Impairment Charges (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Impairment charges on consolidated assets and unconsolidated joint venture investments
Land held for development		$ 54.3		$ 54.3
Undeveloped land		4.9	3.8	4.9
Assets marketed for sale	18.4	15.8	18.4	15.8
Total continuing operations	18.4	75.0	22.2	75.0
Sold assets or assets held for sale	1.9	22.6	3.9	25.7
Assets formerly occupied by Mervyns		35.3		35.3
Total impairments charges	20.3	132.9	26.1	136.0
Impairment Charges (Textuals) [Abstract]
Company's share of impairment related to land under development for consolidated joint venture	0	41.9	0	41.9
Company's share of impairment of assets formerly occupied by major tenant	$ 0	$ 16.5	$ 0	$ 16.5

Impairment charges recognized into earnings attributable to assets marketed for sale.

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- Definition

Company's share of impairment of assets formerly occupied by major tenant.

+ Details

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- Definition

This element represents the impairment charge for land under development recognized to earnings after the allocation of the non-controlling interest.

+ Details

Name:	ddr_CompanysShareOfImpairmentRelatedToLandUnderDevelopmentForConsolidatedJointVenture
Namespace Prefix:	ddr
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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- Definition

Impairment charges.

+ Details

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Impairment of assets formerly occupied by major tenant.

+ Details

Name:	ddr_ImpairmentOfAssetsFormerlyOccupiedByMajorTenant
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total of all impairment charges recognized in continuing operations.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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- Definition

The charge against earnings resulting from the aggregate write down of all assets and investments in real estate from their carrying value to their fair value.

+ Details

Name:	ddr_ImpairmentsOfAssetsAndInvestments
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

Impairments of assets and investments.

+ Details

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- Definition

Impairment charges recognized in discontinued operations.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
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- Definition

Impairment charges recognized into earnings attributable to land held for development.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ddr
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Impairment charges recognized into earnings attributable to undeveloped land.

+ Details

Name:	ddr_UndevelopedLand
Namespace Prefix:	ddr
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration