CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenues from operations:
Minimum rents	$ 542,900	$ 498,079	$ 490,058
Percentage and overage rents	5,117	6,057	5,435
Recoveries from tenants	174,097	163,123	162,046
Fee and other income	78,261	82,570	84,393
Total revenue from operations	800,375	749,829	741,932
Rental operation expenses:
Operating and maintenance	128,821	128,873	123,201
Real estate taxes	104,256	97,382	98,845
Impairment charges	105,395	67,912	84,855
General and administrative	76,444	85,221	85,573
Depreciation and amortization	248,781	215,928	202,981
Total rental operation expenses	663,697	595,316	595,455
Other income (expense):
Interest income	15,799	9,832	7,302
Interest expense	(221,424)	(224,024)	(209,643)
(Loss) gain on debt retirement, net	(13,495)	(89)	485
Gain (loss) on equity derivative instruments	0	21,926	(40,157)
Other income (expense), net	(17,880)	(5,002)	(24,148)
Total other income (expense)	(237,000)	(197,357)	(266,161)
Loss before earnings from equity method investments and other items	(100,322)	(42,844)	(119,684)
Equity in net income of joint ventures	35,250	13,734	5,600
Impairment of joint venture investments	(26,671)	(2,921)	(227)
Gain on change in control and sale of interests, net	78,127	25,170	0
Loss before tax expense of taxable REIT subsidiaries and state franchise and income taxes	(13,616)	(6,861)	(114,311)
Tax expense of taxable REIT subsidiaries and state franchise and income taxes	(1,160)	(1,025)	(47,942)
Loss from continuing operations	(14,776)	(7,886)	(162,253)
Loss from discontinued operations	(16,416)	(18,590)	(86,786)
Loss before gain on disposition of real estate	(31,192)	(26,476)	(249,039)
Gain on disposition of real estate, net of tax	5,863	7,079	1,318
Net loss	(25,329)	(19,397)	(247,721)
Non-controlling interests	(493)	3,543	38,363
Net loss attributable to DDR	(25,822)	(15,854)	(209,358)
Write-off of preferred share original issuance costs	(5,804)	(6,402)	0
Preferred dividends	(28,645)	(31,587)	(42,269)
Net loss attributable to DDR common shareholders	$ (60,271)	$ (53,843)	$ (251,627)
Basic earnings per share data:
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	$ (0.21)	$ (0.20)	$ (1.03)
Diluted earnings per share data:
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	$ (0.21)	$ (0.28)	$ (1.03)