EARNINGS PER SHARE - Reconciliation of Net Income Loss From Continuing Operations and Number of Common Shares Used in Computations of "Basic" EPS and "Diluted" EPS (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Continuing Operations:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 27,006	$ (43,927)	$ (19,344)	$ 5,399
Plus: Gain on disposition of real estate	261	7,011	6,161	8,460
Plus: Loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests	(128)	3,693	(424)	3,512
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to DDR	27,139	(33,223)	(13,607)	17,371
Write-off of preferred share original issuance costs	(5,804)	0	(5,804)	(6,402)
Preferred dividends	(7,681)	(6,967)	(21,616)	(24,620)
Basic-Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to DDR common shareholders	13,654	(40,190)	(41,027)	(13,651)
Less: Earnings attributable to unvested shares and operating partnership units	(323)	(152)	(919)	(361)
Basic-Income (loss) from continuing operations	13,331	(40,342)	(41,946)	(14,012)
Discontinued operations:
Basic-Loss from discontinued operations	(401)	(9,766)	(12,211)	(38,431)
Basic-Net income (loss) attributable to DDR common shareholders after allocation to participating securities	12,930	(50,108)	(54,157)	(52,443)
Continuing Operations:
Basic-Income (loss) attributable from continuing operations	13,654	(40,190)	(41,027)	(13,651)
Less: Earnings attributable to unvested shares and operating partnership units	(323)	(152)	(919)	(361)
Less: Fair value of Otto Family warrants	0	0	0	(21,926)
Diluted-Income (loss) from continuing operations	13,331	(40,342)	(41,946)	(35,938)
Discontinued Operations:
Basic-Loss from discontinued operations	(401)	(9,766)	(12,211)	(38,431)
Diluted-Net income (loss) attributable to DDR common shareholders after allocation to participating securities	$ 12,930	$ (50,108)	$ (54,157)	$ (74,369)
Number of Shares:
Basic-Average shares outstanding	302,232	274,639	286,016	268,270
Effect of dilutive securities:
Warrants	0	0	0	1,595
Stock options	490	0	0	0
Value sharing equity program	202	0	0	0
Diluted-Average shares outstanding	302,924	274,639	286,016	269,865
Basic Earnings Per Share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to DDR common shareholders	$ 0.04	$ (0.15)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.05)
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to DDR common shareholders	$ 0.00	$ (0.03)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.15)
Net income (loss) attributable to DDR common shareholders	$ 0.04	$ (0.18)	$ (0.19)	$ (0.20)
Dilutive Earnings Per Share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to DDR common shareholders	$ 0.04	$ (0.15)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.14)
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to DDR common shareholders	$ 0.00	$ (0.03)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.14)
Net Income (loss) attributable to DDR common shareholders	$ 0.04	$ (0.18)	$ (0.19)	$ (0.28)