Investments in and Advances to Joint Ventures - Summary of Company's Equity Method Joint Ventures Included in Investments in and Advances (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 Assets
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Effective Ownership Percentage	25.00%
BRE DDR Retail Holdings III [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Effective Ownership Percentage	5.00%
Equity Method Investment, Assets Owned	50 shopping centers in several states
Number of shopping centers owned	50
BRE DDR Retail Holdings IV [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Effective Ownership Percentage	5.00%
Equity Method Investment, Assets Owned	6 shopping centers in several states
Number of shopping centers owned	6
DDRTC Core Retail Fund LLC [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Effective Ownership Percentage	15.00%
Equity Method Investment, Assets Owned	25 shopping centers in several states
Number of shopping centers owned	25
DDR Domestic Retail Fund I [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Effective Ownership Percentage	20.00%
Equity Method Investment, Assets Owned	55 shopping centers in several states
Number of shopping centers owned	55
DDR-SAU Retail Fund LLC [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Effective Ownership Percentage	20.00%
Equity Method Investment, Assets Owned	12 shopping centers in several states
Number of shopping centers owned	12
Other Joint Venture Interests [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Assets Owned	3 shopping centers in 2 states
Number of shopping centers owned	3
Minimum [Member] | Other Joint Venture Interests [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Effective Ownership Percentage	26.00%
Maximum [Member] | Other Joint Venture Interests [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Effective Ownership Percentage	79.00%