Income Taxes - Summary of Combined Activity TRS (Detail) (TRS [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
TRS [Member]
Income Before Income Taxes [Line Items]
Book (loss) income before income taxes	$ (16,934)	$ 4,738	$ (22,843)

Income loss before Tax Benefit Expense of Taxable REIT Subsidiaries and State and Local Income Taxes.

No definition available.

Name:	ddr_IncomeLossBeforeTaxBenefitExpenseOfTaxableReitSubsidiariesAndStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes
Namespace Prefix:	ddr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration