Investments in and Advances To Joint Ventures (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Adjustments to Company's share of joint venture net loss
Net loss	$ (1,900,000)	$ (1,900,000)
Investments in and advances to joint ventures
Investments in and advances to joint ventures	363,706,000		353,907,000
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Member]
Investments in and advances to joint ventures
Company's share of accumulated equity	414,738,000		402,242,000
Basis differentials	(152,900,000)		(145,600,000)
Deferred development fees, net of portion relating to the Company's interest	(3,600,000)		(3,600,000)
Notes receivable from investments	400,000		400,000
Notes and accrued interest payable to DDR	105,100,000		100,500,000
Investments in and advances to joint ventures	$ 363,700,000		$ 353,900,000

Company's share in accumulated equity of unconsolidated joint ventures.

No definition available.

Name:	ddr_CompanysShareInAccumulatedEquityOfUnconsolidatedJointVentures
Namespace Prefix:	ddr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents amounts payable to the Company from its unconsolidated joint ventures.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ddr_EquityMethodInvestmentDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquityAmountsPayableToCompany
Namespace Prefix:	ddr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the Company's portion of deferred development fees and are amortized over the remaining life of the related asset.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ddr_EquityMethodInvestmentDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquityDeferredDevelopmentFeesNetOfPortionRelatingToCompanysInterest
Namespace Prefix:	ddr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents notes receivable amounts from unconsolidated joint ventures.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ddr_EquityMethodInvestmentDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquityNotesReceivableFromInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	ddr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the amortization of basis differential, deferred gains and differences in gain (loss) on sale of certain assets due to the basis differentials, and other than temporary impairment charges.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ddr_IncomeLossNet
Namespace Prefix:	ddr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The item represents the difference, if any, between the amount at which an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting is carried (reported) on the balance sheet and the amount of underlying equity in net assets the reporting Entity has in the investee. A difference can arise between the carrying value of the equity method investment and the value of the Entity's amount of underlying equity in net assets of the investee, for example, from appreciation of certain assets which is not recognized in earnings, but is recognized in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity) by the investee.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 18

-Paragraph 20

-Subparagraph a(3)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquityAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentFinancialStatementReportedAmountsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total investments in (A) an entity in which the entity has significant influence, but does not have control, (B) subsidiaries that are not required to be consolidated and are accounted for using the equity and or cost method, and (C) an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group. Includes long-term advances receivable from a party that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant