Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets
Land	$ 1,843,304	$ 1,844,125
Buildings	5,445,207	5,461,122
Fixtures and tenant improvements	389,344	379,965
Total real estate rental property	7,677,855	7,685,212
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(1,568,138)	(1,550,066)
Real estate rental property, net	6,109,717	6,135,146
Land held for development and construction in progress	576,107	581,627
Real estate held for sale, net	8,025	2,290
Total real estate assets, net	6,693,849	6,719,063
Investments in and advances to joint ventures	363,706	353,907
Cash and cash equivalents	16,088	41,206
Restricted cash	23,127	30,983
Notes receivable, net	95,104	93,905
Other assets, net	219,897	230,361
Total assets	7,411,771	7,469,425
Unsecured indebtedness:
Senior notes	1,938,255	2,139,718
Unsecured term loan	250,000
Revolving credit facilities	75,968	142,421
Total unsecured indebtedness	2,264,223	2,282,139
Secured indebtedness:
Secured Term Loan	500,000	500,000
Mortgage and other secured indebtedness	1,372,694	1,322,445
Total secured indebtedness	1,872,694	1,822,445
Total indebtedness	4,136,917	4,104,584
Accounts payable and other liabilities	211,308	257,821
Dividends payable	40,269	29,128
Total liabilities	4,388,494	4,391,533
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
DDR Equity:
Common shares, with par value, $0.10 stated value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 277,558,873 and 277,114,784 shares issued at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	27,756	27,711
Paid-in capital	4,139,124	4,138,812
Accumulated distributions in excess of net income	(1,548,678)	(1,493,353)
Deferred compensation obligation	13,374	13,934
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	3,720	(1,403)
Less: Common shares in treasury at cost: 705,953 and 833,934 shares at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	(13,249)	(15,017)
Total DDR shareholders' equity	2,997,047	3,045,684
Non-controlling interests	26,230	32,208
Total equity	3,023,277	3,077,892
Total liabilities and equity	7,411,771	7,469,425
Class H Preferred Shares
DDR Equity:
Cumulative redeemable preferred shares, without par value	205,000	205,000
Class I Preferred Shares
DDR Equity:
Cumulative redeemable preferred shares, without par value	$ 170,000	$ 170,000