Investments in and Advances to Joint Ventures - Condensed Combined Statements of Operations of Unconsolidated Joint Venture Investments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Condensed Combined Statements of Operations
Operating expenses	$ 193,825	$ 158,322	$ 596,257	$ 454,325
Impairment charges	1,813	9,260	18,898	22,902
Depreciation and amortization	99,480	70,015	302,901	198,609
Interest expense	58,115	54,740	179,908	157,346
Other expense, net	2,758	2,282	11,881	3,287
Income before tax benefit (expense) of taxable REIT subsidiaries and state franchise and income taxes	6,101	1,528	54,775	13,159
Income tax expense (primarily SSB), net	212	(404)	(1,120)	(2,463)
Income from continuing operations	6,313	1,124	53,655	10,696
Discontinued operations:
Gain (loss) on disposition of real estate, net of tax	57,105	8,701	74,287	7,240
Income (loss) before gain on disposition of real estate	64,219	(2,134)	122,352	(17,176)
Gain on disposition of real estate, net	2,262	1,929	2,645	347
Non-controlling interests	2,125	(170)	2,985	(556)
Net income (loss) attributable to DDR	68,606	(375)	127,982	(17,385)
Company's share of equity in net income of joint ventures	3,316	2,800	9,483	4,328
Amortization of basis differentials	304	980	758	1,215
Equity in net income of joint ventures	3,620	3,780	10,241	5,543
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Member]
Condensed Combined Statements of Operations
Revenues from operations	119,973	176,001	392,523	527,799
Operating expenses	40,024	61,099	137,787	182,130
Impairment charges	11,093	13,390	11,693	51,713
Depreciation and amortization	35,579	56,502	119,641	173,333
Interest expense	41,764	56,453	141,776	169,935
Other expense, net	188	1,916	3,024	2,229
Total expenses	128,648	189,360	413,921	579,340
Income before tax benefit (expense) of taxable REIT subsidiaries and state franchise and income taxes	(8,675)	(13,359)	(21,398)	(51,541)
Income tax expense (primarily SSB), net	0	(6,446)	(6,565)	(20,299)
Income from continuing operations	(8,675)	(19,805)	(27,963)	(71,840)
Discontinued operations:
Loss from discontinued operations	(55)	(11,196)	(844)	(22,604)
Gain (loss) on disposition of real estate, net of tax	4,713	(21,228)	28,224	(27,133)
Income (loss) before gain on disposition of real estate	(4,017)	(52,229)	(583)	(121,577)
Gain on disposition of real estate, net	3,833	151	3,833	794
Net (loss) income	(184)	(52,078)	3,250	(120,783)
Non-controlling interests	0	(5,800)	(2,023)	(19,715)
Net income (loss) attributable to DDR	$ (184)	$ (57,878)	$ 1,227	$ (140,498)