Earnings and Dividends Per Share - Reconciliation of Net Income Loss from Continuing Operations and Number of Common Shares Used in Computations of "Basic" EPS and "Diluted" EPS (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Continuing Operations:
Loss from continuing operations									$ (14,776)	$ (7,886)	$ (162,253)
Plus: Gain on disposition of real estate									5,863	7,079	1,318
Plus: (Loss) income attributable to non-controlling interests									(493)	3,543	12,071
(Loss) income from continuing operations attributable to DDR									(9,406)	2,736	(148,864)
Write-off of preferred share original issuance costs									(5,804)	(6,402)	0
Preferred dividends									(28,645)	(31,587)	(42,269)
Basic - Loss from continuing operations attributable to DDR common shareholders									(43,855)	(35,253)	(191,133)
Less: Earnings attributable to unvested shares and operating partnership units									(1,114)	(488)	(155)
Basic - Loss from continuing operations									(44,969)	(35,741)	(191,288)
Discontinued Operations:
Loss from discontinued operations									(16,416)	(18,590)	(86,786)
Plus: Income attributable to non-controlling interests									0	0	26,292
Basic - Loss from discontinued operations									(16,416)	(18,590)	(60,494)
Basic - Net loss attributable to DDR common shareholders after allocation to participating securities									(61,385)	(54,331)	(251,782)
Continuing Operations:
Basic - Loss from continuing operations attributable to DDR common shareholders									(43,855)	(35,253)	(191,133)
Less: Earnings attributable to unvested shares and operating partnership units									(1,114)	(488)	(155)
Less: Fair value of Otto Family warrants									0	(21,926)	0
Diluted - Loss from continuing operations									(44,969)	(57,667)	(191,288)
Discontinued Operations:
Basic - Loss from discontinued operations									(16,416)	(18,590)	(60,494)
Diluted - Net loss attributable to DDR common shareholders after allocation to participating securities									$ (61,385)	$ (76,257)	$ (251,782)
Number of Shares:
Basic - Average shares outstanding	307,873	302,232	280,390	275,214	274,718	274,639	274,299	255,966	291,726	270,278	244,712
Effect of dilutive securities - Warrants									0	1,194	0
Diluted - Average shares outstanding	307,873	302,924	280,390	275,214	274,718	274,639	276,067	262,581	291,726	271,472	244,712
Basic Earnings Per Share:
Loss from continuing operations attributable to DDR common shareholders									$ (0.15)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.78)
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to DDR common shareholders									$ (0.06)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.25)
Net loss attributable to DDR common shareholders	$ (0.02)	$ 0.04	$ (0.16)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.18)	$ (0.10)	$ 0.10	$ (0.21)	$ (0.20)	$ (1.03)
Dilutive Earnings Per Share:
Loss from continuing operations attributable to DDR common shareholders									$ (0.15)	$ (0.21)	$ (0.78)
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to DDR common shareholders									$ (0.06)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.25)
Net loss attributable to DDR common shareholders	$ (0.02)	$ 0.04	$ (0.16)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.18)	$ (0.10)	$ 0.01	$ (0.21)	$ (0.28)	$ (1.03)