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Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
Document And Entity Information - shares	Sep. 30, 2015	Nov. 02, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Registrant Name	BOSTON PROPERTIES INC
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0001037540
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		153,576,272

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
ASSETS
Real estate, at cost	$ 18,412,086	$ 18,231,978
Construction in progress	725,601	736,311
Land held for future development	264,598	268,114
Less: accumulated depreciation	(3,833,277)	(3,547,659)
Total real estate	15,569,008	15,688,744
Cash and cash equivalents	1,387,007	1,763,079
Cash held in escrows	90,379	487,321
Investments in securities	19,645	19,459
Tenant and other receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,164 and $1,142, respectively)	66,446	46,595
Accrued rental income (net of allowance of $1,558 and $1,499, respectively)	737,145	691,999
Deferred charges, net	749,628	831,744
Prepaid expenses and other assets	143,476	164,432
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	217,529	193,394
Total assets	18,980,263	19,886,767
Liabilities:
Mortgage notes payable	4,132,071	4,309,484
Unsecured senior notes (net of discount of $11,092 and $12,296, respectively)	5,288,908	5,287,704
Unsecured line of credit	0	0
Mezzanine notes payable	308,817	309,796
Outside members' notes payable	180,000	180,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	245,200	243,263
Dividends and distributions payable	112,912	882,472
Accrued interest payable	200,916	163,532
Other liabilities	448,680	502,255
Total liabilities	10,917,504	11,878,506
Commitments and contingencies	0	0
Noncontrolling interest:
Redeemable preferred units of the Operating Partnership	0	633
Redeemable interest in property partnership	0	104,692
Equity:
Excess stock, $.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding	0	0
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized
5.25% Series B cumulative redeemable preferred stock, $.01 par value, liquidation preference $2,500 per share, 92,000 shares authorized, 80,000 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014	200,000	200,000
Common stock, $.01 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized, 153,653,500 and 153,192,845 issued and 153,574,600 and 153,113,945 outstanding at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	1,536	1,531
Additional paid-in capital	6,300,780	6,270,257
Dividends in excess of earnings	(627,054)	(762,464)
Treasury common stock at cost, 78,900 shares at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014	(2,722)	(2,722)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(20,625)	(9,304)
Total stockholders’ equity attributable to Boston Properties, Inc.	5,851,915	5,697,298
Noncontrolling interests:
Common units of the Operating Partnership	620,036	603,171
Property partnerships	1,590,808	1,602,467
Total equity	8,062,759	7,902,936
Total liabilities and equity	$ 18,980,263	$ 19,886,767

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Tenant and other receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 1,164	$ 1,142
Accrued rental income, allowance	1,558	1,499
Unsecured senior notes, discount	$ 11,092	$ 12,296
Excess stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Excess stock, shares authorized	150,000,000	150,000,000
Excess stock, shares issued	0	0
Excess stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	250,000,000	250,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	153,653,500	153,192,845
Common stock, shares outstanding	153,574,600	153,113,945
Treasury common stock at cost, shares	78,900	78,900
Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	92,000	92,000
Series B Dividend Rate Percentage	5.25%	5.25%
Series B, Liquidation Preference Per Share (dollars per share)	$ 2,500	$ 2,500
Series B, shares issued	80,000	80,000
Series B, Shares Outstanding (in shares)	80,000	80,000

Consolidated Statements Of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Revenue
Base rent	$ 494,300	$ 484,071	$ 1,471,591	$ 1,402,328
Recoveries from tenants	91,544	90,103	266,932	253,419
Parking and other	25,509	26,236	76,849	76,869
Total rental revenue	611,353	600,410	1,815,372	1,732,616
Hotel revenue	12,619	11,918	35,107	32,478
Development and management services	5,912	6,475	16,102	18,197
Total revenue	629,884	618,803	1,866,581	1,783,291
Expenses
Rental	219,796	215,179	655,610	624,213
Hotel	8,125	7,585	24,196	21,697
General and administrative	20,944	22,589	72,019	75,765
Transaction costs	254	1,402	789	2,500
Depreciation and amortization	153,015	157,245	475,082	466,143
Total expenses	402,134	404,000	1,227,696	1,190,318
Operating income	227,750	214,803	638,885	592,973
Other income (expense)
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	2,647	4,419	20,559	10,069
Interest and other income	3,637	3,421	6,337	6,841
Gains (losses) from investments in securities	(1,515)	(297)	(1,146)	651
Interest expense	(108,727)	(113,308)	(326,018)	(337,839)
Income before gains on sales of real estate	123,792	109,038	338,617	272,695
Gains on sales of real estate	199,479	41,937	294,563	41,937
Net income	323,271	150,975	633,180	314,632
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Noncontrolling interests in property partnerships	(115,240)	(5,566)	(139,712)	(17,473)
Noncontrolling interest—redeemable preferred units of the Operating Partnership	0	(75)	(6)	(1,014)
Noncontrolling interest—common units of the Operating Partnership	(21,302)	(14,963)	(50,906)	(29,819)
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc.	186,729	130,371	442,556	266,326
Preferred dividends	(2,647)	(2,647)	(7,854)	(7,854)
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$ 184,082	$ 127,724	$ 434,702	$ 258,472
Basic earnings per common share attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders:
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 1.20	$ 0.83	$ 2.83	$ 1.69
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	153,595	153,120	153,426	153,077
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders:
Diluted Earnings: Net income, Per Share Amount (in dollars per share)	$ 1.20	$ 0.83	$ 2.82	$ 1.69
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding (in shares)	153,786	153,273	153,825	153,228

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2015

Sep. 30, 2014

Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]

Net income

$ 323,271

$ 150,975

$ 633,180

$ 314,632

Other comprehensive income (loss):

Effective portion of interest rate contracts

(30,156)

(18,050)

Amortization of interest rate contracts

^[1]

627

628

1,882

^[2]

1,881

^[2]

Other comprehensive income (loss)

(29,529)

628

(16,168)

1,881

Comprehensive income

293,742

151,603

617,012

316,513

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

(136,542)

(20,604)

(190,624)

(48,306)

Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

7,056

(65)

4,847

(191)

Comprehensive income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc.

$ 164,256

$ 130,934

$ 431,235

$ 268,016

[1]	Amounts reclassified from comprehensive income primarily to interest expense within the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.
[2]	Consists of amounts from previous interest rate hedging programs.

Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Dividends In Excess Of Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock, At Cost [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Equity, value at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 7,043,618	$ 1,530	$ 200,000	$ 5,662,453	$ (108,552)	$ (2,722)	$ (11,556)	$ 1,302,465
Equity, shares at Dec. 31, 2013		152,983,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Conversion of operating partnership units to Common Stock, shares		70,000
Conversion of operating partnership units to Common Stock, value	0	$ 1		2,367				(2,368)
Conversions of redeemable preferred units to common units	33,306							33,306
Allocated net income for the year	304,822				266,326			38,496
Dividends/distributions declared	(340,766)				(306,340)
Dividends/distributions declared								(34,426)
Shares issued pursuant to stock purchase plan, shares		7,000
Shares issued pursuant to stock purchase plan, value	761			761
Net activity from stock option and incentive plan, shares		40,000
Net activity from stock option and incentive plan, value	22,215	$ 0		5,177				17,038
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in property partnerships	2,980							2,980
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in property partnerships	(21,224)							(21,224)
Amortization of interest rate contracts	1,881						1,690	191
Reallocation of noncontrolling interest	0			13,891				(13,891)
Equity, value at Sep. 30, 2014	7,047,593	$ 1,531	200,000	5,684,649	(148,566)	(2,722)	(9,866)	1,322,567
Equity, shares at Sep. 30, 2014		153,100,000
Equity, value at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 7,902,936	$ 1,531	200,000	6,270,257	(762,464)	(2,722)	(9,304)	2,205,638
Equity, shares at Dec. 31, 2014	153,113,945	153,114,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Conversion of operating partnership units to Common Stock, shares		419,000
Conversion of operating partnership units to Common Stock, value		$ 5		14,152				(14,157)
Conversions of redeemable preferred units to common units	$ 0
Allocated net income for the year	628,053				442,556			185,497
Dividends/distributions declared	(342,453)				(307,146)
Dividends/distributions declared								(35,307)
Shares issued pursuant to stock purchase plan, shares		6,000
Shares issued pursuant to stock purchase plan, value	780			780
Net activity from stock option and incentive plan, shares		36,000
Net activity from stock option and incentive plan, value	33,907			4,600				29,307
Acquisition of redeemable noncontrolling interest in property partnership	(1,586)			(1,586)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in property partnerships	1,758							1,758
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in property partnerships	(144,468)							(144,468)
Effective portion of interest rate contracts	(18,050)						(13,008)	(5,042)
Amortization of interest rate contracts	1,882						1,687	195
Reallocation of noncontrolling interest				12,577				(12,577)
Equity, value at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 8,062,759	$ 1,536	$ 200,000	$ 6,300,780	$ (627,054)	$ (2,722)	$ (20,625)	$ 2,210,844
Equity, shares at Sep. 30, 2015	153,574,600	153,575,000

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 633,180	$ 314,632
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	475,082	466,143
Non-cash compensation expense	22,825	22,708
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	(20,559)	(10,069)
Distributions of net cash flow from operations of unconsolidated joint ventures	6,484	3,130
Losses (gains) from investments in securities	1,146	(651)
Non-cash portion of interest expense	(32,818)	(28,753)
Settlement of accreted debt discount on repurchases of unsecured exchangeable senior notes	0	(92,979)
Gains on sales of real estate	(294,563)	(41,937)
Change in assets and liabilities:
Cash held in escrows	(32,750)	3,957
Tenant and other receivables, net	(19,851)	16,254
Accrued rental income, net	(55,941)	(42,180)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	20,988	(34,804)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(2,937)	4,237
Accrued interest payable	37,384	14,431
Other liabilities	(73,370)	(60,795)
Tenant leasing costs	(55,422)	(63,647)
Total adjustments	(24,302)	155,045
Net cash provided by operating activities	608,878	469,677
Cash flows from investing activities:
Construction in progress	(251,984)	(305,192)
Building and other capital improvements	(84,644)	(57,329)
Tenant improvements	(86,052)	(80,692)
Proceeds from sales of real estate	389,457	103,542
Proceeds from sales of real estate placed in escrow	(200,612)	(99,917)
Proceeds from sales of real estate released from escrow	634,165	0
Cash placed in escrow for land sale contracts	(7,111)	0
Cash released from scrow for land sale contracts	3,250	0
Capital contributions to unconsolidated joint ventures	(20,863)	(47,767)
Capital distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures	24,527	641
Investments in securities, net	(1,332)	(1,542)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	398,801	(488,256)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of mortgage notes payable	(20,137)	(82,030)
Repayment of unsecured exchangeable senior notes	0	(654,521)
Proceeds from real estate financing transaction	6,000	0
Payments on real estate financing transaction	(2,364)	0
Deferred financing costs	(1,288)	(31)
Net proceeds from equity transactions	799	1,530
Redemption of preferred units	(633)	(15,984)
Dividends and distributions	(1,112,019)	(726,314)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest	(108,499)	0
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in property partnerships	1,758	2,980
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in property partnerships	(147,368)	(25,524)
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,383,751)	(1,499,894)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(376,072)	(1,518,473)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,763,079	2,365,137
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	1,387,007	846,664
Supplemental disclosures:
Cash paid for interest	347,367	489,949
Interest capitalized	25,915	44,809
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Additions to real estate included in accounts payable and accrued expenses	28,246	20,016
Dividends and distributions declared but not paid	112,912	112,708
Mortgage notes payable assigned in connection with the sale of real estate	116,993	0
Conversions of noncontrolling interests to stockholders’ equity	14,157	2,368
Conversions of redeemable preferred units to common units	0	33,306
Issuance of restricted securities to employees	$ 43,363	$ 27,445

Organization

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Organization

1. Organization

Boston Properties, Inc. (the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”). The Company is the sole general partner of Boston Properties Limited Partnership (the “Operating Partnership”) and at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 owned an approximate 89.5% general and limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership. Partnership interests in the Operating Partnership are denominated as “common units of partnership interest” (also referred to as “OP Units”), “long term incentive units of partnership interest” (also referred to as “LTIP Units”) or “preferred units of partnership interest” (also referred to as “Preferred Units”). In addition, in February 2012, the Company issued LTIP Units in connection with the granting to employees of outperformance awards (also referred to as “2012 OPP Units”). On February 6, 2015, the measurement period for the Company’s 2012 OPP Unit awards expired and the Company’s total return to shareholders (“TRS”) was sufficient for employees to earn and therefore become eligible to vest in a portion of the 2012 OPP Unit awards (See Notes 8 and 11). In February 2013, February 2014 and February 2015, the Company issued LTIP Units in connection with the granting to employees of multi-year, long-term incentive program (“MYLTIP”) awards (also referred to as “2013 MYLTIP Units,” “2014 MYLTIP Units” and “2015 MYLTIP Units,” respectively, and collectively as “MYLTIP Units”). Because the rights, preferences and privileges of MYLTIP Units differ from other LTIP Units granted to employees as part of the annual compensation process (including, as of February 6, 2015, the 2012 OPP Units), unless specifically noted otherwise, all references to LTIP Units exclude MYLTIP Units (See Notes 8 and 11).

Unless specifically noted otherwise, all references to OP Units exclude units held by the Company. A holder of an OP Unit may present such OP Unit to the Operating Partnership for redemption at any time (subject to restrictions agreed upon at the time of issuance of OP Units to particular holders that may restrict such redemption right for a period of time, generally one year from issuance). Upon presentation of an OP Unit for redemption, the Operating Partnership is obligated to redeem such OP Unit for cash equal to the value of a share of common stock of the Company (“Common Stock”) at such time. In lieu of a cash redemption, the Company may elect to acquire such OP Unit for one share of Common Stock. Because the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at all times equals the number of OP Units that the Company owns, one share of Common Stock is generally the economic equivalent of one OP Unit, and the quarterly distribution that may be paid to the holder of an OP Unit equals the quarterly dividend that may be paid to the holder of a share of Common Stock. When issued, LTIP Units are not economically equivalent in value to a share of Common Stock, but over time can increase in value to one-for-one parity with Common Stock if there is sufficient appreciation in the value of the Company's assets. LTIP Units, whether vested or not, will receive the same quarterly per unit distributions as OP Units, which equal per share dividends on Common Stock (See Note 9).

At September 30, 2015, there was one series of Preferred Units outstanding (i.e., Series B Preferred Units). The Series B Preferred Units were issued to the Company on March 27, 2013 in connection with the Company's issuance of 80,000 shares (8,000,000 depositary shares each representing 1/100th of a share) of 5.25% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock”). The Company contributed the net proceeds from the offering to the Operating Partnership in exchange for 80,000 Series B Preferred Units having terms and preferences generally mirroring those of the Series B Preferred Stock (See Note 9).

All references herein to the Company refer to Boston Properties, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, including the Operating Partnership, collectively, unless the context otherwise requires.

Properties

At September 30, 2015, the Company owned or had interests in a portfolio of 171 commercial real estate properties (the “Properties”) aggregating approximately 46.6 million net rentable square feet, including fourteen properties under construction/redevelopment totaling approximately 4.7 million net rentable square feet. At September 30, 2015, the Properties consisted of:


•	161 office properties, including 130 Class A office properties (including eleven properties under construction/redevelopment) and 31 Office/Technical properties;


•	one hotel;


•	five retail properties (including one property under construction); and


•	four residential properties (including two properties under construction).

The Company owns or controls undeveloped land parcels totaling approximately 479.9 acres.

The Company considers Class A office properties to be centrally located buildings that are professionally managed and maintained, attract high-quality tenants and command upper-tier rental rates, and that are modern structures or have been modernized to compete with newer buildings. The Company considers Office/Technical properties to be properties that support office, research and development, laboratory and other technical uses. The Company’s definitions of Class A Office and Office/Technical properties may be different than those used by other companies.

Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies

2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Boston Properties, Inc. does not have any other significant assets, liabilities or operations, other than its investment in the Operating Partnership, nor does it have employees of its own. The Operating Partnership, not Boston Properties, Inc., generally executes all significant business relationships other than transactions involving securities of Boston Properties, Inc. All majority-owned subsidiaries and joint ventures over which the Company has financial and operating control and variable interest entities (“VIEs”) in which the Company has determined it is the primary beneficiary are included in the consolidated financial statements. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company accounts for all other unconsolidated joint ventures using the equity method of accounting. Accordingly, the Company’s share of the earnings of these joint ventures and companies is included in consolidated net income.

The accompanying interim financial statements are unaudited; however, the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and in conjunction with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring matters) necessary for a fair statement of the financial statements for these interim periods have been included. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be obtained for other interim periods or for the full fiscal year. The year-end consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosure required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report in the Company’s Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company determines the fair value of its unsecured senior notes using market prices. The inputs used in determining the fair value of the Company’s unsecured senior notes are categorized at a level 1 basis (as defined in the accounting standards for Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures) due to the fact that the Company uses quoted market rates to value these instruments. However, the inputs used in determining the fair value could be categorized at a level 2 basis (as defined in the accounting standards for Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures) if trading volumes are low. The Company determines the fair value of its mortgage notes payable using discounted cash flow analyses by discounting the spread between the future contractual interest payments and hypothetical future interest payments on mortgage debt based on current market rates for similar securities. In determining the current market rates, the Company adds its estimates of market spreads to the quoted yields on federal government treasury securities with similar maturity dates to its debt. The inputs used in determining the fair value of the Company’s mortgage notes payable and mezzanine notes payable are categorized at a level 3 basis (as defined in the accounting standards for Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures) due to the fact that the Company considers the rates used in the valuation techniques to be unobservable inputs.

Because the Company’s valuations of its financial instruments are based on these types of estimates, the actual fair values of its financial instruments may differ materially if the Company’s estimates do not prove to be accurate. The following table presents the aggregate carrying value of the Company’s indebtedness and the Company’s corresponding estimate of fair value as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):



	September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
Mortgage notes payable	$	4,132,071	$	4,240,944	$	4,309,484	$	4,449,541
Mezzanine notes payable	308,817		306,116		309,796		306,156
Unsecured senior notes	5,288,908		5,603,968		5,287,704		5,645,819
Total	$	9,729,796	$	10,151,028	$	9,906,984	$	10,401,516

The Company uses interest rate swap agreements to manage its interest rate risk. The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves. To comply with the provisions of ASC 820, the Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. Although the Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by the Company and its counterparties. However, as of September 30, 2015, the Company has assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and has determined that the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the overall valuation of its derivatives. As a result, the Company has determined that its derivative valuations in their entirety are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Out-of-Period Adjustment

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded an additional allocation of net income to the noncontrolling interest holder in its Fountain Square consolidated joint venture totaling approximately $1.9 million related to the cumulative non-cash adjustment to the accretion of the changes in the redemption value of the noncontrolling interest. This resulted in the overstatement of Noncontrolling Interests in Property Partnerships by approximately $1.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and in the understatement of Noncontrolling Interests in Property Partnerships in the aggregate amount of approximately $1.9 million in previous periods prior to 2014. Because this adjustment was not material to the prior periods’ consolidated financial statements and the impact of recording the adjustment in 2014 was not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the Company recorded the related adjustment during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The out-of-period adjustment was identified and recorded during the second quarter of 2014.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On April 10, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-08, “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity” (“ASU 2014-08”). ASU 2014-08 clarifies that discontinued operations presentation applies only to disposals representing a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results (e.g., a disposal of a major geographical area, a major line of business, a major equity method investment or other major parts of an entity). ASU 2014-08 is effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted, and the Company early adopted ASU 2014-08 during the first quarter of 2014. The Company’s adoption of ASU 2014-08 resulted in the operating results and gains on sales of real estate from the operating properties sold during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 not being reflected as Discontinued Operations in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations (See Note 3).

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis” (“ASU 2015-02”). ASU 2015-02 affects reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. ASU 2015-02 modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are VIEs or voting interest entities, eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership and affects the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships. ASU 2015-02 is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. A reporting entity may apply the amendments in ASU 2015-02 using: (a) a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption; or (b) by applying the amendments retrospectively. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2015-02 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs” (“ASU 2015-03”), which requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs is not affected. ASU 2015-03 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years and shall be applied on a retrospective basis, wherein the balance sheet of each individual period presented should be adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2015-03 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Real Estate Activity During the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Real Estate [Abstract]
Real Estate Activity During the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014	3. Real Estate Activity During the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Acquisitions On July 31, 2015, the Company entered into a 99-year ground and air rights lease (the “Lease”) with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (“MDOT”) with respect to the parking garage located at 100 Clarendon Street (the “Clarendon Garage”) and the concourse level of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Back Bay Station (the “Station”). The Lease amends and restates the air rights lease which the Company had assumed in 2010 at the time it acquired its interests in both the Clarendon Garage and the office tower located at 200 Clarendon Street (formerly known as the John Hancock Tower). The Lease requires the Company to pay a total of approximately $37.0 million and provides the Company with options to acquire certain air rights above both the Clarendon Garage and the Station with the amount of developable square footage associated with the air rights to be determined at a later date. The previous lease had 45 years remaining in its term. Upon execution of the Lease, the Company made a $5.0 million payment and the Lease requires the Company’s remaining obligation to be used to fund improvements to the Station. Dispositions On February 19, 2015, the Company completed the sale of a parcel of land within its Washingtonian North property located in Gaithersburg, Maryland for a gross sale price of $8.7 million. Net cash proceeds totaled approximately $8.3 million, resulting in a gain on sale of real estate totaling approximately $3.7 million. The parcel contains approximately 8.5 acres of the Company's approximately 27 acre property. On March 17, 2015, the Company completed the sale of its Residences on The Avenue property located in Washington, DC for a gross sale price of $196.0 million. Net cash proceeds totaled approximately $192.5 million, resulting in a gain on sale of real estate totaling approximately $91.4 million. The Company has agreed to provide net operating income support of up to $6.0 million if the property’s net operating income fails to achieve certain thresholds. This amount has been recorded as a reduction to the gain on sale. The Residences on The Avenue is comprised of 335 apartment units and approximately 50,000 net rentable square feet of retail space, subject to a ground lease that expires on February 1, 2068. The Residences on The Avenue contributed approximately $1.1 million of net income to the Company for the period from January 1, 2015 through March 16, 2015 and $0.7 million and $2.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. On September 18, 2015, a consolidated entity in which the Company has a 50% interest completed the sale of its 505 9th Street, N.W. property located in Washington, DC for approximately $318.0 million, including the assumption by the buyer of approximately $117.0 million of mortgage indebtedness (See Note 5). 505 9th Street, N.W. is an approximately 322,000 net rentable square foot Class A office building. Net cash proceeds totaled approximately $194.6 million, of which the Company’s share was approximately $97.3 million. The Company recognized a gain on sale of real estate totaling approximately $199.5 million, of which approximately $101.1 million was allocated to the outside partners and is included within Noncontrolling Interests in Property Partnerships in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations (See Note 8). 505 9th Street, N.W. contributed approximately $1.1 million of net income to the Company for the period from July 1, 2015 through September 17, 2015, approximately $2.3 million of net income to the Company for the period from January 1, 2015 through September 17, 2015 and $0.5 million and $1.7 million of net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. Development/Redevelopment On May 1, 2015, the Company commenced the redevelopment of Reservoir Place North, a Class A office project with approximately 73,000 net rentable square feet located in Waltham, Massachusetts. On July 23, 2015, the Company commenced construction of its Cambridge Residential project, a residential project aggregating approximately 164,000 square feet comprised of 274 apartment units and approximately 9,000 square feet of retail space located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. On August 13, 2015, the Company acquired an approximately 8,700 square foot parcel of land necessary for the development for a purchase price of approximately $2.0 million. On July 23, 2015, the Company commenced construction of its Reston Signature Site project, a residential project aggregating approximately 514,000 square feet comprised of 508 apartment units and approximately 24,000 square feet of retail space located in Reston Town Center in Reston, Virginia. On August 14, 2015, the Company partially placed in-service 601 Massachusetts Avenue, a Class A office project with approximately 478,000 net rentable square feet located in Washington, DC. On September 10, 2015, the Company partially placed in-service The Point (formerly 99 Third Avenue Retail), a retail project with approximately 17,000 net rentable square feet of retail space located in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Investments In Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Investments In Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

4. Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

The investments in unconsolidated joint ventures consist of the following at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:



		Nominal % Ownership			Carrying Value of Investment (1)
Entity	Properties	Nominal % Ownership			September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
					(in thousands)
Square 407 Limited Partnership	Market Square North	50.0	%		$	(10,046	)	$	(8,022	)
The Metropolitan Square Associates LLC	Metropolitan Square	51.0	%		9,545			8,539
BP/CRF 901 New York Avenue LLC	901 New York Avenue	25.0	%	(2)	(12,015		)	(1,080		)
WP Project Developer LLC	Wisconsin Place Land and Infrastructure	33.3	%	(3)	44,111			45,514
Annapolis Junction NFM, LLC	Annapolis Junction	50.0	%	(4)	27,851			25,246
540 Madison Venture LLC	540 Madison Avenue	60.0	%		69,364			68,128
500 North Capitol LLC	500 North Capitol Street, NW	30.0	%		(3,015		)	(2,250		)
501 K Street LLC	1001 6th Street	50.0	%	(5)	42,653			41,736
Podium Developer LLC	North Station (Phase I - Air Rights)	50.0	%		9,541			4,231
1265 Main Office JV LLC	1265 Main Street	50.0	%		4,182			N/A
BNY Tower Holdings LLC	Dock72 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard	50.0	%		10,282			N/A
					$	192,453		$	182,042

_______________


(1)	Investments with deficit balances aggregating approximately $25.1 million and $11.4 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, have been reflected within Other Liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.


(2)	The Company’s economic ownership has increased based on the achievement of certain return thresholds.


(3)	The Company’s wholly-owned entity that owns the office component of the project also owns a 33.3% interest in the entity owning the land, parking garage and infrastructure of the project.


(4)	The joint venture owns three in-service buildings, one building under construction and two undeveloped land parcels.


(5)	Under the joint venture agreement, the partner will be entitled to up to two additional payments from the venture based on increases in total square footage of the project above 520,000 square feet and achieving certain project returns at stabilization.

Certain of the Company’s unconsolidated joint venture agreements include provisions whereby, at certain specified times, each partner has the right to initiate a purchase or sale of its interest in the joint ventures at an agreed upon fair value. Under these provisions, the Company is not compelled to purchase the interest of its outside joint venture partners.

The combined summarized balance sheets of the Company's unconsolidated joint ventures are as follows:



	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
	(in thousands)
ASSETS
Real estate and development in process, net	$	1,048,836		$	1,034,552
Other assets	240,433			264,097
Total assets	$	1,289,269		$	1,298,649
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’/PARTNERS’ EQUITY
Mortgage and notes payable	$	832,958		$	830,075
Other liabilities	32,715			34,211
Members’/Partners’ equity	423,596			434,363
Total liabilities and members’/partners’ equity	$	1,289,269		$	1,298,649
Company’s share of equity	$	219,705		$	209,828
Basis differentials (1)	(27,252		)	(27,786		)
Carrying value of the Company’s investments in unconsolidated joint ventures (2)	$	192,453		$	182,042

_______________

(1)

This amount represents the aggregate difference between the Company’s historical cost basis and the basis reflected at the joint venture level, which is typically amortized over the life of the related assets and liabilities. Basis differentials occur from impairment of investments and upon the transfer of assets that were previously owned by the Company into a joint venture. In addition, certain acquisition, transaction and other costs may not be reflected in the net assets at the joint venture level.


(2)	Investments with deficit balances aggregating approximately $25.1 million and $11.4 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, have been reflected within Other Liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The combined summarized statements of operations of the Company's unconsolidated joint ventures are as follows:



	For the three months ended September 30,				For the nine months ended September 30,
	2015		2014		2015			2014
	(in thousands)
Total revenue (1)	$	38,197	$	41,958	$	116,881		$	118,429
Expenses
Operating	15,896		15,516		47,995			46,441
Depreciation and amortization	8,832		9,429		26,854			27,688
Total expenses	24,728		24,945		74,849			74,129
Operating income	13,469		17,013		42,032			44,300
Other expense
Interest expense	8,019		7,950		23,985			23,946
Net income	$	5,450	$	9,063	$	18,047		$	20,354

Company’s share of net income	$	2,481	$	4,200	$	20,025	(2)	$	9,403
Basis differential	166		219		534			666
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	$	2,647	$	4,419	$	20,559		$	10,069

_______________

(1)

Includes straight-line rent adjustments of approximately $(0.3) million and $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and approximately $1.7 million and $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Includes net above-/below-market rent adjustments of approximately $(24,000) and $(0.1) million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and approximately $(0.2) million and $(0.1) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

(2)

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company received a distribution of approximately $24.5 million, which was generated from the excess loan proceeds from the refinancing of 901 New York Avenue's mortgage loan to a new 10-year mortgage loan totaling $225.0 million. The Company’s allocation of income and distributions for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was not proportionate to its nominal ownership interest as a result of the achievement of specified investment return thresholds, as provided for in the joint venture agreement.

On May 8, 2015, the Company entered into a joint venture with an unrelated third party to redevelop an existing building into a Class A office building totaling approximately 115,000 net rentable square feet at 1265 Main Street in Waltham, Massachusetts. The joint venture partner contributed real estate and improvements, with an aggregate fair value of approximately $9.4 million, for its initial 50% interest in the joint venture. For its initial 50% interest, the Company will contribute cash totaling approximately $9.4 million as the joint venture incurs costs. The joint venture has entered into a fifteen-year lease with a tenant to occupy 100% of the building.

On June 26, 2015, the Company entered into a joint venture with an unrelated third party to develop Dock72, an office building totaling approximately 670,000 net rentable square feet located at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in Brooklyn, New York. Each partner contributed cash totaling approximately $9.1 million for their initial 50% interest in the joint venture. The joint venture entered into a 96-year ground lease, comprised of an initial term of 46 years, which may be extended by the joint venture to 2111, subject to certain conditions. The joint venture also entered into a 20-year lease with a tenant to occupy approximately 222,000 net rentable square feet at the building. In addition, the joint venture entered into an option agreement pursuant to which it may lease an additional land parcel at the site, which could support between 600,000 and 1,000,000 net rentable square feet of development. In connection with the execution of the option agreement, the joint venture paid a non-refundable option payment of $1.0 million.

On September 22, 2015, a joint venture in which the Company has a 50% interest completed and fully placed in-service Annapolis Junction Building Seven, a Class A office project with approximately 127,000 net rentable square feet located in Annapolis, Maryland.

On September 30, 2015, a joint venture in which the Company has a 50% interest extended the loan collateralized by its Annapolis Junction Building Six property. At the time of the extension, the outstanding balance of the construction loan totaled approximately $13.4 million and was scheduled to mature on November 17, 2015. The extended loan has a total commitment amount of $15.9 million, bears interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.25% per annum and matures on November 17, 2016. Annapolis Junction Building Six is a Class A office property with approximately 119,000 net rentable square feet located in Annapolis, Maryland.

Mortgage Notes Payable (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Mortgage Notes Payable (Notes)	Sep. 30, 2015
Mortgage Notes Payable [Abstract]
Mortgage Notes Payable Disclosure [Text Block]	5. Mortgage Notes Payable On September 18, 2015, in connection with the sale of 505 9th Street, N.W. located in Washington, DC by a consolidated entity in which the Company has a 50% interest, the consolidated entity assigned to the buyer the mortgage loan collateralized by the property totaling approximately $117.0 million. The assigned mortgage loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 5.73% per annum and matures on November 1, 2017 (See Note 3).

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Text Block]

6. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

On February 19, 2015, the Company commenced a planned interest rate hedging program. The Company entered into sixteen forward-starting interest rate swap contracts during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, which fix the 10-year swap rate at a weighted-average rate of approximately 2.437% per annum on notional amounts aggregating $525.0 million. These interest rate swap contracts were entered into in advance of a financing with a target commencement date in September 2016 and maturity in September 2026 (See Note 13). In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, 767 Fifth Partners LLC, which is the consolidated entity (in which the Company has a 60% interest and owns 767 Fifth Avenue (the General Motors Building) in New York City), entered into nine forward-starting interest rate swap contracts, which fix the 10-year swap rate at a weighted-average rate of approximately 2.801% per annum on notional amounts aggregating $250.0 million. These interest rate swap contracts were entered into in advance of a financing with a target commencement date in June 2017 and maturity in June 2027 (See Note 13). The Company's interest rate swap contracts consisted of the following at September 30, 2015:



Derivative Instrument	Aggregate Notional Amount		Effective Date	Maturity Date	Strike Rate Range					Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
Derivative Instrument	Aggregate Notional Amount		Effective Date	Maturity Date	Low			High		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
	(in thousands)										(in thousands)
Boston Properties Limited Partnership:
Interest Rate Swaps	$	475,000	September 1, 2016	September 1, 2026	2.249	%	-	2.571	%	Other Liabilities	$	(9,231	)
Interest Rate Swaps	50,000		September 1, 2016	September 1, 2026	2.238	%	-	2.242	%	Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets	32
	$	525,000									$	(9,199	)
767 Fifth Partners LLC:
Interest Rate Swaps	$	250,000	June 7, 2017	June 7, 2027	2.677	%	-	2.950	%	Other Liabilities	$	(8,851	)
	$	775,000									$	(18,050	)

The Company entered into the interest rate swap contracts designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges to reduce its exposure to the variability in future cash flows attributable to changes in the 10-year swap rate in contemplation of obtaining 10-year fixed-rate financing in September 2016. The Company’s 767 Fifth Partners LLC consolidated entity entered into the interest rate swap contracts designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges to reduce its exposure to the variability in future cash flows attributable to changes in the 10-year swap rate in contemplation of obtaining 10-year fixed-rate financing in June 2017. The Company has formally documented all of its relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. The Company also assesses and documents, both at the hedging instrument’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows associated with the hedged items. All components of the forward-starting interest rate swap contracts were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness. The Company has agreements with each of its derivative counterparties that contain a provision where the Company could be declared in default on its derivative obligations if repayment of the Company's indebtedness is accelerated by the lender due to the Company's default on the indebtedness. As of September 30, 2015, the fair value of derivatives in a net liability position, which excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk and excludes accrued interest, related to these agreements was approximately $18.1 million. As of September 30, 2015, the Company has not posted any collateral related to these agreements. If the Company had breached any of these provisions at September 30, 2015, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements at their termination value of approximately $18.1 million. The Company accounts for the effective portion of changes in the fair value of a derivative in accumulated other comprehensive loss and subsequently reclassifies the effective portion to earnings over the term that the hedged transaction affects earnings. The Company accounts for the ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of a derivative directly in earnings. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company has recorded the changes in fair value of the swap contracts related to the effective portion of the interest rate contracts aggregating approximately $18.1 million in Other Liabilities and approximately $32,000 in Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss within the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company did not record any hedge ineffectiveness. The Company expects that within the next twelve months it will reclassify into earnings as an increase to interest expense approximately $77,000 of the amounts recorded within Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss relating to the forward-starting interest rate swap contracts in effect and as of September 30, 2015.

The following table presents the location in the financial statements of the losses recognized related to the Company's cash flow hedges for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:



	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
	(in thousands)
Amount of loss related to the effective portion recognized in other comprehensive loss	$	(30,156	)	$	—		$	(18,050	)	$	—
Amount of loss related to the effective portion subsequently reclassified to earnings (1)	$	(627	)	$	(628	)	$	(1,882	)	$	(1,881	)
Amount of gain (loss) related to the ineffective portion and amount excluded from effectiveness testing	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—

___________


(1)	Consists of amounts from previous interest rate hedging programs.

The following table reflects the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):



Balance at December 31, 2014	$	(9,304	)
Effective portion of interest rate contracts	(18,050		)
Amortization of interest rate contracts (1)	1,882
Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,847
Balance at September 30, 2015	$	(20,625	)

Balance at December 31, 2013	$	(11,556	)
Amortization of interest rate contracts (1)	1,881
Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(191		)
Balance at September 30, 2014	$	(9,866	)

___________


(1)	Consists of amounts from previous interest rate hedging programs.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for derivative instruments and hedging activities including, but not limited to, risk management strategies, non-hedging derivative instruments, assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and methodologies and assumptions used in determining the amounts.

+ References

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+ Details

Commitments And Contingencies	9 Months Ended
Commitments And Contingencies	Sep. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments And Contingencies	7. Commitments and Contingencies General In the normal course of business, the Company guarantees its performance of services or indemnifies third parties against its negligence. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Company guarantees to certain tenants the obligations of its subsidiaries for the payment of tenant improvement allowances and brokerage commissions in connection with their leases and limited costs arising from delays in delivery of their premises. The Company has letter of credit and performance obligations related to lender and development requirements that total approximately $36.2 million. Certain of the Company’s joint venture agreements include provisions whereby, at certain specified times, each partner has the right to initiate a purchase or sale of its interest in the joint ventures. With limited exception, under these provisions, the Company is not compelled to purchase the interest of its outside joint venture partners (See also Note 8). Under certain of the Company's joint venture agreements, if certain return thresholds are achieved the partners will be entitled to an additional promoted interest or payments. In connection with the assumption of 767 Fifth Avenue’s (the General Motors Building) secured loan by the Company’s consolidated joint venture entity, 767 Venture, LLC, the Company guaranteed the consolidated joint venture’s obligation to fund various escrows, including tenant improvements, taxes and insurance in lieu of cash deposits. As of September 30, 2015, the maximum funding obligation under the guarantee was approximately $13.4 million. The Company earns a fee from the joint venture for providing the guarantee and has an agreement with the outside partners to reimburse the joint venture for their share of any payments made under the guarantee. In connection with 767 Fifth Partners LLC entering into interest rate swap contracts (See Note 6), the Company guaranteed 767 Fifth Partners LLC's obligations under the hedging agreements in favor of each hedge counterparty. 767 Fifth Partners LLC is the entity that owns 767 Fifth Avenue (the General Motors Building). It is a subsidiary of 767 Venture, LLC, a consolidated entity in which the Company has a 60% interest. The Company earns a fee from the joint venture for providing the guarantee and has an agreement with the outside partners to reimburse the joint venture for their share of any payments made under the guarantee. In connection with the mortgage financing collateralized by the Company's 200 Clarendon Street (formerly the John Hancock Tower) property located in Boston, Massachusetts, the Company has agreed to guarantee approximately $21.2 million related to its obligations to provide funds for certain tenant re-leasing costs. In addition, in connection with the execution of the ground and air rights lease with respect to the parking garage at 100 Clarendon Street and the concourse level of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Back Bay Station, the Company has agreed to guarantee its obligations and liabilities under the lease (See Note 3). The mortgage financing will mature on January 6, 2017. In connection with the mortgage financing collateralized by the Company's Fountain Square property located in Reston, Virginia, the Company has agreed to guarantee approximately $0.7 million related to its obligation to provide funds for certain tenant re-leasing costs. The mortgage financing will mature on October 11, 2016. From time to time, the Company (or the applicable joint venture) has also agreed to guarantee portions of the principal, interest or other amounts in connection with other unconsolidated joint venture borrowings. In addition to the financial guarantees referenced above, the Company has agreed to customary environmental indemnifications and nonrecourse carve-outs (e.g., guarantees against fraud, misrepresentation and bankruptcy) on certain of its unconsolidated joint venture loans. In 2009, the Company filed a general unsecured creditor’s claim against Lehman Brothers, Inc. for approximately $45.3 million related to its rejection of a lease at 399 Park Avenue in New York City. On January 10, 2014, the trustee for the liquidation of the business of Lehman Brothers allowed the Company’s claim in the amount of approximately $45.2 million. During 2014, the Company received an initial distribution totaling approximately $7.7 million, which is included in Base Rent in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. On March 11, 2015, the Company received a second interim distribution totaling approximately $4.5 million, which is included in Base Rent in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. On September 9, 2015, the Company received a third interim distribution totaling approximately $3.6 million, which is also included in Base Rent in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, leaving a remaining claim of approximately $29.4 million. The Company will continue to evaluate whether to attempt to sell the remaining claim or wait until the trustee distributes proceeds from the Lehman Brothers estate. Given the inherent uncertainties in bankruptcy proceedings, there can be no assurance as to the timing or amount of additional proceeds, if any, that the Company may ultimately realize on the remaining claim, whether by sale to a third party or by one or more distributions from the trustee. Accordingly, the Company has not recorded any estimated recoveries associated with this gain contingency within its Consolidated Financial Statements at September 30, 2015. Insurance The Company carries insurance coverage on its properties of types and in amounts and with deductibles that it believes are in line with coverage customarily obtained by owners of similar properties. In response to the uncertainty in the insurance market following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Federal Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (as amended, “TRIA”) was enacted in November 2002 to require regulated insurers to make available coverage for “certified” acts of terrorism (as defined by the statute). The expiration date of TRIA was extended to December 31, 2014 by the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 and further extended to December 31, 2020 by the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2015 (“TRIPRA”), and the Company can provide no assurance that it will be extended further. Currently, the Company’s property insurance program per occurrence limits are $1.0 billion for its portfolio insurance program, including coverage for acts of terrorism other than nuclear, biological, chemical or radiological terrorism (“Terrorism Coverage”). The Company also carries $250 million of Terrorism Coverage for 601 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York (“601 Lexington Avenue”) in excess of the $1.0 billion of coverage in the Company’s property insurance program. Certain properties, including the General Motors Building located at 767 Fifth Avenue in New York, New York (“767 Fifth Avenue”), are currently insured in separate insurance programs. The property insurance program per occurrence limits for 767 Fifth Avenue are $1.625 billion, including Terrorism Coverage. The Company also currently carries nuclear, biological, chemical and radiological terrorism insurance coverage for acts of terrorism certified under TRIA (“NBCR Coverage”), which is provided by IXP as a direct insurer, for the properties in our portfolio, including 767 Fifth Avenue, but excluding certain other properties owned in joint ventures with third parties or which the Company manages. The per occurrence limit for NBCR Coverage is $1.0 billion. Under TRIA, after the payment of the required deductible and coinsurance, the NBCR Coverage provided by IXP is backstopped by the Federal Government if the aggregate industry insured losses resulting from a certified act of terrorism exceed a “program trigger.” In 2015, the program trigger is $100 million and the coinsurance is 15%, however, both will increase in subsequent years pursuant to TRIPRA. If the Federal Government pays out for a loss under TRIA, it is mandatory that the Federal Government recoup the full amount of the loss from insurers offering TRIA coverage after the payment of the loss pursuant to a formula in TRIPRA. The Company may elect to terminate the NBCR Coverage if the Federal Government seeks recoupment for losses paid under TRIA, if there is a change in its portfolio or for any other reason. The Company intends to continue to monitor the scope, nature and cost of available terrorism insurance and maintain terrorism insurance in amounts and on terms that are commercially reasonable. The Company also currently carries earthquake insurance on its properties located in areas known to be subject to earthquakes in an amount and subject to self-insurance that the Company believes is commercially reasonable. In addition, this insurance is subject to a deductible in the amount of 5% of the value of the affected property. Specifically, the Company currently carries earthquake insurance which covers its San Francisco region (excluding Salesforce Tower) with a $170 million per occurrence limit (increased on March 1, 2015 from $120 million), and a $170 million annual aggregate limit (increased on March 1, 2015 from $120 million), $20 million of which is provided by IXP, as a direct insurer. The builders risk policy maintained for the development of Salesforce Tower in San Francisco includes a $60 million per occurrence and annual aggregate limit of earthquake coverage. The amount of the Company’s earthquake insurance coverage may not be sufficient to cover losses from earthquakes. In addition, the amount of earthquake coverage could impact the Company’s ability to finance properties subject to earthquake risk. The Company may discontinue earthquake insurance or change the structure of its earthquake insurance program on some or all of its properties in the future if the premiums exceed the Company’s estimation of the value of the coverage. IXP, a captive insurance company which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, acts as a direct insurer with respect to a portion of the Company’s earthquake insurance coverage for its Greater San Francisco properties and the Company’s NBCR Coverage. Insofar as the Company owns IXP, it is responsible for its liquidity and capital resources, and the accounts of IXP are part of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In particular, if a loss occurs which is covered by the Company’s NBCR Coverage but is less than the applicable program trigger under TRIA, IXP would be responsible for the full amount of the loss without any backstop by the Federal Government. IXP would also be responsible for any recoupment charges by the Federal Government in the event losses are paid out and its insurance policy is maintained after the payout by the Federal Government. If the Company experiences a loss and IXP is required to pay under its insurance policy, the Company would ultimately record the loss to the extent of the required payment. Therefore, insurance coverage provided by IXP should not be considered as the equivalent of third-party insurance, but rather as a modified form of self-insurance. In addition, the Operating Partnership has issued a guarantee to cover liabilities of IXP in the amount of $20.0 million. The mortgages on the Company’s properties typically contain requirements concerning the financial ratings of the insurers who provide policies covering the property. The Company provides the lenders on a regular basis with the identity of the insurance companies in the Company’s insurance programs. The ratings of some of the Company’s insurers are below the rating requirements in some of the Company’s loan agreements and the lenders for these loans could attempt to claim that an event of default has occurred under the loan. The Company believes it could obtain insurance with insurers which satisfy the rating requirements. Additionally, in the future, the Company’s ability to obtain debt financing secured by individual properties, or the terms of such financing, may be adversely affected if lenders generally insist on ratings for insurers or amounts of insurance which are difficult to obtain or which result in a commercially unreasonable premium. There can be no assurance that a deficiency in the financial ratings of one or more of the Company’s insurers will not have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company continues to monitor the state of the insurance market in general, and the scope and costs of coverage for acts of terrorism and California earthquake risk in particular, but the Company cannot anticipate what coverage will be available on commercially reasonable terms in future policy years. There are other types of losses, such as from wars, for which the Company cannot obtain insurance at all or at a reasonable cost. With respect to such losses and losses from acts of terrorism, earthquakes or other catastrophic events, if the Company experiences a loss that is uninsured or that exceeds policy limits, the Company could lose the capital invested in the damaged properties, as well as the anticipated future revenues from those properties. Depending on the specific circumstances of each affected property, it is possible that the Company could be liable for mortgage indebtedness or other obligations related to the property. Any such loss could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business and financial condition and results of operations.

Noncontrolling Interests

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Noncontrolling Interests

8. Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling interests relate to the interests in the Operating Partnership not owned by the Company and interests in consolidated property partnerships not wholly-owned by the Company. As of September 30, 2015, the noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership consisted of 16,097,473 OP Units, 1,837,080 LTIP Units (including 216,854 2012 OPP Units), 309,818 2013 MYLTIP Units, 476,320 2014 MYLTIP Units and 368,415 2015 MYLTIP Units held by parties other than the Company.

Noncontrolling Interest—Redeemable Preferred Units of the Operating Partnership

On June 25, 2015, the Company’s Operating Partnership redeemed the remaining 12,667 Series Four Preferred Units for cash totaling approximately $0.6 million, plus accrued and unpaid distributions. The Series Four Preferred Units bore a preferred distribution equal to 2.00% per annum on a liquidation preference of $50.00 per unit and were not convertible into OP Units. The holders of Series Four Preferred Units had the right, at certain times and subject to certain conditions set forth in the Certificate of Designations establishing the rights, limitations and preferences of the Series Four Preferred Units, to require the Operating Partnership to redeem all of their units for cash at the redemption price of $50.00 per unit. The Operating Partnership also had the right, at certain times and subject to certain conditions, to redeem all of the Series Four Preferred Units for cash at the redemption price of $50.00 per unit. In order to secure the performance of certain post-issuance obligations by the holders, all of such outstanding Series Four Preferred Units were subject to forfeiture pursuant to the terms of a pledge agreement and not eligible for redemption until and unless such security interest was released. On May 19, 2014, the Company's Operating Partnership released to the holders 319,687 Series Four Preferred Units that were previously subject to the security interest. On July 3, 2014, the Company's Operating Partnership redeemed such units for cash totaling approximately $16.0 million, plus accrued and unpaid distributions. On October 16, 2014, the Company's Operating Partnership released to the holders 27,773 Series Four Preferred Units that were previously subject to the security interest under the pledge agreement. On November 5, 2014, the Company's Operating Partnership redeemed such units for cash totaling approximately $1.4 million. Due to the holders' redemption option existing outside the control of the Company, the Series Four Preferred Units were presented outside of permanent equity in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

On February 17, 2015, the Operating Partnership paid a distribution on its outstanding Series Four Preferred Units of $0.25 per unit. On May 15, 2015, the Operating Partnership paid a distribution on its outstanding Series Four Preferred Units of $0.25 per unit.

The following table reflects the activity of the noncontrolling interests—redeemable preferred units of the Operating Partnership for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):



Balance at December 31, 2014	$	633
Net income	6
Distributions	(6		)
Redemption of redeemable preferred units (Series Four Preferred Units)	(633		)
Balance at September 30, 2015	$	—

Balance at December 31, 2013	$	51,312
Net income	1,014
Distributions	(1,014		)
Conversion of redeemable preferred units (Series Two Preferred Units) to common units	(33,306		)
Redemption of redeemable preferred units (Series Four Preferred Units)	(15,984		)
Balance at September 30, 2014	$	2,022

Noncontrolling Interest—Redeemable Interest in Property Partnership

On October 4, 2012, the Company completed the formation of a joint venture that owns and operates Fountain Square located in Reston, Virginia. The joint venture partner contributed the property valued at approximately $385.0 million and related mortgage indebtedness totaling approximately $211.3 million for a 50% interest in the joint venture. The Company contributed cash totaling approximately $87.0 million for its 50% interest, which cash was distributed to the joint venture partner. Pursuant to the joint venture agreement (i) the Company had rights to acquire the partner's 50% interest and (ii) the partner had the right to cause the Company to acquire the partner's interest on January 4, 2016, in each case at a fixed price totaling approximately $102.0 million in cash. The fixed price option rights were to expire on January 31, 2016. The Company was consolidating this joint venture due to the Company's right to acquire the partner's 50% interest. The Company recorded the noncontrolling interest at its acquisition-date fair value as temporary equity, due to the redemption option existing outside the control of the Company. The Company was accreting the changes in the redemption value quarterly over the period from the acquisition date to the earliest redemption date using the effective interest method. The Company was recording the accretion after the allocation of net income and distributions of cash flow to the noncontrolling interest account balance.

On August 6, 2015, the parties amended the joint venture agreement to require the Company to acquire its partner's 50% interest on September 15, 2015 for approximately $100.9 million in cash. On September 15, 2015, the Company acquired its partner’s 50% interest in the consolidated entity that owns Fountain Square located in Reston Town Center in Reston, Virginia for cash of approximately $100.9 million plus working capital and closing prorations and the partner's share of assumed mortgage indebtedness totaling approximately $105.6 million.

The following table reflects the activity of the noncontrolling interest—redeemable interest in property partnership in the Company's Fountain Square consolidated entity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):



Balance at December 31, 2014	$	104,692
Net loss	(7		)
Distributions	(2,900		)
Adjustment to reflect redeemable interest at redemption value	5,128
Acquisition of interest	(106,913		)
Balance at September 30, 2015	$	—

Balance at December 31, 2013	$	99,609
Net loss	(519		)
Distributions	(4,300		)
Adjustment to reflect redeemable interest at redemption value	9,315			(1)
Balance at September 30, 2014	$	104,105

_______________


(1)	Includes an out-of-period adjustment totaling approximately $1.9 million (See Note 2).

Noncontrolling Interest—Common Units of the Operating Partnership

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, 418,870 OP Units were presented by the holders for redemption (including 59,826 OP Units issued upon conversion of LTIP Units and 2012 OPP Units) and were redeemed by the Company in exchange for an equal number of shares of Common Stock.

At September 30, 2015, the Company had outstanding 309,818 2013 MYLTIP Units, 476,320 2014 MYLTIP Units and 368,415 2015 MYLTIP Units. Prior to the applicable measurement date (February 4, 2016 for 2013 MYLTIP Units, February 3, 2017 for 2014 MYLTIP Units and February 4, 2018 for 2015 MYLTIP Units), holders of MYLTIP Units will be entitled to receive per unit distributions equal to one-tenth (10%) of the regular quarterly distributions payable on an OP Unit, but will not be entitled to receive any special distributions. After the measurement date, the number of MYLTIP Units, both vested and unvested, that MYLTIP award recipients have earned, if any, based on the establishment of a performance pool, will be entitled to receive distributions in an amount per unit equal to distributions, both regular and special, payable on an OP Unit.

On February 6, 2015, the measurement period for the Company’s 2012 OPP Unit awards ended and the Company’s TRS performance was sufficient for employees to earn and therefore become eligible to vest in a portion of the 2012 OPP Unit awards. The final outperformance pool was determined to be approximately $32.1 million, or approximately 80% of the total maximum outperformance pool of $40.0 million. As a result, 174,549 2012 OPP Units were automatically forfeited.

On January 28, 2015, the Operating Partnership paid a special cash distribution on the OP Units and LTIP Units in the amount of $4.50 per unit, a regular quarterly cash distribution on the OP Units and LTIP Units in the amount of $0.65 per unit, and a regular quarterly distribution on the 2012 OPP Units, 2013 MYLTIP Units and 2014 MYLTIP Units in the amount of $0.065 per unit, to holders of record as of the close of business on December 31, 2014. The special cash distribution was in addition to the regular quarterly distribution on the OP Units and LTIP Units. Unless and until they are earned, holders of OPP Units and MYLTIP Units are not entitled to receive any special distributions. On April 30, 2015, the Operating Partnership paid a distribution on the OP Units and LTIP Units in the amount of $0.65 per unit, a distribution on the 2012 OPP Units in the amount of $0.416 per unit (representing a blended rate for periods prior to and after February 6, 2015, which was the valuation date for the 2012 Outperformance Plan), and a distribution on the 2013 MYLTIP Units, 2014 MYLTIP Units and 2015 MYLTIP Units in the amount of $0.065 per unit, to holders of record as of the close of business on March 31, 2015. On July 31, 2015, the Operating Partnership paid a distribution on the OP Units and LTIP Units (including the 2012 OPP Units) in the amount of $0.65 per unit and a distribution on the 2013 MYLTIP Units, 2014 MYLTIP Units and 2015 MYLTIP Units in the amount of $0.065 per unit, to holders of record as of the close of business on June 30, 2015. On September 16, 2015, Boston Properties, Inc., as general partner of the Operating Partnership, declared a distribution on the OP Units and LTIP Units (including the 2012 OPP Units) in the amount of $0.65 per unit and a distribution on the 2013 MYLTIP Units, 2014 MYLTIP Units and 2015 MYLTIP Units in the amount of $0.065 per unit, in each case payable on October 30, 2015 to holders of record as of the close of business on September 30, 2015.

A holder of an OP Unit may present such OP Unit to the Operating Partnership for redemption at any time (subject to restrictions agreed upon at the time of issuance of OP Units to particular holders that may restrict such redemption right for a period of time, generally one year from issuance). Upon presentation of an OP Unit for redemption, the Operating Partnership must redeem such OP Unit for cash equal to the then value of a share of common stock of the Company. The Company may, in its sole discretion, elect to assume and satisfy the redemption obligation by paying either cash or issuing one share of Common Stock. The value of the OP Units not owned by the Company and LTIP Units (including the 2012 OPP Units) assuming that all conditions had been met for the conversion thereof had all of such units been redeemed at September 30, 2015 was approximately $2.1 billion based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock of $118.40 per share on September 30, 2015. The Company's calculation of Noncontrolling Interest - Common Units of the Operating Partnership in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations includes OP Units and vested LTIP Units (including vested 2012 OPP Units).

Noncontrolling Interests—Property Partnerships

The noncontrolling interests in property partnerships consist of the outside equity interests in ventures that are consolidated with the financial results of the Company because the Company exercises control over the entities that own the properties. The equity interests in these ventures that are not owned by the Company, totaling approximately $1.6 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, are included in Noncontrolling Interests—Property Partnerships on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

On September 18, 2015, a consolidated entity in which the Company has a 50% interest completed the sale of its 505 9th Street, N.W. property located in Washington, DC for approximately $318.0 million, including the assumption by the buyer of approximately $117.0 million of mortgage indebtedness (See Note 5). 505 9th Street, N.W. is an approximately 322,000 net rentable square foot Class A office building. Net cash proceeds totaled approximately $194.6 million, of which the partners’ share was approximately $97.3 million. The Company recognized a gain on sale of real estate totaling approximately $199.5 million, of which approximately $101.1 million was allocated to the outside partners and is included within Noncontrolling Interests in Property Partnerships in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations (See Note 3).

The following table reflects the activity of the noncontrolling interests in property partnerships for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):



Balance at December 31, 2014	$	1,602,467
Capital contributions	1,758
Net income	134,591
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,540		)
Distributions	(144,468		)
Balance at September 30, 2015	$	1,590,808

Balance at December 31, 2013	$	726,132
Capital contributions	2,980
Net income	8,677
Distributions	(21,224		)
Balance at September 30, 2014	$	716,565

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
Stockholders' Equity	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	9. Stockholders’ Equity As of September 30, 2015, the Company had 153,574,600 shares of Common Stock outstanding. On June 3, 2014, the Company established an “at the market” (“ATM”) stock offering program through which it may sell from time to time up to an aggregate of $600.0 million of its common stock through sales agents over a three-year period. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from any offering for general business purposes, which may include investment opportunities and debt reduction. No shares of common stock have been issued under this ATM stock offering program since its inception. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company issued 418,870 shares of Common Stock in connection with the redemption of an equal number of redeemable OP Units from third parties. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company issued 11,447 shares of Common Stock in connection with the exercise of options to purchase Common Stock by certain employees. On January 28, 2015, the Company paid a special cash dividend and regular quarterly dividend aggregating $5.15 per share of Common Stock to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 31, 2014. On April 30, 2015, the Company paid a dividend of $0.65 per share of Common Stock to shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 31, 2015. On July 31, 2015, the Company paid a dividend of $0.65 per share of Common Stock to shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 30, 2015. On September 16, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.65 per share of Common Stock payable on October 30, 2015 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on September 30, 2015. Preferred Stock As of September 30, 2015, the Company had 80,000 shares (8,000,000 depositary shares each representing 1/100th of a share) outstanding of its 5.25% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock with a liquidation preference of $2,500.00 per share ($25.00 per depositary share). The Company pays cumulative cash dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock at a rate of 5.25% per annum of the $2,500.00 liquidation preference per share. The Company may not redeem the Series B Preferred Stock prior to March 27, 2018, except in certain circumstances relating to the preservation of the Company's REIT status. On or after March 27, 2018, the Company, at its option, may redeem the Series B Preferred Stock for a cash redemption price of $2,500.00 per share ($25.00 per depositary share), plus all accrued and unpaid dividends. The Series B Preferred Stock is not redeemable by the holders, has no maturity date and is not convertible into any other security of the Company or its affiliates. On February 17, 2015, the Company paid a dividend on its outstanding Series B Preferred Stock of $32.8125 per share. On May 15, 2015, the Company paid a dividend on its outstanding Series B Preferred Stock of $32.8125 per share. On August 17, 2015, the Company paid a dividend on its outstanding Series B Preferred Stock of $32.8125 per share. On September 16, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a dividend of $32.8125 per share of Series B Preferred Stock payable on November 16, 2015 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 5, 2015.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for shareholders' equity comprised of portions attributable to the parent entity and noncontrolling interest, including other comprehensive income. Includes, but is not limited to, balances of common stock, preferred stock, additional paid-in capital, other capital and retained earnings, accumulated balance for each classification of other comprehensive income and amount of comprehensive income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(d),(e))
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-Paragraph 4
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
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-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29-31)
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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 4.C)
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Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
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Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Topic 505
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Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
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-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21475-112644

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Preferred Stock
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6521494

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 4
-Section E

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 4
-Section C

+ Details

Earnings Per Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

10. Earnings Per Share

The following table provides a reconciliation of both the net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders and the number of common shares used in the computation of basic earnings per share (“EPS”), which is calculated by dividing net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are also participating securities. As such, unvested restricted common stock of the Company, LTIP Units, 2012 OPP Units and MYLTIP Units are considered participating securities. Participating securities are included in the computation of basic EPS of the Company using the two-class method. Participating securities are included in the computation of diluted EPS of the Company using the if-converted method if the impact is dilutive. Because the 2012 OPP Units required and the MYLTIP Units require the Company to outperform absolute and relative return thresholds, unless such thresholds have been met by the end of the applicable reporting period, the Company excludes such units from the diluted EPS calculation. Other potentially dilutive common shares, including stock options, restricted stock and other securities of the Operating Partnership that are exchangeable for the Company’s Common Stock, and the related impact on earnings, are considered when calculating diluted EPS.



	For the three months ended September 30, 2015
	Income (Numerator)			Shares (Denominator)	Per Share Amount
	(in thousands, except for per share amounts)
Basic Earnings:
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$	184,082		153,595	$	1.20
Allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities	(221		)	—	—
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$	183,861		153,595	$	1.20
Effect of Dilutive Securities:
Stock Based Compensation	—			191	—
Diluted Earnings:
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$	183,861		153,786	$	1.20



	For the three months ended September 30, 2014
	Income (Numerator)			Shares (Denominator)	Per Share Amount
	(in thousands, except for per share amounts)
Basic Earnings:
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$	127,724		153,120	$	0.83
Allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities	(63		)	—	—
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$	127,661		153,120	$	0.83
Effect of Dilutive Securities:
Stock Based Compensation	—			153	—
Diluted Earnings:
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$	127,661		153,273	$	0.83

	For the nine months ended September 30, 2015
	Income (Numerator)			Shares (Denominator)	Per Share Amount
	(in thousands, except for per share amounts)
Basic Earnings:
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$	434,702		153,426	$	2.83
Allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities	(361		)	—	—
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$	434,341		153,426	$	2.83
Effect of Dilutive Securities:
Stock Based Compensation	—			399	(0.01		)
Diluted Earnings:
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$	434,341		153,825	$	2.82

	For the nine months ended September 30, 2014
	Income (Numerator)			Shares (Denominator)	Per Share Amount
	(in thousands, except for per share amounts)
Basic Earnings:
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$	258,472		153,077	$	1.69
Effect of Dilutive Securities:
Stock Based Compensation	—			151	—
Diluted Earnings:
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$	258,472		153,228	$	1.69

Stock Option and Incentive Plan	9 Months Ended
Stock Option and Incentive Plan	Sep. 30, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock Option and Incentive Plan	11. Stock Option and Incentive Plan On January 21, 2015, the Company’s Compensation Committee approved the 2015 MYLTIP awards under the Company's 2012 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the "2012 Plan") to certain officers and employees of the Company. The 2015 MYLTIP awards utilize TRS over a three-year measurement period, on an annualized, compounded basis, as the performance metric. Earned awards will be based on the Company's TRS relative to (i) the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Portfolio Index (50% weight) and (ii) the NAREIT Office Index adjusted to exclude the Company (50% weight). Earned awards will range from $0 to a maximum of approximately $40.8 million depending on the Company's TRS relative to the two indices, with three tiers (threshold: approximately $8.2 million; target: approximately $16.3 million; high: approximately $40.8 million) and linear interpolation between tiers. Earned awards measured on the basis of relative TRS performance are subject to an absolute TRS component in the form of relatively simple modifiers that (A) reduce the level of earned awards in the event the Company’s annualized TRS is less than 0% and (B) cause some awards to be earned in the event the Company’s annualized TRS is more than 12% even though on a relative basis alone the Company’s TRS would not result in any earned awards. Earned awards (if any) will vest 50% on February 4, 2018 and 50% on February 4, 2019, based on continued employment. Vesting will be accelerated in the event of a change in control, termination of employment by the Company without cause, or termination of employment by the award recipient for good reason, death, disability or retirement. If there is a change of control prior to February 4, 2018, earned awards will be calculated based on TRS performance up to the date of the change of control. The 2015 MYLTIP awards are in the form of LTIP Units issued on the grant date which (i) are subject to forfeiture to the extent awards are not earned and (ii) prior to the performance measurement date are only entitled to one-tenth (10%) of the regular quarterly distributions payable on OP Units. Under the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718 “Compensation-Stock Compensation,” the 2015 MYLTIP awards have an aggregate value of approximately $15.7 million, which amount will generally be amortized into earnings over the four-year plan period under the graded vesting method. On February 6, 2015, the measurement period for the Company’s 2012 OPP Unit awards ended and the Company’s TRS performance was sufficient for employees to earn and therefore become eligible to vest in a portion of the 2012 OPP Unit awards. The final outperformance pool was determined to be approximately $32.1 million, or approximately 80% of the total maximum outperformance pool of $40.0 million. As a result, 174,549 2012 OPP Units were automatically forfeited. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company issued 34,150 shares of restricted common stock, 190,563 LTIP Units (including 85,962 LTIP Units issued on January 1, 2015 to Mortimer B. Zuckerman, non-executive Chairman of the Board, pursuant to the Transition Benefits Agreement dated March 10, 2013) and 375,000 2015 MYLTIP Units to employees and non-employee directors under the 2012 Plan. Employees and non-employee directors paid $0.01 per share of restricted common stock and $0.25 per LTIP Unit and 2015 MYLTIP Unit. When issued, LTIP Units are not economically equivalent in value to a share of Common Stock, but over time can increase in value to one-for-one parity with Common Stock if there is sufficient appreciation in the value of the Company’s assets. The aggregate value of the LTIP Units is included in noncontrolling interests in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Grants of restricted stock and LTIP Units to employees vest in four equal annual installments. Restricted stock is measured at fair value on the date of grant based on the number of shares granted, as adjusted for forfeitures, and the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange. Such value is recognized as an expense ratably over the corresponding employee service period. The shares of restricted stock granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were valued at approximately $4.8 million ($140.88 per share weighted-average). The LTIP Units granted (excluding the number issued to Mr. Zuckerman, as discussed above) were valued at approximately $13.5 million ($128.94 per unit weighted-average fair value) using a Monte Carlo simulation method model. The per unit fair values of the LTIP Units granted were estimated on the dates of grant and for a substantial majority of such units were valued using the following assumptions: an expected life of 5.7 years, a risk-free interest rate of 1.47% and an expected price volatility of 26%. The value of the LTIP Units issued to Mr. Zuckerman was expensed between March 2013 and July 2014 in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the Transition Benefits Agreement. As the 2012 OPP Units, 2013 MYLTIP Units, 2014 MYLTIP Units and 2015 MYLTIP Units are subject to both a service condition and a market condition, the Company recognizes the compensation expense related to the 2012 OPP Units, 2013 MYLTIP Units, 2014 MYLTIP Units and 2015 MYLTIP Units under the graded vesting attribution method. Under the graded vesting attribution method, each portion of the award that vests at a different date is accounted for as a separate award and recognized over the period appropriate to that portion so that the compensation cost for each portion should be recognized in full by the time that portion vests. Dividends paid on both vested and unvested shares of restricted stock are charged directly to Dividends in Excess of Earnings in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Aggregate stock-based compensation expense associated with restricted stock, non-qualified stock options, LTIP Units, 2012 OPP Units, 2013 MYLTIP Units, 2014 MYLTIP Units and 2015 MYLTIP Units was approximately $5.9 million and $5.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and approximately $21.0 million and $21.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. At September 30, 2015, there was $21.3 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock, LTIP Units and 2012 OPP Units and $20.5 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested 2013 MYLTIP Units, 2014 MYLTIP Units and 2015 MYLTIP Units that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.5 years.

Segment Information

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

12. Segment Information

The Company’s segments are based on the Company’s method of internal reporting which classifies its operations by both geographic area and property type. The Company’s segments by geographic area are Boston, New York, San Francisco and Washington, DC. Segments by property type include: Class A Office, Office/Technical, Residential and Hotel.

Asset information by segment is not reported because the Company does not use this measure to assess performance. Therefore, depreciation and amortization expense is not allocated among segments. Interest and other income, development and management services income, general and administrative expenses, transaction costs, interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense, gains (losses) from investments in securities, income from unconsolidated joint ventures, gains on sales of real estate, noncontrolling interests and preferred dividends are not included in Net Operating Income as internal reporting addresses these items on a corporate level.

Net Operating Income is not a measure of operating results or cash flows from operating activities as measured by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and it is not indicative of cash available to fund cash needs and should not be considered an alternative to cash flows as a measure of liquidity. All companies may not calculate Net Operating Income in the same manner. The Company considers Net Operating Income to be an appropriate supplemental measure to net income because it helps both investors and management to understand the core operations of the Company’s properties. The Company's management also uses Net Operating Income to evaluate regional property level performance and to make decisions about resource allocations. Further, the Company believes Net Operating Income is useful to investors as a performance measure because, when compared across periods, Net Operating Income reflects the impact on operations from trends in occupancy rates, rental rates, operating costs and acquisition and development activity on an unleveraged basis, providing perspectives not immediately apparent from net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders.

Information by geographic area and property type (dollars in thousands):

For the three months ended September 30, 2015:



	Boston			New York			San Francisco			Washington, DC			Total
Rental Revenue:
Class A Office	$	173,412		$	253,612		$	71,720		$	94,086		$	592,830
Office/Technical	5,866			—			5,595			2,951			14,412
Residential	1,275			—			—			2,836			4,111
Hotel	12,619			—			—			—			12,619
Total	193,172			253,612			77,315			99,873			623,972
% of Grand Totals	30.96		%	40.64		%	12.39		%	16.01		%	100.00		%
Rental Expenses:
Class A Office	70,178			88,496			24,864			30,943			214,481
Office/Technical	1,720			—			1,019			1,042			3,781
Residential	485			—			—			1,049			1,534
Hotel	8,125			—			—			—			8,125
Total	80,508			88,496			25,883			33,034			227,921
% of Grand Totals	35.32		%	38.83		%	11.36		%	14.49		%	100.00		%
Net operating income	$	112,664		$	165,116		$	51,432		$	66,839		$	396,051
% of Grand Totals	28.45		%	41.69		%	12.98		%	16.88		%	100.00		%

For the three months ended September 30, 2014:



	Boston			New York			San Francisco			Washington, DC			Total
Rental Revenue:
Class A Office	$	176,788		$	243,033		$	61,691		$	96,219		$	577,731
Office/Technical	6,056			—			5,892			3,713			15,661
Residential	1,137			—			—			5,881			7,018
Hotel	11,918			—			—			—			11,918
Total	195,899			243,033			67,583			105,813			612,328
% of Grand Totals	31.99		%	39.69		%	11.04		%	17.28		%	100.00		%
Rental Expenses:
Class A Office	69,026			82,335			22,484			32,898			206,743
Office/Technical	1,901			—			1,363			1,009			4,273
Residential	509			—			—			3,654			4,163
Hotel	7,585			—			—			—			7,585
Total	79,021			82,335			23,847			37,561			222,764
% of Grand Totals	35.47		%	36.96		%	10.71		%	16.86		%	100.00		%
Net operating income	$	116,878		$	160,698		$	43,736		$	68,252		$	389,564
% of Grand Totals	30.00		%	41.25		%	11.23		%	17.52		%	100.00		%

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015:



	Boston			New York			San Francisco			Washington, DC			Total
Rental Revenue:
Class A Office	$	518,213		$	753,142		$	206,753		$	278,706		$	1,756,814
Office/Technical	18,028			—			16,808			8,946			43,782
Residential	3,584			—			—			11,192			14,776
Hotel	35,107			—			—			—			35,107
Total	574,932			753,142			223,561			298,844			1,850,479
% of Grand Totals	31.07		%	40.70		%	12.08		%	16.15		%	100.00		%
Rental Expenses:
Class A Office	212,517			259,218			70,189			95,403			637,327
Office/Technical	5,485			—			2,930			3,257			11,672
Residential	1,505			—			—			5,106			6,611
Hotel	24,196			—			—			—			24,196
Total	243,703			259,218			73,119			103,766			679,806
% of Grand Totals	35.85		%	38.13		%	10.76		%	15.26		%	100.00		%
Net operating income	$	331,229		$	493,924		$	150,442		$	195,078		$	1,170,673
% of Grand Totals	28.29		%	42.19		%	12.85		%	16.67		%	100.00		%

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014:



	Boston			New York			San Francisco			Washington, DC			Total
Rental Revenue:
Class A Office	$	520,857		$	684,240		$	173,749		$	287,489		$	1,666,335
Office/Technical	17,788			—			18,451			11,044			47,283
Residential	3,389			—			—			15,609			18,998
Hotel	32,478			—			—			—			32,478
Total	574,512			684,240			192,200			314,142			1,765,094
% of Grand Totals	32.55		%	38.76		%	10.89		%	17.80		%	100.00		%
Rental Expenses:
Class A Office	206,242			231,668			63,078			98,818			599,806
Office/Technical	5,326			—			3,885			3,335			12,546
Residential	1,501			—			—			10,360			11,861
Hotel	21,697			—			—			—			21,697
Total	234,766			231,668			66,963			112,513			645,910
% of Grand Totals	36.35		%	35.86		%	10.37		%	17.42		%	100.00		%
Net operating income	$	339,746		$	452,572		$	125,237		$	201,629		$	1,119,184
% of Grand Totals	30.36		%	40.43		%	11.19		%	18.02		%	100.00		%

The following is a reconciliation of Net Operating Income to net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders:



	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
	(in thousands)
Net Operating Income	$	396,051	$	389,564	$	1,170,673	$	1,119,184
Add:
Development and management services income	5,912		6,475		16,102		18,197
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	2,647		4,419		20,559		10,069
Interest and other income	3,637		3,421		6,337		6,841
Gains on sales of real estate	199,479		41,937		294,563		41,937
Less:
General and administrative expense	20,944		22,589		72,019		75,765
Transaction costs	254		1,402		789		2,500
Depreciation and amortization expense	153,015		157,245		475,082		466,143
Losses (gains) from investments in securities	1,515		297		1,146		(651		)
Interest expense	108,727		113,308		326,018		337,839
Noncontrolling interests in property partnerships	115,240		5,566		139,712		17,473
Noncontrolling interest—redeemable preferred units of the Operating Partnership	—		75		6		1,014
Noncontrolling interest—common units of the Operating Partnership	21,302		14,963		50,906		29,819
Preferred dividends	2,647		2,647		7,854		7,854
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$	184,082	$	127,724	$	434,702	$	258,472

- Definition

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

+ References

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+ Details

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Sep. 30, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	13. Subsequent Events From October 1, 2015 through November 6, 2015, the Company entered into one forward-starting interest rate swap contract which fixes the 10-year swap rate at a rate of 2.129% per annum on a notional amount of $25.0 million. The interest rate swap contract was entered into in advance of a financing with a target commencement date in September 2016 and maturity in September 2026 (See Note 6). In addition, 767 Fifth Partners LLC, the consolidated entity in which the Company has a 60% interest and owns 767 Fifth Avenue (the General Motors Building) in New York City, entered into one forward-starting interest rate swap contract which fixes the 10-year swap rate at a rate of 2.379% per annum on a notional amount of$25.0 million. The interest rate swap contract was entered into in advance of a financing with a target commencement date in June 2017 and maturity in June 2027 (See Note 6). On October 1, 2015, the Company completed the sale of a parcel of land within its Washingtonian North property located in Gaithersburg, Maryland for a gross sale price of approximately $13.3 million, which exceeds its carrying value. The parcel contains approximately 5.8 acres of the Company’s approximately 19.3 acre property. On October 1, 2015, the Company used available cash to repay the mortgage loan collateralized by its Kingstowne Two and Kingstowne Retail properties located in Alexandria, Virginia totaling approximately $29.8 million. The mortgage loan bore interest at a fixed rate of 5.99% per annum and was scheduled to mature on January 1, 2016. There was no prepayment penalty. On October 7, 2015, the Company entered into an agreement to sell its Innovation Place property for a gross sale price of $207.0 million, which exceeds its carrying value. Innovation Place, located in San Jose, California, is a 26-acre site with one occupied and three vacant existing office buildings and a total of approximately 574,000 square feet (approximately 463,000 square feet of which are vacant) located at 3100-3130 Zanker Road. Currently, the remainder of the site is used for 1,699 surface parking spaces but the land supports an additional 537,000 square feet of office/R&D development and two parking structures with a total of approximately 3,000 parking spaces. However, the sale is subject to the satisfaction of closing conditions and there can be no assurance that the sale will be consummated on the terms currently contemplated or at all.

Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncement [Policy Text Block]	Recent Accounting Pronouncements On April 10, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-08, “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity” (“ASU 2014-08”). ASU 2014-08 clarifies that discontinued operations presentation applies only to disposals representing a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results (e.g., a disposal of a major geographical area, a major line of business, a major equity method investment or other major parts of an entity). ASU 2014-08 is effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted, and the Company early adopted ASU 2014-08 during the first quarter of 2014. The Company’s adoption of ASU 2014-08 resulted in the operating results and gains on sales of real estate from the operating properties sold during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 not being reflected as Discontinued Operations in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations (See Note 3). In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis” (“ASU 2015-02”). ASU 2015-02 affects reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. ASU 2015-02 modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are VIEs or voting interest entities, eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership and affects the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships. ASU 2015-02 is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. A reporting entity may apply the amendments in ASU 2015-02 using: (a) a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption; or (b) by applying the amendments retrospectively. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2015-02 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs” (“ASU 2015-03”), which requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs is not affected. ASU 2015-03 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years and shall be applied on a retrospective basis, wherein the balance sheet of each individual period presented should be adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2015-03 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Carrying Value Of Indebtedness And Corresponding Estimate Of Fair Value

The following table presents the aggregate carrying value of the Company’s indebtedness and the Company’s corresponding estimate of fair value as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):



	September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
Mortgage notes payable	$	4,132,071	$	4,240,944	$	4,309,484	$	4,449,541
Mezzanine notes payable	308,817		306,116		309,796		306,156
Unsecured senior notes	5,288,908		5,603,968		5,287,704		5,645,819
Total	$	9,729,796	$	10,151,028	$	9,906,984	$	10,401,516

Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Investments In Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Investments In Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

The investments in unconsolidated joint ventures consist of the following at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:



		Nominal % Ownership			Carrying Value of Investment (1)
Entity	Properties	Nominal % Ownership			September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
					(in thousands)
Square 407 Limited Partnership	Market Square North	50.0	%		$	(10,046	)	$	(8,022	)
The Metropolitan Square Associates LLC	Metropolitan Square	51.0	%		9,545			8,539
BP/CRF 901 New York Avenue LLC	901 New York Avenue	25.0	%	(2)	(12,015		)	(1,080		)
WP Project Developer LLC	Wisconsin Place Land and Infrastructure	33.3	%	(3)	44,111			45,514
Annapolis Junction NFM, LLC	Annapolis Junction	50.0	%	(4)	27,851			25,246
540 Madison Venture LLC	540 Madison Avenue	60.0	%		69,364			68,128
500 North Capitol LLC	500 North Capitol Street, NW	30.0	%		(3,015		)	(2,250		)
501 K Street LLC	1001 6th Street	50.0	%	(5)	42,653			41,736
Podium Developer LLC	North Station (Phase I - Air Rights)	50.0	%		9,541			4,231
1265 Main Office JV LLC	1265 Main Street	50.0	%		4,182			N/A
BNY Tower Holdings LLC	Dock72 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard	50.0	%		10,282			N/A
					$	192,453		$	182,042

_______________


(1)	Investments with deficit balances aggregating approximately $25.1 million and $11.4 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, have been reflected within Other Liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.


(2)	The Company’s economic ownership has increased based on the achievement of certain return thresholds.


(3)	The Company’s wholly-owned entity that owns the office component of the project also owns a 33.3% interest in the entity owning the land, parking garage and infrastructure of the project.


(4)	The joint venture owns three in-service buildings, one building under construction and two undeveloped land parcels.


(5)	Under the joint venture agreement, the partner will be entitled to up to two additional payments from the venture based on increases in total square footage of the project above 520,000 square feet and achieving certain project returns at stabilization.

Schedule Of Balance Sheets Of The Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Text Block]

The combined summarized balance sheets of the Company's unconsolidated joint ventures are as follows:



	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
	(in thousands)
ASSETS
Real estate and development in process, net	$	1,048,836		$	1,034,552
Other assets	240,433			264,097
Total assets	$	1,289,269		$	1,298,649
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’/PARTNERS’ EQUITY
Mortgage and notes payable	$	832,958		$	830,075
Other liabilities	32,715			34,211
Members’/Partners’ equity	423,596			434,363
Total liabilities and members’/partners’ equity	$	1,289,269		$	1,298,649
Company’s share of equity	$	219,705		$	209,828
Basis differentials (1)	(27,252		)	(27,786		)
Carrying value of the Company’s investments in unconsolidated joint ventures (2)	$	192,453		$	182,042

_______________

(1)


(2)	Investments with deficit balances aggregating approximately $25.1 million and $11.4 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, have been reflected within Other Liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Statements Of Operations Of The Joint Ventures

The combined summarized statements of operations of the Company's unconsolidated joint ventures are as follows:



	For the three months ended September 30,				For the nine months ended September 30,
	2015		2014		2015			2014
	(in thousands)
Total revenue (1)	$	38,197	$	41,958	$	116,881		$	118,429
Expenses
Operating	15,896		15,516		47,995			46,441
Depreciation and amortization	8,832		9,429		26,854			27,688
Total expenses	24,728		24,945		74,849			74,129
Operating income	13,469		17,013		42,032			44,300
Other expense
Interest expense	8,019		7,950		23,985			23,946
Net income	$	5,450	$	9,063	$	18,047		$	20,354

Company’s share of net income	$	2,481	$	4,200	$	20,025	(2)	$	9,403
Basis differential	166		219		534			666
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	$	2,647	$	4,419	$	20,559		$	10,069

_______________

(1)

(2)

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Positions [Table Text Block]



Derivative Instrument	Aggregate Notional Amount		Effective Date	Maturity Date	Strike Rate Range					Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
Derivative Instrument	Aggregate Notional Amount		Effective Date	Maturity Date	Low			High		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
	(in thousands)										(in thousands)
Boston Properties Limited Partnership:
Interest Rate Swaps	$	475,000	September 1, 2016	September 1, 2026	2.249	%	-	2.571	%	Other Liabilities	$	(9,231	)
Interest Rate Swaps	50,000		September 1, 2016	September 1, 2026	2.238	%	-	2.242	%	Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets	32
	$	525,000									$	(9,199	)
767 Fifth Partners LLC:
Interest Rate Swaps	$	250,000	June 7, 2017	June 7, 2027	2.677	%	-	2.950	%	Other Liabilities	$	(8,851	)
	$	775,000									$	(18,050	)

Schedule of Cash Flow Hedges Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]



	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
	(in thousands)
Amount of loss related to the effective portion recognized in other comprehensive loss	$	(30,156	)	$	—		$	(18,050	)	$	—
Amount of loss related to the effective portion subsequently reclassified to earnings (1)	$	(627	)	$	(628	)	$	(1,882	)	$	(1,881	)
Amount of gain (loss) related to the ineffective portion and amount excluded from effectiveness testing	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—

___________


(1)	Consists of amounts from previous interest rate hedging programs.

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

The following table reflects the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):



Balance at December 31, 2014	$	(9,304	)
Effective portion of interest rate contracts	(18,050		)
Amortization of interest rate contracts (1)	1,882
Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,847
Balance at September 30, 2015	$	(20,625	)

Balance at December 31, 2013	$	(11,556	)
Amortization of interest rate contracts (1)	1,881
Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(191		)
Balance at September 30, 2014	$	(9,866	)

___________


(1)	Consists of amounts from previous interest rate hedging programs.

Noncontrolling Interests (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Schedule Of Noncontrolling Interest Property Partnerships [Table Text Block]

The following table reflects the activity of the noncontrolling interests in property partnerships for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):



Balance at December 31, 2014	$	1,602,467
Capital contributions	1,758
Net income	134,591
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,540		)
Distributions	(144,468		)
Balance at September 30, 2015	$	1,590,808

Balance at December 31, 2013	$	726,132
Capital contributions	2,980
Net income	8,677
Distributions	(21,224		)
Balance at September 30, 2014	$	716,565

Schedule Of redeemable preferred units



Balance at December 31, 2014	$	633
Net income	6
Distributions	(6		)
Redemption of redeemable preferred units (Series Four Preferred Units)	(633		)
Balance at September 30, 2015	$	—

Balance at December 31, 2013	$	51,312
Net income	1,014
Distributions	(1,014		)
Conversion of redeemable preferred units (Series Two Preferred Units) to common units	(33,306		)
Redemption of redeemable preferred units (Series Four Preferred Units)	(15,984		)
Balance at September 30, 2014	$	2,022

Schedule of Redeemable Interest in Property Partnerships [Table Text Block]



Balance at December 31, 2014	$	104,692
Net loss	(7		)
Distributions	(2,900		)
Adjustment to reflect redeemable interest at redemption value	5,128
Acquisition of interest	(106,913		)
Balance at September 30, 2015	$	—

Balance at December 31, 2013	$	99,609
Net loss	(519		)
Distributions	(4,300		)
Adjustment to reflect redeemable interest at redemption value	9,315			(1)
Balance at September 30, 2014	$	104,105

_______________


(1)	Includes an out-of-period adjustment totaling approximately $1.9 million (See Note 2).

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share



	For the three months ended September 30, 2015
	Income (Numerator)			Shares (Denominator)	Per Share Amount
	(in thousands, except for per share amounts)
Basic Earnings:
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$	184,082		153,595	$	1.20
Allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities	(221		)	—	—
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$	183,861		153,595	$	1.20
Effect of Dilutive Securities:
Stock Based Compensation	—			191	—
Diluted Earnings:
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$	183,861		153,786	$	1.20



	For the three months ended September 30, 2014
	Income (Numerator)			Shares (Denominator)	Per Share Amount
	(in thousands, except for per share amounts)
Basic Earnings:
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$	127,724		153,120	$	0.83
Allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities	(63		)	—	—
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$	127,661		153,120	$	0.83
Effect of Dilutive Securities:
Stock Based Compensation	—			153	—
Diluted Earnings:
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$	127,661		153,273	$	0.83

	For the nine months ended September 30, 2015
	Income (Numerator)			Shares (Denominator)	Per Share Amount
	(in thousands, except for per share amounts)
Basic Earnings:
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$	434,702		153,426	$	2.83
Allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities	(361		)	—	—
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$	434,341		153,426	$	2.83
Effect of Dilutive Securities:
Stock Based Compensation	—			399	(0.01		)
Diluted Earnings:
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$	434,341		153,825	$	2.82

	For the nine months ended September 30, 2014
	Income (Numerator)			Shares (Denominator)	Per Share Amount
	(in thousands, except for per share amounts)
Basic Earnings:
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$	258,472		153,077	$	1.69
Effect of Dilutive Securities:
Stock Based Compensation	—			151	—
Diluted Earnings:
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$	258,472		153,228	$	1.69

Segment Information (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule Of Segment Information By Geographic Area And Property Type

Information by geographic area and property type (dollars in thousands):

For the three months ended September 30, 2015:



	Boston			New York			San Francisco			Washington, DC			Total
Rental Revenue:
Class A Office	$	173,412		$	253,612		$	71,720		$	94,086		$	592,830
Office/Technical	5,866			—			5,595			2,951			14,412
Residential	1,275			—			—			2,836			4,111
Hotel	12,619			—			—			—			12,619
Total	193,172			253,612			77,315			99,873			623,972
% of Grand Totals	30.96		%	40.64		%	12.39		%	16.01		%	100.00		%
Rental Expenses:
Class A Office	70,178			88,496			24,864			30,943			214,481
Office/Technical	1,720			—			1,019			1,042			3,781
Residential	485			—			—			1,049			1,534
Hotel	8,125			—			—			—			8,125
Total	80,508			88,496			25,883			33,034			227,921
% of Grand Totals	35.32		%	38.83		%	11.36		%	14.49		%	100.00		%
Net operating income	$	112,664		$	165,116		$	51,432		$	66,839		$	396,051
% of Grand Totals	28.45		%	41.69		%	12.98		%	16.88		%	100.00		%

For the three months ended September 30, 2014:



	Boston			New York			San Francisco			Washington, DC			Total
Rental Revenue:
Class A Office	$	176,788		$	243,033		$	61,691		$	96,219		$	577,731
Office/Technical	6,056			—			5,892			3,713			15,661
Residential	1,137			—			—			5,881			7,018
Hotel	11,918			—			—			—			11,918
Total	195,899			243,033			67,583			105,813			612,328
% of Grand Totals	31.99		%	39.69		%	11.04		%	17.28		%	100.00		%
Rental Expenses:
Class A Office	69,026			82,335			22,484			32,898			206,743
Office/Technical	1,901			—			1,363			1,009			4,273
Residential	509			—			—			3,654			4,163
Hotel	7,585			—			—			—			7,585
Total	79,021			82,335			23,847			37,561			222,764
% of Grand Totals	35.47		%	36.96		%	10.71		%	16.86		%	100.00		%
Net operating income	$	116,878		$	160,698		$	43,736		$	68,252		$	389,564
% of Grand Totals	30.00		%	41.25		%	11.23		%	17.52		%	100.00		%

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015:



	Boston			New York			San Francisco			Washington, DC			Total
Rental Revenue:
Class A Office	$	518,213		$	753,142		$	206,753		$	278,706		$	1,756,814
Office/Technical	18,028			—			16,808			8,946			43,782
Residential	3,584			—			—			11,192			14,776
Hotel	35,107			—			—			—			35,107
Total	574,932			753,142			223,561			298,844			1,850,479
% of Grand Totals	31.07		%	40.70		%	12.08		%	16.15		%	100.00		%
Rental Expenses:
Class A Office	212,517			259,218			70,189			95,403			637,327
Office/Technical	5,485			—			2,930			3,257			11,672
Residential	1,505			—			—			5,106			6,611
Hotel	24,196			—			—			—			24,196
Total	243,703			259,218			73,119			103,766			679,806
% of Grand Totals	35.85		%	38.13		%	10.76		%	15.26		%	100.00		%
Net operating income	$	331,229		$	493,924		$	150,442		$	195,078		$	1,170,673
% of Grand Totals	28.29		%	42.19		%	12.85		%	16.67		%	100.00		%

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014:



	Boston			New York			San Francisco			Washington, DC			Total
Rental Revenue:
Class A Office	$	520,857		$	684,240		$	173,749		$	287,489		$	1,666,335
Office/Technical	17,788			—			18,451			11,044			47,283
Residential	3,389			—			—			15,609			18,998
Hotel	32,478			—			—			—			32,478
Total	574,512			684,240			192,200			314,142			1,765,094
% of Grand Totals	32.55		%	38.76		%	10.89		%	17.80		%	100.00		%
Rental Expenses:
Class A Office	206,242			231,668			63,078			98,818			599,806
Office/Technical	5,326			—			3,885			3,335			12,546
Residential	1,501			—			—			10,360			11,861
Hotel	21,697			—			—			—			21,697
Total	234,766			231,668			66,963			112,513			645,910
% of Grand Totals	36.35		%	35.86		%	10.37		%	17.42		%	100.00		%
Net operating income	$	339,746		$	452,572		$	125,237		$	201,629		$	1,119,184
% of Grand Totals	30.36		%	40.43		%	11.19		%	18.02		%	100.00		%

Schedule Of Reconciliation Of Net Operating Income To Net Income

The following is a reconciliation of Net Operating Income to net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders:



	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
	(in thousands)
Net Operating Income	$	396,051	$	389,564	$	1,170,673	$	1,119,184
Add:
Development and management services income	5,912		6,475		16,102		18,197
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	2,647		4,419		20,559		10,069
Interest and other income	3,637		3,421		6,337		6,841
Gains on sales of real estate	199,479		41,937		294,563		41,937
Less:
General and administrative expense	20,944		22,589		72,019		75,765
Transaction costs	254		1,402		789		2,500
Depreciation and amortization expense	153,015		157,245		475,082		466,143
Losses (gains) from investments in securities	1,515		297		1,146		(651		)
Interest expense	108,727		113,308		326,018		337,839
Noncontrolling interests in property partnerships	115,240		5,566		139,712		17,473
Noncontrolling interest—redeemable preferred units of the Operating Partnership	—		75		6		1,014
Noncontrolling interest—common units of the Operating Partnership	21,302		14,963		50,906		29,819
Preferred dividends	2,647		2,647		7,854		7,854
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$	184,082	$	127,724	$	434,702	$	258,472

Organization (Details) ft² in Millions	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Organization (Details) ft² in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015 ft² a series Real_Estate_Properties yr shares	Dec. 31, 2014 shares
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
General and limited partnership interest in the operating partnership (percent)	89.50%	89.50%
Restriction on redemption of OP units from date of issuance (years) \| yr	1
in lieu of a cash redemption OP unit to Common Stock conversion (in shares) \| shares	1
One OP unit is equivalent to one share of Common Stock (in shares) \| shares	1
OP unit conversion rate (in shares) \| shares	1
Number Of Series Of Preferred Units Outstanding \| series	1
Area of undeveloped land parcels owned (in acres) \| a	479.9
Commercial Real Estate Properties [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties	171
Net Rentable Area (in sf) \| ft²	46.6
Total Properties Under Construction [ Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties	14
Net Rentable Area (in sf) \| ft²	4.7
Total Office Properties [ Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties	161
Class A Office Properties [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties	130
Office Properties Under Construction [ Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties	11
Office Technical Properties [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties	31
Hotel Property [ Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties	1
Retail Properties [ Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties	5
Retail Properties Under Construction [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties	1
Residential Properties [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties	4
Residential Properties Under Construction [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties	2
Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Ratio of depository shares to shares of Series B Preferred Stock	0.01
Series B, Shares Outstanding (in shares) \| shares	80,000	80,000
Series B, Dividend Rate, Percentage	5.25%
Depository shares of Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Series B, Shares Outstanding (in shares) \| shares	8,000,000
Series B Preferred Units [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Series B, Shares Outstanding (in shares) \| shares	80,000

Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Cumulative non-cash adjustment to the accretion of the changes in the redemption value of the noncontrolling interest	$ 1.9

Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Carrying Value Of Indebtedness And Corresponding Estimate Of Fair Value) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Mortgage notes payable	$ 4,132,071	$ 4,309,484
Mezzanine notes payable	308,817	309,796
Unsecured senior notes	5,288,908	5,287,704
Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Mortgage notes payable	4,240,944	4,449,541
Mezzanine notes payable	306,116	306,156
Unsecured senior notes	5,603,968	5,645,819
Total	10,151,028	10,401,516
Carrying Amount [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Mortgage notes payable	4,132,071	4,309,484
Mezzanine notes payable	308,817	309,796
Unsecured senior notes	5,288,908	5,287,704
Total	$ 9,729,796	$ 9,906,984

Real Estate Activity During the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands						3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 18, 2015 USD ($) ft²	Aug. 13, 2015 USD ($) ft²	Jul. 31, 2015 USD ($) yr	Mar. 17, 2015 USD ($) ft² apartments	Feb. 19, 2015 USD ($) a	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 17, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 16, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 17, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 10, 2015 ft²	Aug. 14, 2015 ft²	Jul. 23, 2015 ft² apartments	May 01, 2015 ft²
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Operating income						$ 227,750			$ 214,803	$ 638,885		$ 592,973
Mortgage notes payable assigned in connection with the sale of real estate										116,993		0
Proceeds from sales of real estate										389,457		103,542
Gains on sales of real estate						$ 199,479			41,937	$ 294,563		41,937
Washingtonian North land parcel [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Sale Price Of Sold Property					$ 8,700
Proceeds from sales of real estate					8,300
Gains on sales of real estate					$ 3,700
Land sold (in acres) \| a					8.5
Area of Land \| a					27
Residences on The Avenue [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Operating income								$ 1,100	700			2,400
Rental revenue supoprt payments to buyer maximum				$ 6,000
Sale Price Of Sold Property				196,000
Proceeds from sales of real estate				192,500
Gains on sales of real estate				$ 91,400
Number of apartment units (apartment units) \| apartments				335
Reservoir Place North [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Net Rentable Area (in sf) \| ft²																73,000
Cambridge residential project [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of apartment units (apartment units) \| apartments															274
Net Rentable Area (in sf) \| ft²															164,000
Payments to Acquire Land		$ 2,000
Area of Land \| ft²		8,700
Reston signature site [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of apartment units (apartment units) \| apartments															508
Net Rentable Area (in sf) \| ft²															514,000
601 Massachusetts Avenue [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Net Rentable Area (in sf) \| ft²														478,000
The Point [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Net Rentable Area (in sf) \| ft²													17,000
Retail Site [Member] \| Residences on The Avenue [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Net Rentable Area (in sf) \| ft²				50,000
Retail Site [Member] \| Cambridge residential project [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Net Rentable Area (in sf) \| ft²															9,000
Retail Site [Member] \| Reston signature site [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Net Rentable Area (in sf) \| ft²															24,000
Clarendon Garage [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Ground Lease Term (in years) \| yr			99
Operating Lease Ground Rent Expense			$ 5,000
Clarendon Garage [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Operating Lease Ground Rent Expense			$ 37,000
Previous ground lease remaining term [Member] \| Clarendon Garage [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Ground Lease Term (in years) \| yr			45
Consolidated Properties [Member] \| 505 9th Street [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Operating income							$ 1,100		$ 500		$ 2,300	$ 1,700
Ownership Percentage by the Company	50.00%
Sale Price Of Sold Property	$ 318,000
Mortgage notes payable assigned in connection with the sale of real estate	117,000
Proceeds from sales of real estate	194,600
Gains on sales of real estate	$ 199,500
Net Rentable Area (in sf) \| ft²	322,000
Consolidated Properties [Member] \| Consolidated Entity Excluding Variable Interest Entities (VIE) [Member] \| 505 9th Street [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales of real estate	$ 97,300
Gains on sales of real estate	$ 101,100

Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures) (Details)
$ in Thousands

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

USD ($)

ft²

Land_Parcels

Buildings

payments

Dec. 31, 2014

USD ($)

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures

$ 217,529

$ 193,394

Square 407 Limited Partnership [Member]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

Properties

Market Square North

Ownership Percentage

50.00%

Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures

^[1]

$ (10,046)

(8,022)

The Metropolitan Square Associates LLC [Member]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

Properties

Metropolitan Square

Ownership Percentage

51.00%

Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures

^[1]

$ 9,545

8,539

BP/CRF 901 New York Avenue LLC [Member]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

Properties

901 New York Avenue

Ownership Percentage

^[2]

25.00%

Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures

^[1]

$ (12,015)

(1,080)

WP Project Developer LLC [Member]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

Properties

Wisconsin Place Land and Infrastructure

Ownership Percentage

^[3]

33.30%

Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures

^[1]

$ 44,111

45,514

Entity Owning Land And Infrastructure Of Project [Member]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

Ownership Percentage

33.30%

Annapolis Junction NFM, LLC [Member]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

Properties

Annapolis Junction

Ownership Percentage

^[4]

50.00%

Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures

^[1]

$ 27,851

25,246

Number of real estate properties | Buildings

Number of buildings under construction | Buildings

Parcels of undeveloped land | Land_Parcels

540 Madison Venture LLC [Member]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

Properties

540 Madison Avenue

Ownership Percentage

60.00%

Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures

^[1]

$ 69,364

68,128

500 North Capitol LLC [Member]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

Properties

500 North Capitol Street, NW

Ownership Percentage

30.00%

Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures

^[1]

$ (3,015)

(2,250)

501 K Street LLC [Member]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

Properties

1001 6th Street

Ownership Percentage

^[5]

50.00%

Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures

^[1]

$ 42,653

41,736

Potential additonal payments to joint venture partner | payments

Minimum square footage to make a potential additional payment to joint venture partner (in sqft) | ft²

520,000

Podium Developer LLC [Member]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

Properties

North Station (Phase I - Air Rights)

Ownership Percentage

50.00%

Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures

^[1]

$ 9,541

4,231

1265 Main Office JV LLC [Member]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

Properties

1265 Main Street

Ownership Percentage

50.00%

Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures

^[1]

$ 4,182

BNY Tower Holdings LLC [Member]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

Properties

Dock72 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard

Ownership Percentage

50.00%

Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures

^[1]

$ 10,282

Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Member]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures

(25,100)

(11,400)

Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Member]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures

^[1],[6]

$ 192,453

$ 182,042

[1]	(1)Investments with deficit balances aggregating approximately $25.1 million and $11.4 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, have been reflected within Other Liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.
[2]	(2)The Company’s economic ownership has increased based on the achievement of certain return thresholds.
[3]	(3)The Company’s wholly-owned entity that owns the office component of the project also owns a 33.3% interest in the entity owning the land, parking garage and infrastructure of the project.
[4]	4)The joint venture owns three in-service buildings, one building under construction and two undeveloped land parcels.
[5]	Under the joint venture agreement, the partner will be entitled to up to two additional payments from the venture based on increases in total square footage of the project above 520,000 square feet and achieving certain project returns at stabilization.
[6]	(2)Investments with deficit balances aggregating approximately $25.1 million and $11.4 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, have been reflected within Other Liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Balance Sheets of the Unconsolidated Joint Ventures) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

Sep. 30, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

ASSETS

Real estate and development in process, net

$ 15,569,008

$ 15,688,744

Liabilities and Members'/Partners' Equity [Abstract]

Mortgage and notes payable

4,132,071

4,309,484

Other liabilities

448,680

502,255

Total liabilities and equity

18,980,263

19,886,767

Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures

217,529

193,394

Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Member]

ASSETS

Other assets

240,433

264,097

Real estate and development in process, net

1,048,836

1,034,552

Total assets

1,289,269

1,298,649

Liabilities and Members'/Partners' Equity [Abstract]

Mortgage and notes payable

832,958

830,075

Other liabilities

32,715

34,211

Members'/Partners' equity

423,596

434,363

Total liabilities and equity

1,289,269

1,298,649

Company's share of equity

219,705

209,828

Basis differentials

^[1]

(27,252)

(27,786)

Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures

^[2],[3]

192,453

182,042

Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Member]

Liabilities and Members'/Partners' Equity [Abstract]

Carrying value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures

$ (25,100)

$ (11,400)

[1]	(1)This amount represents the aggregate difference between the Company’s historical cost basis and the basis reflected at the joint venture level, which is typically amortized over the life of the related assets and liabilities. Basis differentials occur from impairment of investments and upon the transfer of assets that were previously owned by the Company into a joint venture. In addition, certain acquisition, transaction and other costs may not be reflected in the net assets at the joint venture level.
[2]	(1)Investments with deficit balances aggregating approximately $25.1 million and $11.4 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, have been reflected within Other Liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.
[3]	(2)Investments with deficit balances aggregating approximately $25.1 million and $11.4 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, have been reflected within Other Liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Statements of Operations of the Joint Ventures) (Details)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2014

USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2015

USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2014

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2014

USD ($)

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

Total revenue

$ 629,884,000

$ 618,803,000

$ 1,866,581,000

$ 1,783,291,000

Expenses

Depreciation and amortization

153,015,000

157,245,000

475,082,000

466,143,000

Total expenses

402,134,000

404,000,000

1,227,696,000

1,190,318,000

Operating income

227,750,000

214,803,000

638,885,000

592,973,000

Other expense

Interest expense

108,727,000

113,308,000

326,018,000

337,839,000

Net income

323,271,000

150,975,000

633,180,000

314,632,000

Income from unconsolidated joint ventures

2,647,000

4,419,000

20,559,000

10,069,000

24,527,000

641,000

Mortgage loan

4,132,071,000

$ 4,309,484,000

Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Member]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

Total revenue

^[1]

38,197,000

41,958,000

116,881,000

118,429,000

Expenses

Operating

15,896,000

15,516,000

47,995,000

46,441,000

Depreciation and amortization

8,832,000

9,429,000

26,854,000

27,688,000

Total expenses

24,728,000

24,945,000

74,849,000

74,129,000

Operating income

13,469,000

17,013,000

42,032,000

44,300,000

Other expense

Interest expense

8,019,000

7,950,000

23,985,000

23,946,000

Net income

5,450,000

9,063,000

18,047,000

20,354,000

Company's share of net income (loss)

2,481,000

4,200,000

20,025,000

^[2]

9,403,000

Basis differential

166,000

219,000

534,000

666,000

Income from unconsolidated joint ventures

2,647,000

4,419,000

20,559,000

10,069,000

Straight-line rent adjustments

(300,000)

200,000

1,700,000

1,100,000

"Above" and "below" market rent adjustments, net

(24,000)

$ (100,000)

(200,000)

$ (100,000)

Mortgage loan

832,958,000

$ 830,075,000

901 New York Avenue Llc [Member]

Other expense

24,500,000

Mortgage loan

$ 225,000,000

Mortgage loan term (in years) | yr

[1]

[2]

Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands			3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 26, 2015 USD ($) ft² yr	May 08, 2015 USD ($) ft² yr	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) ft²	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) ft²	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 22, 2015 ft²
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Payments to Enter into a Joint Venture Agreement				$ 20,863	$ 47,767
Annapolis Junction Building Six [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net Rentable Area (in sf) \| ft²			119,000	119,000
Construction Loan			$ 13,400	$ 13,400
Construction Loan Facility Borrowing Capacity			$ 15,900	$ 15,900
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			2.25%
Dock72 at Brooklyn Navy Yard [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net Rentable Area (in sf) \| ft²	670,000
Ownership Percentage			50.00%	50.00%
Term of Lease Signed (in years) \| yr	20
Square Footage Of Signed Lease \| ft²	222,000
1265 Main Street [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net Rentable Area (in sf) \| ft²		115,000
Ownership Percentage			50.00%	50.00%
Term of Lease Signed (in years) \| yr		15
Portion of Building Leased (percentage)		100.00%
BNY Tower Holdings [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Non refundable option payment	$ 1,000
Annapolis Junction Building Seven [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net Rentable Area (in sf) \| ft²						127,000
Company [Member] \| Annapolis Junction Building Six [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage			50.00%	50.00%
Company [Member] \| Dock72 at Brooklyn Navy Yard [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Payments to Enter into a Joint Venture Agreement	$ 9,100
Ownership Percentage	50.00%
Company [Member] \| 1265 Main Street [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage		50.00%
Company [Member] \| Annapolis Junction Building Seven [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage						50.00%
joint venture partner [Member] \| Dock72 at Brooklyn Navy Yard [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Payments to Enter into a Joint Venture Agreement	$ 9,100
Ownership Percentage	50.00%
joint venture partner [Member] \| 1265 Main Street [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Payments to Enter into a Joint Venture Agreement		$ 9,400
Ownership Percentage		50.00%
Minimum [Member] \| Dock72 at Brooklyn Navy Yard [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ground Lease Term (in years) \| yr	46
Minimum [Member] \| BNY Tower Holdings [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net Rentable Area (in sf) \| ft²	600,000
Maximum [Member] \| Dock72 at Brooklyn Navy Yard [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ground Lease Term (in years) \| yr	96
Maximum [Member] \| BNY Tower Holdings [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net Rentable Area (in sf) \| ft²	1,000,000
Maximum [Member] \| Company [Member] \| 1265 Main Street [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Payments to Enter into a Joint Venture Agreement		$ 9,400

Mortgage Notes Payable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended
Mortgage Notes Payable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 18, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgage notes payable assigned in connection with the sale of real estate		$ 116,993	$ 0
Consolidated Properties [Member] \| 505 9th Street [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage by the Company	50.00%
Mortgage notes payable assigned in connection with the sale of real estate	$ 117,000
Consolidated Properties [Member] \| 505 9th Street [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage by the Company	50.00%
Mortgage notes payable assigned in connection with the sale of real estate	$ 117,000
Coupon/Stated Rate	5.73%

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) swaps yr	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount of gain (loss) related to the effective portion recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 30,156,000	$ 0	$ 18,050,000	$ 0
Estimated current balance held in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss to be reclassified into earnings within the next twelve months			(77,000)
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Derivative, Net Liability Position, Aggregate Fair Value	18,100,000		18,100,000
Assets Needed for Immediate Settlement, Aggregate Fair Value	18,100,000		18,100,000
Amount of loss related to the effective portion recognized in other comprehensive loss			18,100,000
Amount of gain related to the effective portion recognized in other comprehensive loss			32,000
Notional Amount	$ 775,000,000		$ 775,000,000
Operating Partnership [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of interest rate swap agreements entered into (swap contracts) \| swaps			16
Term of anticipated mortgage loan (in years) \| yr			10
Maximum period of hedging exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions (in years) \| yr			10
Average Fixed Interest Rate	2.437%		2.437%
Notional Amount	$ 525,000,000		$ 525,000,000
767 Fifth Partners LLC [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage by the Company	60.00%		60.00%
767 Fifth Partners LLC [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of interest rate swap agreements entered into (swap contracts) \| swaps			9
Term of anticipated mortgage loan (in years) \| yr			10
Maximum period of hedging exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions (in years) \| yr			10
Average Fixed Interest Rate	2.801%		2.801%
Notional Amount	$ 250,000,000		$ 250,000,000

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Derivative Instrument and Hedging Activities Notional Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ (30,156)	$ 0	$ (18,050)	$ 0
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	775,000		775,000
Fair Value			(18,050)
Operating Partnership [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	525,000		525,000
Fair Value			(9,199)
Operating Partnership [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap Range 2.249% - 2.571% [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount	$ 475,000		$ 475,000
Derivative, Lower Fixed Interest Rate Range	2.249%		2.249%
Derivative, Higher Fixed Interest Rate Range	2.571%		2.571%
Fair Value			$ (9,231)
Operating Partnership [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap Range 2.238% - 2.242% [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount	$ 50,000		$ 50,000
Derivative, Lower Fixed Interest Rate Range	2.238%		2.238%
Derivative, Higher Fixed Interest Rate Range	2.242%		2.242%
Fair Value			$ 32
767 Fifth Partners LLC [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 250,000		250,000
767 Fifth Partners LLC [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap Range 2.677% - 2.950% [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount	$ 250,000		$ 250,000
Derivative, Lower Fixed Interest Rate Range	2.677%		2.677%
Derivative, Higher Fixed Interest Rate Range	2.95%		2.95%
Fair Value			$ (8,851)

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Gain or Loss Recognized Related to Cash Flow hedges (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2015

Sep. 30, 2014

Derivative [Line Items]

Amount of loss related to the effective portion recognized in other comprehensive loss

$ (30,156)

$ 0

$ (18,050)

$ 0

Amount of loss related to the effective portion subsequently reclassified to earnings (1)

^[1]

(627)

(628)

(1,882)

(1,881)

Amount of gain (loss) related to the ineffective portion and amount excluded from effectiveness testing

$ 0

[1]	Consists of amounts from previous interest rate hedging programs.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2015

Sep. 30, 2014

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income or Loss [Roll Forward]

Beginning Balance

$ (9,304)

$ (11,556)

Effective portion of interest rate contracts

$ (30,156)

$ 0

(18,050)

Amortization of interest rate contracts

^[1]

627

628

1,882

^[2]

1,881

^[2]

Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

7,056

(65)

4,847

(191)

Ending Balance

$ (20,625)

$ (9,866)

$ (20,625)

$ (9,866)

[1]	Amounts reclassified from comprehensive income primarily to interest expense within the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.
[2]	Consists of amounts from previous interest rate hedging programs.

- Definition

Accumulated change in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, net of tax effect, at period end. Excludes Net Income (Loss), and accumulated changes in equity from transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Includes foreign currency translation items, certain pension adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses related to factors other than credit losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities that an entity does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell before recovery of the amortized cost basis, as well as changes in the fair value of derivatives related to the effective portion of a designated cash flow hedge.

+ References + Details

Commitments And Contingencies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	2 Months Ended	7 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2009	Sep. 09, 2015	Mar. 11, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 10, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Letter of credit and performance obligations		$ 36.2	$ 36.2
Property insurance program per occurrence limits		1,000.0	1,000.0
Per occurrence limit for NBCR Coverage			1,000.0
Value of program trigger		100.0	$ 100.0
Coinsurance of program trigger			15.00%
Deductible in insurance as a percentage of the value of the affected property, San Francisco			5.00%
Per occurrence limit of the earthquake insurance which covers San Francisco region	$ 120.0	170.0
Annual aggregate limit of the earthquake insurance which covers San Francisco region	$ 120.0	170.0
Amount of earthquake insurance provided by IXP, LLC as direct insurer San Francisco			$ 20.0
Earthquake Coverage Included In Builders Risk Policy For Salesforce Tower			60.0
Operating partnership guarantee to cover liabilities of IXP		20.0	20.0
767 Venture, LLC [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum funding obligation		13.4	13.4
Property insurance program per occurrence limits		1,625.0	1,625.0
Lehman [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Bankruptcy claim, amount filed by general creditor				$ 45.3
Bankruptcy claim amount allowed by court to creditor								$ 45.2
Bankruptcy Claims, Amount of Claims Settled					$ 3.6	$ 4.5	$ 7.7
Bankruptcy remaining claim amount allowed by court to creditor		$ 29.4	29.4
200 Clarendon Street [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantee Obligation Related To Tenant Re-Leasing Costs			21.2
Fountain Square [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantee Obligation Related To Tenant Re-Leasing Costs			0.7
601 Lexington Avenue [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Coverage For Acts Of Terrorism Under TRIA Covered in Excess of Amount Covered by IXP			$ 250.0
767 Fifth Partners LLC [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage by the Company		60.00%	60.00%

Noncontrolling Interests (Narrative) (Details)	Sep. 30, 2015 shares
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Operating Partnership (OP) Units (in shares)	16,097,473
Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) Units (in shares)	1,837,080
OPP Units 2012 [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Outperformance awards in LTIP Units (in shares)	216,854
2013 MYLTIP [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
2013 MYLTIP (in shares)	309,818
MYLTIP 2014 [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
2014 MYLTIP (in shares)	476,320
2015 MYLTIP [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
2015 MYLTIPS (in shares)	368,415

Noncontrolling Interests (Redeemable Preferred Units) (Narrative) (Details) - Series Four Preferred Units [Member] - Noncontrolling Interests [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 25, 2015	May 15, 2015	Feb. 17, 2015	Nov. 05, 2014	Oct. 16, 2014	Jul. 03, 2014	May 19, 2014
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Preferred Units Liquidation Preference	$ 50.00
Series Four Preferred Units Released from Escrow (in shares)						27,773		319,687
Series Four Preferred Units Redeemed (in shares)		12,667
Redemption of Series Four Preferred Units		$ 0.6			$ 1.4		$ 16.0
Distributions to Series Four Preferred Units (in dollars per share)			$ 0.25	$ 0.25
Series Four Preferred Units Annual Dividend Payable Rate	2.00%

Noncontrolling Interests (Redeemable Preferred Units) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Activity of Noncontrolling Interests [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			$ 633
Net Income	$ 0	$ (75)	(6)	$ (1,014)
Redemption of redeemable preferred units (Series Four Preferred Units)			633	15,984
Ending Balance	0		0
Redeemable Preferred Units [Member]
Activity of Noncontrolling Interests [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			633	51,312
Net Income			6	1,014
Distributions			(6)	(1,014)
Conversion of redeemable preferred units (Series Two Preferred Units) to common units				(33,306)
Redemption of redeemable preferred units (Series Four Preferred Units)			(633)	(15,984)
Ending Balance	$ 0	$ 2,022	$ 0	$ 2,022

Noncontrolling Interests Redeemable interest in property partnership (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 15, 2015	Aug. 06, 2015	Oct. 04, 2012	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Payments for Repurchase of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest				$ 108,499	$ 0
Fountain Square [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Aggregate purchase price			$ 385,000
Indebtedness assumed			$ 211,300
Ownership Percentage	50.00%	50.00%	50.00%
Fixed Price to Acquire Remaining Portion of Joint venture		$ 100,900
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross			$ 87,000
Ownership Percentage by the Company			50.00%
Future Fixed Price to Acquire Remaining Portion of Joint venture			$ 102,000
Fixed Price Option Expiration Date			Jan. 31, 2016
Payments for Repurchase of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	$ 100,900
Mortgage debt assumed upon acquisition of noncontrolling interest	$ 105,600

Noncontrolling Interests Noncontrolling Redeemable Property Partnerships (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Sep. 30, 2014

Noncontrolling Interest Redeemable Property Partnership [Abstract]

Cumulative non-cash adjustment to the accretion of the changes in the redemption value of the noncontrolling interest

$ 1,900

Beginning Balance

$ 104,692

99,609

Net loss

(7)

(519)

Distributions

(2,900)

(4,300)

Adjustment to Reflect Redeemable Interest at Redemption Value

5,128

9,315

^[1]

Acquisition of interest

(106,913)

Ending Balance

$ 0

$ 104,105

[1]	Includes an out-of-period adjustment totaling approximately $1.9 million (See Note 2).

(Common Units) (Narrative) (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions					9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015 $ / shares	Apr. 30, 2015 $ / shares	Feb. 06, 2015 USD ($) shares	Jan. 28, 2015 $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) yr $ / shares shares	Sep. 16, 2015 $ / shares
OP Units [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
OP Units for redemption (in shares) \| shares					418,870
Redemption of OP units issued on conversion of LTIP Units (in shares) \| shares					59,826
Outperformance Awards LTIP Units distribution as percentage of OP Unit distribution prior to measurement date					10.00%
Distributions made to OP and LTIP units per unit (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 0.65	$ 0.65		$ 0.65
Distribution paid to outperformance awards, OPP Units and MYLTIP Units (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 0.065	0.065		0.065
Distribution declared to OP and LTIP units by Boston Properties, Inc. (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares						$ 0.65
Distribution declared to outperformance awards OPP Units by Boston Properties, Inc. (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares						$ 0.065
Restriction on redemption of OP Unit to Common Stock (in years) \| yr					1
Redemption of OP Unit equivalence to Common Stock (in shares) \| shares					1
Common units of operating partnership if converted value \| $					$ 2,100.0
Closing price of common stock (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares					$ 118.40
OPP Units 2012 [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Distributions made to OP and LTIP units per unit (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares		$ 0.416
2013 MYLTIP [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
2013 MYLTIP (in shares) \| shares					309,818
MYLTIP 2014 [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
2014 MYLTIP (in shares) \| shares					476,320
2015 MYLTIP [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
2015 MYLTIPS (in shares) \| shares					368,415
special dividend [Member] \| OP Units [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Distributions made to OP and LTIP units per unit (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares				$ 4.50
OPP Units 2012 [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Outperformance awards earned \| $			$ 32.1
Potential maximum amount of Outperformance Awards earned (percent)			80.00%
Potential Awards Earned \| $			$ 40.0
2012 OPP Units Forfeited (in shares) \| shares			174,549

Noncontrolling Interests (Property Partnerships) (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 18, 2015 USD ($) ft²	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales of real estate				$ 389,457	$ 103,542
Property partnerships		$ 1,590,808		1,590,808		$ 1,602,467
Mortgage notes payable assigned in connection with the sale of real estate				116,993	0
Gains on sales of real estate		$ 199,479	$ 41,937	$ 294,563	$ 41,937
505 9th Street [Member] \| Consolidated Properties [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales of real estate	$ 194,600
Ownership Percentage by the Company	50.00%
Sale Price Of Sold Property	$ 318,000
Mortgage notes payable assigned in connection with the sale of real estate	$ 117,000
Net Rentable Area (in sf) \| ft²	322,000
Gains on sales of real estate	$ 199,500
Consolidated Entity Excluding Variable Interest Entities (VIE) [Member] \| 505 9th Street [Member] \| Consolidated Properties [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales of real estate	97,300
Gains on sales of real estate	$ 101,100

Noncontrolling Interests Property Partnerships (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Activity of Noncontrolling Interests [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			$ 1,602,467
Capital contributions			(1,758)	$ (2,980)
Net income	$ (115,240)	$ (5,566)	(139,712)	(17,473)
Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	7,056	(65)	4,847	(191)
Ending Balance	1,590,808		1,590,808
Property Partnerships Member
Activity of Noncontrolling Interests [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			1,602,467	726,132
Capital contributions			1,758	2,980
Net income			134,591	8,677
Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests			(3,540)
Distributions			(144,468)	(21,224)
Ending Balance	$ 1,590,808	$ 716,565	$ 1,590,808	$ 716,565

Stockholders' Equity (Details)								9 Months Ended
Stockholders' Equity (Details)	Aug. 17, 2015 $ / shares	Jul. 31, 2015 $ / shares	May 15, 2015 $ / shares	Apr. 30, 2015 $ / shares	Feb. 17, 2015 $ / shares	Jan. 28, 2015 $ / shares	Jun. 03, 2014 USD ($) yr	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Mar. 27, 2018 $ / shares	Sep. 16, 2015 $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding \| shares								153,574,600			153,113,945
Shares of its Common Stock in connection with the redemption of an equal number of OP Units (in shares) \| shares								418,870
Shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of options to purchase Common Stock by certain employees (in shares) \| shares								11,447
Dividend paid on common stock (in dollars per share)		$ 0.65		$ 0.65		$ 5.15
Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share										$ 0.65
Common Stock, Value, Issued \| $								$ 1,536,000			$ 1,531,000
New ATM program [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
At the market stock offering program, aggregate value of common stock \| $							$ 600,000,000
At Market Stock Offering Program Maximum Length Of Sale In Years \| yr							3
Common Stock, Value, Issued \| $								$ 0
Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividend paid on common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 32.8125		$ 32.8125		$ 32.8125
Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share										$ 32.8125
Series B, Shares Outstanding (in shares) \| shares								80,000			80,000
Series B, Dividend Rate, Percentage								5.25%
Series B, Liquidation Preference Per Share (dollars per share)								$ 2,500			$ 2,500
Ratio of depository shares to shares of Series B Preferred Stock								0.01
Depository shares of Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Series B, Shares Outstanding (in shares) \| shares								8,000,000
Series B, Liquidation Preference Per Share (dollars per share)								$ 25.00
Subsequent Event [Member] \| Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Series B, Liquidation Preference Per Share (dollars per share)									$ 2,500.00
Subsequent Event [Member] \| Depository shares of Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Series B, Liquidation Preference Per Share (dollars per share)									$ 25.00

Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Basic Earnings:
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$ 184,082	$ 127,724	$ 434,702	$ 258,472
Net income attributable to Boston Properties Inc. common shareholders (in shares)	153,595	153,120	153,426	153,077
Net income attributable to Boston Properties Inc. common shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.20	$ 0.83	$ 2.83	$ 1.69
Allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities	$ (221)	$ (63)	$ (361)
Allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities (in shares)	0	0	0
Allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities(per share)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$ 183,861	$ 127,661	$ 434,341	$ 258,472
Net income attributable to Boston Properties Inc. common shareholders (in shares)	153,595	153,120	153,426	153,077
Net income attributable to Boston Properties Inc.. common shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.20	$ 0.83	$ 2.83	$ 1.69
Effect of Dilutive Securities:
Stock Based Compensation, Income (Numerator)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Stock Based Compensation, Shares (Denominator)	191	153	399	151
Stock Based Compensation, Per Share Amount (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)	$ 0.00
Diluted Earnings:
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders (Numerator)	$ 183,861	$ 127,661	$ 434,341	$ 258,472
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders (in shares) (Denominator)	153,786	153,273	153,825	153,228
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders (in dollars per Share Amount (in dollars per share)	$ 1.20	$ 0.83	$ 2.82	$ 1.69

Stock Option and Incentive Plan (Restricted Stock) (Narrative) (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) VestingInstallments $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued \| shares	153,653,500		153,653,500		153,192,845
Stock based Compensation Expense	$ 5,900	$ 5,000	$ 21,000	$ 21,000
Common Stock, Value, Issued	$ 1,536		$ 1,536		$ 1,531
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued \| shares	34,150		34,150
Employee and director payment per share (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares			$ 0.01
Common Stock, Value, Issued	$ 4,800		$ 4,800
Employee's weighted average cost per share (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 140.88		$ 140.88
LTIP Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
LTIP units issued (in shares) \| shares	190,563		190,563
Value of LTIP units issued			$ 13,500
Per unit fair value weighted-average (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 128.94		$ 128.94
Expected life assumed to calculate per unit fair value per LTIP unit (years)			5 years 8 months 12 days
Risk-free rate			1.47%
Expected price volatility			26.00%
2015 MYLTIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
MYLTIP units issued (in shares) \| shares	375,000		375,000
LTIPs And Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting annual installments \| VestingInstallments			4
Unrecognized compensation expenses	$ 21,300		$ 21,300
LTIPs and 2015 MYLTIP Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Employee and director payment per share (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares			$ 0.25
Unvested 2012 OPP Units and 2013, 2014 and 2015 MYLTIPS [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expenses	$ 20,500		$ 20,500
Weighted-average period (years)	2 years 6 months
Non-executive Chairman of the Board of Directors [Member] \| LTIP Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
LTIP units issued (in shares) \| shares	85,962		85,962

Stock Option and Incentive Plan Stock Option and Incentive Plan (Narrative) (Details)	Feb. 06, 2015 USD ($) shares	Jan. 21, 2015 USD ($) yr tiers indices
2015 MYLTIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
TRS Measurement, Years \| yr		3
Indices Used to Compare TRS \| indices		2
Number of Tiers \| tiers		3
Percentage of annualized TRS for Reduction of Earned Awards		0.00%
Percentage to Cause Some Awards to be Earned Even if on a Relative Basis it Would Not Result in any Earned Awards		12.00%
Distributions Percent Before Measurement Date		10.00%
Value of MYLTIP Awards		$ 15,700,000
MYLTIP Value Amortized Into Earnings, Years \| yr		4
OPP Units 2012 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Potential Awards Earned	$ 40,000,000
Outperformance awards earned	$ 32,100,000
Potential maximum amount of Outperformance Awards earned (percent)	80.00%
2012 OPP Units Forfeited (in shares) \| shares	174,549
Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Portfolio Index [Member] \| 2015 MYLTIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted Percentage of Index Used to Compare to TRS		50.00%
NAREIT Office Index adjusted [Member] \| 2015 MYLTIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted Percentage of Index Used to Compare to TRS		50.00%
Target [Member] \| 2015 MYLTIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Amount of Each Tier		$ 16,300,000
Threshold [Member] \| 2015 MYLTIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Amount of Each Tier		8,200,000
High [Member] \| 2015 MYLTIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Amount of Each Tier		40,800,000
Maximum [Member] \| 2015 MYLTIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Potential Awards Earned		40,800,000
Minimum [Member] \| 2015 MYLTIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Potential Awards Earned		$ 0
MYLTIP Vesting 2018 [Member] \| 2015 MYLTIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting Percentage		50.00%
Vesting Date		Feb. 04, 2018
MYLTIP vesting 2019 [Member] \| 2015 MYLTIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting Percentage		50.00%
Vesting Date		Feb. 04, 2019

Segment Information (Schedule Of Segment Reporting By Geographic Area And Property Type) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental Revenue: Class A Office	$ 592,830	$ 577,731	$ 1,756,814	$ 1,666,335
Rental Revenue: Office/Technical	14,412	15,661	43,782	47,283
Rental Revenue: Residential	4,111	7,018	14,776	18,998
Rental Revenue: Hotel	12,619	11,918	35,107	32,478
Total revenue	$ 623,972	$ 612,328	$ 1,850,479	$ 1,765,094
Rental Revenue: % of Grand Totals	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Rental Expenses: Class A Office	$ 214,481	$ 206,743	$ 637,327	$ 599,806
Rental Expenses: Office/Technical	3,781	4,273	11,672	12,546
Rental Expenses: Residential	1,534	4,163	6,611	11,861
Rental Expenses: Hotel	8,125	7,585	24,196	21,697
Rental Expenses: Total	$ 227,921	$ 222,764	$ 679,806	$ 645,910
Rental Expenses: % Of Grand Totals	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Net operating Income	$ 396,051	$ 389,564	$ 1,170,673	$ 1,119,184
Net operating Income: % of Grand Totals	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Boston [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental Revenue: Class A Office	$ 173,412	$ 176,788	$ 518,213	$ 520,857
Rental Revenue: Office/Technical	5,866	6,056	18,028	17,788
Rental Revenue: Residential	1,275	1,137	3,584	3,389
Rental Revenue: Hotel	12,619	11,918	35,107	32,478
Total revenue	$ 193,172	$ 195,899	$ 574,932	$ 574,512
Rental Revenue: % of Grand Totals	30.96%	31.99%	31.07%	32.55%
Rental Expenses: Class A Office	$ 70,178	$ 69,026	$ 212,517	$ 206,242
Rental Expenses: Office/Technical	1,720	1,901	5,485	5,326
Rental Expenses: Residential	485	509	1,505	1,501
Rental Expenses: Hotel	8,125	7,585	24,196	21,697
Rental Expenses: Total	$ 80,508	$ 79,021	$ 243,703	$ 234,766
Rental Expenses: % Of Grand Totals	35.32%	35.47%	35.85%	36.35%
Net operating Income	$ 112,664	$ 116,878	$ 331,229	$ 339,746
Net operating Income: % of Grand Totals	28.45%	30.00%	28.29%	30.36%
New York [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental Revenue: Class A Office	$ 253,612	$ 243,033	$ 753,142	$ 684,240
Rental Revenue: Office/Technical	0	0	0	0
Rental Revenue: Residential	0	0	0	0
Rental Revenue: Hotel	0	0	0	0
Total revenue	$ 253,612	$ 243,033	$ 753,142	$ 684,240
Rental Revenue: % of Grand Totals	40.64%	39.69%	40.70%	38.76%
Rental Expenses: Class A Office	$ 88,496	$ 82,335	$ 259,218	$ 231,668
Rental Expenses: Office/Technical	0	0	0	0
Rental Expenses: Residential	0	0	0	0
Rental Expenses: Hotel	0	0	0	0
Rental Expenses: Total	$ 88,496	$ 82,335	$ 259,218	$ 231,668
Rental Expenses: % Of Grand Totals	38.83%	36.96%	38.13%	35.86%
Net operating Income	$ 165,116	$ 160,698	$ 493,924	$ 452,572
Net operating Income: % of Grand Totals	41.69%	41.25%	42.19%	40.43%
San Francisco [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental Revenue: Class A Office	$ 71,720	$ 61,691	$ 206,753	$ 173,749
Rental Revenue: Office/Technical	5,595	5,892	16,808	18,451
Rental Revenue: Residential	0	0	0	0
Rental Revenue: Hotel	0	0	0	0
Total revenue	$ 77,315	$ 67,583	$ 223,561	$ 192,200
Rental Revenue: % of Grand Totals	12.39%	11.04%	12.08%	10.89%
Rental Expenses: Class A Office	$ 24,864	$ 22,484	$ 70,189	$ 63,078
Rental Expenses: Office/Technical	1,019	1,363	2,930	3,885
Rental Expenses: Residential	0	0	0	0
Rental Expenses: Hotel	0	0	0	0
Rental Expenses: Total	$ 25,883	$ 23,847	$ 73,119	$ 66,963
Rental Expenses: % Of Grand Totals	11.36%	10.71%	10.76%	10.37%
Net operating Income	$ 51,432	$ 43,736	$ 150,442	$ 125,237
Net operating Income: % of Grand Totals	12.98%	11.23%	12.85%	11.19%
Washington, DC [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental Revenue: Class A Office	$ 94,086	$ 96,219	$ 278,706	$ 287,489
Rental Revenue: Office/Technical	2,951	3,713	8,946	11,044
Rental Revenue: Residential	2,836	5,881	11,192	15,609
Rental Revenue: Hotel	0	0	0	0
Total revenue	$ 99,873	$ 105,813	$ 298,844	$ 314,142
Rental Revenue: % of Grand Totals	16.01%	17.28%	16.15%	17.80%
Rental Expenses: Class A Office	$ 30,943	$ 32,898	$ 95,403	$ 98,818
Rental Expenses: Office/Technical	1,042	1,009	3,257	3,335
Rental Expenses: Residential	1,049	3,654	5,106	10,360
Rental Expenses: Hotel	0	0	0	0
Rental Expenses: Total	$ 33,034	$ 37,561	$ 103,766	$ 112,513
Rental Expenses: % Of Grand Totals	14.49%	16.86%	15.26%	17.42%
Net operating Income	$ 66,839	$ 68,252	$ 195,078	$ 201,629
Net operating Income: % of Grand Totals	16.88%	17.52%	16.67%	18.02%

Segment Information (Schedule Of Reconciliation Of Net Operating Income To Net Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net Operating Income	$ 227,750	$ 214,803	$ 638,885	$ 592,973
Development and management services income	5,912	6,475	16,102	18,197
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	2,647	4,419	20,559	10,069
Interest and other income	3,637	3,421	6,337	6,841
General and administrative expense	20,944	22,589	72,019	75,765
Transaction costs	254	1,402	789	2,500
Depreciation and amortization expense	153,015	157,245	475,082	466,143
Losses (gains) from investments in securities	1,515	297	1,146	(651)
Interest expense	108,727	113,308	326,018	337,839
Noncontrolling interest in property partnerships	115,240	5,566	139,712	17,473
Noncontrolling interest-redeemable preferred units of the Operating Partnership	0	75	6	1,014
Noncontrolling interest-common units of the Operating Partnership	21,302	14,963	50,906	29,819
Preferred dividends	2,647	2,647	7,854	7,854
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	184,082	127,724	434,702	258,472
Business Intersegment, Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net Operating Income	396,051	389,564	1,170,673	1,119,184
Development and management services income	5,912	6,475	16,102	18,197
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	2,647	4,419	20,559	10,069
Interest and other income	3,637	3,421	6,337	6,841
Gains on sales of real estate	199,479	41,937	294,563	41,937
General and administrative expense	20,944	22,589	72,019	75,765
Transaction costs	254	1,402	789	2,500
Depreciation and amortization expense	153,015	157,245	475,082	466,143
Losses (gains) from investments in securities	1,515	297	1,146	(651)
Interest expense	108,727	113,308	326,018	337,839
Noncontrolling interest in property partnerships	115,240	5,566	139,712	17,473
Noncontrolling interest-redeemable preferred units of the Operating Partnership	0	75	6	1,014
Noncontrolling interest-common units of the Operating Partnership	21,302	14,963	50,906	29,819
Preferred dividends	2,647	2,647	7,854	7,854
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders	$ 184,082	$ 127,724	$ 434,702	$ 258,472

Subsequent Events subsequent Events (Details) $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2015 USD ($) a	Nov. 06, 2015 USD ($) swaps yr	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) swaps yr	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Oct. 07, 2015 USD ($) ft² a Real_Estate_Properties Vehicles	Feb. 19, 2015 USD ($) a
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Repayments of Secured Debt			$ 20,137	$ 82,030
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Notional Amount			$ 775,000
767 Fifth Partners LLC [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage by the Company			60.00%
767 Fifth Partners LLC [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of interest rate swap agreements entered into (swap contracts) \| swaps			9
Maximum period of hedging exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions (in years) \| yr			10
Average Fixed Interest Rate			2.801%
Notional Amount			$ 250,000
767 Fifth Partners LLC [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of interest rate swap agreements entered into (swap contracts) \| swaps		1
Maximum period of hedging exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions (in years) \| yr		10
Average Fixed Interest Rate		2.379%
Notional Amount		$ 25,000
Operating Partnership [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of interest rate swap agreements entered into (swap contracts) \| swaps			16
Maximum period of hedging exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions (in years) \| yr			10
Average Fixed Interest Rate			2.437%
Notional Amount			$ 525,000
Operating Partnership [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of interest rate swap agreements entered into (swap contracts) \| swaps		1
Maximum period of hedging exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions (in years) \| yr		10
Average Fixed Interest Rate		2.129%
Notional Amount		$ 25,000
Washingtonian North land parcel [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Sale Price Of Sold Property						$ 8,700
Land sold (in acres) \| a						8.5
Area of Land \| a						27
Washingtonian North land parcel [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Sale Price Of Sold Property	$ 13,300
Land sold (in acres) \| a	5.8
Area of Land \| a	19.3
Innovation Place [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Vehicles In Structured Parking \| Vehicles					1,699
Net Rentable Area (in sf) \| ft²					574,000
Sale Price Of Sold Property					$ 207,000
Area of Land \| a					26
Secured Debt [Member] \| Kingstowne Two and Kingstowne Retail [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Repayments of Secured Debt	$ 29,800
Coupon/Stated Rate	5.99%
Occupied [Member] \| Innovation Place [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties \| Real_Estate_Properties					1
Vacant [Member] \| Innovation Place [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Net Rentable Area (in sf) \| ft²					463,000
Number of real estate properties \| Real_Estate_Properties					3
Parking structures [Member] \| Innovation Place [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties \| Real_Estate_Properties					2
Future development [Member] \| Innovation Place [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Vehicles In Structured Parking \| Vehicles					3,000
Net Rentable Area (in sf) \| ft²					537,000