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	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Combined Balance Sheets
Land	$ 2,251,513	$ 2,209,970
Buildings	7,167,118	6,949,440
Fixtures and tenant improvements	628,407	599,221
Total real estate rental property	10,047,038	9,758,631
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(1,893,315)	(1,823,199)
Real estate rental property, net	8,153,723	7,935,432
Land held for development and construction in progress	449,822	452,980
Total real estate assets, net	8,603,545	8,401,082
Other assets	660,194	645,505
Total assets	9,625,691	9,693,073
Mortgage debt	1,699,694	1,761,421
Total liabilities	5,757,154	5,765,194
Total liabilities and equity	9,625,691	9,693,073
Company's share of Accumulated Equity	116,711	365,297
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Member]
Condensed Combined Balance Sheets
Land	1,080,086	1,275,232
Buildings	2,917,565	3,940,806
Fixtures and tenant improvements	168,575	266,851
Total real estate rental property	4,166,226	5,482,889
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(814,365)	(839,867)
Real estate rental property, net	3,351,861	4,643,022
Land held for development and construction in progress	56,713	116,088
Total real estate assets, net	3,408,574	4,759,110
Cash and restricted cash	95,768	282,866
Receivables, net	68,951	101,003
Other assets	97,959	196,615
Total assets	3,671,252	5,339,594
Mortgage debt	2,572,521	3,282,643
Notes and accrued interest payable to DDR	142,502	127,679
Other liabilities	142,521	245,368
Total liabilities	2,857,544	3,655,690
Redeemable preferred equity	38,635	71,771
Accumulated equity	775,073	1,612,133
Total liabilities and equity	$ 3,671,252	$ 5,339,594