Consolidated Statements Of Equity (USD $)	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock At Cost [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Cumulative Distributions In Excess Of Net Income [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss)Iincome [Member]	Cedar Shopping Centers, Inc. [Member]	Minority Interests in Consolidated Joint Ventures [Member]	Limited Partners' Interest in Operating Partnership [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 158,575,000	$ 3,991,000	$ (10,367,000)	$ 712,548,000	$ (231,275,000)	$ (3,406,000)	$ 630,066,000	$ 62,050,000	$ 6,355,000	$ 68,405,000	$ 698,471,000
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010	6,400,000	66,520,000
Net loss					(32,936,000)		(32,936,000)				(32,936,000)
Net loss, Noncontrolling Interests								(47,000)	(452,000)	(499,000)	(33,435,000)
Unrealized gain on change in fair value of cash flow hedges						409,000	409,000		2,000	2,000	411,000
Total other comprehensive loss							(32,527,000)	(47,000)	(450,000)	(497,000)	(33,024,000)
Deferred compensation activity, net		46,000	(489,000)	471,000			28,000				28,000
Deferred compensation activity, net, shares		759,000
Net proceeds from sales of common stock		2,000		223,000			225,000				225,000
Net proceeds from sales of common stock, shares		39,000
Net proceeds from dividend reinvestment and direct stock purchase plan		41,000		4,034,000			4,075,000				4,075,000
Net proceeds from dividend reinvestment and direct stock purchase plan, shares		684,000
Preferred distribution requirements					(7,041,000)		(7,041,000)				(7,041,000)
Distributions to common shareholders/ noncontrolling interests					(12,148,000)		(12,148,000)	(1,973,000)	(139,000)	(2,112,000)	(14,260,000)
Contribution from minority interest partners								269,000		269,000	269,000
Reallocation adjustment of limited partners' interest				739,000			739,000		488,000	488,000	1,227,000
Balance at Jun. 30, 2011	$ 158,575,000	$ 4,080,000	$ (10,856,000)	$ 718,015,000	$ (283,400,000)	$ (2,997,000)	$ 583,417,000	$ 60,299,000	$ 6,254,000	$ 66,553,000	$ 649,970,000
Balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2011	6,400,000	68,002,000