CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues from operations:
Minimum rents	$ 688,556	$ 563,098	$ 474,693
Percentage and overage rents	5,231	5,650	4,675
Recoveries from tenants	230,987	186,672	156,483
Fee and other income	60,901	74,515	71,236
Total revenue from operations	985,675	829,935	707,087
Rental operation expenses:
Operating and maintenance	142,336	129,952	117,097
Real estate taxes	138,771	109,227	91,164
Impairment charges	29,175	19,044	46,741
General and administrative	84,484	79,556	76,444
Depreciation and amortization	402,825	296,560	219,902
Total rental operation expenses	797,591	634,339	551,348
Other income (expense):
Interest income	15,927	23,541	15,800
Interest expense	(237,120)	(214,370)	(197,641)
Loss on debt retirement	0	0	(13,495)
Other income (expense), net	(12,262)	(6,408)	(17,806)
Total other income (expense)	(233,455)	(197,237)	(213,142)
Loss before earnings from equity method investments and other items	(45,371)	(1,641)	(57,403)
Equity in net income of joint ventures	10,989	6,819	35,250
Impairment of joint venture investments	(30,652)	(980)	(26,671)
Gain on sale and change in control of interests, net	87,996	19,906	78,127
Income before tax expense of taxable REIT subsidiaries and state franchise and income taxes	22,962	24,104	29,303
Tax expense of taxable REIT subsidiaries and state franchise and income taxes	(1,855)	(2,685)	(1,131)
Income from continuing operations	21,107	21,419	28,172
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	89,398	(31,267)	(59,364)
Income (loss) before gain on disposition of real estate	110,505	(9,848)	(31,192)
Gain on disposition of real estate, net of tax	3,060	467	5,863
Net income (loss)	113,565	(9,381)	(25,329)
Loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests, net	3,717	(794)	(493)
Net income (loss) attributable to DDR	117,282	(10,175)	(25,822)
Write-off of preferred share original issuance costs	(1,943)	(5,246)	(5,804)
Preferred dividends	(24,054)	(27,721)	(28,645)
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$ 91,285	$ (43,142)	$ (60,271)
Basic earnings per share data:
Loss from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders	$ 0.00	$ (0.04)	$ (0.01)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to common shareholders	$ 0.25	$ (0.10)	$ (0.20)
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$ 0.25	$ (0.14)	$ (0.21)
Diluted earnings per share data:
Loss from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders	$ 0.00	$ (0.04)	$ (0.01)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to common shareholders	$ 0.25	$ (0.10)	$ (0.20)
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$ 0.25	$ (0.14)	$ (0.21)