earthquake insurance coverage for its Greater San Francisco and Los Angeles properties and the Company’s NBCR Coverage. Insofar as the Company owns IXP, it is responsible for its liquidity and capital resources, and the accounts of IXP are part of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In particular, if a loss occurs which is covered by the Company’s NBCR Coverage but is less than the applicable program trigger under TRIA, IXP would be responsible for the full amount of the loss without any backstop by the Federal Government. IXP would also be responsible for any recoupment charges by the Federal Government in the event losses are paid out and its insurance policy is maintained after the payout by the Federal Government. If the Company experiences a loss and IXP is required to pay under its insurance policy, the Company would ultimately record the loss to the extent of the required payment. Therefore, insurance coverage provided by IXP should not be considered as the equivalent of third-party insurance, but rather as a modified form of self-insurance. In addition, Boston Properties Limited Partnership has issued a guarantee to cover liabilities of IXP in the amount of $20.0 million . The mortgages on the Company’s properties typically contain requirements concerning the financial ratings of the insurers who provide policies covering the property. The Company provides the lenders on a regular basis with the identity of the insurance companies in the Company’s insurance programs. The ratings of some of the Company’s insurers are below the rating requirements in some of the Company’s loan agreements and the lenders for these loans could attempt to claim that an event of default has occurred under the loan. The Company believes it could obtain insurance with insurers which satisfy the rating requirements. Additionally, in the future, the Company’s ability to obtain debt financing secured by individual properties, or the terms of such financing, may be adversely affected if lenders generally insist on ratings for insurers or amounts of insurance which are difficult to obtain or which result in a commercially unreasonable premium. There can be no assurance that a deficiency in the financial ratings of one or more of the Company’s insurers will not have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company continues to monitor the state of the insurance market in general, and the scope and costs of coverage for acts of terrorism and California earthquake risk in particular, but the Company cannot anticipate what coverage will be available on commercially reasonable terms in future policy years. There are other types of losses, such as from wars, for which the Company cannot obtain insurance at all or at a reasonable cost. With respect to such losses and losses from acts of terrorism, earthquakes or other catastrophic events, if the Company experiences a loss that is uninsured or that exceeds policy limits, the Company could lose the capital invested in the damaged properties, as well as the anticipated future revenues from those properties. Depending on the specific circumstances of each affected property, it is possible that the Company could be liable for mortgage indebtedness or other obligations related to the property. Any such loss could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business and financial condition and results of operations.

Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling Interests	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Noncontrolling Interests	7. Noncontrolling Interests Noncontrolling interests relate to the interests in Boston Properties Limited Partnership not owned by Boston Properties, Inc. and interests in consolidated property partnerships not wholly-owned by the Company. As of March 31, 2017 , the noncontrolling interests in Boston Properties Limited Partnership consisted of 17,277,109 OP Units, 811,476 LTIP Units (including 118,067 2012 OPP Units, 85,491 2013 MYLTIP Units and 25,124 2014 MYLTIP Units), 367,218 2015 MYLTIP Units, 473,360 2016 MYLTIP Units and 400,000 2017 MYLTIP Units held by parties other than Boston Properties, Inc. Noncontrolling Interest—Common Units During the three months ended March 31, 2017 , 23,182 OP Units were presented by the holders for redemption (including 20,682 OP Units issued upon conversion of LTIP Units, 2012 OPP Units, 2013 MYLTIP Units and 2014 MYLTIP Units) and were redeemed by Boston Properties, Inc. in exchange for an equal number of shares of Common Stock. At March 31, 2017 , Boston Properties Limited Partnership had outstanding 367,218 2015 MYLTIP Units, 473,360 2016 MYLTIP Units and 400,000 2017 MYLTIP Units. Prior to the applicable measurement date (February 4, 2018 for 2015 MYLTIP Units, February 9, 2019 for 2016 MYLTIP Units and February 6, 2020 for 2017 MYLTIP Units), holders of MYLTIP Units will be entitled to receive per unit distributions equal to one-tenth ( 10% ) of the regular quarterly distributions payable on an OP Unit, but will not be entitled to receive any special distributions. After the measurement date, the number of MYLTIP Units, both vested and unvested, that MYLTIP award recipients have earned, if any, based on the establishment of a performance pool, will be entitled to receive distributions in an amount per unit equal to distributions, both regular and special, payable on an OP Unit. On February 3, 2017, the measurement period for the Company’s 2014 MYLTIP awards ended and, based on Boston Properties, Inc.’s relative TSR performance, the final awards were determined to be 27.7% of target or an aggregate of approximately $3.5 million (after giving effect to voluntary employee separations and the unallocated reserve). As a result, an aggregate of 447,386 2014 MYLTIP Units that had been previously granted were automatically forfeited. The following table presents Boston Properties Limited Partnership’s distributions on the OP Units and LTIP Units (including the 2012 OPP Units and 2013 MYLTIP Units and, after the February 3, 2017 measurement date, the 2014 MYLTIP Units) and its distributions on the 2014 MYLTIP Units (prior to the February 3, 2017 measurement date), 2015 MYLTIP Units, 2016 MYLTIP Units and 2017 MYLTIP Units (after the February 7, 2017 issuance date) paid in 2017 : Record Date Payment Date Distributions per OP Unit and LTIP Unit Distributions per MYLTIP Unit March 31, 2017 April 28, 2017 $0.75 $0.075 December 31, 2016 January 30, 2017 $0.75 $0.075 A holder of an OP Unit may present the OP Unit to Boston Properties Limited Partnership for redemption at any time (subject to restrictions agreed upon at the time of issuance of OP Units to particular holders that may restrict such redemption right for a period of time, generally one year from issuance). Upon presentation of an OP Unit for redemption, Boston Properties Limited Partnership must redeem the OP Unit for cash equal to the then value of a share of common stock of Boston Properties, Inc. Boston Properties, Inc. may, in its sole discretion, elect to assume and satisfy the redemption obligation by paying either cash or issuing one share of Common Stock. The value of the OP Units not owned by Boston Properties, Inc. and LTIP Units (including the 2012 OPP Units, 2013 MYLTIP Units and 2014 MYLTIP Units), assuming that all conditions had been met for the conversion thereof, had all of such units been redeemed at March 31, 2017 was approximately $2.4 billion based on the last reported price of a share of Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange of $132.41 per share on March 31, 2017 . Boston Properties Limited Partnership The following table reflects the activity of noncontrolling interests—redeemable partnership units of Boston Properties Limited Partnership for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands): Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 2,262,040 Contributions 29,918 Net income 11,432 Distributions (13,653 ) Conversion of redeemable partnership units (793 ) Unearned compensation (18,633 ) Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle (1,763 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income 146 Adjustment to reflect redeemable partnership units at redemption value 126,416 Balance at March 31, 2017 $ 2,395,110 Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 2,286,689 Contributions 30,808 Net income 21,393 Distributions (11,865 ) Conversion of redeemable partnership units (446 ) Unearned compensation (22,424 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (4,901 ) Adjustment to reflect redeemable partnership units at redemption value 8,218 Balance at March 31, 2016 $ 2,307,472 Noncontrolling Interests—Property Partnerships The noncontrolling interests in property partnerships consist of the outside equity interests in ventures that are consolidated with the financial results of the Company because the Company exercises control over the entities that own the properties. The equity interests in these ventures that are not owned by the Company, totaling approximately $1.5 billion at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , are included in Noncontrolling Interests—Property Partnerships in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. On May 12, 2016, the partners in the Company’s consolidated entity that owns Salesforce Tower located in San Francisco, California amended the venture agreement. Under the venture agreement, if the Company elects to fund the construction of Salesforce Tower without a construction loan (or a construction loan of less than 50% of project costs) and the venture has commenced vertical construction of the project, then the partner’s capital funding obligation shall be limited, in which event the Company shall fund up to 2.5% of the total project costs (i.e., 50% of the partner’s 5% interest in the venture) in the form of a loan to the partner. This loan would bear interest at the then prevailing market interest rates for construction loans. Under the amended agreement, the partners have agreed to structure this funding by the Company as preferred equity rather than a loan. The preferred equity contributed by the Company shall earn a preferred return equal to LIBOR plus 3.00% per annum and shall be payable to the Company out of any distributions to which the partner would otherwise be entitled until such preferred equity and preferred return have been repaid to the Company. As of March 31, 2017 , approximately $11.8 million of preferred equity had been contributed by the Company to the venture. The following table reflects the activity of the noncontrolling interests in property partnerships for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands): Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 1,530,647 Capital contributions 8,145 Net income 4,424 Accumulated other comprehensive income 72 Distributions (13,635 ) Balance at March 31, 2017 $ 1,529,653 Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 1,574,400 Capital contributions 2,489 Net income 10,464 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (10,526 ) Distributions (12,915 ) Balance at March 31, 2016 $ 1,563,912

Stockholders' Equity _ Partners

Stockholders' Equity / Partners' Capital	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity / Partners' Capital	8. Stockholders’ Equity / Partners’ Capital As of March 31, 2017 , Boston Properties, Inc. had 153,849,231 shares of Common Stock outstanding. As of March 31, 2017 , Boston Properties, Inc. owned 1,719,378 general partnership units and 152,129,853 limited partnership units of Boston Properties Limited Partnership. On June 3, 2014, Boston Properties, Inc. established an “at the market” (“ATM”) stock offering program through which it may sell from time to time up to an aggregate of $600.0 million of its common stock through sales agents over a three -year period. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from any offering for general business purposes, which may include investment opportunities and debt reduction. No shares of common stock have been issued under this ATM stock offering program since its inception. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 , Boston Properties, Inc. issued 23,182 shares of Common Stock in connection with the redemption of an equal number of redeemable OP Units from third parties. The following table presents Boston Properties, Inc.’s dividends per share and Boston Properties Limited Partnership’s distributions per OP Unit and LTIP Unit paid in 2017 : Record Date Payment Date Dividend (Per Share) Distribution (Per Unit) March 31, 2017 April 28, 2017 $0.75 $0.75 December 31, 2016 January 30, 2017 $0.75 $0.75 Preferred Stock As of March 31, 2017 , Boston Properties, Inc. had 80,000 shares ( 8,000,000 depositary shares each representing 1/100th of a share) outstanding of its 5.25% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock with a liquidation preference of $2,500.00 per share ( $25.00 per depositary share). Boston Properties, Inc. pays cumulative cash dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock at a rate of 5.25% per annum of the $2,500.00 liquidation preference per share. Boston Properties, Inc. may not redeem the Series B Preferred Stock prior to March 27, 2018, except in certain circumstances relating to the preservation of Boston Properties, Inc.’s REIT status. On or after March 27, 2018, Boston Properties, Inc., at its option, may redeem the Series B Preferred Stock for a cash redemption price of $2,500.00 per share ( $25.00 per depositary share), plus all accrued and unpaid dividends. The Series B Preferred Stock is not redeemable by the holders, has no maturity date and is not convertible into any other security of Boston Properties, Inc. or its affiliates. The following table presents Boston Properties Inc.’s dividends per share on its outstanding Series B Preferred Stock paid during 2017 : Record Date Payment Date Dividend (Per Share) May 5, 2017 May 15, 2017 $32.8125 February 3, 2017 February 15, 2017 $32.8125

Earnings Per Share _ Common Uni

Earnings Per Share / Common Unit	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share / Common Unit	9. Earnings Per Share / Common Unit Boston Properties, Inc. The following table provides a reconciliation of both the net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders and the number of common shares used in the computation of basic earnings per share (“EPS”), which is calculated by dividing net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are also participating securities. As such, unvested restricted common stock of the Company, LTIP Units, 2012 OPP Units and MYLTIP Units are considered participating securities. Participating securities are included in the computation of basic EPS of the Company using the two -class method. Participating securities are included in the computation of diluted EPS of the Company using the if-converted method if the impact is dilutive. Because the 2012 OPP Units, 2013 MYLTIP Units and 2014 MYLTIP Units required, and the 2015-2017 MYLTIP Units require, the Company to outperform absolute and relative return thresholds, unless such thresholds have been met by the end of the applicable reporting period, the Company excludes such units from the diluted EPS calculation. Other potentially dilutive common shares, including stock options, restricted stock and other securities of Boston Properties Limited Partnership that are exchangeable for the Boston Properties, Inc.’s Common Stock, and the related impact on earnings, are considered when calculating diluted EPS. Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Income (Numerator) Shares (Denominator) Per Share Amount (in thousands, except for per share amounts) Basic Earnings: Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders $ 97,083 153,860 $ 0.63 Effect of Dilutive Securities: Stock Based Compensation — 354 — Diluted Earnings: Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders $ 97,083 154,214 $ 0.63 Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 Income (Numerator) Shares (Denominator) Per Share Amount (in thousands, except for per share amounts) Basic Earnings: Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders $ 181,747 153,626 $ 1.18 Allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities (247 ) — — Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders $ 181,500 153,626 $ 1.18 Effect of Dilutive Securities: Stock Based Compensation — 291 — Diluted Earnings: Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders $ 181,500 153,917 $ 1.18 Boston Properties Limited Partnership The following table provides a reconciliation of both the net income attributable to Boston Properties Limited Partnership common unitholders and the number of common units used in the computation of basic earnings per common unit, which is calculated by dividing net income attributable to Boston Properties Limited Partnership common unitholders by the weighted-average number of common units outstanding during the period. Unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are also participating securities. As such, unvested restricted common stock of Boston Properties, Inc. and Boston Properties Limited Partnership’s LTIP Units, 2012 OPP Units and MYLTIP Units are considered participating securities. Participating securities are included in the computation of basic earnings per common unit using the two -class method. Participating securities are included in the computation of diluted earnings per common unit using the if-converted method if the impact is dilutive. Because the 2012 OPP Units, 2013 MYLTIP Units and 2014 MYLTIP Units required, and the 2015-2017 MYLTIP Units require, Boston Properties, Inc. to outperform absolute and relative return thresholds, unless such thresholds have been met by the end of the applicable reporting period, Boston Properties Limited Partnership excludes such units from the diluted earnings per common unit calculation. Other potentially dilutive common units and the related impact on earnings are considered when calculating diluted earnings per common unit. Included in the number of units (the denominator) below are approximately 17,721,000 and 17,683,000 redeemable common units for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Income (Numerator) Units (Denominator) Per Unit Amount (in thousands, except for per unit amounts) Basic Earnings: Net income attributable to Boston Properties Limited Partnership common unitholders $ 110,662 171,581 $ 0.64 Effect of Dilutive Securities: Stock Based Compensation — 354 — Diluted Earnings: Net income attributable to Boston Properties Limited Partnership common unitholders $ 110,662 171,935 $ 0.64 Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 Income (Numerator) Units (Denominator) Per Unit Amount (in thousands, except for per unit amounts) Basic Earnings: Net income attributable to Boston Properties Limited Partnership common unitholders $ 207,296 171,309 $ 1.21 Allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities (275 ) — — Net income attributable to Boston Properties Limited Partnership common unitholders $ 207,021 171,309 $ 1.21 Effect of Dilutive Securities: Stock Based Compensation — 291 — Diluted Earnings: Net income attributable to Boston Properties Limited Partnership common unitholders $ 207,021 171,600 $ 1.21

Stock Option and Incentive Plan

Stock Option and Incentive Plan	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock Option and Incentive Plan	10. Stock Option and Incentive Plan On January 25, 2017, Boston Properties, Inc.’s Compensation Committee approved the 2017 MYLTIP awards under Boston Properties, Inc.’s 2012 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”) to certain officers and employees of Boston Properties, Inc. The 2017 MYLTIP awards utilize Boston Properties, Inc.’s total stockholder return (“TSR”) over a three -year measurement period, on an annualized, compounded basis, as the performance metric. Earned awards will be based on Boston Properties, Inc.’s TSR relative to (i) the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Portfolio Index ( 50% weight) and (ii) the NAREIT Office Index adjusted to include Vornado Realty Trust ( 50% weight). Earned awards will range from zero to a maximum of approximately $42.7 million depending on Boston Properties, Inc.’s TSR relative to the two indices, with four tiers (threshold: approximately $10.7 million ; target: approximately $21.3 million ; high: approximately $32.0 million ; exceptional: approximately $42.7 million ) and linear interpolation between tiers. Earned awards measured on the basis of relative TSR performance are subject to an absolute TSR component in the form of relatively simple modifiers that (A) reduce the level of earned awards in the event Boston Properties, Inc.’s annualized TSR is less than 0% and (B) cause some awards to be earned in the event Boston Properties, Inc.’s annualized TSR is more than 12% even though on a relative basis alone Boston Properties, Inc.’s TSR would not result in any earned awards. Earned awards (if any) will vest 50% on February 6, 2020 and 50% on February 6, 2021, based on continued employment. Vesting will be accelerated in the event of a change in control, termination of employment by Boston Properties, Inc. without cause, or termination of employment by the award recipient for good reason, death, disability or retirement. If there is a change of control prior to February 6, 2020, earned awards will be calculated based on TSR performance up to the date of the change of control. The 2017 MYLTIP awards are in the form of LTIP Units issued on the grant date which (i) are subject to forfeiture to the extent awards are not earned and (ii) prior to the performance measurement date are only entitled to one-tenth ( 10% ) of the regular quarterly distributions payable on common partnership units and no special distributions. Under ASC 718, the 2017 MYLTIP awards have an aggregate value of approximately $17.7 million , which amount will generally be amortized into earnings over the four -year plan period under the graded vesting method. On February 3, 2017, the measurement period for the Company’s 2014 MYLTIP awards ended and, based on Boston Properties, Inc.’s relative TSR performance, the final awards were determined to be 27.7% of target or an aggregate of approximately $3.5 million (after giving effect to voluntary employee separations and the unallocated reserve). As a result, an aggregate of 447,386 2014 MYLTIP Units that had been previously granted were automatically forfeited. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 , Boston Properties, Inc. issued 35,839 shares of restricted common stock and Boston Properties Limited Partnership issued 100,639 LTIP Units and 400,000 2017 MYLTIP Units to employees under the 2012 Plan. Employees paid $0.01 per share of restricted common stock and $0.25 per LTIP Unit and 2017 MYLTIP Unit. When issued, LTIP Units are not economically equivalent in value to a share of Common Stock, but over time can increase in value to one-for-one parity with Common Stock if there is sufficient appreciation in the value of the Company’s assets. The aggregate value of the LTIP Units is included in noncontrolling interests in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Grants of restricted stock and LTIP Units to employees vest in four equal annual installments. Restricted stock is measured at fair value on the date of grant based on the number of shares granted and the closing price of Boston Properties, Inc.’s Common Stock on the date of grant as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange. Such value is recognized as an expense ratably over the corresponding employee service period. The shares of restricted stock granted during the three months ended March 31, 2017 were valued at approximately $4.7 million ( $130.72 per share). The LTIP Units granted were valued at approximately $12.1 million (approximately $120.66 per unit weighted-average fair value) using a Monte Carlo simulation method model. The per unit fair values of the LTIP Units granted were estimated on the dates of grant and for a substantial majority of such units were valued using the following assumptions: an expected life of 5.7 years , a risk-free interest rate of 2.14% and an expected price volatility of 28.0% . As the 2012 OPP Units, 2013 MYLTIP Units, 2014 MYLTIP Units, 2015 MYLTIP Units, 2016 MYLTIP Units and 2017 MYLTIP Units are subject to both a service condition and a market condition, the Company recognizes the compensation expense related to the 2012 OPP Units, 2013 MYLTIP Units, 2014 MYLTIP Units, 2015 MYLTIP Units, 2016 MYLTIP Units and 2017 MYLTIP Units under the graded vesting attribution method. Under the graded vesting attribution method, each portion of the award that vests at a different date is accounted for as a separate award and recognized over the period appropriate to that portion so that the compensation cost for each portion should be recognized in full by the time that portion vests. The Company recognizes forfeitures as they occur on its awards of stock-based compensation (See Note 2 ). Dividends paid on both vested and unvested shares of restricted stock are charged directly to Dividends in Excess of Earnings in Boston Properties, Inc.’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and Partners’ Capital in Boston Properties Limited Partnership’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Aggregate stock-based compensation expense associated with restricted stock, non-qualified stock options, LTIP Units, 2012 OPP Units, 2013 MYLTIP Units, 2014 MYLTIP Units, 2015 MYLTIP Units, 2016 MYLTIP Units and 2017 MYLTIP Units was approximately $10.3 million and $9.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. At March 31, 2017 , there was $30.9 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock, LTIP Units, 2013 MYLTIP Units and 2014 MYLTIP Units and $32.2 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested 2015 MYLTIP Units, 2016 MYLTIP Units and 2017 MYLTIP Units that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.8 years.

Segment Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	11. Segment Information The following tables present reconciliations of Net Income Attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. Common Shareholders to Net Operating Income and Net Income Attributable to Boston Properties Limited Partnership Common Unitholders to Net Operating Income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 . Boston Properties, Inc. Three months ended March 31, 2017 2016 (in thousands) Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders $ 97,083 $ 181,747 Add: Preferred dividends 2,625 2,618 Noncontrolling interest—common units of Boston Properties Limited Partnership 11,432 21,393 Noncontrolling interests in property partnerships 4,424 10,464 Interest expense 95,534 105,309 Depreciation and amortization expense 159,205 159,448 Transaction costs 34 25 General and administrative expense 31,386 29,353 Less: Gains on sales of real estate 133 67,623 Gains from investments in securities 1,042 259 Interest and other income 614 1,505 Income from unconsolidated joint ventures 3,084 1,791 Development and management services revenue 6,472 6,689 Net Operating Income $ 390,378 $ 432,490 Boston Properties Limited Partnership Three months ended March 31, 2017 2016 (in thousands) Net income attributable to Boston Properties Limited Partnership common unitholders 110,662 207,296 Add: Preferred distributions 2,625 2,618 Noncontrolling interests in property partnerships 4,424 10,464 Interest expense 95,534 105,309 Depreciation and amortization expense 157,058 157,461 Transaction costs 34 25 General and administrative expense 31,386 29,353 Less: Gains on sales of real estate 133 69,792 Gains from investments in securities 1,042 259 Interest and other income 614 1,505 Income from unconsolidated joint ventures 3,084 1,791 Development and management services revenue 6,472 6,689 Net Operating Income $ 390,378 $ 432,490 Net operating income (“NOI”) is a non-GAAP financial measure equal to net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders and net income attributable to Boston Properties Limited Partnership common unitholders, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, plus (1) preferred dividends/distributions, noncontrolling interests, interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense, transaction costs and general and administrative expense less (2) gains on sales of real estate, gains from investments in securities, interest and other income, income from unconsolidated joint ventures and development and management services revenue. The Company believes NOI is useful to investors as a performance measure and believes it provides useful information to investors regarding its financial condition and results of operations because, when compared across periods, it reflects the impact on operations from trends in occupancy rates, rental rates, operating costs and acquisition and development activity on an unleveraged basis, providing perspective not immediately apparent from net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders and net income attributable to Boston Properties Limited Partnership common unitholders. For example, interest expense is not necessarily linked to the operating performance of a real estate asset and is often incurred at the corporate level as opposed to the property level. Similarly, interest expense may be incurred at the property level even though the financing proceeds may be used at the corporate level (e.g., for other investment activity). In addition, because of historical cost accounting and useful life estimates, depreciation and amortization may distort operating performance measures at the property level. NOI presented by the Company may not be comparable to NOI reported by other REITs or real estate companies that define NOI differently. Asset information by segment is not reported because the Company does not use this measure to assess performance. Therefore, depreciation and amortization expense is not allocated among segments. Preferred dividends/distributions, noncontrolling interests, gains on sales of real estate, interest expense, gains from investments in securities, interest and other income, income from unconsolidated joint ventures, depreciation and amortization expense, transaction costs, general and administrative expenses and development and management services revenue are not included in Net Operating Income as internal reporting addresses these items on a corporate level. The Company’s segments are based on the Company’s method of internal reporting which classifies its operations by both geographic area and property type. The Company’s segments by geographic area are Boston, New York, San Francisco and Washington, DC. Segments by property type include: Office, Residential and Hotel. Information by geographic area and property type (dollars in thousands): For the three months ended March 31, 2017 : Boston New York San Francisco Washington, DC Total Rental Revenue: Office $ 185,436 $ 241,570 $ 84,641 $ 102,733 $ 614,380 Residential 1,139 — — 2,817 3,956 Hotel 7,420 — — — 7,420 Total 193,995 241,570 84,641 105,550 625,756 % of Grand Totals 31.00 % 38.60 % 13.53 % 16.87 % 100.00 % Rental Expenses: Office 75,256 91,684 24,474 35,322 226,736 Residential 495 — — 1,056 1,551 Hotel 7,091 — — — 7,091 Total 82,842 91,684 24,474 36,378 235,378 % of Grand Totals 35.19 % 38.95 % 10.40 % 15.46 % 100.00 % Net operating income $ 111,153 $ 149,886 $ 60,167 $ 69,172 $ 390,378 % of Grand Totals 28.47 % 38.40 % 15.41 % 17.72 % 100.00 % For the three months ended March 31, 2016 : Boston New York San Francisco Washington, DC Total Rental Revenue: Office $ 177,827 $ 291,858 $ 76,317 $ 100,488 $ 646,490 Residential 1,171 — — 2,878 4,049 Hotel 8,757 — — — 8,757 Total 187,755 291,858 76,317 103,366 659,296 % of Grand Totals 28.48 % 44.27 % 11.57 % 15.68 % 100.00 % Rental Expenses: Office 70,687 88,798 23,905 34,182 217,572 Residential 520 — — 1,080 1,600 Hotel 7,634 — — — 7,634 Total 78,841 88,798 23,905 35,262 226,806 % of Grand Totals 34.76 % 39.15 % 10.54 % 15.55 % 100.00 % Net operating income $ 108,914 $ 203,060 $ 52,412 $ 68,104 $ 432,490 % of Grand Totals 25.18 % 46.95 % 12.12 % 15.75 % 100.00 %

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	12. Subsequent Events On April 19, 2017, the Company completed the sale of a parcel of land at 30 Shattuck Road located in Andover, Massachusetts for a gross sale price of approximately $5.0 million . On April 21, 2017, the Company exercised its option to ground lease, with the future right to purchase, real property adjacent to the MacArthur BART station located in Oakland, California, that could support the development of a 402 -unit residential building and supporting retail space. On April 24, 2017, Boston Properties Limited Partnership executed the Eighth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended and restated, the “2017 Credit Facility”). Among other things, the amendment and restatement (1) increased the total commitment of the revolving line of credit (the “Revolving Facility”) from $1.0 billion to $1.5 billion , (2) extended the maturity date from July 26, 2018 to April 24, 2022, (3) reduced the per annum variable interest rates, and (4) added a $500.0 million delayed draw term loan facility (the “Delayed Draw Facility”) that permits Boston Properties Limited Partnership to borrow until the first anniversary of the closing date. The Delayed Draw Facility was undrawn at closing. Based on Boston Properties Limited Partnership’s current credit rating, (1) the applicable Eurocurrency margins for the Revolving Facility and Delayed Draw Facility are 87.5 basis points and 95 basis points, respectively, and (2) the facility fee on the Revolving Facility commitment is 0.15% . The Delayed Draw Facility has a fee on unused commitments equal to 0.15% per annum. On April 24, 2017, the Company’s consolidated entity in which it has a 60% interest and that owns 767 Fifth Avenue (the General Motors Building) located in New York City entered into an interest rate lock and commitment agreement with a group of lenders on a ten -year financing totaling $2.3 billion at a fixed interest rate of 3.43% per annum. The Company expects to close on the financing by the end of June 2017, although there can be no assurance that the financing will be consummated on the terms currently contemplated or at all. In conjunction with the interest rate lock and commitment agreement, the consolidated entity terminated its forward-starting interest rate swap contracts with notional amounts aggregating $450.0 million and paid approximately $14.4 million , which amount will increase the Company’s interest expense over the ten-year term of the financing, resulting in an estimated effective interest rate of approximately 3.65% per annum, inclusive of other estimated amortization of financing costs and additional mortgage recording taxes (See Note 5 ). On May 1, 2017, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire 103 Carnegie Center located in Princeton, New Jersey within the Company’s Carnegie Center office complex for a purchase price of approximately $15.8 million . 103 Carnegie Center is an approximately 96,000 net rentable square foot Class A office property. The Company expects that the acquisition will close during the second quarter of 2017. However, the acquisition is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and there can be no assurance that the acquisition will be consummated on the terms currently contemplated or at all.

Basis Of Presentation And Sum21

Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncement [Policy Text Block]	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Standards Accounting Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASU 2014-09”). The objective of ASU 2014-09 is to establish a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and will supersede most of the existing revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In applying ASU 2014-09, companies will perform a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. ASU 2014-09 applies to all contracts with customers except those that are within the scope of other topics in the FASB’s ASC. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date” (“ASU 2015-14”), which delayed the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year making it effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted as of the original effective date. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients” (“ASU 2016-12”). ASU 2016-12 is intended to clarify and provide practical expedients for certain aspects of ASU 2014-09, which outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenues arising from contracts with customers and notes that lease contracts with customers are a scope exception. The Company may elect to adopt ASU 2016-12 as of the original effective date; however, adoption is required for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company has commenced the process of adopting ASU 2014-09 for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including forming a project team and compiling an inventory of the sources of revenue the Company expects will be impacted by the adoption of ASU 2014-09. The Company expects that executory costs and certain non-lease components of revenue from leases (upon the adoption of ASU 2016-02), tenant service revenue, development and management services revenue, parking revenue and gains on sales of real estate may be impacted by the adoption of ASU 2014-09, although the Company expects that the impact will be to the pattern of revenue recognition and not the total revenue recognized over time. The Company is in the process of evaluating the significance of the impact on the changes in the recognition pattern of its revenue and is still completing its assessment of the overall impact of adopting ASU 2014-09. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “ Leases (Topic 842) ” (“ASU 2016-02”) , which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract (i.e., lessees and lessors). ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase of the leased asset by the lessee. This classification will determine whether the lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for similar to existing guidance for operating leases today. The new standard requires lessors to account for leases using an approach that is substantially equivalent to existing guidance for sales-type leases, direct financing leases and operating leases. ASU 2016-02 supersedes previous leasing standards . ASU 2016-02 is effective for the Company for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company has commenced the process of adopting ASU 2016-02 by forming a project team and beginning to compile an inventory of its leases that will be impacted by the adoption of ASU 2016-02. The Company is still assessing the impact of adopting ASU 2016-02. However, the Company expects that its operating leases where it is the lessor will be accounted for on its balance sheet similar to its current accounting with the underlying leased asset recognized as real estate. The Company expects that executory costs and certain other non-lease components will need to be accounted for separately from the lease component of the lease with the lease component continuing to be recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and the executory costs and certain other non-lease components being accounted for under the new revenue recognition guidance in ASU 2014-09. For leases in which the Company is the lessee, primarily consisting of ground leases, the Company expects to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability equal to the present value of the minimum lease payments with rental payments being applied to the lease liability and to interest expense and the right-of-use asset being amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. In addition, under ASU 2016-02, lessors may only capitalize incremental direct leasing costs. As a result, the Company expects that it will no longer be able to capitalize its internal leasing wages and instead will expense these costs as incurred. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2016-09”) . ASU 2016-09 is intended to improve the accounting for share-based payments and affects all organizations that issue share-based payment awards to their employees. Several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment awards are simplified with ASU 2016-09, including income tax consequences, classification of awards as equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for the Company for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. On January 1, 2017, the Company adopted ASU 2016-09 and elected to make an accounting policy change to its method of accounting for forfeitures on its awards of stock-based compensation including the issuance of shares of restricted common stock, LTIP Units and MYLTIP Units. The Company now accounts for forfeitures as they occur instead of estimating the number of forfeitures upon the issuance of such awards of stock-based compensation. The adoption resulted in the Company recognizing cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle adjustments to its consolidated balance sheets totaling approximately $0.3 million to Dividends in Excess of Earnings and Partners’ Capital for Boston Properties, Inc. and Boston Properties Limited Partnership, respectively, and approximately $1.8 million to noncontrolling interests - common units of Boston Properties Limited Partnership and noncontrolling interests - redeemable partnership units for Boston Properties, Inc. and Boston Properties Limited Partnership, respectively. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business” (“ASU 2017-01”). ASU 2017-01 clarifies the framework for determining whether an integrated set of assets and activities meets the definition of a business. The revised framework establishes a screen for determining whether an integrated set of assets and activities is a business and narrows the definition of a business, which is expected to result in fewer transactions being accounted for as business combinations. Acquisitions of integrated sets of assets and activities that do not meet the definition of a business are accounted for as asset acquisitions. This update is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted for transactions that have not been reported in previously issued (or available to be issued) financial statements and shall be applied on a prospective basis. The Company early adopted ASU 2017-01 during the first quarter of 2017. The Company expects that acquisitions of real estate or in-substance real estate will not meet the revised definition of a business because substantially all of the fair value is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets (i.e. land, buildings, and related intangible assets) or because the acquisition does not include a substantive process in the form of an acquired workforce or an acquired contract that cannot be replaced without significant cost, effort or delay. In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-05, “Other Income - Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets” (“ASU 2017-05”). ASU 2017-05 updates the definition of an “in substance nonfinancial asset” and clarifies the derecognition guidance for nonfinancial assets to conform with the new revenue recognition standard. The effective date and transition methods of ASU 2017-05 are aligned with ASU 2014-09 described above and are effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact that the adoption of ASU 2017-05 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Basis Of Presentation And Sum22

Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Carrying Value Of Indebtedness And Corresponding Estimate Of Fair Value	The following table presents the aggregate carrying value of the Company’s mortgage notes payable, net, mezzanine notes payable, unsecured line of credit and unsecured senior notes, net and the Company’s corresponding estimate of fair value as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands): March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Mortgage notes payable, net $ 2,046,959 $ 2,074,954 $ 2,063,087 $ 2,092,237 Mezzanine notes payable 306,734 307,600 307,093 308,344 Unsecured line of credit 105,000 105,099 — — Unsecured senior notes, net 7,248,152 7,460,437 7,245,953 7,428,077 Total $ 9,706,845 $ 9,948,090 $ 9,616,133 $ 9,828,658

Real Estate Real Estate (Tables

Real Estate Real Estate (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Entity Information [Line Items]
Schedule of Real Estate Properties [Table Text Block]	Boston Properties, Inc. Real estate consisted of the following at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands): March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Land $ 4,879,015 $ 4,879,020 Land held for future development (1) 249,800 246,656 Buildings and improvements 11,904,196 11,890,626 Tenant improvements 2,111,336 2,060,315 Furniture, fixtures and equipment 36,589 32,687 Construction in progress 1,211,324 1,037,959 Total 20,392,260 20,147,263 Less: Accumulated depreciation (4,302,283 ) (4,222,235 ) $ 16,089,977 $ 15,925,028 _______________ (1) Includes pre-development costs.
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Entity Information [Line Items]
Schedule of Real Estate Properties [Table Text Block]	Boston Properties Limited Partnership Real estate consisted of the following at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands): March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Land $ 4,774,455 $ 4,774,460 Land held for future development (1) 249,800 246,656 Buildings and improvements 11,595,365 11,581,795 Tenant improvements 2,111,336 2,060,315 Furniture, fixtures and equipment 36,589 32,687 Construction in progress 1,211,324 1,037,959 Total 19,978,869 19,733,872 Less: Accumulated depreciation (4,214,265 ) (4,136,364 ) $ 15,764,604 $ 15,597,508 _______________ (1) Includes pre-development costs.

Investments in Unconsolidated24

Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Investments In Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Investments In Unconsolidated Joint Ventures	The investments in unconsolidated joint ventures consist of the following at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : Nominal % Ownership Carrying Value of Investment (1) Entity Properties March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (in thousands) Square 407 Limited Partnership Market Square North 50.0 % $ (7,837 ) $ (8,134 ) The Metropolitan Square Associates LLC Metropolitan Square 20.0 % 2,007 2,004 BP/CRF 901 New York Avenue LLC 901 New York Avenue 25.0 % (2) (10,167 ) (10,564 ) WP Project Developer LLC Wisconsin Place Land and Infrastructure 33.3 % (3) 41,151 41,605 Annapolis Junction NFM, LLC Annapolis Junction 50.0 % (4) 19,920 20,539 540 Madison Venture LLC 540 Madison Avenue 60.0 % 67,653 67,816 500 North Capitol Venture LLC 500 North Capitol Street, NW 30.0 % (3,606 ) (3,389 ) 501 K Street LLC 1001 6th Street 50.0 % (5) 42,474 42,528 Podium Developer LLC The Hub on Causeway 50.0 % 36,888 29,869 Residential Tower Developer LLC The Hub on Causeway - Residential 50.0 % 21,666 20,803 Hotel Tower Developer LLC The Hub on Causeway - Hotel 50.0 % 1,167 933 1265 Main Office JV LLC 1265 Main Street 50.0 % 4,866 4,779 BNY Tower Holdings LLC Dock 72 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard 50.0 % (6) 43,497 33,699 CA-Colorado Center Limited Partnership Colorado Center 49.8 % 512,643 510,623 $ 772,322 $ 753,111 _______________ (1) Investments with deficit balances aggregating approximately $21.6 million and $22.1 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively, have been reflected within Other Liabilities in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. (2) The Company’s economic ownership has increased based on the achievement of certain return thresholds. (3) The Company’s wholly-owned entity that owns the office component of the project also owns a 33.3% interest in the entity owning the land, parking garage and infrastructure of the project. (4) The joint venture owns four in-service buildings and two undeveloped land parcels. (5) Under the joint venture agreement for this land parcel, the partner will be entitled to up to two additional payments from the venture based on increases in total entitled square footage of the project above 520,000 square feet and achieving certain project returns at stabilization. (6) The entity is a VIE (See Note 2 ).
Schedule Of Balance Sheets Of The Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Text Block]	The combined summarized balance sheets of the Company’s unconsolidated joint ventures are as follows: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (in thousands) ASSETS Real estate and development in process, net $ 1,553,799 $ 1,519,217 Other assets 297,969 297,263 Total assets $ 1,851,768 $ 1,816,480 LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’/PARTNERS’ EQUITY Mortgage and notes payable, net $ 864,344 $ 865,665 Other liabilities 68,695 67,167 Members’/Partners’ equity 918,729 883,648 Total liabilities and members’/partners’ equity $ 1,851,768 $ 1,816,480 Company’s share of equity $ 471,112 $ 450,662 Basis differentials (1) 301,210 302,449 Carrying value of the Company’s investments in unconsolidated joint ventures (2) $ 772,322 $ 753,111 _______________ (1) This amount represents the aggregate difference between the Company’s historical cost basis and the basis reflected at the joint venture level, which is typically amortized over the life of the related assets and liabilities. Basis differentials result from impairments of investments, acquisitions through joint ventures with no change in control and upon the transfer of assets that were previously owned by the Company into a joint venture. In addition, certain acquisition, transaction and other costs may not be reflected in the net assets at the joint venture level. At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , there was an aggregate basis differential of approximately $327.4 million and $328.8 million , respectively, between the carrying value of the Company’s investment in the joint venture that owns Colorado Center and the joint venture’s basis in the assets and liabilities, which differential (excluding land) shall be amortized over the remaining lives of the related assets and liabilities. (2) Investments with deficit balances aggregating approximately $21.6 million and $22.1 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively, have been reflected within Other Liabilities in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Statements Of Operations Of The Joint Ventures	The combined summarized statements of operations of the Company’s unconsolidated joint ventures are as follows: Three months ended March 31, 2017 2016 (in thousands) Total revenue (1) $ 54,761 $ 37,669 Expenses Operating 22,079 16,667 Depreciation and amortization 14,309 9,064 Total expenses 36,388 25,731 Operating income 18,373 11,938 Other expense Interest expense 9,300 8,389 Net income $ 9,073 $ 3,549 Company’s share of net income $ 4,323 $ 1,599 Basis differential (2) (1,239 ) 192 Income from unconsolidated joint ventures $ 3,084 $ 1,791 _______________ (1) Includes straight-line rent adjustments of approximately $7.0 million and $2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. (2) Includes a straight-line rent adjustment of approximately $0.7 million and a net above-/below-market rent adjustment of approximately $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 .

Derivative Instruments and He25

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Positions [Table Text Block]	767 Fifth Partners LLC’s interest rate swap contracts consisted of the following at March 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands): Derivative Instrument Aggregate Notional Amount Effective Date Maturity Date Strike Rate Range Balance Sheet Location Fair Value Low High Interest Rate Swaps $ 325,000 June 7, 2017 June 7, 2027 2.423 % - 2.950 % Other Liabilities $ (8,635 ) Interest Rate Swaps 125,000 June 7, 2017 June 7, 2027 2.336 % - 2.418 % Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets 551 $ 450,000 $ (8,084 ) 767 Fifth Avenue Partners LLC’s interest rate swap contracts consisted of the following at December 31, 2016 (dollars in thousands): Derivative Instrument Aggregate Notional Amount Effective Date Maturity Date Strike Rate Range Balance Sheet Location Fair Value Low High Interest Rate Swaps $ 350,000 June 7, 2017 June 7, 2027 2.418 % - 2.950 % Other Liabilities $ (8,773 ) Interest Rate Swaps 100,000 June 7, 2017 June 7, 2027 2.336 % - 2.388 % Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets 509 $ 450,000 $ (8,264 )
Schedule of Cash Flow Hedges Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	The following table presents the location in the financial statements of the gains (losses) recognized related to the Company’s cash flow hedges for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 : Three months ended March 31, 2017 2016 (in thousands) Amount of gain (loss) related to the effective portion recognized in other comprehensive loss $ 180 $ (58,646 ) Amount of loss related to the effective portion subsequently reclassified to earnings $ (1,306 ) $ (627 ) Amount of (gain) loss related to the ineffective portion and amount excluded from effectiveness testing $ — $ —
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	Boston Properties, Inc. The following table reflects the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands): Balance at December 31, 2016 $ (52,251 ) Effective portion of interest rate contracts 180 Amortization of interest rate contracts 1,306 Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (218 ) Balance at March 31, 2017 $ (50,983 ) Balance at December 31, 2015 $ (14,114 ) Effective portion of interest rate contracts (58,646 ) Amortization of interest rate contracts 627 Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests 15,427 Balance at March 31, 2016 $ (56,706 ) Boston Properties Limited Partnership The following table reflects the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands): Balance at December 31, 2016 $ (60,853 ) Effective portion of interest rate contracts 180 Amortization of interest rate contracts 1,306 Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (72 ) Balance at March 31, 2017 $ (59,439 ) Balance at December 31, 2015 $ (18,337 ) Effective portion of interest rate contracts (58,646 ) Amortization of interest rate contracts 627 Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests 10,526 Balance at March 31, 2016 $ (65,830 )

Noncontrolling Interests (Table

Noncontrolling Interests (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Distributions Declared to OP, LTIP, OPP and MYLTIP Units [Table Text Block]	The following table presents Boston Properties, Inc.’s dividends per share and Boston Properties Limited Partnership’s distributions per OP Unit and LTIP Unit paid in 2017 : Record Date Payment Date Dividend (Per Share) Distribution (Per Unit) March 31, 2017 April 28, 2017 $0.75 $0.75 December 31, 2016 January 30, 2017 $0.75 $0.75
Schedule Of Noncontrolling Interest Common Units [Table Text Block]	The following table reflects the activity of noncontrolling interests—redeemable partnership units of Boston Properties Limited Partnership for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands): Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 2,262,040 Contributions 29,918 Net income 11,432 Distributions (13,653 ) Conversion of redeemable partnership units (793 ) Unearned compensation (18,633 ) Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle (1,763 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income 146 Adjustment to reflect redeemable partnership units at redemption value 126,416 Balance at March 31, 2017 $ 2,395,110 Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 2,286,689 Contributions 30,808 Net income 21,393 Distributions (11,865 ) Conversion of redeemable partnership units (446 ) Unearned compensation (22,424 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (4,901 ) Adjustment to reflect redeemable partnership units at redemption value 8,218 Balance at March 31, 2016 $ 2,307,472
Schedule Of Noncontrolling Interest Property Partnerships [Table Text Block]	The following table reflects the activity of the noncontrolling interests in property partnerships for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands): Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 1,530,647 Capital contributions 8,145 Net income 4,424 Accumulated other comprehensive income 72 Distributions (13,635 ) Balance at March 31, 2017 $ 1,529,653 Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 1,574,400 Capital contributions 2,489 Net income 10,464 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (10,526 ) Distributions (12,915 ) Balance at March 31, 2016 $ 1,563,912
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Distributions Declared to OP, LTIP, OPP and MYLTIP Units [Table Text Block]	The following table presents Boston Properties Limited Partnership’s distributions on the OP Units and LTIP Units (including the 2012 OPP Units and 2013 MYLTIP Units and, after the February 3, 2017 measurement date, the 2014 MYLTIP Units) and its distributions on the 2014 MYLTIP Units (prior to the February 3, 2017 measurement date), 2015 MYLTIP Units, 2016 MYLTIP Units and 2017 MYLTIP Units (after the February 7, 2017 issuance date) paid in 2017 : Record Date Payment Date Distributions per OP Unit and LTIP Unit Distributions per MYLTIP Unit March 31, 2017 April 28, 2017 $0.75 $0.075 December 31, 2016 January 30, 2017 $0.75 $0.075

Stockholders' Equity _ Partne27

Stockholders' Equity / Partners' Capital Tables (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividends Declared [Table Text Block]	The following table presents Boston Properties, Inc.’s dividends per share and Boston Properties Limited Partnership’s distributions per OP Unit and LTIP Unit paid in 2017 : Record Date Payment Date Dividend (Per Share) Distribution (Per Unit) March 31, 2017 April 28, 2017 $0.75 $0.75 December 31, 2016 January 30, 2017 $0.75 $0.75
Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividends Declared [Table Text Block]	The following table presents Boston Properties Inc.’s dividends per share on its outstanding Series B Preferred Stock paid during 2017 : Record Date Payment Date Dividend (Per Share) May 5, 2017 May 15, 2017 $32.8125 February 3, 2017 February 15, 2017 $32.8125

Earnings Per Share _ Common U28

Earnings Per Share / Common Unit (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Entity Information [Line Items]
Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share	Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Income (Numerator) Shares (Denominator) Per Share Amount (in thousands, except for per share amounts) Basic Earnings: Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders $ 97,083 153,860 $ 0.63 Effect of Dilutive Securities: Stock Based Compensation — 354 — Diluted Earnings: Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders $ 97,083 154,214 $ 0.63 Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 Income (Numerator) Shares (Denominator) Per Share Amount (in thousands, except for per share amounts) Basic Earnings: Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders $ 181,747 153,626 $ 1.18 Allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities (247 ) — — Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders $ 181,500 153,626 $ 1.18 Effect of Dilutive Securities: Stock Based Compensation — 291 — Diluted Earnings: Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders $ 181,500 153,917 $ 1.18
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Entity Information [Line Items]
Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share	Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Income (Numerator) Units (Denominator) Per Unit Amount (in thousands, except for per unit amounts) Basic Earnings: Net income attributable to Boston Properties Limited Partnership common unitholders $ 110,662 171,581 $ 0.64 Effect of Dilutive Securities: Stock Based Compensation — 354 — Diluted Earnings: Net income attributable to Boston Properties Limited Partnership common unitholders $ 110,662 171,935 $ 0.64 Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 Income (Numerator) Units (Denominator) Per Unit Amount (in thousands, except for per unit amounts) Basic Earnings: Net income attributable to Boston Properties Limited Partnership common unitholders $ 207,296 171,309 $ 1.21 Allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities (275 ) — — Net income attributable to Boston Properties Limited Partnership common unitholders $ 207,021 171,309 $ 1.21 Effect of Dilutive Securities: Stock Based Compensation — 291 — Diluted Earnings: Net income attributable to Boston Properties Limited Partnership common unitholders $ 207,021 171,600 $ 1.21

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule Of Reconciliation Of Net Operating Income To Net Income	The following tables present reconciliations of Net Income Attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. Common Shareholders to Net Operating Income and Net Income Attributable to Boston Properties Limited Partnership Common Unitholders to Net Operating Income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 . Boston Properties, Inc. Three months ended March 31, 2017 2016 (in thousands) Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders $ 97,083 $ 181,747 Add: Preferred dividends 2,625 2,618 Noncontrolling interest—common units of Boston Properties Limited Partnership 11,432 21,393 Noncontrolling interests in property partnerships 4,424 10,464 Interest expense 95,534 105,309 Depreciation and amortization expense 159,205 159,448 Transaction costs 34 25 General and administrative expense 31,386 29,353 Less: Gains on sales of real estate 133 67,623 Gains from investments in securities 1,042 259 Interest and other income 614 1,505 Income from unconsolidated joint ventures 3,084 1,791 Development and management services revenue 6,472 6,689 Net Operating Income $ 390,378 $ 432,490 Boston Properties Limited Partnership Three months ended March 31, 2017 2016 (in thousands) Net income attributable to Boston Properties Limited Partnership common unitholders 110,662 207,296 Add: Preferred distributions 2,625 2,618 Noncontrolling interests in property partnerships 4,424 10,464 Interest expense 95,534 105,309 Depreciation and amortization expense 157,058 157,461 Transaction costs 34 25 General and administrative expense 31,386 29,353 Less: Gains on sales of real estate 133 69,792 Gains from investments in securities 1,042 259 Interest and other income 614 1,505 Income from unconsolidated joint ventures 3,084 1,791 Development and management services revenue 6,472 6,689 Net Operating Income $ 390,378 $ 432,490
Schedule Of Segment Information By Geographic Area And Property Type	Information by geographic area and property type (dollars in thousands): For the three months ended March 31, 2017 : Boston New York San Francisco Washington, DC Total Rental Revenue: Office $ 185,436 $ 241,570 $ 84,641 $ 102,733 $ 614,380 Residential 1,139 — — 2,817 3,956 Hotel 7,420 — — — 7,420 Total 193,995 241,570 84,641 105,550 625,756 % of Grand Totals 31.00 % 38.60 % 13.53 % 16.87 % 100.00 % Rental Expenses: Office 75,256 91,684 24,474 35,322 226,736 Residential 495 — — 1,056 1,551 Hotel 7,091 — — — 7,091 Total 82,842 91,684 24,474 36,378 235,378 % of Grand Totals 35.19 % 38.95 % 10.40 % 15.46 % 100.00 % Net operating income $ 111,153 $ 149,886 $ 60,167 $ 69,172 $ 390,378 % of Grand Totals 28.47 % 38.40 % 15.41 % 17.72 % 100.00 % For the three months ended March 31, 2016 : Boston New York San Francisco Washington, DC Total Rental Revenue: Office $ 177,827 $ 291,858 $ 76,317 $ 100,488 $ 646,490 Residential 1,171 — — 2,878 4,049 Hotel 8,757 — — — 8,757 Total 187,755 291,858 76,317 103,366 659,296 % of Grand Totals 28.48 % 44.27 % 11.57 % 15.68 % 100.00 % Rental Expenses: Office 70,687 88,798 23,905 34,182 217,572 Residential 520 — — 1,080 1,600 Hotel 7,634 — — — 7,634 Total 78,841 88,798 23,905 35,262 226,806 % of Grand Totals 34.76 % 39.15 % 10.54 % 15.55 % 100.00 % Net operating income $ 108,914 $ 203,060 $ 52,412 $ 68,104 $ 432,490 % of Grand Totals 25.18 % 46.95 % 12.12 % 15.75 % 100.00 %

Organization (Details)

Organization (Details) ft² in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017ft²seriesReal_Estate_Propertiesyrshares	Dec. 31, 2016shares
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
General and limited partnership interest in the operating partnership (percent)	89.50%	89.50%
Restriction on redemption of OP units from date of issuance (years) | yr	1
One OP unit is equivalent to one share of Common Stock (in shares) | shares	1
OP unit conversion rate (in shares) | shares	1
Number Of Series Of Preferred Units Outstanding | series	1
Commercial Real Estate Properties [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties	174
Net Rentable Area (in sf) | ft²	47.7
Total Properties Under Construction [ Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties	8
Net Rentable Area (in sf) | ft²	4
Total Office Properties [ Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties	164
Office Properties Under Construction [ Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties	6
Hotel Property [ Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties	1
Retail Properties [ Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties	5
Residential Properties [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties	4
Residential Properties Under Construction [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties	2
Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Ratio of depository shares to shares of Series B Preferred Stock	0.01
Series B, Shares Outstanding (in shares) | shares	80,000	80,000
Series B, Dividend Rate, Percentage	5.25%
Depository shares of Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Series B, Shares Outstanding (in shares) | shares	8,000,000
Series B Preferred Units [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Series B, Shares Outstanding (in shares) | shares	80,000

Basis Of Presentation And Sum31

Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)
Entity Information [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle	$ 2,035
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Entity Information [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle	272
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle	1,763
Noncontrolling Interests [Member] | Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Entity Information [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle	$ 1,763

Basis Of Presentation And Sum32

Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Carrying Value Of Indebtedness And Corresponding Estimate Of Fair Value) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Mortgage notes payable, net	$ 2,046,959	$ 2,063,087
Mezzanine notes payable	306,734	307,093
Unsecured line of credit	105,000	0
Unsecured senior notes, net	7,248,152	7,245,953
Carrying Amount [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Mortgage notes payable, net	2,046,959	2,063,087
Mezzanine notes payable	306,734	307,093
Unsecured line of credit	105,000	0
Unsecured senior notes, net	7,248,152	7,245,953
Total	9,706,845	9,616,133
Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Mortgage notes payable, net	2,074,954	2,092,237
Mezzanine notes payable	307,600	308,344
Unsecured line of credit	105,099	0
Unsecured senior notes, net	7,460,437	7,428,077
Total	$ 9,948,090	$ 9,828,658

Real Estate Real Estate Propert

Real Estate Real Estate Properties Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Land		$ 4,879,015	$ 4,879,020
Land held for future development	[1]	249,800	246,656
Buildings and improvements		11,904,196	11,890,626
Tenant improvements		2,111,336	2,060,315
Furniture, fixtures and equipment		36,589	32,687
Construction in Progress		1,211,324	1,037,959
Total		20,392,260	20,147,263
Accumulated depreciation		(4,302,283)	(4,222,235)
Total real estate		16,089,977	15,925,028
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Land		4,774,455	4,774,460
Land held for future development	[1]	249,800	246,656
Buildings and improvements		11,595,365	11,581,795
Tenant improvements		2,111,336	2,060,315
Furniture, fixtures and equipment		36,589	32,687
Construction in Progress		1,211,324	1,037,959
Total		19,978,869	19,733,872
Accumulated depreciation		(4,214,265)	(4,136,364)
Total real estate		$ 15,764,604	$ 15,597,508
[1]	Includes pre-development costs.

Investments in Unconsolidated34

Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures) (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)ft²Land_ParcelsBuildingspayments	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Carrying Value of investment		$ (446,489)	$ (450,821)
Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures		$ 793,932	775,198
Square 407 Limited Partnership [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Properties		Market Square North
Ownership Percentage		50.00%
Carrying Value of investment	[1]	$ (7,837)	(8,134)
The Metropolitan Square Associates LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Properties		Metropolitan Square
Ownership Percentage		20.00%
Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	[1]	$ 2,007	2,004
BP/CRF 901 New York Avenue LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Properties		901 New York Avenue
Ownership Percentage	[2]	25.00%
Carrying Value of investment	[1]	$ (10,167)	(10,564)
WP Project Developer LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Properties		Wisconsin Place Land and Infrastructure
Ownership Percentage	[3]	33.30%
Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	[1]	$ 41,151	41,605
Entity Owning Land And Infrastructure Of Project [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage		33.30%
Annapolis Junction NFM, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Properties		Annapolis Junction
Ownership Percentage	[4]	50.00%
Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	[1]	$ 19,920	20,539
Number of real estate properties | Buildings		4
Parcels of undeveloped land | Land_Parcels		2
540 Madison Venture LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Properties		540 Madison Avenue
Ownership Percentage		60.00%
Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	[1]	$ 67,653	67,816
500 North Capitol LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Properties		500 North Capitol Street, NW
Ownership Percentage		30.00%
Carrying Value of investment	[1]	$ (3,606)	(3,389)
501 K Street LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Properties		1001 6th Street
Ownership Percentage	[5]	50.00%
Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	[1]	$ 42,474	42,528
Potential additonal payments to joint venture partner | payments		2
Minimum square footage to make a potential additional payment to joint venture partner (in sqft) | ft²		520,000
Podium Developer LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Properties		The Hub on Causeway
Ownership Percentage		50.00%
Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	[1]	$ 36,888	29,869
Residential Tower Developer LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Properties		The Hub on Causeway - Residential
Ownership Percentage		50.00%
Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	[1]	$ 21,666	20,803
Hotel Tower Developer LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Properties		The Hub on Causeway - Hotel
Ownership Percentage		50.00%
Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	[1]	$ 1,167	933
1265 Main Office JV LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Properties		1265 Main Street
Ownership Percentage		50.00%
Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	[1]	$ 4,866	4,779
BNY Tower Holdings LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Properties		Dock 72 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard
Ownership Percentage	[6]	50.00%
Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	[1]	$ 43,497	33,699
CA-Colorado Center Limited Partnership [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Properties		Colorado Center
Ownership Percentage		49.80%
Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	[1]	$ 512,643	510,623
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures		(21,600)	(22,100)
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Carrying Value of investment		(68,695)	(67,167)
Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	[1],[7]	$ 772,322	$ 753,111
[1]	Investments with deficit balances aggregating approximately $21.6 million and $22.1 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, have been reflected within Other Liabilities in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
[2]	The Company’s economic ownership has increased based on the achievement of certain return thresholds.
[3]	The Company’s wholly-owned entity that owns the office component of the project also owns a 33.3% interest in the entity owning the land, parking garage and infrastructure of the project.
[4]	The joint venture owns four in-service buildings and two undeveloped land parcels.
[5]	Under the joint venture agreement for this land parcel, the partner will be entitled to up to two additional payments from the venture based on increases in total entitled square footage of the project above 520,000 square feet and achieving certain project returns at stabilization.
[6]	The entity is a VIE (See Note 2).
[7]	Investments with deficit balances aggregating approximately $21.6 million and $22.1 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, have been reflected within Other Liabilities in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Investments in Unconsolidated35

Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Balance Sheets of the Unconsolidated Joint Ventures) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
ASSETS
Real estate and development in process, net		$ 16,089,977	$ 15,925,028
Liabilities and Members'/Partners' Equity [Abstract]
Mortgage notes payable, net		2,046,959	2,063,087
Other Liabilities		446,489	450,821
Total liabilities and equity / capital		18,966,627	18,851,643
Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures		793,932	775,198
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Member]
ASSETS
Real estate and development in process, net		1,553,799	1,519,217
Other assets		297,969	297,263
Total assets		1,851,768	1,816,480
Liabilities and Members'/Partners' Equity [Abstract]
Mortgage notes payable, net		864,344	865,665
Other Liabilities		68,695	67,167
Members'/Partners' equity		918,729	883,648
Total liabilities and equity / capital		1,851,768	1,816,480
Company's share of equity		471,112	450,662
Basis differentials	[1]	301,210	302,449
Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	[2],[3]	772,322	753,111
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Member]
Liabilities and Members'/Partners' Equity [Abstract]
Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures		(21,600)	(22,100)
Colorado Center [Member]
Liabilities and Members'/Partners' Equity [Abstract]
Basis differentials		$ 327,400	$ 328,800
[1]	This amount represents the aggregate difference between the Company’s historical cost basis and the basis reflected at the joint venture level, which is typically amortized over the life of the related assets and liabilities. Basis differentials result from impairments of investments, acquisitions through joint ventures with no change in control and upon the transfer of assets that were previously owned by the Company into a joint venture. In addition, certain acquisition, transaction and other costs may not be reflected in the net assets at the joint venture level. At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, there was an aggregate basis differential of approximately $327.4 million and $328.8 million, respectively, between the carrying value of the Company’s investment in the joint venture that owns Colorado Center and the joint venture’s basis in the assets and liabilities, which differential (excluding land) shall be amortized over the remaining lives of the related assets and liabilities.
[2]	Investments with deficit balances aggregating approximately $21.6 million and $22.1 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, have been reflected within Other Liabilities in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
[3]	Investments with deficit balances aggregating approximately $21.6 million and $22.1 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, have been reflected within Other Liabilities in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Investments in Unconsolidated36

Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Statements of Operations of the Joint Ventures) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total revenue		$ 632,228	$ 665,985
Expenses
Depreciation and amortization		159,205	159,448
Total expenses		426,003	415,632
Operating income		206,225	250,353
Other expense
Interest expense		95,534	105,309
Net income		115,564	216,222
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures		3,084	1,791
Mortgage notes payable, net		2,046,959		$ 2,063,087
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total revenue	[1]	54,761	37,669
Expenses
Operating		22,079	16,667
Depreciation and amortization		14,309	9,064
Total expenses		36,388	25,731
Operating income		18,373	11,938
Other expense
Interest expense		9,300	8,389
Net income		9,073	3,549
Company's share of net income		4,323	1,599
Basis differential	[2]	(1,239)	192
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures		3,084	1,791
Straight-line rent adjustments		7,000	$ 2,200
Mortgage notes payable, net		864,344		$ 865,665
Colorado Center [Member]
Other expense
Straight-line rent adjustments		700
"Above" and "below" market rent adjustments, net		$ 400
[1]	Includes straight-line rent adjustments of approximately $7.0 million and $2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
[2]	Includes a straight-line rent adjustment of approximately $0.7 million and a net above-/below-market rent adjustment of approximately $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Derivative Instruments and He37

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details) $ in Thousands	Aug. 17, 2016USD ($)yr	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)yrswaps	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)yrswaps	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)swaps	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash payment to settle interest rate swap contracts		$ (7,090)	$ (33,319)
Boston Properties Limited Partnership | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of interest rate swap agreements entered into (swap contracts) | swaps				17
Term of anticipated mortgage loan (in years) | yr	10
Maximum period of hedging exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions (in years) | yr	10
Average Fixed Interest Rate				2.423%
Notional Amount				$ 550,000
Cash payment to settle interest rate swap contracts	$ 49,300
Losses from interest rate contracts	100
Derivative Instruments, Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion	49,200
Derivative Instruments Loss Reclassified From Accumulated OCI Into Income Effective yearly amount	$ 4,900
767 Fifth Partners LLC [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage by the Company		60.00%
767 Fifth Partners LLC [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of interest rate swap agreements entered into (swap contracts) | swaps		16	2
Term of anticipated mortgage loan (in years) | yr		10
Maximum period of hedging exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions (in years) | yr		10	10
Derivative, Net Liability Position, Aggregate Fair Value		$ 8,600
Assets Needed for Immediate Settlement, Aggregate Fair Value		8,600
Amount of loss related to the effective portion recognized in Other Liabilities		8,600
Derivative Instruments, Gain Recognized in Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets		$ 600
Average Fixed Interest Rate		2.619%
Notional Amount		$ 450,000	$ 50,000		$ 450,000
Estimated current balance held in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss to be reclassified into earnings within the next twelve months		(700)
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Coupon/Stated Rate	2.75%
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash payment to settle interest rate swap contracts		$ (7,090)	$ (33,319)

Derivative Instruments and He38

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Derivative Instrument and Hedging Activities Notional Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ 180	$ (58,646)
Boston Properties Limited Partnership | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount				$ 550,000
767 Fifth Partners LLC [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount	325,000		$ 350,000
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount	125,000		100,000
Notional Amount	450,000	$ 50,000	450,000
Fair Value	(8,084)		(8,264)
Liability [Member] | 767 Fifth Partners LLC [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ (8,635)		$ (8,773)
Liability [Member] | Minimum [Member] | 767 Fifth Partners LLC [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	2.423%		2.418%
Liability [Member] | Maximum [Member] | 767 Fifth Partners LLC [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	2.95%		2.95%
Assets [Member] | 767 Fifth Partners LLC [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ 551		$ 509
Assets [Member] | Minimum [Member] | 767 Fifth Partners LLC [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	2.336%		2.336%
Assets [Member] | Maximum [Member] | 767 Fifth Partners LLC [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	2.418%		2.388%

Derivative Instruments and He39

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Gain or Loss Recognized Related to Cash Flow hedges (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount of gain (loss) related to the effective portion recognized in other comprehensive loss	$ 180	$ (58,646)
Amount of loss related to the effective portion subsequently reclassified to earnings	(1,306)	(627)
Amount of (gain) loss related to the ineffective portion and amount excluded from effectiveness testing	$ 0	$ 0

Derivative Instruments and He40

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income or Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		$ (52,251)	$ (14,114)	$ (14,114)
Effective portion of interest rate contracts		180	(58,646)
Amortization of interest rate contracts	[1]	1,306	627
Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		(218)	15,427
Ending Balance		(50,983)	(56,706)	(52,251)
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income or Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		(60,853)	(18,337)	(18,337)
Effective portion of interest rate contracts		180	(58,646)
Amortization of interest rate contracts	[2]	1,306	627
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		(72)	10,526
Ending Balance		$ (59,439)	$ (65,830)	$ (60,853)
[1]	Amounts reclassified from comprehensive income primarily to interest expense within the Boston Properties, Inc.’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.
[2]	Amounts reclassified from comprehensive income primarily to interest expense within the Boston Properties Limited Partnership's Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Commitments And Contingencies (

Commitments And Contingencies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Feb. 28, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2009	Jul. 05, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 10, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Letter of credit and performance obligations	$ 12		$ 12
Property insurance program per occurrence limits	1,000		1,000
Per occurrence limit for NBCR Coverage			1,000
Value of program trigger	140		$ 140
Coinsurance of program trigger			17.00%
Deductible in insurance as a percentage of the value of the affected property, San Francisco and Los Angeles			3.00%
Per occurrence limit of the earthquake insurance which covers San Francisco and Los Angeles regions	240	$ 170
Annual aggregate limit of the earthquake insurance which covers San Francisco and Los Angeles regions	240	170
Amount of earthquake insurance provided by IXP, LLC as direct insurer San Francisco and Los Angeles			$ 20
Earthquake Coverage Included In Builders Risk Policy For Salesforce Tower		$ 60
767 Venture, LLC [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum funding obligation	$ 25		$ 25
Ownership Percentage by the Company	60.00%		60.00%
Property insurance program per occurrence limits	$ 1,625		$ 1,625
Lehman [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Bankruptcy claim, amount filed by general creditor				$ 45.3
Bankruptcy claim amount allowed by court to creditor								$ 45.2
Bankruptcy Claims, Amount of Claims Settled					$ 1.4	$ 8.1	$ 7.7
Bankruptcy remaining claim amount allowed by court to creditor	28		28
601 Lexington Avenue [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Coverage For Acts Of Terrorism Under TRIA Covered in Excess of Amount Covered by IXP			250
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Operating partnership guarantee to cover liabilities of IXP	$ 20		$ 20

Noncontrolling Interests (Narra

Noncontrolling Interests (Narrative) (Details) - Boston Properties Limited Partnership	Mar. 31, 2017shares
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Operating Partnership (OP) Units (in shares)	17,277,109
Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) Units (in shares)	811,476
OPP Units 2012 [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Outperformance awards in LTIP Units (in shares)	118,067
2013 MYLTIP [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
2013 MYLTIP (in units)	85,491
MYLTIP 2014 [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
2014 MYLTIP (in units)	25,124
2015 MYLTIP [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
2015 MYLTIPS (in units)	367,218
2016 MYLTIP [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
2016 MYLTIPs (in units)	473,360
2017 MYLTIP [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
2017 MYLTIP (in units)	400,000

(Common Units) (Narrative) (Det

(Common Units) (Narrative) (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Feb. 03, 2017USD ($)shares	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)yr$ / sharesshares
OP Units [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
OP Units for redemption (in shares)		23,182
Redemption of OP units issued on conversion of LTIP Units (in shares)		20,682
Restriction on redemption of OP Unit to Common Stock (in years) | yr		1
Redemption of OP Unit equivalence to Common Stock (in shares)		1
Common units of operating partnership if converted value | $		$ 2,400
Closing price of common stock (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 132.41
MYLTIP 2014 [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Final awards percentage of target	27.70%
Value of MYLTIP Awards | $	$ 3.5
2014 MYLTIP Units Forfeited	447,386
Boston Properties Limited Partnership | OP Units [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
MYLTIP distribution prior to measurement date		10.00%
Boston Properties Limited Partnership | MYLTIP 2014 [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
2014 MYLTIP (in units)		25,124
Boston Properties Limited Partnership | 2015 MYLTIP [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
2015 MYLTIPS (in units)		367,218
Boston Properties Limited Partnership | 2016 MYLTIP [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
2016 MYLTIPs (in units)		473,360
Boston Properties Limited Partnership | 2017 MYLTIP [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
2017 MYLTIP (in units)		400,000

Noncontrolling Interests Common

Noncontrolling Interests Common units distributions (Details) - Boston Properties Limited Partnership - $ / shares	Jan. 28, 2016	Mar. 16, 2017
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Distributions Declared To OP And LTIP Units Per Unit		$ 0.75
Distributions Declared To MYLTIP Units Per Unit (in dollars per unit)		$ 0.075
Distributions made to OP and LTIP units per unit (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.75
Distribution paid to MYLTIP Units (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.075

Noncontrolling Interests Comm45

Noncontrolling Interests Common units for Boston Properties Limited Partnership (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Conversion of redeemable partnership units		$ 0
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle	$ (2,035)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(50,983)	(56,706)	$ (52,251)	$ (14,114)
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Conversion of redeemable partnership units	4,384	(438)
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle	(1,763)
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle	(272)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(59,439)	(65,830)	$ (60,853)	$ (18,337)
Boston Properties Limited Partnership | Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Beginning balance	2,262,040	2,286,689
Contributions	29,918	30,808
Net Income	11,432	21,393
Distributions	(13,653)	(11,865)
Conversion of redeemable partnership units	(793)	(446)
Unearned Compensation	(18,633)	(22,424)
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle	(1,763)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	146	(4,901)
Adjustments To Reflect Redeemable Preferred Units At Redemption Value	126,416	8,218
Ending balance	$ 2,395,110	$ 2,307,472

Noncontrolling Interests (Prope

Noncontrolling Interests (Property Partnerships) (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 12, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest in Limited Partnerships		$ 1,529,653	$ 1,530,647
Salesforce Tower[Member] | Consolidated Properties [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Portion of project costs covered by a construction loan	50.00%
Portion of costs funded (in percentage)	50.00%
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	5.00%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	3.00%
Salesforce Tower[Member] | Parent Company [Member] | Consolidated Properties [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Costs funded (in percentage)	2.50%
Preferred equity funded		$ 11,800

Noncontrolling Interests Proper

Noncontrolling Interests Property Partnerships (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Activity of Noncontrolling Interests [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 1,530,647
Capital contributions	(8,145)	$ (2,489)
Net income	4,424	10,464
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(218)	15,427
Ending Balance	1,529,653
Property Partnerships Member
Activity of Noncontrolling Interests [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	1,530,647	1,574,400
Capital contributions	8,145	2,489
Net income	4,424	10,464
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	72	(10,526)
Distributions	(13,635)	(12,915)
Ending Balance	$ 1,529,653	$ 1,563,912

Stockholders' Equity _ Partne48

Stockholders' Equity / Partners' Capital Narrative (Details)	Jun. 03, 2014USD ($)yr	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Mar. 27, 2018$ / shares	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding		153,849,231		153,790,175
General Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding		1,719,378
Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding		152,129,853
Shares of Common Stock in connection with the redemption of an equal number of OP Units (in shares)		23,182
Common Stock, Value, Issued | $		$ 1,538,000		$ 1,538,000
Atm Program [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
At the market stock offering program, aggregate value of common stock | $	$ 600,000,000
At Market Stock Offering Program Maximum Length Of Sale In Years | yr	3
Common Stock, Value, Issued | $		$ 0
Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Series B, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		80,000		80,000
Series B, Dividend Rate, Percentage		5.25%
Series B, Liquidation Preference Per Share (dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 2,500		$ 2,500
Ratio of depository shares to shares of Series B Preferred Stock		0.01
Depository shares of Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Series B, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		8,000,000
Series B, Liquidation Preference Per Share (dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 25
Subsequent Event [Member] | Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Series B, Liquidation Preference Per Share (dollars per share) | $ / shares			$ 2,500
Subsequent Event [Member] | Depository shares of Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Series B, Liquidation Preference Per Share (dollars per share) | $ / shares			$ 25
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Class of Stock [Line Items]
General Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding		1,719,378		1,717,743
Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding		152,129,853		152,072,432
Boston Properties Limited Partnership | Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Series B, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		80,000		80,000
Series B, Liquidation Preference Per Share (dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 2,500		$ 2,500

Stockholders' Equity _ Partne49

Stockholders' Equity / Partners' Capital Stockholders' Equity / Partners' Capital Dividends / Distributions (Details) - $ / shares	Feb. 15, 2017	Jan. 30, 2017	Mar. 16, 2017
Entity Information [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share / Unit			$ 0.75
Dividends, Per Share / Unit		$ 0.75
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Entity Information [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share / Unit			0.75
Dividends, Per Share / Unit		$ 0.75
Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share / Unit			$ 32.8125
Dividends, Per Share / Unit	$ 32.8125

Earnings Per Share _ Common U50

Earnings Per Share / Common Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Basic Earnings:
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders	$ 97,083	$ 181,747
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders (in shares / units)	153,860,000	153,626,000
Net income (in dollars per share / unit)	$ 0.63	$ 1.18
Allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities (numerator)		$ (247)
Allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities (in shares / units)		0
Allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities (in dollars per shares / units)		$ 0
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders		$ 181,500
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders (in shares / units)		153,626,000
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders (in dollars per share / unit)		$ 1.18
Effect of Dilutive Securities:
Stock Based Compensation, Income (Numerator)	$ 0	$ 0
Stock Based Compensation, Shares / Units (Denominator)	354,000	291,000
Stock Based Compensation, Per Share / Unit Amount (in dollars per share / unit)	$ 0	$ 0
Diluted Earnings:
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders (Numerator)	$ 97,083	$ 181,500
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders (in shares / units) (Denominator)	154,214,000	153,917,000
Diluted Earnings: Net income, Per Share Amount (in dollars per share / unit)	$ 0.63	$ 1.18
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Entity Information [Line Items]
Redeemable Common Units	17,721,000	17,683,000
Basic Earnings:
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders	$ 110,662	$ 207,296
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders (in shares / units)	171,581,000	171,309,000
Net income (in dollars per share / unit)	$ 0.64	$ 1.21
Allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities (numerator)		$ (275)
Allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities (in shares / units)		0
Allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities (in dollars per shares / units)		$ 0
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders		$ 207,021
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders (in shares / units)		171,309,000
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders (in dollars per share / unit)		$ 1.21
Effect of Dilutive Securities:
Stock Based Compensation, Income (Numerator)	$ 0	$ 0
Stock Based Compensation, Shares / Units (Denominator)	354,000	291,000
Stock Based Compensation, Per Share / Unit Amount (in dollars per share / unit)	$ 0	$ 0
Diluted Earnings:
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders (Numerator)	$ 110,662	$ 207,021
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders (in shares / units) (Denominator)	171,935,000	171,600,000
Diluted Earnings: Net income, Per Share Amount (in dollars per share / unit)	$ 0.64	$ 1.21

Stock Option and Incentive Pl51

Stock Option and Incentive Plan Stock Option and Incentive Plan (Narrative) (Details)	Feb. 03, 2017USD ($)shares	Jan. 25, 2017USD ($)yrindicestiers
2017 MYLTIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
TSR Measurement, Years | yr		3
Indices Used to Compare TSR | indices		2
Number of Tiers | tiers		4
Threshold Tier		$ 10,700,000
Target Tier		21,300,000
High Tier		32,000,000
Exceptional Tier		$ 42,700,000
Percentage of annualized TSR for Reduction of Earned Awards		0.00%
Percentage to Cause Some Awards to be Earned Even if on a Relative Basis it Would Not Result in any Earned Awards		12.00%
Distributions Percent Before Measurement Date		10.00%
Value of MYLTIP Awards		$ 17,700,000
MYLTIP Value Amortized Into Earnings, Years | yr		4
MYLTIP 2014 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Value of MYLTIP Awards	$ 3,500,000
Final awards percentage of target	27.70%
2014 MYLTIP Units Forfeited | shares	447,386
Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Portfolio Index [Member] | 2017 MYLTIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted Percentage of Index Used to Compare to TSR		50.00%
NAREIT Office Index adjusted [Member] | 2017 MYLTIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted Percentage of Index Used to Compare to TSR		50.00%
Minimum [Member] | 2017 MYLTIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Potential Awards Earned		$ 0
Maximum [Member] | 2017 MYLTIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Potential Awards Earned		$ 42,700,000
MYLTIP vesting 2020 [Member] | 2017 MYLTIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting Percentage		50.00%
MYLTIP vesting 2021 [Member] | 2017 MYLTIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting Percentage		50.00%

Stock Option and Incentive Pl52

Stock Option and Incentive Plan (Restricted Stock) (Narrative) (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)VestingInstallments$ / sharesshares	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued | shares	153,928,131		153,869,075
Stock based Compensation Expense	$ 10,300	$ 9,400
Common Stock, Value, Issued	$ 1,538		$ 1,538
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued | shares	35,839
Employee and director payment per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.01
Common Stock, Value, Issued	$ 4,700
Employee's weighted average cost per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 130.72
LTIPs (including 2012 OPP and 2013 and 2014 MYLTIPS) And Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting annual installments | VestingInstallments	4
Unrecognized compensation expenses	$ 30,900
Unvested MYLTIP Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expenses	$ 32,200
Weighted-average period (years)	2 years 9 months 18 days
Boston Properties Limited Partnership | LTIP Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
LTIP units issued (in shares) | shares	100,639
Value of LTIP units issued	$ 12,100
Per unit fair value weighted-average (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 120.66
Expected life assumed to calculate per unit fair value per LTIP unit (years)	5 years 8 months 12 days
Risk-free rate	2.14%
Expected price volatility	28.00%
Boston Properties Limited Partnership | 2017 MYLTIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
MYLTIP units issued (in shares) | shares	400,000
Boston Properties Limited Partnership | LTIPs and 2017 MYLTIP Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Employee and director payment per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.25

Segment Information (Schedule O

Segment Information (Schedule Of Reconciliation Of Net Operating Income To Net Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders	$ 97,083	$ 181,747
Preferred Stock Dividends / Distributions	(2,625)	(2,618)
Noncontrolling interest-common units of the Operating Partnership	(11,432)	(21,393)
Noncontrolling interest in property partnerships	(4,424)	(10,464)
Interest expense	(95,534)	(105,309)
Depreciation and amortization expense	(159,205)	(159,448)
Transaction costs	(34)	(25)
General and administrative expense	(31,386)	(29,353)
Gains from investments in securities	(1,042)	(259)
Interest and other income	(614)	(1,505)
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	(3,084)	(1,791)
Development and management services income	(6,472)	(6,689)
Business Intersegment, Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders	97,083	181,747
Preferred Stock Dividends / Distributions	2,625	2,618
Noncontrolling interest-common units of the Operating Partnership	11,432	21,393
Noncontrolling interest in property partnerships	4,424	10,464
Interest expense	95,534	105,309
Depreciation and amortization expense	159,205	159,448
Transaction costs	34	25
General and administrative expense	31,386	29,353
Gains on sales of real estate	133	67,623
Gains from investments in securities	1,042	259
Interest and other income	614	1,505
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	3,084	1,791
Development and management services income	6,472	6,689
Net Operating Income	390,378	432,490
Boston Properties Limited Partnership
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders	110,662	207,296
Preferred Stock Dividends / Distributions	(2,625)	(2,618)
Noncontrolling interest in property partnerships	(4,424)	(10,464)
Interest expense	(95,534)	(105,309)
Depreciation and amortization expense	(157,058)	(157,461)
Transaction costs	(34)	(25)
General and administrative expense	(31,386)	(29,353)
Gains from investments in securities	(1,042)	(259)
Interest and other income	(614)	(1,505)
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	(3,084)	(1,791)
Development and management services income	(6,472)	(6,689)
Boston Properties Limited Partnership | Business Intersegment, Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net income attributable to the Company's common shareholders / unitholders	110,662	207,296
Preferred Stock Dividends / Distributions	2,625	2,618
Noncontrolling interest in property partnerships	4,424	10,464
Interest expense	95,534	105,309
Depreciation and amortization expense	157,058	157,461
Transaction costs	34	25
General and administrative expense	31,386	29,353
Gains on sales of real estate	133	69,792
Gains from investments in securities	1,042	259
Interest and other income	614	1,505
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	3,084	1,791
Development and management services income	6,472	6,689
Net Operating Income	$ 390,378	$ 432,490

Segment Information (Schedule54

Segment Information (Schedule Of Segment Reporting By Geographic Area And Property Type) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental Revenue: Office	$ 614,380	$ 646,490
Rental Revenue: Residential	3,956	4,049
Rental Revenue: Hotel	7,420	8,757
Total revenue	$ 625,756	$ 659,296
Rental Revenue: % of Grand Totals	100.00%	100.00%
Rental Expenses: Office	$ 226,736	$ 217,572
Rental Expenses: Residential	1,551	1,600
Rental Expenses: Hotel	7,091	7,634
Rental Expenses: Total	$ 235,378	$ 226,806
Rental Expenses: % Of Grand Totals	100.00%	100.00%
Net operating Income	$ 390,378	$ 432,490
Net operating Income: % of Grand Totals	100.00%	100.00%
Boston [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental Revenue: Office	$ 185,436	$ 177,827
Rental Revenue: Residential	1,139	1,171
Rental Revenue: Hotel	7,420	8,757
Total revenue	$ 193,995	$ 187,755
Rental Revenue: % of Grand Totals	31.00%	28.48%
Rental Expenses: Office	$ 75,256	$ 70,687
Rental Expenses: Residential	495	520
Rental Expenses: Hotel	7,091	7,634
Rental Expenses: Total	$ 82,842	$ 78,841
Rental Expenses: % Of Grand Totals	35.19%	34.76%
Net operating Income	$ 111,153	$ 108,914
Net operating Income: % of Grand Totals	28.47%	25.18%
New York [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental Revenue: Office	$ 241,570	$ 291,858
Rental Revenue: Residential	0	0
Rental Revenue: Hotel	0	0
Total revenue	$ 241,570	$ 291,858
Rental Revenue: % of Grand Totals	38.60%	44.27%
Rental Expenses: Office	$ 91,684	$ 88,798
Rental Expenses: Residential	0	0
Rental Expenses: Hotel	0	0
Rental Expenses: Total	$ 91,684	$ 88,798
Rental Expenses: % Of Grand Totals	38.95%	39.15%
Net operating Income	$ 149,886	$ 203,060
Net operating Income: % of Grand Totals	38.40%	46.95%
San Francisco [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental Revenue: Office	$ 84,641	$ 76,317
Rental Revenue: Residential	0	0
Rental Revenue: Hotel	0	0
Total revenue	$ 84,641	$ 76,317
Rental Revenue: % of Grand Totals	13.53%	11.57%
Rental Expenses: Office	$ 24,474	$ 23,905
Rental Expenses: Residential	0	0
Rental Expenses: Hotel	0	0
Rental Expenses: Total	$ 24,474	$ 23,905
Rental Expenses: % Of Grand Totals	10.40%	10.54%
Net operating Income	$ 60,167	$ 52,412
Net operating Income: % of Grand Totals	15.41%	12.12%
Washington, DC [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental Revenue: Office	$ 102,733	$ 100,488
Rental Revenue: Residential	2,817	2,878
Rental Revenue: Hotel	0	0
Total revenue	$ 105,550	$ 103,366
Rental Revenue: % of Grand Totals	16.87%	15.68%
Rental Expenses: Office	$ 35,322	$ 34,182
Rental Expenses: Residential	1,056	1,080
Rental Expenses: Hotel	0	0
Rental Expenses: Total	$ 36,378	$ 35,262
Rental Expenses: % Of Grand Totals	15.46%	15.55%
Net operating Income	$ 69,172	$ 68,104
Net operating Income: % of Grand Totals	17.72%	15.75%

Subsequent Events subsequent Ev

Subsequent Events subsequent Events (Details)	Apr. 24, 2017USD ($)	May 01, 2017USD ($)ft²	Apr. 23, 2017USD ($)	Apr. 21, 2017apartments	Apr. 19, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Secured Debt						$ 2,046,959,000	$ 2,063,087,000
MacArhur BART Station [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of apartment units that could potentially be built under an option agreement | apartments				402
767 5th Avenue (The General Motors Building) [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Effective Percentage	3.65%
Ownership Percentage by the Company	60.00%
Secured Debt	$ 2,300,000,000
Coupon/Stated Rate	3.43%
30 Shattuck Road [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Contractual Sales Price					$ 5,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	$ 1,500,000,000		$ 1,000,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.15%
Delayed Draw Facility [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	$ 500,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.15%
Current credit rating [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Margin added to Calculated Interest Rate	0.875%
Current credit rating [Member] | Delayed Draw Facility [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	$ 0
Margin added to Calculated Interest Rate	0.95%
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | 767 5th Avenue (The General Motors Building) [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 450,000,000
Derivative Instruments, Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion	$ 14,400,000
103 Carnegie Center [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Purchase price		$ 15,800,000
Net Rentable Area (in sf) | ft²		96,000