Investments in and Advances to Joint Ventures - Investments in and Advances to Joint Ventures (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments Joint Ventures [Line Items]
Preferred equity investment in BRE DDR Retail Holdings, LLC	$ 154.6

As of the reporting date, the carrying amount of noncontrolling interests which are redeemable by the (parent) entity (1) at a fixed or determinable price on a fixed or determinable date, (2) at the option of the holder of the noncontrolling interest, or (3) upon occurrence of an event that is not solely within the control of the (parent) entity. The noncontrolling interest holder's ownership (or holders' ownership) may be in the form of preferred shares (regardless of class), preferred partnership units (regardless of class), preferential membership interests, or any other form of preferred equity regardless of investee entity legal form.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 480

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 3A

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=14643745&loc=SL6540498-122764

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number D-98

-Paragraph 43

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 480

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 3A

-Subparagraph (12)(c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=14643745&loc=SL6540498-122764

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number D-98

-Paragraph 43

-Subparagraph c

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 480

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 3A

-Subparagraph (16)(c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=14643745&loc=SL6540498-122764

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 480

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-Section S99

-Paragraph 3A

-Subparagraph 15

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=14643745&loc=SL6540498-122764

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph 27

-Subparagraph c

-Appendix A

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