Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Continuing Operations:
(Loss) income from continuing operations	$ (11,966)	$ 37,325
Plus: Gain (loss) on disposition of real estate	665	(861)
Plus: Loss attributable to non-controlling interests	(176)	(67)
(Loss) income from continuing operations attributable to DDR	(11,477)	36,397
Preferred dividends	(6,967)	(10,567)
Basic - (Loss) income from continuing operations attributable to DDR common shareholders	(18,444)	25,830
Less: Earnings attributable to unvested shares and operating partnership units	(292)	(224)
Basic - (Loss) income from continuing operations	(18,736)	25,606
Discontinued operations:
Loss from discontinued operations	(3,580)	(1,085)
Basic - Net (loss) income attributable to DDR common shareholders after allocation to participating securities	(22,316)	24,521
Continuing Operations:
Basic - (Loss) income from continuing operations	(18,736)	25,606
Less: Fair value of Otto Family warrants		(21,926)
Diluted - (Loss) income from continuing operations	(18,736)	3,680
Discontinued Operations:
Basic - Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(3,580)	(1,085)
Diluted - Net (loss) income attributable to DDR common shareholders after allocation to participating securities	$ (22,316)	$ 2,595
Number of Shares:
Basic - Average shares outstanding	275,214	255,966
Effect of dilutive securities: Warrants		4,840
Stock options		558
Value sharing equity program		1,198
Forward equity agreement		19
Diluted - Average shares outstanding	275,214	262,581
Basic Earnings Per Share:
(Loss) income from continuing operations attributable to DDR common shareholders	$ (0.07)	$ 0.10
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to DDR common shareholders	$ (0.01)
Net (loss) income attributable to DDR common shareholders	$ (0.08)	$ 0.10
Dilutive Earnings Per Share:
(Loss) income from continuing operations attributable to DDR common shareholders	$ (0.07)	$ 0.01
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to DDR common shareholders	$ (0.01)
Net income (loss) per common share attributable to DDR common shareholders	$ (0.08)	$ 0.01