Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Continuing Operations:
Loss income from continuing operations		$ (6,455)	$ (55,330)	$ 31,293	$ (74,292)
Plus: Gain (loss) on disposition of real estate		2,310	592	1,449	(83)
Plus: (Loss) income attributable to non-controlling interests		114	(12,296)	181	(12,194)
(Loss) income from continuing operations attributable to DDR		(4,259)	(42,442)	32,561	(62,181)
Write-off of original preferred share issuance costs		(6,402)		(6,402)
Preferred dividends		(7,085)	(10,567)	(17,653)	(21,134)
Basic - (Loss) income continuing operations attributable to DDR common shareholders		(17,746)	(53,009)	8,506	(83,315)
Less: Earnings attributable to unvested shares and operating partnership units		(93)	(31)	(203)	(62)
Basic - (Loss) income from continuing operations		(17,839)	(53,040)	8,303	(83,377)
Discontinued operations:
Loss from discontinued operations		(9,124)	(66,428)	(10,632)	(73,375)
Plus: Loss attributable to non-controlling interests			22,295		24,734
Basic - Loss from discontinued operations		(9,124)	(44,133)	(10,632)	(48,641)
Basic - Net (loss) income attributable to DDR common shareholders		(26,963)	(97,173)	(2,329)	(132,018)
Continuing Operations:
Basic - Net (loss) income attributable to DDR common shareholders		(17,746)	(53,009)	8,506	(83,315)
Less: Earnings attributable to unvested shares and operating partnership units		(93)	(31)	(203)	(62)
Less: Fair value adjustment for Otto Family warrants			21,527	(21,926)
Diluted - Loss from continuing operations		(17,839)	(74,567)	(13,623)	(83,377)
Discontinued Operations:
Basic - Loss from discontinued operations		(9,124)	(44,133)	(10,632)	(48,641)
Diluted - Net loss attributable to DDR common shareholders after allocation to participating securities		$ (26,963)	$ (118,700)	$ (24,255)	$ (132,018)
Number of Shares:
Basic - Average shares outstanding		274,299	248,533	265,094	237,892
Effect of dilutive securities
Warrants			5,006	2,406
Value sharing equity program				1,111
Stock options				555
Forward equity agreement	9,500			12
Diluted - Average shares outstanding		274,299	253,539	269,178	237,892
Basic Earnings Per Share:
(Loss) income from continuing operations attributable to DDR common shareholders		$ (0.07)	$ (0.21)	$ 0.03	$ (0.35)
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to DDR common shareholders		$ (0.03)	$ (0.18)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.20)
Net loss attributable to DDR common shareholders		$ (0.10)	$ (0.39)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.55)
Dilutive Earnings Per Share:
Loss from continuing operations attributable to DDR common shareholders		$ (0.07)	$ (0.30)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.35)
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to DDR common shareholders		$ (0.03)	$ (0.17)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.20)
Net loss attributable to DDR common shareholders		$ (0.10)	$ (0.47)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.55)