Investments in and Advances to Joint Ventures - Condensed Combined Financial Information of Company's Unconsolidated Joint Venture Investments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Combined Balance Sheets
Land	$ 2,213,794	$ 2,209,970
Buildings	6,996,560	6,949,440
Fixtures and tenant improvements	621,490	599,221
Total real estate rental property	9,831,844	9,758,631
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(1,918,681)	(1,823,199)
Real estate rental property, net	7,913,163	7,935,432
Land held for development and construction in progress	520,167	452,980
Total real estate assets, net	8,433,330	8,401,082
Other assets	599,283	645,505
Total assets	9,681,821	9,693,073
Mortgage debt	1,790,384	1,761,421
Total liabilities	5,833,007	5,765,194
Total liabilities and equity	9,681,821	9,693,073
Company's share of Accumulated Equity	121,531	365,297
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Member]
Condensed Combined Balance Sheets
Land	1,158,271	1,275,232
Buildings	3,166,873	3,940,806
Fixtures and tenant improvements	171,229	266,851
Total real estate rental property	4,496,373	5,482,889
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(803,548)	(839,867)
Real estate rental property, net	3,692,825	4,643,022
Land held for development and construction in progress	60,621	116,088
Total real estate assets, net	3,753,446	4,759,110
Cash and restricted cash	93,386	282,866
Receivables, net	63,493	101,003
Other assets	145,677	196,615
Total assets	4,056,002	5,339,594
Mortgage debt	2,834,997	3,282,643
Notes and accrued interest payable to DDR	138,256	127,679
Other liabilities	158,833	245,368
Total liabilities	3,132,086	3,655,690
Redeemable preferred equity	72,470	71,771
Accumulated equity	851,446	1,612,133
Total liabilities and equity	$ 4,056,002	$ 5,339,594