Investments in and Advances to Joint Ventures - Additional Information (Detail)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) ShoppingCenter	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) ShoppingCenter Investment	Dec. 31, 2016 ShoppingCenter
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Preferred investment interest valuation allowance	$ 76,000,000	$ 76,000,000
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Shopping centers owned | ShoppingCenter	150	150	151
BRE DDR Joint Ventures [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of unconsolidated investments | Investment		2
Maximum preferred investment fixed distribution deferral	23.50%	23.50%
Redemption of preferred equity in full or in part at partners option		during the first three years
Redemption of preferred investment in full at company option		after seven years
Dividend, cash interest rate	6.50%
Dividend, accrued PIK interest rate	2.00%
BRE DDR Joint Ventures [Member] | Unpaid Preferred Investments Distributions [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Preferred equity fixed dividend rate per annum		8.50%
BRE DDR III [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest of joint venture partner		95.00%
Ownership interest in joint venture	5.00%	5.00%
Redemption of preferred investment in full at company option year		2021
Minimum net asset sales threshold payable	$ 46,300,000	$ 46,300,000
Preferred investment interest valuation allowance	$ 70,000,000	$ 70,000,000
BRE DDR III [Member] | Preferred Equity [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Remaining net asset sale proceeds		51.50%
BRE DDR IV [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest of joint venture partner		95.00%
Ownership interest in joint venture	5.00%	5.00%
Redemption of preferred investment in full at company option year		2022
Minimum net asset sales threshold payable	$ 26,000,000	$ 26,000,000
Preferred investment interest valuation allowance	6,000,000	6,000,000
BRE DDR IV [Member] | Preferred Equity [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Minimum net asset sales threshold payable	$ 6,000,000	$ 6,000,000
Number of assets with nominal interest | ShoppingCenter	6	6