Investments in and Advances To Joint Ventures (Details 3) (Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Member]
Service fees and income earned by the Company's unconsolidated joint ventures
Management and other fees	$ 6.8	$ 7.3
Development fees and leasing commissions	2.0	1.8
Interest income		$ 0.1

Revenue recognition from unconsolidated joint ventures in accordance with management contracts such as development fees and leasing commissions.

No definition available.

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