Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues from operations:
Minimum rents	$ 514,493	$ 506,065	$ 498,587
Percentage and overage rents	6,457	5,827	7,054
Recoveries from tenants	166,665	165,946	164,724
Fee and other income	83,403	85,219	85,621
Total revenue from operations	771,018	763,057	755,986
Rental operation expenses:
Operating and maintenance	135,708	130,406	126,910
Real estate taxes	100,089	101,944	95,616
Impairment charges	101,815	84,855	12,745
General and administrative	85,221	85,573	94,365
Depreciation and amortization	222,655	209,847	204,222
Total rental operation expenses	645,488	612,625	533,858
Other income (expense):
Interest income	9,832	7,302	11,967
Interest expense	(229,718)	(215,322)	(211,617)
(Loss) gain on debt retirement, net	(89)	485	145,050
Gain (loss) on equity derivative instruments	21,926	(40,157)	(199,797)
Other income (expense), net	(5,002)	(24,211)	(29,003)
Total other income (expense)	(203,051)	(271,903)	(283,400)
Loss before earnings from equity method investments and other items	(77,521)	(121,471)	(61,272)
Equity in net income (loss) of joint ventures	13,734	5,600	(9,733)
Impairment of joint venture investments	(2,921)	(227)	(184,584)
Gain on change in control of interests and sale of interests	25,170		23,865
Loss before tax (expense) benefit of taxable REIT subsidiaries and state franchise and income taxes	(41,538)	(116,098)	(231,724)
Tax (expense) benefit of taxable REIT subsidiaries and state franchise and income taxes	(1,044)	(47,952)	868
Loss from continuing operations	(42,582)	(164,050)	(230,856)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	16,106	(84,989)	(181,911)
Loss before gain on disposition of real estate	(26,476)	(249,039)	(412,767)
Gain on disposition of real estate, net of tax	7,079	1,318	9,127
Net loss	(19,397)	(247,721)	(403,640)
Non-controlling interests	3,543	38,363	47,047
Net loss attributable to DDR	(15,854)	(209,358)	(356,593)
Write-off of preferred share original issuance costs	(6,402)
Preferred dividends	(31,587)	(42,269)	(42,269)
Net loss attributable to DDR common shareholders	$ (53,843)	$ (251,627)	$ (398,862)
Basic earnings per share data:
Loss from continuing operations attributable to DDR common shareholders	$ (0.26)	$ (0.79)	$ (1.67)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to DDR common shareholders	$ 0.06	$ (0.24)	$ (0.84)
Net loss attributable to DDR common shareholders	$ (0.20)	$ (1.03)	$ (2.51)
Diluted earnings per share data:
Loss from continuing operations attributable to DDR common shareholders	$ (0.34)	$ (0.79)	$ (1.67)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to DDR common shareholders	$ 0.06	$ (0.24)	$ (0.84)
Net loss attributable to DDR common shareholders	$ (0.28)	$ (1.03)	$ (2.51)