Quarterly Results of Operations - Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations (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
Quarterly Results Of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 210,870	$ 204,119	$ 193,778	$ 191,608	$ 189,357	$ 186,279	$ 185,946	$ 188,247	$ 800,375	$ 749,829	$ 741,932
Net (loss) income attributable to DDR	(4)	26,738	(37,500)	(15,056)	5,206	(42,989)	(13,383)	35,312	(25,822)	(15,854)	(209,358)
Net (loss) income attributable to DDR common shareholders	$ (7,034)	$ 13,253	$ (44,467)	$ (22,023)	$ (1,761)	$ (49,956)	$ (26,871)	$ 24,745	$ (60,271)	$ (53,843)	$ (251,627)
Basic:
Net (loss) income per common share 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)
Weighted-average number of shares	307,873	302,232	280,390	275,214	274,718	274,639	274,299	255,966	291,726	270,278	244,712
Diluted:
Net income (loss) per common share 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)
Weighted-average number of shares	307,873	302,924	280,390	275,214	274,718	274,639	276,067	262,581	291,726	271,472	244,712