Digital Realty Trust 10-Q 6 Aug 21 2021 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Cover Page

Cover Page - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Aug. 04, 2021
Entity Information
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2021
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-32336
Entity Registrant Name	DIGITAL REALTY TRUST, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MD
Entity Tax Identification Number	26-0081711
Entity Address, Address Line One	5707 Southwest Parkway, Building 1, Suite 275
Entity Address, City or Town	Austin
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	78735
City Area Code	737
Local Phone Number	281-0101
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		282,593,428
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0001297996
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Entity Information
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2021
Entity File Number	000-54023
Entity Registrant Name	DIGITAL REALTY TRUST, L.P.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MD
Entity Tax Identification Number	20-2402955
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0001494877
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Common Stock
Entity Information
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Trading Symbol	DLR
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Entity Information
Title of 12(b) Security	Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Trading Symbol	DLR Pr J
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Entity Information
Title of 12(b) Security	Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Trading Symbol	DLR Pr K
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Series L Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units
Entity Information
Title of 12(b) Security	Series L Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Trading Symbol	DLR Pr L
Security Exchange Name	NYSE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Investments in real estate:
Investments in properties, net	$ 20,782,348	$ 20,582,954
Investments in unconsolidated entities	1,119,026	1,148,158
Net investments in real estate	21,901,374	21,731,112
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net	1,452,633	1,386,959
Cash and cash equivalents	120,482	108,501
Accounts and other receivables, net	630,086	603,111
Deferred rent	539,379	528,180
Goodwill	8,185,931	8,330,996
Customer relationship value, deferred leasing costs and intangibles, net	2,956,027	3,122,904
Other assets	365,308	264,528
Total assets	36,151,220	36,076,291
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Global revolving credit facilities, net	1,026,368	531,905
Unsecured term loans, net		536,580
Unsecured senior notes, net of discount	12,659,043	11,997,010
Secured and other debt, including premiums	242,410	239,222
Operating lease liabilities	1,545,689	1,468,712
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	1,367,240	1,420,162
Deferred tax liabilities, net	742,127	698,308
Accrued dividends and distributions		324,386
Security deposits and prepaid rents	362,606	371,659
Total liabilities	17,945,483	17,587,944
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	41,490	42,011
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock/ units	731,690	950,940
Common Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 392,000,000 shares authorized and 282,603,152 and 280,289,726 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively	2,806	2,788
Partners' capital:
Additional paid-in capital	20,844,834	20,626,897
Accumulated dividends in excess of earnings	(4,153,407)	(3,997,938)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net	31,733	135,010
Total stockholders' equity	17,457,656	17,717,697
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures	192,694	119,659
Noncontrolling interests	706,591	728,639
Total equity	18,164,247	18,446,336
Total liabilities and equity/capital	36,151,220	36,076,291
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Investments in real estate:
Investments in properties, net	20,782,348	20,582,954
Investments in unconsolidated entities	1,119,026	1,148,158
Net investments in real estate	21,901,374	21,731,112
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net	1,452,633	1,386,959
Cash and cash equivalents	120,482	108,501
Accounts and other receivables, net	630,086	603,111
Deferred rent	539,379	528,180
Goodwill	8,185,931	8,330,996
Customer relationship value, deferred leasing costs and intangibles, net	2,956,027	3,122,904
Other assets	365,308	264,528
Total assets	36,151,220	36,076,291
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Global revolving credit facilities, net	1,026,368	531,905
Unsecured term loans, net		536,580
Unsecured senior notes, net of discount	12,659,043	11,997,010
Secured and other debt, including premiums	242,410	239,222
Operating lease liabilities	1,545,689	1,468,712
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	1,367,240	1,420,162
Deferred tax liabilities, net	742,127	698,308
Accrued dividends and distributions		324,386
Security deposits and prepaid rents	362,606	371,659
Total liabilities	17,945,483	17,587,944
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	41,490	42,011
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock/ units	731,690	950,940
Partners' capital:
Common units, 282,603,152 and 280,289,726 units issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively	16,694,233	16,631,747
Limited Partners, 7,055,409 and 8,046,267 units issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively	516,879	609,190
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net	28,751	134,800
Total partners' capital	17,971,553	18,326,677
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures	192,694	119,659
Total capital	18,164,247	18,446,336
Total liabilities and equity/capital	$ 36,151,220	$ 36,076,291

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANC_2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share/unit)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, authorized (shares)	110,000,000	110,000,000
Preferred stock, issued (shares)	30,200,000	38,250,000
Preferred stock, outstanding (shares)	30,200,000	38,250,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share/unit)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, authorized (shares)	392,000,000	392,000,000
Common stock, shares, issued (shares)	282,603,152	280,289,726
Common stock, shares, outstanding (shares)	282,603,152	280,289,726
Liquidation preference	$ 755,000	$ 956,250
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share (in dollars per share)	$ 25	$ 25
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Preferred units, issued (units)	30,200,000	38,250,000
Preferred units, outstanding (units)	30,200,000	38,250,000
Common units, issued (units)	282,603,152	280,289,726
Common units, outstanding (units)	282,603,152	280,289,726
Liquidation preference	$ 755,000	$ 956,250
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share (in dollars per share)	$ 25	$ 25
Limited Partners' units, issued (units)	7,055,409	8,046,267
Limited Partners' units outstanding (units)	7,055,409	8,046,267

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME S

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Operating Revenues:
Total operating revenues	$ 1,093,188	$ 992,995	$ 2,183,579	$ 1,816,332
Operating Expenses:
Rental property operating and maintenance	383,216	332,647	744,995	598,355
Property taxes and insurance	48,498	48,441	101,001	94,111
Depreciation and amortization	368,981	349,165	738,714	640,622
General and administrative	97,492	94,291	197,486	157,829
Transactions and integration	7,075	15,618	21,195	72,419
Other	2,298	22	2,041	136
Total operating expenses	907,560	840,184	1,805,432	1,563,472
Operating income	185,628	152,811	378,147	252,860
Other Income (Expenses):
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated entities	52,143	(7,632)	29,112	(86,628)
Gain on disposition of properties, net	499	0	334,420	304,801
Other expense, net	10,124	22,163	2,938	18,621
Interest expense	(75,014)	(79,874)	(150,667)	(165,674)
Loss from early extinguishment of debt	0	0	(18,347)	(632)
Income tax expense	(47,582)	(11,490)	(55,129)	(18,672)
Net income	125,798	75,978	520,474	304,676
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(4,544)	(1,147)	(13,300)	(5,831)
Net income attributable to Digital Realty Trust, Inc./Digital Realty Trust, L.P.	121,254	74,831	507,174	298,845
Preferred stock dividends, including undeclared dividends	(11,885)	(21,155)	(25,399)	(42,310)
Gain on redemption of preferred stock	18,000	0	18,000
Net income available to common stockholders	$ 127,369	$ 53,676	$ 499,775	$ 256,535
Net income per share available to common stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share/unit)	$ 0.45	$ 0.20	$ 1.78	$ 1.05
Diluted (in dollars per share/unit)	$ 0.45	$ 0.20	$ 1.77	$ 1.04
Weighted average common shares/ units outstanding:
Basic (shares/units)	281,791,855	267,569,823	281,445,252	244,866,574
Diluted (shares/units)	282,433,857	270,744,408	282,075,611	247,576,014
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Operating Revenues:
Total operating revenues	$ 1,093,188	$ 992,995	$ 2,183,579	$ 1,816,332
Operating Expenses:
Rental property operating and maintenance	383,216	332,647	744,995	598,355
Property taxes and insurance	48,498	48,441	101,001	94,111
Depreciation and amortization	368,981	349,165	738,714	640,622
General and administrative	97,492	94,291	197,486	157,829
Transactions and integration	7,075	15,618	21,195	72,419
Other	2,298	22	2,041	136
Total operating expenses	907,560	840,184	1,805,432	1,563,472
Operating income	185,628	152,811	378,147	252,860
Other Income (Expenses):
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated entities	52,143	(7,632)	29,112	(86,628)
Gain on disposition of properties, net	499		334,420	304,801
Other expense, net	10,124	22,163	2,938	18,621
Interest expense	(75,014)	(79,874)	(150,667)	(165,674)
Loss from early extinguishment of debt			(18,347)	(632)
Income tax expense	(47,582)	(11,490)	(55,129)	(18,672)
Net income	125,798	75,978	520,474	304,676
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,344)	253	(300)	3,369
Net income attributable to Digital Realty Trust, Inc./Digital Realty Trust, L.P.	124,454	76,231	520,174	308,045
Preferred stock dividends, including undeclared dividends	(11,885)	(21,155)	(25,399)	(42,310)
Gain on redemption of preferred stock	18,000		18,000
Net income available to common stockholders	$ 130,569	$ 55,076	$ 512,775	$ 265,735
Net income per share available to common stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share/unit)	$ 0.45	$ 0.20	$ 1.78	$ 1.05
Diluted (in dollars per share/unit)	$ 0.45	$ 0.20	$ 1.77	$ 1.04
Weighted average common shares/ units outstanding:
Basic (shares/units)	288,842,803	275,544,524	288,588,250	252,995,033
Diluted (shares/units)	289,484,805	278,719,109	289,218,609	255,704,473
Rental and other services
Operating Revenues:
Total operating revenues	$ 1,089,395	$ 987,675	$ 2,177,301	$ 1,807,747
Rental and other services | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Operating Revenues:
Total operating revenues	1,089,395	987,675	2,177,301	1,807,747
Fee income and other
Operating Revenues:
Total operating revenues	3,793	5,320	6,278	8,585
Fee income and other | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Operating Revenues:
Total operating revenues	$ 3,793	$ 5,320	$ 6,278	$ 8,585

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMEN

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Net income	$ 125,798	$ 75,978	$ 520,474	$ 304,676
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	111,678	88,659	(107,324)	(268,544)
Increase (decrease) in fair value of interest rate swaps	226	(1,011)	563	(12,849)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	353	784	712	226
Other comprehensive income (loss)	112,257	88,432	(106,049)	(281,167)
Comprehensive income (loss)	238,055	164,410	414,425	23,509
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(7,285)	(3,706)	(10,528)	4,907
Comprehensive income attributable to Digital Realty Trust, Inc./ Digital Realty Trust, L.P.	230,770	160,704	403,897	28,416
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Net income	125,798	75,978	520,474	304,676
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	111,678	88,659	(107,324)	(268,544)
Increase (decrease) in fair value of interest rate swaps	226	(1,011)	563	(12,849)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	353	784	712	226
Other comprehensive income (loss)	112,257	88,432	(106,049)	(281,167)
Comprehensive income (loss)	238,055	164,410	414,425	23,509
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,344)	253	(300)	3,369
Comprehensive income attributable to Digital Realty Trust, Inc./ Digital Realty Trust, L.P.	$ 236,711	$ 164,663	$ 414,125	$ 26,878

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	General PartnerPreferred UnitsDigital Realty Trust, L.P.Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock	General PartnerPreferred UnitsDigital Realty Trust, L.P.	General PartnerCommon UnitsDigital Realty Trust, L.P.Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock	General PartnerCommon UnitsDigital Realty Trust, L.P.	Limited PartnersCommon UnitsDigital Realty Trust, L.P.	Redeemable InterestsDigital Realty Trust, L.P.	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), netDigital Realty Trust, L.P.Interest Rate Swap	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), netDigital Realty Trust, L.P.	Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Joint VenturesDigital Realty Trust, L.P.	Digital Realty Trust, L.P.Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock	Digital Realty Trust, L.P.Interest Rate Swap	Digital Realty Trust, L.P.	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests -- Operating Partnership	Preferred StockSeries C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock	Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Dividends in Excess of EarningsSeries C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock	Accumulated Dividends in Excess of Earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), netInterest Rate Swap	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net	Noncontrolling Interests in Operating PartnershipInterest Rate Swap	Noncontrolling Interests in Operating Partnership	Noncontrolling InterestsInterest Rate Swap	Noncontrolling Interests	Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock	Interest Rate Swap	Total
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019													$ 41,465		$ 1,434,420	$ 2,073	$ 11,577,320		$ (3,046,579)		$ (87,922)		$ 728,788					$ 10,608,100
Beginning balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2019																208,900,758
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Conversion of common units to common stock																$ 8	70,274						(70,282)
Conversion of common units to common stock (shares)																805,812
Common stock and share-based awards issued in connection with InterXion combination				$ 6,985,052								$ 6,985,052				$ 543	6,984,509											6,985,052
Common stock and share-based awards issued in connection with InterXion combination (in shares)				54,298,595												54,298,595
Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs																$ 46	644,585											644,631
Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs (shares)																4,585,951
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan				$ 2,638								2,638					2,638											2,638
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan (shares)				25,234												25,234
Amortization of share-based compensation				$ 36,480								36,480					37,730											37,730
Vesting of restricted stock, net (shares)				(217,277)												(217,277)
Shares repurchased and retired to satisfy tax withholding upon vesting				$ (3,500)								(3,500)					(4,750)											(4,750)
Reclassification of vested share-based awards																	(16,504)						16,504
Adjustment to redeemable noncontrolling interests													3,491				(3,491)											(3,491)
Dividends declared on preferred stock												(42,310)							(42,310)									(42,310)
Dividends and distributions on common stock and common and incentive units													(350)						(596,481)				(19,150)					(615,631)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures, net of distributions						$ 1,567			$ 43,982			43,982	1,567										43,982					43,982
Net income (loss)		$ 42,310		256,535	$ 9,335	(3,188)			(316)			307,864	(3,188)						298,845				9,019					307,864
Other comprehensive income (loss)-foreign currency translation adjustments						(2,401)		$ (268,543)				(268,543)	(2,401)								(258,257)		(10,286)					(268,513)
Other comprehensive income-fair value of interest rate swaps							$ (12,849)				$ (12,849)	(12,849)								$ (12,393)		$ (456)					$ (12,849)	(12,849)
Other comprehensive income- reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense												226									223		3					226
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2020													40,584		1,434,420	$ 2,670	19,292,311		(3,386,525)		(358,349)		698,122		$ 698,122			17,682,649
Ending balance (shares) at Jun. 30, 2020																268,399,073
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019													41,465		1,434,420	$ 2,073	11,577,320		(3,046,579)		(87,922)		728,788					10,608,100
Beginning balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2019																208,900,758
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2020													42,011		950,940	$ 2,788	20,626,897		(3,997,938)		135,010				728,639			18,446,336
Ending balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2020																280,289,726
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2020													40,027		1,434,420	$ 2,622	18,606,766		(3,139,350)		(444,222)				716,304			17,176,540
Beginning balance (shares) at Mar. 31, 2020																263,595,562
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Conversion of common units to common stock																$ 2	18,043								(18,045)
Conversion of common units to common stock (shares)																212,859
Common stock and share-based awards issued in connection with InterXion combination				9,800								9,800					9,800											9,800
Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs																$ 46	638,080											638,126
Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs (shares)																4,535,951
Amortization of share-based compensation				$ 22,050								22,050					22,050											22,050
Vesting of restricted stock, net (shares)				54,701												54,701
Shares repurchased and retired to satisfy tax withholding upon vesting				$ (432)								(432)					(432)											(432)
Reclassification of vested share-based awards																	(1,497)								1,497
Adjustment to redeemable noncontrolling interests													499				(499)											(499)
Dividends declared on preferred stock												(21,155)							(21,155)									(21,155)
Dividends and distributions on common stock and common and incentive units													(175)						(300,851)						(10,128)			(310,979)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures, net of distributions						515			4,506			4,506	515												4,506			4,506
Net income (loss)		21,155		53,676	1,682	(282)			(253)			76,260	(282)						74,831						1,429			76,260
Other comprehensive income (loss)-foreign currency translation adjustments								88,659				88,659									86,093				2,566			88,659
Other comprehensive income-fair value of interest rate swaps							(1,011)				(1,011)	(1,011)								(981)				$ (30)			(1,011)	(1,011)
Other comprehensive income- reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense								784				784									761				23			784
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2020													40,584		1,434,420	$ 2,670	19,292,311		(3,386,525)		(358,349)		$ 698,122		698,122			17,682,649
Ending balance (shares) at Jun. 30, 2020																268,399,073
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Adjustment to redeemable partnership units				(499)		499						(499)
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2020													42,011		950,940	$ 2,788	20,626,897		(3,997,938)		135,010				728,639			18,446,336
Beginning balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2020																280,289,726
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Conversion of common units to common stock																$ 13	111,384								(111,397)
Conversion of common units to common stock (shares)																1,340,675
Common stock issued in connection with acquisition				$ 18,270								18,270				$ 1	18,269											18,270
Common stock issued in connection with acquisition (shares)				125,395												125,395
Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs																$ 5	75,433											75,438
Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs (shares)																477,762
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan				$ 3,427								3,427					3,427											3,427
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan (shares)				29,475												29,475
Amortization of share-based compensation				$ 49,851								49,851					49,851											49,851
Vesting of restricted stock, net (shares)				340,119												340,119
Shares repurchased and retired to satisfy tax withholding upon vesting				$ (15,849)								(15,849)				$ (1)	(15,848)											(15,849)
Reclassification of vested share-based awards																	(22,870)								22,870
Redemption of preferred stock	$ (219,250)		$ 18,000							$ (201,250)				$ (219,250)				$ 18,000								$ (201,250)
Adjustment to redeemable noncontrolling interests													1,709				(1,709)											(1,709)
Dividends declared on preferred stock												(25,399)							(25,399)									(25,399)
Dividends and distributions on common stock and common and incentive units													(362)						(655,244)						(16,502)			(671,746)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures, net of distributions						(2,150)			72,735			72,735	(2,150)												72,735			72,735
Net income (loss)		25,399		481,775	12,718	282			300			520,192	282						507,174						13,018			520,192
Other comprehensive income (loss)-foreign currency translation adjustments								(107,324)				(107,324)									(104,520)				(2,804)			(107,324)
Other comprehensive income-fair value of interest rate swaps							$ 563				$ 563	563								549				14			563	563
Other comprehensive income- reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense								712				712									694				18			712
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2021													41,490		731,690	$ 2,806	20,844,834		(4,153,407)		31,733				706,591			18,164,247
Ending balance (shares) at Jun. 30, 2021																282,603,152
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2021													40,097		950,940	$ 2,795	20,700,282		(3,952,497)		(77,783)				721,587			18,345,324
Beginning balance (shares) at Mar. 31, 2021																281,372,310
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Conversion of common units to common stock																$ 7	57,777								(57,784)
Conversion of common units to common stock (shares)																698,485
Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs																$ 5	75,665											75,670
Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs (shares)																477,762
Amortization of share-based compensation				$ 21,063								21,063					21,063											21,063
Vesting of restricted stock, net (shares)				54,595												54,595
Shares repurchased and retired to satisfy tax withholding upon vesting				$ (6,131)								(6,131)				$ (1)	(6,130)											(6,131)
Reclassification of vested share-based awards																	(2,322)								2,322
Redemption of preferred stock	$ (219,250)		$ 18,000							$ (201,250)				$ (219,250)				$ 18,000								$ (201,250)
Adjustment to redeemable noncontrolling interests													1,501				(1,501)											(1,501)
Dividends declared on preferred stock												(11,885)							(11,885)									(11,885)
Dividends and distributions on common stock and common and incentive units													(181)						(328,279)						(7,801)			(336,080)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures, net of distributions									41,055			41,055													41,055			41,055
Net income (loss)		$ 11,885		109,369	$ 3,127	73			1,344			125,725	73						121,254						4,471			125,725
Other comprehensive income (loss)-foreign currency translation adjustments								111,678	$ 0			111,678									108,951				2,727			111,678
Other comprehensive income-fair value of interest rate swaps												226								$ 221				$ 5			$ 226	226
Other comprehensive income- reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense								$ 353				353									344				9			353
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2021													$ 41,490		$ 731,690	$ 2,806	$ 20,844,834		$ (4,153,407)		$ 31,733				$ 706,591			$ 18,164,247
Ending balance (shares) at Jun. 30, 2021																282,603,152
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common units, net of forfeitures (units)					12,623
Adjustment to redeemable partnership units				$ (1,501)		$ 1,501						$ (1,501)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITAL (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (units)			280,289,726
Common units issued in connection with acquisition			$ 18,270
Common units and share-based awards issued in connection with Interxion combination		$ 9,800		$ 6,985,052
Units issued in connection with employee stock purchase plan			3,427	2,638
Units repurchased and retired to satisfy tax withholding upon vesting	$ (6,131)	(432)	(15,849)	(4,750)
Amortization of share-based compensation	21,063	22,050	49,851	37,730
Adjustment to redeemable noncontrolling interests	(1,501)	(499)	(1,709)	(3,491)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures, net of distributions	41,055	4,506	72,735	43,982
Cumulative effect adjustment from adoption of new accounting standard	18,164,247	17,682,649	18,164,247	17,682,649	$ 18,446,336
Net income (loss)	125,725	76,260	520,192	307,864
Other comprehensive income (loss)-foreign currency translation adjustments	111,678	88,659	(107,324)	(268,513)
Other comprehensive income-fair value of interest rate swaps	226	(1,011)	563	(12,849)
Other comprehensive income- reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense	$ 353	784	$ 712	226
Ending balance (units)	282,603,152		282,603,152		280,289,726
Interest Rate Swap
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income-fair value of interest rate swaps	$ 226	(1,011)	$ 563	(12,849)
Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Redemption of preferred units	(201,250)		(201,250)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	18,345,324	17,176,540	18,446,336	10,608,100	$ 10,608,100
Common units issued in connection with acquisition			18,270
Common units and share-based awards issued in connection with Interxion combination		9,800		6,985,052
Issuance of common unit, net of offering costs	75,670	638,126	75,438	644,631
Units issued in connection with employee stock purchase plan			3,427	2,638
Units repurchased and retired to satisfy tax withholding upon vesting	(6,131)	(432)	(15,849)	(3,500)
Amortization of share-based compensation	21,063	22,050	49,851	36,480
Adjustment to redeemable partnership units			(1,709)	(3,491)
Distributions	(347,965)	(332,134)	(697,145)	(657,941)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures, net of distributions	41,055	4,506	72,735	43,982
Net income (loss)	125,725	76,260	520,192	307,864
Other comprehensive income (loss)-foreign currency translation adjustments	111,678	88,659	(107,324)	(268,543)
Other comprehensive income-fair value of interest rate swaps	226	(1,011)	563	(12,849)
Other comprehensive income-fair value of interest rate swaps				226
Other comprehensive income- reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense	353	784	712	226
Ending balance	18,164,247	17,682,649	18,164,247	17,682,649	18,446,336
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Interest Rate Swap
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income-fair value of interest rate swaps		(1,011)	563	(12,849)
Other comprehensive income-fair value of interest rate swaps	226
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Redemption of preferred units	(201,250)		(201,250)
Redeemable Interests | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	40,097	40,027	42,011	41,465	41,465
Adjustment to redeemable partnership units			1,709	3,491
Distributions	(181)	(175)	(362)	(350)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures, net of distributions		515	(2,150)	1,567
Net income (loss)	73	(282)	282	(3,188)
Other comprehensive income (loss)-foreign currency translation adjustments				(2,401)
Ending balance	41,490	40,584	41,490	40,584	42,011
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(83,506)	(461,007)	134,800	(91,409)	(91,409)
Other comprehensive income (loss)-foreign currency translation adjustments	111,678	88,659	(107,324)	(268,543)
Other comprehensive income-fair value of interest rate swaps				226
Other comprehensive income- reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense	353	784	712
Ending balance	28,751	(372,575)	28,751	(372,575)	134,800
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Interest Rate Swap
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income-fair value of interest rate swaps		(1,011)	563	(12,849)
Other comprehensive income-fair value of interest rate swaps	226
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Joint Ventures | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	150,295	60,038	119,659	20,625	20,625
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures, net of distributions	41,055	4,506	72,735	43,982
Net income (loss)	1,344	(253)	300	(316)
Other comprehensive income (loss)-foreign currency translation adjustments	0
Ending balance	192,694	64,291	192,694	64,291	119,659
General Partner | Preferred Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 950,940	$ 1,434,420	$ 950,940	$ 1,434,420	$ 1,434,420
Beginning balance (units)	38,250,000	58,250,000	38,250,000	58,250,000	58,250,000
Distributions	$ (11,885)	$ (21,155)	$ (25,399)	$ (42,310)
Net income (loss)	11,885	21,155	25,399	42,310
Ending balance	$ 731,690	$ 1,434,420	$ 731,690	$ 1,434,420	$ 950,940
Ending balance (units)	30,200,000	58,250,000	30,200,000	58,250,000	38,250,000
General Partner | Preferred Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Redemption of preferred units	$ (219,250)		$ (219,250)
Redemption of preferred units (in units)	(8,050,000)		(8,050,000)
General Partner | Common Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 16,750,580	$ 15,470,038	$ 16,631,747	$ 8,532,814	$ 8,532,814
Beginning balance (units)	281,372,310	263,595,562	280,289,726	208,900,758	208,900,758
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units	$ 57,784	$ 18,045	$ 111,397	$ 70,282
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units (units)	698,485	212,859	1,340,675	805,812
Common units issued in connection with acquisition			$ 18,270
Common units issued in connection with acquisition (in units)			125,395
Common units and share-based awards issued in connection with Interxion combination		$ 9,800		$ 6,985,052
Common units and share-based awards issued in connection with Interxion combination (in units)				54,298,595
Issuance of common unit, net of offering costs	$ 75,670	$ 638,126	$ 75,438	$ 644,631
Issuance of common units, net of offering costs (in units)	477,762	4,535,951	477,762	4,585,951
Units issued in connection with employee stock purchase plan			$ 3,427	$ 2,638
Units issued in connection with employee stock purchase plan (units)			29,475	25,234
Units repurchased and retired to satisfy tax withholding upon vesting	$ (6,131)	$ (432)	$ (15,849)	$ (3,500)
Amortization of share-based compensation	$ 21,063	$ 22,050	$ 49,851	$ 36,480
Vesting of restricted common units, net (units)	54,595	54,701	340,119	(217,277)
Reclassification of vested share-based awards	$ (2,322)	$ (1,497)	$ (22,870)	$ (16,504)
Adjustment to redeemable partnership units			(1,709)	(3,491)
Distributions	(328,279)	(300,851)	(655,244)	(596,481)
Net income (loss)	109,369	53,676	481,775	256,535
Ending balance	$ 16,694,233	$ 15,908,456	$ 16,694,233	$ 15,908,456	$ 16,631,747
Ending balance (units)	282,603,152	268,399,073	282,603,152	268,399,073	280,289,726
General Partner | Common Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Redemption of preferred units	$ 18,000		$ 18,000
Limited Partners | Common Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 577,015	$ 673,051	$ 609,190	$ 711,650	$ 711,650
Beginning balance (units)	7,741,271	8,473,386	8,046,267	8,843,155	8,843,155
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units	$ (57,784)	$ (18,045)	$ (111,397)	$ (70,282)
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units (units)	(698,485)	(212,859)	(1,340,675)	(805,812)
Issuance of common units, net of forfeitures (units)		(27,292)	349,817	250,476
Reclassification of vested share-based awards	$ 2,322	$ 1,497	$ 22,870	$ 16,504
Distributions	(7,801)	(10,128)	(16,502)	(19,150)
Net income (loss)	3,127	1,682	12,718	9,335
Ending balance	$ 516,879	$ 648,057	$ 516,879	$ 648,057	$ 609,190
Ending balance (units)	7,055,409	8,287,819	7,055,409	8,287,819	8,046,267

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_4

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 520,474	$ 304,676
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gain on disposition of properties, net	(334,420)	(304,801)
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated entities	(29,112)	86,628
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	57,037	9,231
Depreciation and amortization	738,714	640,622
Amortization of share-based compensation	47,668	35,580
Loss from early extinguishment of debt	18,347	632
Amortization of acquired above-market leases and acquired below-market leases, net	4,157	7,087
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount / premium	9,571	9,820
Other items, net	(2,066)	(10,944)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Increase in accounts receivable and other assets	(146,503)	(48,345)
Decrease in accounts payable and other liabilities	(33,945)	(17,816)
Net cash provided by operating activities	849,922	712,370
Cash flows from investing activities:
Improvements to investments in real estate	(1,081,446)	(854,885)
Cash paid for business combinations and assets acquisition, net of cash and restricted cash acquired	(168,439)	(234,448)
Proceeds from (investment in) unconsolidated entities	6,131
Proceeds from (investment in) unconsolidated entities		(94,169)
Proceeds from sale of real estate	703,936	526,362
Other investing activities, net	(18,827)	(21,675)
Net cash used in investing activities	(558,645)	(678,815)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds (payments on) from credit facilities	508,169	(287,271)
Borrowings on secured / unsecured debt	1,218,650	2,357,417
Repayments on secured / unsecured debt	(886,963)	(1,436,362)
Premium paid for early extinguishment of debt	(16,482)
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests	70,585	36,876
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock, Net	75,438	639,881
Redemption of preferred stock	(201,250)
Payments of dividends and distributions	(1,021,893)	(892,911)
Other financing activities, net	(21,602)	(12,802)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(275,348)	404,828
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	15,929	438,383
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(11,068)	(16,603)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	123,652	97,253
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	128,513	519,033
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	520,474	304,676
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gain on disposition of properties, net	(334,420)	(304,801)
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated entities	(29,112)	86,628
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	57,037	9,231
Depreciation and amortization	738,714	640,622
Amortization of share-based compensation	47,668	35,580
Loss from early extinguishment of debt	18,347	632
Amortization of acquired above-market leases and acquired below-market leases, net	4,157	7,087
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount / premium	9,571	9,820
Other items, net	(2,066)	(10,944)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Increase in accounts receivable and other assets	(146,503)	(48,345)
Decrease in accounts payable and other liabilities	(33,945)	(17,816)
Net cash provided by operating activities	849,922	712,370
Cash flows from investing activities:
Improvements to investments in real estate	(1,081,446)	(854,885)
Cash paid for business combinations and assets acquisition, net of cash and restricted cash acquired	(168,439)	(234,448)
Proceeds from (investment in) unconsolidated entities	6,131
Proceeds from (investment in) unconsolidated entities		(94,169)
Proceeds from sale of real estate	703,936	526,362
Other investing activities, net	(18,827)	(21,675)
Net cash used in investing activities	(558,645)	(678,815)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds (payments on) from credit facilities	508,169	(287,271)
Borrowings on secured / unsecured debt	1,218,650	2,357,417
Repayments on secured / unsecured debt	(886,963)	(1,436,362)
Premium paid for early extinguishment of debt	(16,482)
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests	70,585	36,876
General partner contributions	75,438	639,881
General partner distributions	(201,250)
Payments of dividends and distributions	(1,021,893)	(892,911)
Other financing activities, net	(21,602)	(12,802)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(275,348)	404,828
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	15,929	438,383
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(11,068)	(16,603)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	123,652	97,253
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$ 128,513	$ 519,033

General

General	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
General
General	1. General Business ​ Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (the Parent), through its controlling interest in Digital Realty Trust, L.P. (the Operating Partnership or the OP) and the subsidiaries of the OP (collectively, we, our, us or the Company), is a leading global provider of data center (including colocation and interconnection) solutions for customers across a variety of industry verticals ranging from cloud and information technology services, social networking and communications to financial services, manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and consumer products. The OP, a Maryland limited partnership, is the entity through which the Parent, a Maryland corporation, conducts its business of owning, acquiring, developing and operating data centers. The Parent operates as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. ​ Accounting Principles ​ Our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). All material intercompany transactions with consolidated entities have been eliminated. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature that are necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. Interim results are not always indicative of results for a full year. The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (“2020 Form 10-K”), as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, as filed with the SEC, and other filings with the SEC. Basis of Presentation The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements include all accounts of the Parent, the OP and the subsidiaries of the OP. The notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements have been combined. ​ The Parent’s only material asset is its ownership of partnership interests of the OP. As a result, the Parent generally does not conduct business itself, other than acting as the sole general partner of the OP, issuing public securities from time to time and guaranteeing certain unsecured debt of the OP and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates. The Parent has not issued any debt but guarantees the unsecured debt of the OP and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates. ​ The OP holds substantially all the assets of the Company. The OP conducts the operations of the business and has no publicly traded equity. Except for net proceeds from public equity issuances by the Parent, which are generally contributed to the OP in exchange for partnership units, the OP generally generates the capital required by the Company’s business primarily through the OP’s operations, by the OP’s or its affiliates’ direct or indirect incurrence of indebtedness or through the issuance of partnership units. ​ Management Estimates and Assumptions ​ The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience, current market conditions, and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Examples of estimates and assumptions include: the probability of collection of lease payments from customers, the recoverability of the carrying values of investments in real estate, the fair value of share-based compensation awards, loss contingencies, the fair value of and/or potential impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, useful lives of tangible and intangible assets, and the fair value of customer relationships, buildings & improvements, and other tangible and intangible assets acquired in business combinations and asset acquisitions. Actual results and outcomes may differ from management’s estimates and assumptions due to risks and uncertainties. ​ The Company is closely monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all aspects of its business and geographies, including how the pandemic is impacting the Company’s customers and business partners. While the Company has not incurred significant disruptions during the six months ended June 30, 2021 from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are unable to predict the impact the COVID-19 pandemic will have on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows due to numerous uncertainties. ​ New Accounting Pronouncements ​ In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued updated guidance for the accounting for income taxes. The updated guidance is intended to simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing several exceptions contained in existing guidance and amending other existing guidance to simplify several other income tax accounting matters. The Company adopted the updated guidance for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity. ​ We determined that all other recently issued accounting pronouncements that have yet to be adopted by the Company will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or do not apply to our operations. ​ ​

Business Combinations

Business Combinations	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Business Combinations
Business Combinations	2. Business Combinations We obtained control of InterXion Holding N.V. (“Interxion”) on March 9, 2020 and completed the Company’s combination with Interxion (“Interxion Combination”) on March 12, 2020 for total equity consideration of approximately million of assumed cash and cash equivalents. Revenues attributable to Interxion amounted to million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Net income attributable to Interxion amounted to

Investments in Properties

Investments in Properties	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Investments in Properties
Investments in Properties	3. Investments in Properties A summary of our investments in properties as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 is below (in thousands): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Property Type ​ As of June 30, 2021 ​ ​ As of December 31, 2020 Land ​ $ 1,115,383 ​ ​ $ 1,106,392 Acquired ground lease ​ ​ 6,872 ​ ​ ​ 10,308 Buildings and improvements ​ ​ 21,476,874 ​ ​ ​ 21,335,396 Tenant improvements ​ ​ 688,724 ​ ​ ​ 690,892 ​ ​ ​ 23,287,853 ​ ​ ​ 23,142,988 Accumulated depreciation and amortization ​ ​ (5,919,650) ​ ​ ​ (5,555,221) Investments in operating properties, net ​ ​ 17,368,203 ​ ​ ​ 17,587,767 Construction in progress and space held for development ​ ​ 3,270,570 ​ ​ ​ 2,768,325 Land held for future development ​ ​ 143,575 ​ ​ ​ 226,862 Investments in properties, net ​ $ 20,782,348 ​ ​ $ 20,582,954 ​ ​ Disposition On March 16, 2021 we sold a portfolio of 11 data centers in Europe (four in the United Kingdom, three in the Netherlands, three in France and one in Switzerland) to Ascendas Reit, a CapitaLand sponsored REIT, for total purchase consideration of approximately $680.0 million (subject to customary final adjustments for working capital and other items). The total gain recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2021 as a result of this sale was approximately $333.3 million. We will provide transitional property management services for one year from the closing date at a customary market rate. The assets and liabilities sold were not representative of a significant component of our portfolio, nor did the sale represent a significant shift in our strategy.

Leases

Leases	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Leases
Leases	4 Lessor Accounting We lease our operating properties to customers under agreements that are classified as operating leases. The majority of our revenue is derived from lease arrangements. We recognize the total minimum lease payments provided for under the leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term if we determine that it is probable that substantially all of the lease payments will be collected over the lease term. Otherwise, rental revenue is recognized based on the amount contractually due. Generally, under the terms of our leases, the majority of our rental expenses, including common area maintenance, real estate taxes and insurance, are recovered from our customers. We record amounts reimbursed by customers in the period that the applicable expenses are incurred, which is generally ratably throughout the term of the lease. The reimbursements are recognized in rental and other services revenue in the condensed consolidated income statements as we are the primary obligor with respect to purchasing and selecting goods and services from third-party vendors and bearing the associated credit risk. Lessee Accounting We lease space at certain of our data centers from third parties and certain equipment under noncancelable lease agreements. Leases for our data centers expire at various dates through 2069. As of June 30, 2021, certain of our data centers, primarily in Europe and Singapore, are subject to ground leases. As of June 30, 2021, the termination dates of these ground leases generally range from 2041 to 2125. In addition, our corporate headquarters along with several regional office locations are subject to leases with termination dates ranging from 2021 to 2028. The leases generally require us to make fixed rental payments that increase at defined intervals during the term of the lease plus pay our share of common area, real estate and utility expenses as incurred. The leases neither contain residual value guarantees nor impose material restrictions or covenants on us. Further, the leases have been classified and accounted for as either operating or finance leases. Rent expense related to operating leases included in rental property operating and maintenance expense in the condensed consolidated income statements amounted to approximately

Investments in Unconsolidated E

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities	5. Investments in Unconsolidated Entities See below for a summary of our investments in unconsolidated entities accounted for under the equity method of accounting as presented in our condensed consolidated balance sheets (in thousands): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Metropolitan ​ Balance as of Balance as of Entity ​ Entity Formed ​ Area ​ % Ownership ​ June 30, 2021 ​ December 31, 2020 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Ascenty (1) ​ 2019 Brazil / Chile / Mexico 51 % (2) $ 613,086 ​ $ 567,192 Mapletree ​ 2019 ​ Northern Virginia ​ 20 % ​ 178,429 ​ ​ 184,890 Mitsubishi ​ Various Osaka / Tokyo 50 % 181,056 ​ 278,947 Lumen ​ 2012 Hong Kong 50 % 78,923 ​ 86,600 Other ​ Various U.S. Various ​ 67,532 ​ 30,529 Total ​ ​ ​ $ 1,119,026 ​ $ 1,148,158 (1) Our maximum exposure to loss related to this unconsolidated variable interest entity (VIE) is limited to our equity investment in this VIE. (2) Includes an approximate 2% ownership interest held by a non-controlling interest in our entity that holds the investment in the Ascenty entity, which has a carrying value as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 of approximately $19.7 million and $21.9 million, respectively, and is classified within redeemable noncontrolling interests in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. ​ The debt of our unconsolidated entities generally is non-recourse to us, except for customary exceptions pertaining to such matters as intentional misuse of funds, environmental conditions, and material misrepresentations.

Goodwill

Goodwill	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Goodwill.
Goodwill	6. Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Changes in the value of goodwill at June 30, 2021 as compared to December 31, 2020 were immaterial and driven primarily by changes in exchange rates associated with goodwill balances denominated in foreign currencies. ​

Acquired Intangible Assets and

Acquired Intangible Assets and Liabilities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Acquired Intangible Assets and Liabilities
Acquired Intangible Assets and Liabilities	7. Acquired Intangible Assets and Liabilities The following table summarizes our acquired intangible assets and liabilities. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (Amounts in thousands) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Balance as of ​ ​ June 30, 2021 ​ December 31, 2020 ​ ​ ​ Gross Carrying Amount ​ ​ Accumulated Amortization ​ ​ Net Carrying Amount ​ ​ Gross Carrying Amount ​ ​ Accumulated Amortization ​ ​ Net Carrying Amount Customer relationship value ​ $ 2,960,866 ​ $ (657,293) ​ $ 2,303,573 ​ $ 2,993,093 ​ $ (570,886) ​ $ 2,422,207 Acquired in-place lease value ​ ​ 1,341,381 ​ ​ (1,008,732) ​ ​ 332,649 ​ ​ 1,382,563 ​ ​ (1,004,421) ​ ​ 378,142 Other ​ ​ 56,321 ​ ​ (11,109) ​ ​ 45,212 ​ ​ 57,370 ​ ​ (7,107) ​ ​ 50,263 Acquired above-market leases ​ ​ 275,251 ​ ​ (243,700) ​ ​ 31,551 ​ ​ 280,216 ​ ​ (236,923) ​ ​ 43,293 Acquired below-market leases ​ ​ (383,127) ​ ​ 265,746 ​ ​ (117,381) ​ ​ (401,539) ​ ​ 270,648 ​ ​ (130,891) ​ Amortization of customer relationship value, acquired in-place lease value and other intangibles (a component of depreciation and amortization expense) was approximately $66.4 million and $79.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and approximately $134.1 million and $135.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Amortization of acquired below-market leases, net of acquired above-market leases, resulted in a decrease in rental and other services revenue of $(1.1) million and $(3.1) million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $(2.6) million and $(6.4) million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Estimated annual amortization for each of the five succeeding years and thereafter, commencing July 1, 2021 is as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (Amounts in thousands) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Customer relationship value ​ ​ Acquired in-place lease value ​ ​ Other (1) ​ ​ Acquired above-market leases ​ ​ Acquired below-market leases Remainder of 2021 $ 88,088 ​ $ 37,471 ​ $ 4,210 ​ $ 9,962 ​ $ (9,055) 2022 175,004 ​ 58,817 ​ 8,419 ​ 11,209 ​ (15,974) 2023 174,335 ​ 47,776 ​ 1,520 ​ 4,759 ​ (14,289) 2024 173,755 ​ 41,010 ​ — ​ 2,584 ​ (12,676) 2025 173,253 ​ 35,767 ​ — ​ 1,452 ​ (10,779) Thereafter 1,519,138 ​ 111,808 ​ — ​ 1,585 ​ (54,608) Total $ 2,303,573 ​ $ 332,649 ​ $ 14,149 ​ $ 31,551 ​ $ (117,381) ​ ​ ​ ​ (1) Excludes power grid rights in the amount of approximately $31.1 million that are currently not being amortized. Amortization will begin once a data center associated with the power grid right is placed into service ​ ​ ​

Debt

Debt	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Debt
Debt	8. Debt On a standalone basis (e.g., excluding its subsidiaries), Digital Realty Trust, Inc. does not have any indebtedness. The Parent is the guarantor or co-guarantor on all debt held by the OP or its subsidiaries. All debt is currently held directly or indirectly by the OP. A summary of outstanding indebtedness of the OP, together with its subsidiaries, as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 is as follows (in thousands): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 ​ ​ Weighted- ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weighted- ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ average ​ ​ Amount ​ average ​ Amount ​ ​ interest rate ​ ​ Outstanding ​ interest rate ​ Outstanding Global revolving credit facilities ​ 0.98 % ​ $ 1,032,946 ​ 0.91 % $ 540,184 Unsecured term loans ​ — % ​ — ​ 1.20 % 537,470 Unsecured senior notes ​ 2.33 % ​ ​ 12,762,570 ​ 2.49 % ​ 12,096,029 Secured and other debt ​ 3.06 % ​ 242,870 ​ 2.92 % 239,330 Total ​ 2.24 % ​ $ 14,038,386 2.38 % $ 13,413,013 ​ The interest rates presented in the table above represent the interest rates at the end of the periods for the debt outstanding and include the impact of designated interest rate swaps, which effectively fix the interest rate on certain variable rate debt. ​ We borrow in the functional currencies of the countries where we invest. Included in the outstanding balances were borrowings denominated in the following currencies (in thousands): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ June 30, 2021 ​ ​ December 31, 2020 ​ ​ ​ Amount ​ ​ ​ ​ Amount ​ ​ ​ Denomination of Draw Outstanding % of Total ​ Outstanding % of Total U.S. dollar ($) ​ $ 3,822,870 27.2 % ​ $ 3,629,000 27.1 % British pound sterling (£) ​ 2,143,805 15.3 % ​ ​ 2,166,695 ​ 16.2 % Euro ( € ​ ​ 7,757,504 ​ 55.3 % ​ ​ 6,912,142 ​ 51.5 % Other ​ ​ 314,207 ​ 2.2 % ​ ​ 705,176 ​ 5.2 % Total ​ $ 14,038,386 ​ ​ ​ $ 13,413,013 ​ ​ ​ The following table provides details of our unsecured senior notes (balances in thousands) : ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Aggregate Principal at Issuance ​ ​ ​ Balance as of ​ ​ Borrowing Currency ​ USD ​ Maturity Date ​ ​ June 30, 2021 ​ ​ December 31, 2020 Floating rate notes due 2022 ​ € 300,000 ​ $ 349,800 ​ Sep 23, 2022 ​ $ 355,740 ​ $ 366,480 0.125% notes due 2022 ​ € 300,000 ​ $ 332,760 ​ Oct 15, 2022 ​ ​ 355,740 ​ ​ 366,480 2.750% notes due 2023 ​ $ 350,000 ​ $ 350,000 ​ Feb 1, 2023 ​ ​ - ​ ​ 350,000 2.625% notes due 2024 ​ € 600,000 ​ $ 677,040 ​ Apr 15, 2024 ​ ​ 711,480 ​ ​ 732,960 2.750% notes due 2024 ​ £ 250,000 ​ $ 324,925 ​ Jul 19, 2024 ​ ​ 345,775 ​ ​ 341,750 4.250% notes due 2025 ​ £ 400,000 ​ $ 634,480 ​ Jan 17, 2025 ​ ​ 553,240 ​ ​ 546,800 0.625% notes due 2025 ​ € 650,000 ​ $ 720,980 ​ Jul 15, 2025 ​ ​ 770,770 ​ ​ 794,040 4.750% notes due 2025 ​ $ 450,000 ​ $ 450,000 ​ Oct 1, 2025 ​ ​ 450,000 ​ ​ 450,000 2.500% notes due 2026 ​ € 1,075,000 ​ $ 1,224,640 ​ Jan 16, 2026 ​ ​ 1,274,735 ​ ​ 1,313,219 3.700% notes due 2027 ​ $ 1,000,000 ​ $ 1,000,000 ​ Aug 15, 2027 ​ ​ 1,000,000 ​ ​ 1,000,000 1.125% notes due 2028 ​ € 500,000 ​ $ 548,550 ​ Apr 09, 2028 ​ ​ 592,900 ​ ​ 610,800 4.450% notes due 2028 ​ $ 650,000 ​ $ 650,000 ​ Jul 15, 2028 ​ ​ 650,000 ​ ​ 650,000 3.300% notes due 2029 ​ £ 350,000 ​ $ 454,895 ​ Jul 19, 2029 ​ ​ 484,085 ​ ​ 478,450 3.600% notes due 2029 ​ $ 900,000 ​ $ 900,000 ​ Jul 01, 2029 ​ ​ 900,000 ​ ​ 900,000 1.500% notes due 2030 ​ € 750,000 ​ $ 831,900 ​ Mar 15, 2030 ​ ​ 889,350 ​ ​ 916,200 3.750% notes due 2030 ​ £ 550,000 ​ $ 719,825 ​ Oct 17, 2030 ​ ​ 760,705 ​ ​ 751,850 1.250% notes due 2031 ​ € 500,000 ​ $ 560,950 ​ Feb 1, 2031 ​ ​ 592,900 ​ ​ 610,800 0.625% notes due 2031 ​ € 1,000,000 ​ $ 1,220,700 ​ Jul 15, 2031 ​ ​ 1,185,800 ​ ​ - 1.000% notes due 2032 ​ € 750,000 ​ $ 874,500 ​ Jan 15, 2032 ​ ​ 889,350 ​ ​ 916,200 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ $ 12,762,570 ​ $ 12,096,029 Unamortized discounts, net of premiums ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (37,743) ​ ​ (34,988) Deferred financing costs, net ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (65,784) ​ ​ (64,031) Total unsecured senior notes, net of discount and deferred financing costs ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ $ 12,659,043 ​ $ 11,997,010 ​ The indentures governing our senior notes contain certain covenants, including (1) a leverage ratio not to exceed 60%, (2) a secured debt leverage ratio not to exceed 40% and (3) an interest coverage ratio of greater than 1.50, and also requires us to maintain total unencumbered assets of not less than 150% of the aggregate principal amount of unsecured debt. At June 30, 2021, we were in compliance with each of these financial covenants. The table below summarizes our debt maturities and principal payments as of June 30, 2021 (in thousands): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Global Revolving ​ Unsecured ​ ​ Secured and ​ ​ ​ ​ Credit Facilities (1) Senior Notes Other Debt Total Debt Remainder of 2021 ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ — 2022 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 711,480 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 711,480 2023 ​ ​ 996,766 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 104,000 ​ ​ 1,100,766 2024 ​ 36,180 ​ 1,057,255 ​ — ​ 1,093,435 2025 ​ — ​ 1,774,010 ​ — ​ 1,774,010 Thereafter ​ — ​ 9,219,825 ​ 138,870 ​ 9,358,695 Subtotal ​ $ 1,032,946 ​ $ 12,762,570 ​ $ 242,870 ​ $ 14,038,386 Unamortized net discounts ​ — ​ (37,743) ​ — ​ (37,743) Unamortized deferred financing costs ​ ​ (6,578) ​ ​ (65,784) ​ ​ (460) ​ ​ (72,822) Total ​ $ 1,026,368 ​ $ 12,659,043 ​ $ 242,410 ​ $ 13,927,821 (1) The global revolving credit facility is subject to two six-month extension options exercisable by us. The bank group is obligated to grant the extension options provided we give proper notice, we make certain representations and warranties and no default exists under the global revolving credit facility. ​ During the six months ended June 30, 2021, we recognized a loss on early extinguishment of debt of approximately $18.3 million, mostly due to the redemption of the 2.750% Notes due 2023 in February. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, losses on early extinguishment of debt were not significant.

Earnings per Common Share or Un

Earnings per Common Share or Unit	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Earnings per Common Share or Unit
Earnings per Common Share or Unit	9. Earnings per Common Share or Unit The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share and unit is shown below (in thousands, except share/unit and per share / unit amounts): ​ Digital Realty Trust, Inc. Earnings per Common Share ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Three Months Ended June 30, ​ Six Months Ended June 30, ​ ​ 2021 2020 2021 2020 Net income available to common stockholders ​ $ 127,369 ​ $ 53,676 ​ $ 499,775 ​ $ 256,535 ​ Weighted average shares outstanding—basic ​ 281,791,855 ​ 267,569,823 ​ 281,445,252 ​ 244,866,574 ​ Potentially dilutive common shares: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Unvested incentive units ​ 176,777 ​ 110,178 ​ 167,352 ​ 81,319 ​ Unvested restricted stock ​ ​ 164,787 ​ ​ 312,634 ​ ​ 142,677 ​ ​ 261,758 ​ Forward equity offering ​ — ​ 2,246,171 ​ — ​ 1,845,832 ​ Market performance-based awards ​ 300,438 ​ 505,602 ​ 320,330 ​ 520,531 ​ Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted ​ 282,433,857 ​ 270,744,408 ​ 282,075,611 ​ 247,576,014 ​ Income per share: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Basic ​ $ 0.45 ​ $ 0.20 ​ $ 1.78 ​ $ 1.05 ​ Diluted ​ $ 0.45 ​ $ 0.20 ​ $ 1.77 ​ $ 1.04 ​ ​ Digital Realty Trust, L.P. Earnings per Unit ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Three Months Ended June 30, ​ Six Months Ended June 30, ​ ​ 2021 2020 2021 2020 Net income available to common unitholders ​ $ 130,569 ​ $ 55,076 ​ $ 512,775 ​ $ 265,735 ​ Weighted average units outstanding—basic ​ 288,842,803 ​ 275,544,524 ​ 288,588,250 ​ 252,995,033 ​ Potentially dilutive common units: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Unvested incentive units ​ 176,777 ​ 110,178 ​ 167,352 ​ 81,319 ​ Unvested restricted units ​ ​ 164,787 ​ ​ 312,634 ​ ​ 142,677 ​ ​ 261,758 ​ Forward equity offering ​ — ​ 2,246,171 ​ — ​ 1,845,832 ​ Market performance-based awards ​ 300,438 ​ 505,602 ​ 320,330 ​ 520,531 ​ Weighted average units outstanding—diluted ​ 289,484,805 ​ 278,719,109 ​ 289,218,609 ​ 255,704,473 ​ Income per unit: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Basic ​ $ 0.45 ​ $ 0.20 ​ $ 1.78 ​ $ 1.05 ​ Diluted ​ $ 0.45 ​ $ 0.20 ​ $ 1.77 ​ $ 1.04 ​ ​ The below table shows the securities that would be antidilutive or not dilutive to the calculation of earnings per share and unit. Common units of the Operating Partnership not owned by Digital Realty Trust, Inc. were excluded only from the calculation of earnings per share as they are not applicable to the calculation of earnings per unit. All other securities shown below were excluded from the calculation of both earnings per share and earnings per unit. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Three Months Ended June 30, ​ Six Months Ended June 30, ​ ​ 2021 2020 2021 2020 Weighted average of Operating Partnership common units not owned by Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (excluded only from calculation of earnings per share) 7,050,948 7,974,701 7,142,998 8,128,459 Potentially dilutive Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock 688,978 1,441,895 1,082,497 1,518,997 Potentially dilutive Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock — 1,787,870 — 1,883,473 Potentially dilutive Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock — 1,789,962 1,269,035 1,885,677 Potentially dilutive Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock 1,317,184 1,428,093 1,389,536 1,504,458 Potentially dilutive Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock ​ 1,385,091 ​ 1,501,718 ​ 1,461,173 ​ 1,582,019 ​ Potentially dilutive Series L Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock ​ 2,271,862 ​ 2,463,157 ​ 2,396,654 ​ 2,593,120 ​ Total 12,714,063 18,387,396 14,741,893 19,096,203 ​

Equity and Capital

Equity and Capital	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Equity and Capital
Equity and Capital	10. Equity and Capital Equity Distribution Agreement Digital Realty Trust, Inc. and Digital Realty Trust, L.P., are parties to an at-the-market (ATM) equity offering sales agreement dated January 4, 2019, as amended in 2020 (the “Sales Agreement”). Pursuant to the Sales Agreement, Digital Realty Trust, Inc. can issue and sell common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $1.0 billion through various named agents from time to time. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, Digital Realty Trust, Inc. issued approximately 0.5 million common shares under the Sales Agreement at an average price of $161.57 per share Preferred Stock Redemption On May 17, 2021, Digital Realty Trust, Inc. redeemed all outstanding shares of its Series C cumulative redeemable perpetual preferred stock for $25.211632 per share, or a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends up to but not including the redemption date (the “Series C Preferred Share Redemption”). The transaction resulted in a gain on redemption of $18.0 million, measured as the difference between the cash consideration paid upon redemption, which was $201.3 million and the carrying value of the preferred stock at the time of the redemption, which was $219.3 million. This amount is reflected as gain on redemption of preferred stock which increased net income available to common stockholders. Noncontrolling Interests The following table details the components of noncontrolling interests as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (in thousands): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ June 30, 2021 ​ December 31, 2020 Noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership ​ $ 513,897 ​ $ 608,980 Noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities ​ ​ 192,694 ​ ​ 119,659 Total noncontrolling interests ​ $ 706,591 ​ $ 728,639 ​ ​ Noncontrolling interests are interests in consolidated subsidiaries that are not owned by Digital Realty Trust, Inc. The following table shows the ownership interest in the Operating Partnership as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ June 30, 2021 ​ December 31, 2020 ​ ​ Number of ​ Percentage of ​ Number of ​ Percentage of ​ ​ units total units total Digital Realty Trust, Inc. ​ 282,603,152 ​ 97.6 % 280,289,726 ​ 97.2 % Noncontrolling interests consist of: ​ ​ ​ Common units held by third parties 5,352,766 1.8 % 6,212,369 2.2 % Incentive units held by employees and directors (see Note 15 below) 1,702,643 0.6 % 1,833,898 0.6 % ​ 289,658,561 100.0 % 288,335,993 100.0 % ​ Limited partners have the right to require the Operating Partnership to redeem part or all of their common units for cash based on the fair market value of an equivalent number of shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock at the time of redemption. Alternatively, Digital Realty Trust, Inc. may elect to acquire those common units in exchange for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, issuance of stock rights, specified extraordinary distributions and similar events. The common units and incentive units of the Operating Partnership are classified within equity, except for certain common units issued to certain former DuPont Fabros Technology, L.P. unitholders in the Company’s acquisition of DuPont Fabros Technology, Inc., which are subject to certain restrictions and, accordingly, are not presented as permanent equity in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The redemption value of the noncontrolling Operating Partnership common units and the vested incentive units was approximately $1,009.8 million and $1,078.9 million based on the closing market price of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock on June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The following table shows activity for the noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership for the six months ended June 30, 2021: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Common Units Incentive Units Total As of December 31, 2020 6,212,369 1,833,898 8,046,267 Redemption of common units for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (1) (859,603) — (859,603) Conversion of incentive units held by employees and directors for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (1) — (481,072) (481,072) Incentive units issued upon achievement of market performance condition — 219,652 219,652 Grant of incentive units to employees and directors — 132,041 132,041 Cancellation / forfeitures of incentive units held by employees and directors — (1,876) (1,876) As of June 30, 2021 5,352,766 1,702,643 7,055,409 (1) These redemptions and conversions were recorded as a reduction to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership and an increase to common stock and additional paid in capital based on the book value per unit in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. ​ Dividends and Distributions Digital Realty Trust, Inc. Dividends ​ Digital Realty Trust, Inc. declared and paid the following dividends on its common and preferred stock for the six months ended June 30, 2021 (in thousands, except per share data): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Series C ​ Series J ​ Series K ​ Series L ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Preferred ​ Preferred ​ Preferred ​ Preferred ​ ​ Common ​ Date dividend declared Dividend payment date Stock Stock Stock Stock ​ ​ Stock ​ February 25, 2021 ​ March 31, 2021 ​ $ 3,333 ​ $ 2,625 ​ $ 3,071 ​ $ 4,485 ​ ​ $ 326,965 ​ May 10, 2021 ​ June 30, 2021 ​ ​ — (1) ​ 2,625 ​ ​ 3,071 ​ ​ 4,485 ​ ​ ​ 328,279 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ $ 3,333 ​ $ 5,250 ​ $ 6,142 ​ $ 8,970 ​ ​ $ 655,244 ​ Annual rate of dividend per share ​ ​ $ 1.65625 $ 1.31250 ​ $ 1.46250 ​ $ 1.30000 ​ ​ $ 4.64000 (1) These shares were redeemed in the Series C Preferred Share Redemption on May 17, 2021 as discussed a bove. Digital Realty Trust, L.P. Distributions All distributions on the Operating Partnership’s units are at the discretion of Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s Board of Directors. The Operating Partnership has declared and paid the following distributions on its common and preferred units for the six months ended June 30, 2021 (in thousands, except for per unit data): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Series C ​ Series J ​ Series K ​ Series L ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Preferred ​ Preferred ​ Preferred ​ Preferred ​ Common ​ Date distribution declared Distribution payment date Units Units Units ​ Units ​ Units ​ February 25, 2021 ​ March 31, 2021 ​ $ 3,333 ​ $ 2,625 ​ $ 3,071 ​ $ 4,485 ​ $ 336,041 ​ May 10, 2021 ​ June 30, 2021 ​ — (1) 2,625 ​ 3,071 ​ 4,485 ​ 336,543 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ $ 3,333 ​ $ 5,250 ​ $ 6,142 ​ $ 8,970 ​ $ 672,584 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Annual rate of distribution per unit ​ ​ ​ $ 1.65625 ​ $ 1.31250 ​ $ 1.46250 ​ $ 1.30000 ​ $ 4.64000 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (1) These units were redeemed in connection with the Series C Preferred Share Redemption on May 17, 2021 as discussed above. ​ ​ ​ ​

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net	11. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net The accumulated balances for each item within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are shown below (in thousands) for Digital Realty Trust, Inc. and separately for Digital Realty Trust, L.P: ​ ​ Digital Realty Trust, Inc. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Foreign currency ​ Cash flow ​ Foreign currency net ​ Accumulated other ​ ​ translation ​ hedge ​ investment hedge ​ comprehensive ​ adjustments adjustments adjustments income (loss), net Balance as of December 31, 2020 ​ $ 98,760 ​ $ (2,630) ​ $ 38,880 ​ $ 135,010 Net current period change ​ (104,520) ​ 549 ​ — ​ (103,971) Reclassification to interest expense from interest ​ — ​ 694 ​ — ​ 694 Balance as of June 30, 2021 ​ $ (5,760) ​ $ (1,387) ​ $ 38,880 ​ $ 31,733 ​ Digital Realty Trust, L.P. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Foreign currency ​ ​ ​ Foreign currency net ​ Accumulated other ​ ​ translation ​ Cash flow hedge ​ investment hedge ​ comprehensive ​ adjustments adjustments adjustments income (loss) Balance as of December 31, 2020 ​ $ 98,946 ​ $ (3,823) ​ $ 39,677 ​ $ 134,800 Net current period change ​ (107,324) ​ 563 ​ — ​ (106,761) Reclassification to interest expense from interest ​ — ​ 712 ​ — ​ 712 Balance as of June 30, 2021 ​ $ (8,378) ​ $ (2,548) ​ $ 39,677 ​ $ 28,751 ​

Derivative Instruments

Derivative Instruments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Derivative Instruments
Derivative Instruments	13. Derivative Instruments As of June 30, 2021, there was no impact from netting arrangements as the Company did not have any derivatives in asset positions. There have been no significant changes to our policy or strategy from what was disclosed in our 2020 Form 10-K. A summary of our outstanding interest rate derivative instruments is shown in the subsequent table (in thousands). Summary of Outstanding Interest Rate Derivatives ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Fair Value at Significant Other Notional Amount ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Observable Inputs (Level 2) As of ​ As of ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ As of ​ As of June 30, ​ December 31, ​ Type of ​ Strike ​ Effective ​ Expiration ​ June 30, ​ December 31, 2021 2020 Derivative Rate Date Date 2021 2020 Currently-paying contracts ​ ​ ​ ​ 104,000 ​ 104,000 ​ Swap 1.435 ​ Jan 15, 2016 ​ Jan 15, 2023 ​ (2,031) ​ (2,773) ​ — ​ 77,352 ​ Swap 0.779 ​ Jan 15, 2016 ​ Jan 15, 2021 ​ — ​ (9) $ 104,000 ​ $ 181,352 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ $ (2,031) ​ $ (2,782) ​ ​ As of June 30, 2021, we estimate that an additional $1.4 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense during the twelve months ended June 30, 2022, when the hedged forecasted transactions impact earnings.

Fair Value of Financial Instrum

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	14. Fair Value of Financial Instruments There have been no significant changes in our policy for fair value measurements from what was disclosed in our 2020 Form 10-K. As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the carrying amounts of certain financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses were representative of their fair values. The carrying value of our global revolving credit facilities and unsecured term loans approximates estimated fair value, because these liabilities have variable interest rates and our credit ratings have remained stable. Differences between the carrying value and fair value of our unsecured senior notes and secured debt are caused by differences in interest rates or borrowing spreads that were available to us on June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 as compared to those in effect when the debt was issued or assumed. A comparison of estimated fair value and carrying value of our debt is shown in the subsequent table (in thousands). ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Categorization ​ As of June 30, 2021 ​ As of December 31, 2020 ​ ​ under the fair value ​ Estimated Fair ​ ​ ​ ​ Estimated Fair ​ ​ ​ ​ hierarchy Value Carrying Value Value Carrying Value Global revolving credit facilities Level 2 ​ $ 1,032,946 ​ $ 1,032,946 ​ $ 540,184 ​ $ 540,184 Unsecured term loans Level 2 ​ — ​ — ​ 537,470 ​ 537,470 Unsecured senior notes (1) Level 2 ​ 13,630,380 ​ 12,762,570 ​ 13,359,960 ​ 12,096,029 Secured and other debt (1) Level 2 ​ 250,836 ​ 242,870 ​ 242,051 ​ 239,326 ​ ​ ​ ​ $ 14,914,162 ​ $ 14,038,386 ​ $ 14,679,665 ​ $ 13,413,009 (1) Valuations for our unsecured senior notes and secured debt are determined based on the expected future payments discounted at risk-adjusted rates and quoted market prices .

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies.
Commitments and Contingencies	15. Commitments and Contingencies Our properties require periodic investments of capital for tenant-related capital expenditures and for general capital improvements including ground up construction. From time to time in the normal course of our business, we enter into various construction contracts with third parties that may obligate us to make payments. At June 30, 2021, we had open commitments, including amounts reimbursable of approximately $35.2 million, related to construction contracts of approximately $1.5 billion. In the ordinary course of our business, we may become subject to various legal proceedings. As of June 30, 2021, we were not a party to any legal proceedings which we believe would have a material adverse effect on our operations or financial position. ​

Supplemental Cash Flow Informat

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	16. Supplemental Cash Flow Information Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash balances as of June 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Balance as of (Amounts in thousands) June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Cash and cash equivalents ​ $ 120,482 ​ $ 108,501 Restricted cash (included in other assets) ​ 8,031 ​ 15,151 Total ​ $ 128,513 ​ $ 123,652 ​ ​ We paid $151.7 million and $151.5 million for interest, net of amounts capitalized, for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. ​ We paid $12.7 million and $8.6 million for income taxes, net of refunds, for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Subsequent Events
Subsequent Events	17. Subsequent Events On July 15, 2021, Digital Intrepid Holding B.V., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Operating Partnership, issued and sold CHF 275 million aggregate principal amount of 0.20% Guaranteed Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Notes”) and CHF 270 million aggregate principal amount of 0.55% Guaranteed Notes due 2029 (the “2029 Notes” and together with the 2026 Notes, the “Swiss Franc Notes”). The Swiss Franc Notes are senior unsecured obligations of Digital Intrepid Holding B.V. and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Digital Realty Trust, Inc. and the Operating Partnership. Net proceeds from the offering of the Swiss Franc Notes were approximately CHF 542.3 million after deducting the managers’ commissions and certain offering expenses.

General (Policies)

General (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
General
Business	Business ​ Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (the Parent), through its controlling interest in Digital Realty Trust, L.P. (the Operating Partnership or the OP) and the subsidiaries of the OP (collectively, we, our, us or the Company), is a leading global provider of data center (including colocation and interconnection) solutions for customers across a variety of industry verticals ranging from cloud and information technology services, social networking and communications to financial services, manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and consumer products. The OP, a Maryland limited partnership, is the entity through which the Parent, a Maryland corporation, conducts its business of owning, acquiring, developing and operating data centers. The Parent operates as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements include all accounts of the Parent, the OP and the subsidiaries of the OP. The notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements have been combined. ​ The Parent’s only material asset is its ownership of partnership interests of the OP. As a result, the Parent generally does not conduct business itself, other than acting as the sole general partner of the OP, issuing public securities from time to time and guaranteeing certain unsecured debt of the OP and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates. The Parent has not issued any debt but guarantees the unsecured debt of the OP and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates. ​ The OP holds substantially all the assets of the Company. The OP conducts the operations of the business and has no publicly traded equity. Except for net proceeds from public equity issuances by the Parent, which are generally contributed to the OP in exchange for partnership units, the OP generally generates the capital required by the Company’s business primarily through the OP’s operations, by the OP’s or its affiliates’ direct or indirect incurrence of indebtedness or through the issuance of partnership units.
Management Estimates and Assumptions	Management Estimates and Assumptions ​ The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience, current market conditions, and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Examples of estimates and assumptions include: the probability of collection of lease payments from customers, the recoverability of the carrying values of investments in real estate, the fair value of share-based compensation awards, loss contingencies, the fair value of and/or potential impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, useful lives of tangible and intangible assets, and the fair value of customer relationships, buildings & improvements, and other tangible and intangible assets acquired in business combinations and asset acquisitions. Actual results and outcomes may differ from management’s estimates and assumptions due to risks and uncertainties. ​ The Company is closely monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all aspects of its business and geographies, including how the pandemic is impacting the Company’s customers and business partners. While the Company has not incurred significant disruptions during the six months ended June 30, 2021 from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are unable to predict the impact the COVID-19 pandemic will have on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows due to numerous uncertainties.
New Accounting Pronouncements	New Accounting Pronouncements ​ In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued updated guidance for the accounting for income taxes. The updated guidance is intended to simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing several exceptions contained in existing guidance and amending other existing guidance to simplify several other income tax accounting matters. The Company adopted the updated guidance for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity. ​ We determined that all other recently issued accounting pronouncements that have yet to be adopted by the Company will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or do not apply to our operations.

Investments in Properties (Tabl

Investments in Properties (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Investments in Properties
Schedule of Investments in Properties	A summary of our investments in properties as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 is below (in thousands): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Property Type ​ As of June 30, 2021 ​ ​ As of December 31, 2020 Land ​ $ 1,115,383 ​ ​ $ 1,106,392 Acquired ground lease ​ ​ 6,872 ​ ​ ​ 10,308 Buildings and improvements ​ ​ 21,476,874 ​ ​ ​ 21,335,396 Tenant improvements ​ ​ 688,724 ​ ​ ​ 690,892 ​ ​ ​ 23,287,853 ​ ​ ​ 23,142,988 Accumulated depreciation and amortization ​ ​ (5,919,650) ​ ​ ​ (5,555,221) Investments in operating properties, net ​ ​ 17,368,203 ​ ​ ​ 17,587,767 Construction in progress and space held for development ​ ​ 3,270,570 ​ ​ ​ 2,768,325 Land held for future development ​ ​ 143,575 ​ ​ ​ 226,862 Investments in properties, net ​ $ 20,782,348 ​ ​ $ 20,582,954

Investments in Unconsolidated_2

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
Summary of Financial Information for Unconsolidated Entities	See below for a summary of our investments in unconsolidated entities accounted for under the equity method of accounting as presented in our condensed consolidated balance sheets (in thousands): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Metropolitan ​ Balance as of Balance as of Entity ​ Entity Formed ​ Area ​ % Ownership ​ June 30, 2021 ​ December 31, 2020 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Ascenty (1) ​ 2019 Brazil / Chile / Mexico 51 % (2) $ 613,086 ​ $ 567,192 Mapletree ​ 2019 ​ Northern Virginia ​ 20 % ​ 178,429 ​ ​ 184,890 Mitsubishi ​ Various Osaka / Tokyo 50 % 181,056 ​ 278,947 Lumen ​ 2012 Hong Kong 50 % 78,923 ​ 86,600 Other ​ Various U.S. Various ​ 67,532 ​ 30,529 Total ​ ​ ​ $ 1,119,026 ​ $ 1,148,158 (1) Our maximum exposure to loss related to this unconsolidated variable interest entity (VIE) is limited to our equity investment in this VIE. (2) Includes an approximate 2% ownership interest held by a non-controlling interest in our entity that holds the investment in the Ascenty entity, which has a carrying value as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 of approximately $19.7 million and $21.9 million, respectively, and is classified within redeemable noncontrolling interests in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. ​

Acquired Intangible Assets an_2

Acquired Intangible Assets and Liabilities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Acquired Intangible Assets and Liabilities
Summary of Acquired Intangible Assets and Liabilities	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (Amounts in thousands) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Balance as of ​ ​ June 30, 2021 ​ December 31, 2020 ​ ​ ​ Gross Carrying Amount ​ ​ Accumulated Amortization ​ ​ Net Carrying Amount ​ ​ Gross Carrying Amount ​ ​ Accumulated Amortization ​ ​ Net Carrying Amount Customer relationship value ​ $ 2,960,866 ​ $ (657,293) ​ $ 2,303,573 ​ $ 2,993,093 ​ $ (570,886) ​ $ 2,422,207 Acquired in-place lease value ​ ​ 1,341,381 ​ ​ (1,008,732) ​ ​ 332,649 ​ ​ 1,382,563 ​ ​ (1,004,421) ​ ​ 378,142 Other ​ ​ 56,321 ​ ​ (11,109) ​ ​ 45,212 ​ ​ 57,370 ​ ​ (7,107) ​ ​ 50,263 Acquired above-market leases ​ ​ 275,251 ​ ​ (243,700) ​ ​ 31,551 ​ ​ 280,216 ​ ​ (236,923) ​ ​ 43,293 Acquired below-market leases ​ ​ (383,127) ​ ​ 265,746 ​ ​ (117,381) ​ ​ (401,539) ​ ​ 270,648 ​ ​ (130,891)
Schedule of Estimated Annual Amortization of Customer Relationship Value	Amortization of acquired below-market leases, net of acquired above-market leases, resulted in a decrease in rental and other services revenue of $(1.1) million and $(3.1) million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $(2.6) million and $(6.4) million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Estimated annual amortization for each of the five succeeding years and thereafter, commencing July 1, 2021 is as follows:
Schedule of Estimated Annual Amortization of Acquired of Intangible Assets	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (Amounts in thousands) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Customer relationship value ​ ​ Acquired in-place lease value ​ ​ Other (1) ​ ​ Acquired above-market leases ​ ​ Acquired below-market leases Remainder of 2021 $ 88,088 ​ $ 37,471 ​ $ 4,210 ​ $ 9,962 ​ $ (9,055) 2022 175,004 ​ 58,817 ​ 8,419 ​ 11,209 ​ (15,974) 2023 174,335 ​ 47,776 ​ 1,520 ​ 4,759 ​ (14,289) 2024 173,755 ​ 41,010 ​ — ​ 2,584 ​ (12,676) 2025 173,253 ​ 35,767 ​ — ​ 1,452 ​ (10,779) Thereafter 1,519,138 ​ 111,808 ​ — ​ 1,585 ​ (54,608) Total $ 2,303,573 ​ $ 332,649 ​ $ 14,149 ​ $ 31,551 ​ $ (117,381) ​ ​ ​ ​ (1) Excludes power grid rights in the amount of approximately $31.1 million that are currently not being amortized. Amortization will begin once a data center associated with the power grid right is placed into service

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Debt
Summary of Outstanding Indebtedness of the Operating Partnership	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 ​ ​ Weighted- ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weighted- ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ average ​ ​ Amount ​ average ​ Amount ​ ​ interest rate ​ ​ Outstanding ​ interest rate ​ Outstanding Global revolving credit facilities ​ 0.98 % ​ $ 1,032,946 ​ 0.91 % $ 540,184 Unsecured term loans ​ — % ​ — ​ 1.20 % 537,470 Unsecured senior notes ​ 2.33 % ​ ​ 12,762,570 ​ 2.49 % ​ 12,096,029 Secured and other debt ​ 3.06 % ​ 242,870 ​ 2.92 % 239,330 Total ​ 2.24 % ​ $ 14,038,386 2.38 % $ 13,413,013 ​
Schedule of Debt In Functional Currencies	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ June 30, 2021 ​ ​ December 31, 2020 ​ ​ ​ Amount ​ ​ ​ ​ Amount ​ ​ ​ Denomination of Draw Outstanding % of Total ​ Outstanding % of Total U.S. dollar ($) ​ $ 3,822,870 27.2 % ​ $ 3,629,000 27.1 % British pound sterling (£) ​ 2,143,805 15.3 % ​ ​ 2,166,695 ​ 16.2 % Euro ( € ​ ​ 7,757,504 ​ 55.3 % ​ ​ 6,912,142 ​ 51.5 % Other ​ ​ 314,207 ​ 2.2 % ​ ​ 705,176 ​ 5.2 % Total ​ $ 14,038,386 ​ ​ ​ $ 13,413,013 ​ ​
Schedule of Unsecured Senior Notes	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ June 30, 2021 ​ ​ December 31, 2020 ​ ​ ​ Amount ​ ​ ​ ​ Amount ​ ​ ​ Denomination of Draw Outstanding % of Total ​ Outstanding % of Total U.S. dollar ($) ​ $ 3,822,870 27.2 % ​ $ 3,629,000 27.1 % British pound sterling (£) ​ 2,143,805 15.3 % ​ ​ 2,166,695 ​ 16.2 % Euro ( € ​ ​ 7,757,504 ​ 55.3 % ​ ​ 6,912,142 ​ 51.5 % Other ​ ​ 314,207 ​ 2.2 % ​ ​ 705,176 ​ 5.2 % Total ​ $ 14,038,386 ​ ​ ​ $ 13,413,013 ​ ​
Schedule of Debt Maturities and Principal Maturities	The table below summarizes our debt maturities and principal payments as of June 30, 2021 (in thousands): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Global Revolving ​ Unsecured ​ ​ Secured and ​ ​ ​ ​ Credit Facilities (1) Senior Notes Other Debt Total Debt Remainder of 2021 ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ — 2022 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 711,480 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 711,480 2023 ​ ​ 996,766 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 104,000 ​ ​ 1,100,766 2024 ​ 36,180 ​ 1,057,255 ​ — ​ 1,093,435 2025 ​ — ​ 1,774,010 ​ — ​ 1,774,010 Thereafter ​ — ​ 9,219,825 ​ 138,870 ​ 9,358,695 Subtotal ​ $ 1,032,946 ​ $ 12,762,570 ​ $ 242,870 ​ $ 14,038,386 Unamortized net discounts ​ — ​ (37,743) ​ — ​ (37,743) Unamortized deferred financing costs ​ ​ (6,578) ​ ​ (65,784) ​ ​ (460) ​ ​ (72,822) Total ​ $ 1,026,368 ​ $ 12,659,043 ​ $ 242,410 ​ $ 13,927,821 (1) The global revolving credit facility is subject to two six-month extension options exercisable by us. The bank group is obligated to grant the extension options provided we give proper notice, we make certain representations and warranties and no default exists under the global revolving credit facility.

Earnings per Common Share or _2

Earnings per Common Share or Unit (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Earnings per Common Share or Unit
Summary of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share and Unit	The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share and unit is shown below (in thousands, except share/unit and per share / unit amounts): ​ Digital Realty Trust, Inc. Earnings per Common Share ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Three Months Ended June 30, ​ Six Months Ended June 30, ​ ​ 2021 2020 2021 2020 Net income available to common stockholders ​ $ 127,369 ​ $ 53,676 ​ $ 499,775 ​ $ 256,535 ​ Weighted average shares outstanding—basic ​ 281,791,855 ​ 267,569,823 ​ 281,445,252 ​ 244,866,574 ​ Potentially dilutive common shares: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Unvested incentive units ​ 176,777 ​ 110,178 ​ 167,352 ​ 81,319 ​ Unvested restricted stock ​ ​ 164,787 ​ ​ 312,634 ​ ​ 142,677 ​ ​ 261,758 ​ Forward equity offering ​ — ​ 2,246,171 ​ — ​ 1,845,832 ​ Market performance-based awards ​ 300,438 ​ 505,602 ​ 320,330 ​ 520,531 ​ Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted ​ 282,433,857 ​ 270,744,408 ​ 282,075,611 ​ 247,576,014 ​ Income per share: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Basic ​ $ 0.45 ​ $ 0.20 ​ $ 1.78 ​ $ 1.05 ​ Diluted ​ $ 0.45 ​ $ 0.20 ​ $ 1.77 ​ $ 1.04 ​ ​ Digital Realty Trust, L.P. Earnings per Unit ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Three Months Ended June 30, ​ Six Months Ended June 30, ​ ​ 2021 2020 2021 2020 Net income available to common unitholders ​ $ 130,569 ​ $ 55,076 ​ $ 512,775 ​ $ 265,735 ​ Weighted average units outstanding—basic ​ 288,842,803 ​ 275,544,524 ​ 288,588,250 ​ 252,995,033 ​ Potentially dilutive common units: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Unvested incentive units ​ 176,777 ​ 110,178 ​ 167,352 ​ 81,319 ​ Unvested restricted units ​ ​ 164,787 ​ ​ 312,634 ​ ​ 142,677 ​ ​ 261,758 ​ Forward equity offering ​ — ​ 2,246,171 ​ — ​ 1,845,832 ​ Market performance-based awards ​ 300,438 ​ 505,602 ​ 320,330 ​ 520,531 ​ Weighted average units outstanding—diluted ​ 289,484,805 ​ 278,719,109 ​ 289,218,609 ​ 255,704,473 ​ Income per unit: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Basic ​ $ 0.45 ​ $ 0.20 ​ $ 1.78 ​ $ 1.05 ​ Diluted ​ $ 0.45 ​ $ 0.20 ​ $ 1.77 ​ $ 1.04 ​
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Calculations	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Three Months Ended June 30, ​ Six Months Ended June 30, ​ ​ 2021 2020 2021 2020 Weighted average of Operating Partnership common units not owned by Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (excluded only from calculation of earnings per share) 7,050,948 7,974,701 7,142,998 8,128,459 Potentially dilutive Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock 688,978 1,441,895 1,082,497 1,518,997 Potentially dilutive Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock — 1,787,870 — 1,883,473 Potentially dilutive Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock — 1,789,962 1,269,035 1,885,677 Potentially dilutive Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock 1,317,184 1,428,093 1,389,536 1,504,458 Potentially dilutive Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock ​ 1,385,091 ​ 1,501,718 ​ 1,461,173 ​ 1,582,019 ​ Potentially dilutive Series L Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock ​ 2,271,862 ​ 2,463,157 ​ 2,396,654 ​ 2,593,120 ​ Total 12,714,063 18,387,396 14,741,893 19,096,203

Equity and Capital (Tables)

Equity and Capital (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Class of Stock
Summary of Components of Noncontrolling Interests	The following table details the components of noncontrolling interests as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (in thousands): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ June 30, 2021 ​ December 31, 2020 Noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership ​ $ 513,897 ​ $ 608,980 Noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities ​ ​ 192,694 ​ ​ 119,659 Total noncontrolling interests ​ $ 706,591 ​ $ 728,639
Ownership Interest In The Operating Partnership	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ June 30, 2021 ​ December 31, 2020 ​ ​ Number of ​ Percentage of ​ Number of ​ Percentage of ​ ​ units total units total Digital Realty Trust, Inc. ​ 282,603,152 ​ 97.6 % 280,289,726 ​ 97.2 % Noncontrolling interests consist of: ​ ​ ​ Common units held by third parties 5,352,766 1.8 % 6,212,369 2.2 % Incentive units held by employees and directors (see Note 15 below) 1,702,643 0.6 % 1,833,898 0.6 % ​ 289,658,561 100.0 % 288,335,993 100.0 %
Summary of Activity for Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership	The following table shows activity for the noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership for the six months ended June 30, 2021: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Common Units Incentive Units Total As of December 31, 2020 6,212,369 1,833,898 8,046,267 Redemption of common units for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (1) (859,603) — (859,603) Conversion of incentive units held by employees and directors for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (1) — (481,072) (481,072) Incentive units issued upon achievement of market performance condition — 219,652 219,652 Grant of incentive units to employees and directors — 132,041 132,041 Cancellation / forfeitures of incentive units held by employees and directors — (1,876) (1,876) As of June 30, 2021 5,352,766 1,702,643 7,055,409 (1) These redemptions and conversions were recorded as a reduction to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership and an increase to common stock and additional paid in capital based on the book value per unit in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. ​
Schedule of Dividends and Distributions	Digital Realty Trust, Inc. Dividends ​ Digital Realty Trust, Inc. declared and paid the following dividends on its common and preferred stock for the six months ended June 30, 2021 (in thousands, except per share data): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Series C ​ Series J ​ Series K ​ Series L ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Preferred ​ Preferred ​ Preferred ​ Preferred ​ ​ Common ​ Date dividend declared Dividend payment date Stock Stock Stock Stock ​ ​ Stock ​ February 25, 2021 ​ March 31, 2021 ​ $ 3,333 ​ $ 2,625 ​ $ 3,071 ​ $ 4,485 ​ ​ $ 326,965 ​ May 10, 2021 ​ June 30, 2021 ​ ​ — (1) ​ 2,625 ​ ​ 3,071 ​ ​ 4,485 ​ ​ ​ 328,279 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ $ 3,333 ​ $ 5,250 ​ $ 6,142 ​ $ 8,970 ​ ​ $ 655,244 ​ Annual rate of dividend per share ​ ​ $ 1.65625 $ 1.31250 ​ $ 1.46250 ​ $ 1.30000 ​ ​ $ 4.64000 (1) These shares were redeemed in the Series C Preferred Share Redemption on May 17, 2021 as discussed a bove.
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Class of Stock
Schedule of Dividends and Distributions	The Operating Partnership has declared and paid the following distributions on its common and preferred units for the six months ended June 30, 2021 (in thousands, except for per unit data): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Series C ​ Series J ​ Series K ​ Series L ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Preferred ​ Preferred ​ Preferred ​ Preferred ​ Common ​ Date distribution declared Distribution payment date Units Units Units ​ Units ​ Units ​ February 25, 2021 ​ March 31, 2021 ​ $ 3,333 ​ $ 2,625 ​ $ 3,071 ​ $ 4,485 ​ $ 336,041 ​ May 10, 2021 ​ June 30, 2021 ​ — (1) 2,625 ​ 3,071 ​ 4,485 ​ 336,543 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ $ 3,333 ​ $ 5,250 ​ $ 6,142 ​ $ 8,970 ​ $ 672,584 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Annual rate of distribution per unit ​ ​ ​ $ 1.65625 ​ $ 1.31250 ​ $ 1.46250 ​ $ 1.30000 ​ $ 4.64000 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (1) These units were redeemed in connection with the Series C Preferred Share Redemption on May 17, 2021 as discussed above.

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net	Digital Realty Trust, Inc. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Foreign currency ​ Cash flow ​ Foreign currency net ​ Accumulated other ​ ​ translation ​ hedge ​ investment hedge ​ comprehensive ​ adjustments adjustments adjustments income (loss), net Balance as of December 31, 2020 ​ $ 98,760 ​ $ (2,630) ​ $ 38,880 ​ $ 135,010 Net current period change ​ (104,520) ​ 549 ​ — ​ (103,971) Reclassification to interest expense from interest ​ — ​ 694 ​ — ​ 694 Balance as of June 30, 2021 ​ $ (5,760) ​ $ (1,387) ​ $ 38,880 ​ $ 31,733 ​ Digital Realty Trust, L.P. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Foreign currency ​ ​ ​ Foreign currency net ​ Accumulated other ​ ​ translation ​ Cash flow hedge ​ investment hedge ​ comprehensive ​ adjustments adjustments adjustments income (loss) Balance as of December 31, 2020 ​ $ 98,946 ​ $ (3,823) ​ $ 39,677 ​ $ 134,800 Net current period change ​ (107,324) ​ 563 ​ — ​ (106,761) Reclassification to interest expense from interest ​ — ​ 712 ​ — ​ 712 Balance as of June 30, 2021 ​ $ (8,378) ​ $ (2,548) ​ $ 39,677 ​ $ 28,751

Incentive Plans (Tables)

Incentive Plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Incentive Plans
Schedule of Valuation Assumptions	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Expected Stock Price Risk-Free Interest ​ Award Date Volatility Rate ​ February 19, 2020 ​ 22 % 1.39 % February 20, 2020 ​ 22 % 1.35 % January 1, 2021 ​ 27 % 0.17 % February 25, 2021 ​ 26 % 0.31 %
Schedule of Deferred Compensation	Below is a summary of our compensation expense and unearned compensation (in millions): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Expected ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ period to ​ ​ Deferred Compensation ​ Unearned Compensation recognize ​ ​ Expensed ​ Capitalized ​ As of ​ As of unearned ​ Three Months Ended June 30, June 30, ​ December 31, compensation Type of incentive award 2021 2020 2021 2020 2021 2020 (in years) Long-term incentive units ​ $ 2.8 ​ $ 3.1 ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ 24.9 ​ $ 15.1 2.3 Performance-based awards ​ 6.4 ​ 6.6 ​ 0.1 ​ 0.2 ​ 47.2 ​ 34.4 2.8 Service-based restricted stock units ​ 5.3 ​ 3.6 ​ 0.9 ​ 0.8 ​ 57.6 ​ 41.5 2.8 Interxion awards ​ ​ 4.1 ​ ​ 7.1 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 12.8 ​ ​ 27.2 ​ 1.9 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Six Months Ended June 30, ​ 2021 2020 2021 2020 Long-term incentive units ​ $ 6.0 ​ $ 6.2 ​ $ 0.1 ​ $ 0.1 Performance-based awards ​ 14.9 ​ 11.2 ​ 0.5 ​ 0.4 Service-based restricted stock units ​ ​ 9.2 ​ ​ 6.8 ​ ​ 1.6 ​ ​ 1.6 Interxion awards ​ 14.6 ​ 10.1 ​ — ​ — ​
Summary of Long-Term Incentive Unit Activity	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weighted-Average ​ ​ ​ ​ Grant Date Fair ​ Unvested Long-term Incentive Units ​ Units Value ​ Unvested, beginning of period 235,535 ​ $ 122.22 ​ Granted 132,041 ​ 138.05 ​ Vested (124,984) ​ 122.22 ​ Cancelled or expired (1,876) ​ 128.38 ​ Unvested, end of period 240,716 ​ $ 130.86 ​
Summary of Restricted Stock Activity	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weighted-Average ​ ​ ​ ​ Grant Date Fair ​ Unvested Restricted Stock Shares Value ​ Unvested, beginning of period 783,219 ​ $ 123.04 ​ Granted 243,107 ​ 135.44 ​ Vested (327,773) ​ 120.04 ​ Cancelled or expired (30,366) ​ 129.01 ​ Unvested, end of period 668,187 ​ $ 128.75 ​

Derivative Instruments (Tables)

Derivative Instruments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Derivative Instruments
Schedule of Outstanding Derivative Instruments	Summary of Outstanding Interest Rate Derivatives ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Fair Value at Significant Other Notional Amount ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Observable Inputs (Level 2) As of ​ As of ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ As of ​ As of June 30, ​ December 31, ​ Type of ​ Strike ​ Effective ​ Expiration ​ June 30, ​ December 31, 2021 2020 Derivative Rate Date Date 2021 2020 Currently-paying contracts ​ ​ ​ ​ 104,000 ​ 104,000 ​ Swap 1.435 ​ Jan 15, 2016 ​ Jan 15, 2023 ​ (2,031) ​ (2,773) ​ — ​ 77,352 ​ Swap 0.779 ​ Jan 15, 2016 ​ Jan 15, 2021 ​ — ​ (9) $ 104,000 ​ $ 181,352 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ $ (2,031) ​ $ (2,782) ​ ​

Fair Value of Financial Instr_2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Estimated Fair Value And Carrying Amounts	A comparison of estimated fair value and carrying value of our debt is shown in the subsequent table (in thousands). ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Categorization ​ As of June 30, 2021 ​ As of December 31, 2020 ​ ​ under the fair value ​ Estimated Fair ​ ​ ​ ​ Estimated Fair ​ ​ ​ ​ hierarchy Value Carrying Value Value Carrying Value Global revolving credit facilities Level 2 ​ $ 1,032,946 ​ $ 1,032,946 ​ $ 540,184 ​ $ 540,184 Unsecured term loans Level 2 ​ — ​ — ​ 537,470 ​ 537,470 Unsecured senior notes (1) Level 2 ​ 13,630,380 ​ 12,762,570 ​ 13,359,960 ​ 12,096,029 Secured and other debt (1) Level 2 ​ 250,836 ​ 242,870 ​ 242,051 ​ 239,326 ​ ​ ​ ​ $ 14,914,162 ​ $ 14,038,386 ​ $ 14,679,665 ​ $ 13,413,009 (1) Valuations for our unsecured senior notes and secured debt are determined based on the expected future payments discounted at risk-adjusted rates and quoted market prices .

Supplemental Cash Flow Inform_2

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Schedule of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Balance as of (Amounts in thousands) June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Cash and cash equivalents ​ $ 120,482 ​ $ 108,501 Restricted cash (included in other assets) ​ 8,031 ​ 15,151 Total ​ $ 128,513 ​ $ 123,652

Business Combinations - Narrati

Business Combinations - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 12, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenues		$ 1,093,188	$ 992,995	$ 2,183,579	$ 1,816,332
Net income		121,254	74,831	507,174	298,845
Interxion Combination
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Assumed cash and cash equivalents	$ 108,500
Total equity consideration	$ 7,000,000
Revenues		244,600	194,500	480,800	241,900
Net income		$ 23,200	$ 9,400	$ 41,200	$ 12,100

Investments in Properties (Deta

Investments in Properties (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Investments in Properties
Land	$ 1,115,383	$ 1,106,392
Acquired ground lease	6,872	10,308
Buildings and improvements	21,476,874	21,335,396
Tenant improvements	688,724	690,892
Total investments in operating properties	23,287,853	23,142,988
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(5,919,650)	(5,555,221)
Investments in operating properties, net	17,368,203	17,587,767
Construction in progress and space held for development	3,270,570	2,768,325
Land held for future development	143,575	226,862
Investments in properties, net	$ 20,782,348	$ 20,582,954

Investments in Properties - Dis

Investments in Properties - Dispositions (Details) - Portfolio Centers in Europe - Disposed of by Sale $ in Millions	Mar. 16, 2021USD ($)property	Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of properties sold	11
Purchase consideration | $	$ 680
Gain on sale | $		$ 333.3
Period of transitional property management services provided after closing on sale of real estate	1 year
UK
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of properties sold	4
Netherlands
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of properties sold	3
France
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of properties sold	3
Switzerland
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of properties sold	1

Leases - Narrative (Details)

Leases - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Leases
Rent expense	$ 37.2	$ 33.3	$ 72.4	$ 57.9

Investments in Unconsolidated_3

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities - Equity Method of Accounting Presented in our Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures	$ 192,694	$ 119,659
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	1,119,026	1,148,158
Ascenty Acquisition
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures	$ 19,700	21,900
Ascenty Acquisition | Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
% Ownership	51.00%
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 613,086	$ 567,192
Ascenty Acquisition | Subsidiary of Operating Partnership subsidiary
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest by noncontrolling interest	2.00%	2.00%
Mapletree JV | Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
% Ownership	20.00%
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 178,429	$ 184,890
Mitsubishi | Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
% Ownership	50.00%
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 181,056	278,947
CenturyLink | Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
% Ownership	50.00%
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 78,923	86,600
Other | Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 67,532	$ 30,529

Acquired Intangible Assets an_3

Acquired Intangible Assets and Liabilities - Summary of Acquired Intangible Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Customer Relationship Value
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amount	$ 2,960,866	$ 2,993,093
Accumulated amortization	(657,293)	(570,886)
Total	2,303,573	2,422,207
Acquired in-place lease value
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amount	1,341,381	1,382,563
Accumulated amortization	(1,008,732)	(1,004,421)
Total	332,649	378,142
Other
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amount	56,321	57,370
Accumulated amortization	(11,109)	(7,107)
Total	45,212	50,263
Acquired above-market leases
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amount	275,251	280,216
Accumulated amortization	(243,700)	(236,923)
Total	31,551	43,293
Acquired below-market leases
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Below-market lease, gross amount	(383,127)	(401,539)
Below-market lease, accumulated amortization	265,746	270,648
Total	(117,381)	$ (130,891)
Power grid rights
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total	$ 31,100

Acquired Intangible Assets an_4

Acquired Intangible Assets and Liabilities - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Customer Relationship Value, Acquired In-Place Lease Value and Other Intangibles
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of customer relationship value, acquired in-place lease value and deferred leasing costs	$ 66.4	$ 79.5	$ 134.1	$ 135.8
Rental and other services | Below-Market Leases, Net of Above-Market Leases
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Decrease in revenue	$ (1.1)	$ (3.1)	$ (2.6)	$ (6.4)

Acquired Intangible Assets An_5

Acquired Intangible Assets And Liabilities - Schedule of Estimated Annual Amortization of Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Customer Relationship Value
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Remainder of 2021	$ 88,088
2022	175,004
2023	174,335
2024	173,755
2025	173,253
Thereafter	1,519,138
Total	2,303,573	$ 2,422,207
Acquired in-place lease value
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Remainder of 2021	37,471
2022	58,817
2023	47,776
2024	41,010
2025	35,767
Thereafter	111,808
Total	332,649	378,142
Other (excludes power grid rights)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Remainder of 2021	4,210
2022	8,419
2023	1,520
Total	14,149
Power grid rights
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Total	31,100
Acquired above-market leases
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Remainder of 2021	9,962
2022	11,209
2023	4,759
2024	2,584
2025	1,452
Thereafter	1,585
Total	31,551	$ 43,293
Acquired below-market leases
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Remainder of 2021	(9,055)
2022	(15,974)
2023	(14,289)
2024	(12,676)
2025	(10,779)
Thereafter	(54,608)
Total	$ (117,381)

Debt - Summary of Outstanding I

Debt - Summary of Outstanding Indebtedness (Details) - Digital Realty Trust, L.P. - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Instrument
Weighted-average interest rate	2.24%	2.38%
Amount Outstanding	$ 14,038,386	$ 13,413,013
Global revolving credit facilities
Debt Instrument
Weighted-average interest rate	0.98%	0.91%
Amount Outstanding	$ 1,032,946	$ 540,184
Unsecured term loans
Debt Instrument
Weighted-average interest rate		1.20%
Amount Outstanding		$ 537,470
Unsecured senior notes
Debt Instrument
Weighted-average interest rate	2.33%	2.49%
Amount Outstanding	$ 12,762,570	$ 12,096,029
Unsecured senior notes | 0.125% notes due 2022
Debt Instrument
Amount Outstanding	355,740	366,480
Unsecured senior notes | 2.750% notes due 2023
Debt Instrument
Amount Outstanding		350,000
Unsecured senior notes | 2.625% notes due 2024
Debt Instrument
Amount Outstanding	711,480	732,960
Unsecured senior notes | 2.750% notes due 2024
Debt Instrument
Amount Outstanding	345,775	341,750
Unsecured senior notes | 4.250% notes due 2025
Debt Instrument
Amount Outstanding	553,240	546,800
Unsecured senior notes | 0.625% notes due 2025
Debt Instrument
Amount Outstanding	770,770	794,040
Unsecured senior notes | 2.500% notes due 2026
Debt Instrument
Amount Outstanding	1,274,735	1,313,219
Unsecured senior notes | 3.700% notes due 2027
Debt Instrument
Amount Outstanding	1,000,000	1,000,000
Unsecured senior notes | 1.125% notes due 2028
Debt Instrument
Amount Outstanding	592,900	610,800
Unsecured senior notes | 4.450% notes due 2028
Debt Instrument
Amount Outstanding	650,000	650,000
Unsecured senior notes | 3.600% notes due 2029
Debt Instrument
Amount Outstanding	900,000	900,000
Unsecured senior notes | 3.300% notes due 2029
Debt Instrument
Amount Outstanding	484,085	478,450
Unsecured senior notes | 3.750% notes due 2030
Debt Instrument
Amount Outstanding	760,705	$ 751,850
Senior Notes.
Debt Instrument
Amount Outstanding	$ 12,762,570
Secured and Other Debt
Debt Instrument
Weighted-average interest rate	3.06%	2.92%
Amount Outstanding	$ 242,870	$ 239,330

Debt - Schedule of Debt Functio

Debt - Schedule of Debt Functional Currencies (Details) - Digital Realty Trust, L.P. - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Instrument
Amount Outstanding	$ 14,038,386	$ 13,413,013
Weighted-average interest rate	2.24%	2.38%
Global revolving credit facilities
Debt Instrument
Amount Outstanding	$ 1,032,946	$ 540,184
Weighted-average interest rate	0.98%	0.91%
Unsecured term loans
Debt Instrument
Amount Outstanding		$ 537,470
Weighted-average interest rate		1.20%
Unsecured senior notes
Debt Instrument
Amount Outstanding	$ 12,762,570	$ 12,096,029
Weighted-average interest rate	2.33%	2.49%
Senior Notes.
Debt Instrument
Amount Outstanding	$ 12,762,570
Secured and Other Debt
Debt Instrument
Amount Outstanding	$ 242,870	$ 239,330
Weighted-average interest rate	3.06%	2.92%
3.750% notes due 2030 | Unsecured senior notes
Debt Instrument
Amount Outstanding	$ 760,705	$ 751,850
2.750% notes due 2023 | Unsecured senior notes
Debt Instrument
Amount Outstanding		350,000
U.S. dollar ($)
Debt Instrument
Amount Outstanding	$ 3,822,870	$ 3,629,000
Weighted-average interest rate	27.20%	27.10%
British pound sterling ()
Debt Instrument
Amount Outstanding	$ 2,143,805	$ 2,166,695
Weighted-average interest rate	15.30%	16.20%
Euro ()
Debt Instrument
Amount Outstanding	$ 7,757,504	$ 6,912,142
Weighted-average interest rate	55.30%	51.50%
Other
Debt Instrument
Amount Outstanding	$ 314,207	$ 705,176
Weighted-average interest rate	2.20%	5.20%

Debt - Unsecured Senior Notes (

Debt - Unsecured Senior Notes (Details) - Digital Realty Trust, L.P. € in Thousands, £ in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2021USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2021EUR (€)	Jun. 30, 2021GBP (£)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 14,038,386			$ 13,413,013
Deferred financing costs	(72,822)
Senior Notes.
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	12,762,570
Deferred financing costs	(65,784)
Unsecured senior notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	12,762,570			12,096,029
Unamortized discounts, net of premiums	(37,743)			(34,988)
Deferred financing costs	(65,784)			(64,031)
Total unsecured senior notes, net of discount and deferred financing costs	12,659,043			11,997,010
Floating Rate Notes due 2022 | Unsecured senior notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount	349,800	€ 300,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 355,740			366,480
0.125% notes due 2022 | Unsecured senior notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	0.125%	0.125%	0.125%
Aggregate principal amount	$ 332,760	€ 300,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 355,740			366,480
2.750% notes due 2023 | Unsecured senior notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	2.75%	2.75%	2.75%
Aggregate principal amount	$ 350,000
Long-term Debt, Gross				350,000
2.625% notes due 2024 | Unsecured senior notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	2.625%	2.625%	2.625%
Aggregate principal amount	$ 677,040	€ 600,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 711,480			732,960
2.750% notes due 2024 | Unsecured senior notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	2.75%	2.75%	2.75%
Aggregate principal amount	$ 324,925		£ 250,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 345,775			341,750
4.250% notes due 2025 | Unsecured senior notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	4.25%	4.25%	4.25%
Aggregate principal amount	$ 634,480		£ 400,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 553,240			546,800
0.625% notes due 2025 | Unsecured senior notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	0.625%	0.625%	0.625%
Aggregate principal amount	$ 720,980	€ 650,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 770,770			794,040
4.750% Notes due 2025 | Unsecured senior notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	4.75%	4.75%	4.75%
Aggregate principal amount	$ 450,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 450,000			450,000
2.500% notes due 2026 | Unsecured senior notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	2.50%	2.50%	2.50%
Aggregate principal amount	$ 1,224,640	€ 1,075,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 1,274,735			1,313,219
3.700% notes due 2027 | Unsecured senior notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	3.70%	3.70%	3.70%
Aggregate principal amount	$ 1,000,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 1,000,000			1,000,000
1.125% notes due 2028 | Unsecured senior notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	1.125%	1.125%	1.125%
Aggregate principal amount	$ 548,550	€ 500,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 592,900			610,800
4.450% notes due 2028 | Unsecured senior notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	4.45%	4.45%	4.45%
Aggregate principal amount	$ 650,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 650,000			650,000
3.300% notes due 2029 | Unsecured senior notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	3.30%	3.30%	3.30%
Aggregate principal amount	$ 454,895		£ 350,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 484,085			478,450
3.600% notes due 2029 | Unsecured senior notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	3.60%	3.60%	3.60%
Aggregate principal amount	$ 900,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 900,000			900,000
1.500% Notes due 2030 | Unsecured senior notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	1.50%	1.50%	1.50%
Aggregate principal amount	$ 831,900	€ 750,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 889,350			916,200
3.750% notes due 2030 | Unsecured senior notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	3.75%	3.75%	3.75%
Aggregate principal amount	$ 719,825		£ 550,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 760,705			751,850
1.250% Notes due 2031 | Unsecured senior notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	1.25%	1.25%	1.25%
Aggregate principal amount	$ 560,950	€ 500,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 592,900			610,800
0.625% notes due 2031 | Unsecured senior notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	0.625%	0.625%	0.625%
Aggregate principal amount	$ 1,220,700	€ 1,000,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 1,185,800
1.000% Notes due 2032 | Unsecured senior notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	1.00%	1.00%	1.00%
Aggregate principal amount	$ 874,500	€ 750,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 889,350			$ 916,200

Debt - Narrative (Details)

Debt - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Debt Instrument
Leverage ratio			60.00%
Secured debt leverage ratio, maximum			40.00%
Interest coverage ratio			1.50
Total unencumbered assets			150.00%
Loss from early extinguishment of debt	$ 0	$ 0	$ (18,347)	$ (632)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Debt Instrument
Loss from early extinguishment of debt			(18,347)	$ (632)
Unsecured senior notes | 2.750% notes due 2023 | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Debt Instrument
Loss from early extinguishment of debt			$ 18,300
Stated interest rate	2.75%		2.75%

Debt - Schedule of Debt Maturit

Debt - Schedule of Debt Maturities And Principal Payments (Details) - Digital Realty Trust, L.P. $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021USD ($)item	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Debt Instrument
Remainder of 2021	$ 0
2022	711,480
2023	1,100,766
2024	1,093,435
2025	1,774,010
Thereafter	9,358,695
Subtotal	14,038,386	$ 13,413,013
Unamortized net discounts	(37,743)
Unamortized deferred financing costs	(72,822)
Total	13,927,821
Global revolving credit facilities
Debt Instrument
Remainder of 2021	0
2022	0
2023	996,766
2024	36,180
2025	0
Thereafter	0
Subtotal	1,032,946	540,184
Unamortized net discounts	0
Unamortized deferred financing costs	(6,578)
Total	$ 1,026,368
Number of extension options | item	2
Debt instrument, extension term	6 months
Unsecured term loans
Debt Instrument
Subtotal		537,470
Senior Notes.
Debt Instrument
Remainder of 2021	$ 0
2022	711,480
2023	0
2024	1,057,255
2025	1,774,010
Thereafter	9,219,825
Subtotal	12,762,570
Unamortized net discounts	(37,743)
Unamortized deferred financing costs	(65,784)
Total	12,659,043
Secured and Other Debt
Debt Instrument
Remainder of 2021	0
2022	0
2023	104,000
2024	0
2025	0
Thereafter	138,870
Subtotal	242,870	$ 239,330
Unamortized net discounts	0
Unamortized deferred financing costs	(460)
Total	$ 242,410

Earnings per Common Share or _3

Earnings per Common Share or Unit - Summary of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share and Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Class of Stock
Net income available to common stockholders	$ 127,369	$ 53,676	$ 499,775	$ 256,535
Weighted average units outstanding-basic (shares/units)	281,791,855	267,569,823	281,445,252	244,866,574
Potentially dilutive common shares/units:
Unvested incentive units (shares/units)	176,777	110,178	167,352	81,319
Unvested restricted stock (shares/units)	164,787	312,634	142,677	261,758
Forward equity offering (shares/units)		2,246,171		1,845,832
Market performance-based awards (shares/units)	300,438	505,602	320,330	520,531
Weighted average shares/units outstanding-diluted (shares/units)	282,433,857	270,744,408	282,075,611	247,576,014
Income per share/unit:
Basic (in dollars per share/unit)	$ 0.45	$ 0.20	$ 1.78	$ 1.05
Diluted (in dollars per share/unit)	$ 0.45	$ 0.20	$ 1.77	$ 1.04
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Class of Stock
Net income available to common stockholders	$ 130,569	$ 55,076	$ 512,775	$ 265,735
Weighted average units outstanding-basic (shares/units)	288,842,803	275,544,524	288,588,250	252,995,033
Potentially dilutive common shares/units:
Unvested incentive units (shares/units)	176,777	110,178	167,352	81,319
Unvested restricted stock (shares/units)	164,787	312,634	142,677	261,758
Forward equity offering (shares/units)		2,246,171		1,845,832
Market performance-based awards (shares/units)	300,438	505,602	320,330	520,531
Weighted average shares/units outstanding-diluted (shares/units)	289,484,805	278,719,109	289,218,609	255,704,473
Income per share/unit:
Basic (in dollars per share/unit)	$ 0.45	$ 0.20	$ 1.78	$ 1.05
Diluted (in dollars per share/unit)	$ 0.45	$ 0.20	$ 1.77	$ 1.04

Earnings per Common Share or _4

Earnings per Common Share or Unit - Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings per Share (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Potentially dilutive securities (shares)	12,714,063	18,387,396	14,741,893	19,096,203
Weighted average of Operating Partnership common units not owned by Digital Realty Trust, Inc.
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Potentially dilutive securities (shares)	7,050,948	7,974,701	7,142,998	8,128,459
Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Potentially dilutive securities (shares)	688,978	1,441,895	1,082,497	1,518,997
Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Potentially dilutive securities (shares)		1,787,870		1,883,473
Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Potentially dilutive securities (shares)		1,789,962	1,269,035	1,885,677
Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Potentially dilutive securities (shares)	1,317,184	1,428,093	1,389,536	1,504,458
Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Potentially dilutive securities (shares)	1,385,091	1,501,718	1,461,173	1,582,019
Series L Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Potentially dilutive securities (shares)	2,271,862	2,463,157	2,396,654	2,593,120

Equity and Capital - Equity Dis

Equity and Capital - Equity Distribution Agreement (Details) - Sales Agreement - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock issued in public offering (shares)	0.5	4.6
Average price per share	$ 161.57	$ 142.39
Amount of shares reserved for future issuance	$ 672.2
Maximum
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Aggregate offering price of the distribution agreement maximum	$ 1,000

Equity and Capital - Preferred

Equity and Capital - Preferred Stock Redemption (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	May 17, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Gain on redemption of preferred stock		$ 18,000	$ 0	$ 18,000
Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Redemption Price Per Share	$ 25.211632
Redemption price	$ 25
Gain on redemption of preferred stock	$ 18,000
Preferred Stock, Redemption Amount, Fair Value	201,300
Carrying value of the preferred stock	$ 219,300

Equity and Capital - Noncontrol

Equity and Capital - Noncontrolling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	$ 513,897	$ 608,980
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures	192,694	119,659
Total noncontrolling interests	706,591	728,639
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures	$ 192,694	$ 119,659

Equity and Capital - Noncontr_2

Equity and Capital - Noncontrolling Interests in Operating Partnership (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Class of Stock
Number of units (units)	282,603,152	280,289,726
Percentage of total	97.60%	97.20%
Common stock conversion ratio	1
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Class of Stock
Redeemable noncontrolling interests - operating partnership	$ 1,009.8	$ 1,078.9
Common units held by third parties
Class of Stock
Common units held by third parties (units)	5,352,766	6,212,369
Percentage of total	1.80%	2.20%
Incentive units held by employees and directors (see Note 15 below)
Class of Stock
Incentive units held by employees and directors (units)	1,702,643	1,833,898
Percentage of total	0.60%	0.60%
Noncontrolling Interests in Operating Partnership
Class of Stock
Number of units (units)	289,658,561	288,335,993
Percentage of total	100.00%	100.00%

Equity and Capital - Summary of

Equity and Capital - Summary of Activity For Noncontrolling Interests in The Operating Partnership (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021shares
Common And Incentive Unit Activity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (units)	8,046,267
Redemption of common units for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	(859,603)
Conversion of incentive units held by employees and directors for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	(481,072)
Incentive units issued upon achievement of market performance condition (units)	219,652
Grant of incentive units to employees and directors (units)	132,041
Cancellation / forfeitures of incentive units held by employees and directors (units)	(1,876)
Ending balance (units)	7,055,409
Common Units
Common And Incentive Unit Activity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (units)	6,212,369
Redemption of common units for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	(859,603)
Conversion of incentive units held by employees and directors for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	0
Incentive units issued upon achievement of market performance condition (units)	0
Grant of incentive units to employees and directors (units)	0
Cancellation / forfeitures of incentive units held by employees and directors (units)	0
Ending balance (units)	5,352,766
Incentive Units
Common And Incentive Unit Activity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (units)	1,833,898
Redemption of common units for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	0
Conversion of incentive units held by employees and directors for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	(481,072)
Incentive units issued upon achievement of market performance condition (units)	219,652
Grant of incentive units to employees and directors (units)	132,041
Cancellation / forfeitures of incentive units held by employees and directors (units)	(1,876)
Ending balance (units)	1,702,643

Equity and Capital - Schedule o

Equity and Capital - Schedule of Dividends and Distributions (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021USD ($)$ / shares
Series C Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	$ 3,333
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit) | $ / shares	$ 1.65625
Series J Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	$ 5,250
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit) | $ / shares	$ 1.31250
Series K Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	$ 6,142
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit) | $ / shares	$ 1.46250
Series L Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	$ 8,970
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit) | $ / shares	$ 1.30000
Common Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	$ 655,244
Common stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit) | $ / shares	$ 4.64000
February 25 2021 | Series C Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	$ 3,333
February 25 2021 | Series J Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	2,625
February 25 2021 | Series K Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	3,071
February 25 2021 | Series L Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	4,485
February 25 2021 | Common Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units	326,965
May 12 2021 | Series J Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	2,625
May 12 2021 | Series K Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	3,071
May 12 2021 | Series L Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	4,485
May 12 2021 | Common Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	328,279
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series C Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	$ 3,333
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit) | $ / shares	$ 1.65625
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series J Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	$ 5,250
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit) | $ / shares	$ 1.31250
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series K Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	$ 6,142
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit) | $ / shares	$ 1.46250
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series L Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	$ 8,970
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit) | $ / shares	$ 1.30000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Common Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	$ 672,584
Common stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit) | $ / shares	$ 4.64000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | February 25 2021 | Series C Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	$ 3,333
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | February 25 2021 | Series J Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	2,625
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | February 25 2021 | Series K Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	3,071
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | February 25 2021 | Series L Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	4,485
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | February 25 2021 | Common Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units	336,041
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | May 12 2021 | Series J Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	2,625
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | May 12 2021 | Series K Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	3,071
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | May 12 2021 | Series L Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	4,485
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | May 12 2021 | Common Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	$ 336,543

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net (Details) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021USD ($)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net
Beginning balance	$ 98,760
Net current period change	(104,520)
Ending balance	(5,760)
Cash flow hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net
Beginning balance	(2,630)
Net current period change	549
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	694
Ending balance	(1,387)
Foreign currency net investment hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net
Beginning balance	38,880
Ending balance	38,880
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net
Beginning balance	135,010
Net current period change	(103,971)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	694
Ending balance	31,733
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net
Beginning balance	18,446,336
Ending balance	18,164,247
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net
Beginning balance	98,946
Net current period change	(107,324)
Ending balance	(8,378)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Cash flow hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net
Beginning balance	(3,823)
Net current period change	563
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	712
Ending balance	(2,548)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Foreign currency net investment hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net
Beginning balance	39,677
Ending balance	39,677
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net
Beginning balance	134,800
Net current period change	(106,761)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	712
Ending balance	$ 28,751

Incentive Plan - Summary of Lon

Incentive Plan - Summary of Long-Term Incentive Units (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021$ / sharesshares
Units
Granted (shares)	132,041
Long-term incentive units
Units
Unvested beginning of period (shares)	235,535
Granted (shares)	132,041
Vested (shares)	(124,984)
Cancelled or expired (shares)	(1,876)
Unvested end of period (shares)	240,716
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested, beginning of period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 122.22
Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	138.05
Vested (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	122.22
Cancelled or expired (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	128.38
Unvested, end of period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 130.86
Long-term incentive units | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	2 years
Long-term incentive units | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	4 years

Incentive Plan - Summary of act

Incentive Plan - Summary of activity for Service-Based Restricted Stock Units (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021$ / sharesshares
Units
Granted (shares)	132,041
Service-Based Restricted Stock Units
Units
Unvested beginning of period (shares)	783,219
Granted (shares)	243,107
Vested (shares)	(327,773)
Cancelled or expired (shares)	(30,366)
Unvested end of period (shares)	668,187
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested, beginning of period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 123.04
Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	135.44
Vested (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	120.04
Cancelled or expired (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	129.01
Unvested, end of period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 128.75
Service-Based Restricted Stock Units | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance period	4 years

Incentive Plan - Market Perform

Incentive Plan - Market Performance Based Awards (Details) $ in Millions	Feb. 27, 2022	Feb. 27, 2021item	Jan. 31, 2021shares	Jun. 30, 2021USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020shares
Market performance-based awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance period		3 years
Number of trials | item		100,000
Fair value of awards | $				$ 25	$ 17.2
Award requisite service period				4 years
Market performance-based awards | 2018 Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting of restricted common units, net (units)			63,498
Market performance-based awards | First Vesting Period in February | 2018 Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage		50.00%
Market performance-based awards | Second Vesting Period in February | 2018 Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage	50.00%
Class D Units | 2018 Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting of restricted common units, net (units)			240,377
Distribution Equivalent Unit | 2018 Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting of restricted common units, net (units)						20,725

Incentive Plan - Assumptions Us

Incentive Plan - Assumptions Used (Details) - Market performance-based awards	Feb. 25, 2021	Jan. 01, 2021	Feb. 20, 2020	Feb. 19, 2020
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected Stock Price Volatility	26.00%	27.00%	22.00%	22.00%
Risk-Free Interest rate	0.31%	0.17%	1.35%	1.39%

Incentive Plan - Schedule of Co

Incentive Plan - Schedule of Compensation Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Long-term incentive units
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Deferred compensation, expensed	$ 2.8	$ 3.1	$ 6	$ 6.2
Deferred compensation, capitalized			0.1	0.1
Unearned Compensation	24.9		$ 24.9		$ 15.1
Expected period to recognize unearned compensation (in years)			2 years 3 months 18 days
Market performance-based awards
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Deferred compensation, expensed	6.4	6.6	$ 14.9	11.2
Deferred compensation, capitalized	0.1	0.2	0.5	0.4
Unearned Compensation	47.2		$ 47.2		34.4
Expected period to recognize unearned compensation (in years)			2 years 9 months 18 days
Service-Based Restricted Stock Units
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Deferred compensation, expensed	5.3	3.6	$ 9.2	6.8
Deferred compensation, capitalized	0.9	0.8	1.6	1.6
Unearned Compensation	57.6		$ 57.6		41.5
Expected period to recognize unearned compensation (in years)			2 years 9 months 18 days
Interxion awards
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Deferred compensation, expensed	4.1	$ 7.1	$ 14.6	$ 10.1
Unearned Compensation	$ 12.8		$ 12.8		$ 27.2
Expected period to recognize unearned compensation (in years)			1 year 10 months 24 days

Incentive Plan - Narrative (Det

Incentive Plan - Narrative (Details) - shares shares in Millions	Feb. 27, 2021	Mar. 09, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021
Interxion Combination
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Additional shares registered for issuance (shares)		0.6
Interxion Combination | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period			2 years
Interxion Combination | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period			3 years
Market performance-based awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance period	3 years
Market performance-based awards | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period			3 years
Market performance-based awards | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period			3 years
Service-Based Restricted Stock Units | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance period			2 years
Service-Based Restricted Stock Units | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance period			4 years
Incentive Award Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares remaining for issuance under Incentive Plan (shares)			5.5
Long-term incentive units | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period			2 years
Long-term incentive units | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period			4 years

Derivative Instruments - Narrat

Derivative Instruments - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021USD ($)
Derivative Instruments
Gain (loss) to be reclassified within twelve months	$ 1.4

Derivative Instruments - Outsta

Derivative Instruments - Outstanding Interest Rate Derivatives (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Interest Rate Swap, 1.435
Currently-paying contracts
Notional Amount	$ 104,000	$ 104,000
Strike Rate	1.435%
Interest Rate Swap, 1.435 | Level 2
Currently-paying contracts
Fair value of derivatives	$ (2,031)	(2,773)
Interest Rate Swap, 0.779
Currently-paying contracts
Notional Amount		77,352
Strike Rate	0.779%
Interest Rate Swap, 0.779 | Level 2
Currently-paying contracts
Fair value of derivatives		(9)
Interest Rate Swap
Currently-paying contracts
Notional Amount	$ 104,000	181,352
Interest Rate Swap | Level 2
Currently-paying contracts
Fair value of derivatives	$ (2,031)	$ (2,782)

Fair Value of Financial Instr_3

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Estimated Fair Value And Carrying Amounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Estimated Fair Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of long-term debt	$ 14,914,162	$ 14,679,665
Carrying Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of long-term debt	14,038,386	13,413,009
Level 2 | Global revolving credit facilities | Estimated Fair Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Lines of credit	1,032,946	540,184
Level 2 | Global revolving credit facilities | Carrying Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Lines of credit	1,032,946	540,184
Level 2 | Unsecured term loans | Estimated Fair Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Lines of credit		537,470
Level 2 | Unsecured term loans | Carrying Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Lines of credit		537,470
Level 2 | Unsecured senior notes | Estimated Fair Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Unsecured senior notes	13,630,380	13,359,960
Level 2 | Unsecured senior notes | Carrying Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Unsecured senior notes	12,762,570	12,096,029
Level 2 | Secured and Other Debt | Estimated Fair Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Secured debt	250,836	242,051
Level 2 | Secured and Other Debt | Carrying Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 242,870	$ 239,326

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2021USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies.
Reimbursable amount of commitments related to construction contracts	$ 35.2
Commitments related to construction contracts	$ 1,500

Supplemental Cash Flow Inform_3

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 120,482		$ 108,501
Restricted cash (included in other assets)	8,031		15,151
Total	128,513	$ 519,033	$ 123,652	$ 97,253
Interest, net of amounts capitalized	151,700	151,500
Income taxes, net of refunds	$ 12,700	$ 8,600

Subsequent Events (Details)

Subsequent Events (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 15, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Subsequent Events
Net proceeds from offering		$ 1,218,650	$ 2,357,417
Subsequent Events | Unsecured senior notes
Subsequent Events
Net proceeds from offering	$ 542,300
Subsequent Events | 0.20% Guaranteed Notes due 2026
Subsequent Events
Aggregate principal amount	$ 275,000
Interest rate	0.20%
Subsequent Events | 0.55% Guaranteed Notes due 2029
Subsequent Events
Aggregate principal amount	$ 270,000
Interest rate	0.55%