Investments in and Advances to Joint Ventures - Condensed Combined Financial Information of Company's Unconsolidated Joint Venture Investments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Condensed combined balance sheets
Land	$ 1,900,401	$ 1,844,125
Buildings	5,773,961	5,461,122
Fixtures and tenant improvements	489,626	379,965
Total real estate rental property	8,163,988	7,685,212
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(1,670,717)	(1,550,066)
Land held for development and construction in progress	475,123	581,627
Total real estate assets, net	6,968,394	6,719,063
Other assets	182,150	67,626
Total assets	8,055,837	7,469,425
Mortgage debt	1,674,141	1,822,445
Total liabilities	4,689,377	4,391,533
Redeemable preferred equity	154,600
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Member]
Condensed combined balance sheets
Land	1,569,548	1,400,469
Buildings	4,681,462	4,334,097
Fixtures and tenant improvements	244,293	189,940
Total real estate rental property	6,495,303	5,924,506
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(833,816)	(808,352)
Total real estate assets, net	5,661,487	5,116,154
Land held for development and construction in progress	348,822	239,036
Total real estate assets, net	6,010,309	5,355,190
Cash and restricted cash	467,200	308,008
Receivables, net	99,098	108,038
Other assets	427,014	177,251
Total assets	7,003,621	5,948,487
Mortgage debt	4,246,407	3,742,241
Notes and accrued interest payable to DDR	143,338	100,470
Other liabilities	342,614	214,370
Total liabilities	4,732,359	4,057,081
Redeemable preferred equity	154,556	0
Accumulated equity	2,116,706	1,891,406
Liabilities and accumulated equity	7,003,621	5,948,487
Company's share of Accumulated Equity	$ 432,500	$ 402,242