Acquisitions (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
Intangible assets recorded in connection with the acquisitions
Intangible assets	$ 10,753
Leases, Acquired-in-Place [Member]
Intangible assets recorded in connection with the acquisitions
Intangible assets	5,586
Weighted Average Amortization Period (in Years)	4.9
Tenant Relations [Member]
Intangible assets recorded in connection with the acquisitions
Intangible assets	$ 5,167
Weighted Average Amortization Period (in Years)	9.3

Schedule of Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class.

Name:	ddr_ScheduleOfAcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	ddr
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The calculated weighted-average amortization period of a major class of finite-lived intangible assets acquired during the current period either individually or as part of a group of assets (in either an asset acquisition or business combination). A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 44
-Subparagraph a(3)

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetWeightedAverageUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to an identifiable intangible asset that will be amortized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141
-Paragraph 52

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141
-Paragraph 51
-Subparagraph e

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAmortizableIntangibleAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant