Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Developers Diversified Realty Corporation Equity:
Common shares, par value	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Common shares, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common shares, shares issued	276,711,707	256,267,750
Common shares in treasury at cost	652,915	712,310
Class G Preferred Stock
Developers Diversified Realty Corporation Equity:
Cumulative redeemable preferred shares, par value	$ 0	$ 0
Cumulative redeemable preferred shares, liquidation value	$ 250	$ 250
Cumulative redeemable preferred shares, shares authorized	750,000	750,000
Cumulative redeemable preferred shares, shares issued	0	720,000
Cumulative redeemable preferred shares, shares outstanding	0	720,000
Preferred stock dividend rate	8.00%	8.00%
Class H Preferred Stock
Developers Diversified Realty Corporation Equity:
Cumulative redeemable preferred shares, par value	$ 0	$ 0
Cumulative redeemable preferred shares, liquidation value	$ 500	$ 500
Cumulative redeemable preferred shares, shares authorized	750,000	750,000
Cumulative redeemable preferred shares, shares issued	410,000	410,000
Cumulative redeemable preferred shares, shares outstanding	410,000	410,000
Preferred stock dividend rate	7.375%	7.375%
Class I Preferred Stock
Developers Diversified Realty Corporation Equity:
Cumulative redeemable preferred shares, par value	$ 0	$ 0
Cumulative redeemable preferred shares, liquidation value	$ 500	$ 500
Cumulative redeemable preferred shares, shares authorized	750,000	750,000
Cumulative redeemable preferred shares, shares issued	340,000	340,000
Cumulative redeemable preferred shares, shares outstanding	340,000	340,000
Preferred stock dividend rate	7.50%	7.50%