Investments in and Advances to Joint Ventures - Condensed Combined Statements of Operations of Unconsolidated Joint Venture Investments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Expenses from operations:
Operating expenses									$ 853,610	$ 1,048,141	$ 797,591
Impairment charges									110,906	279,021	29,175
Depreciation and amortization									389,519	402,045	402,825
Interest expense									217,589	241,727	237,120
Other (income) expense, net									(3,322)	1,739	12,262
(Loss) income before tax expense									(10,406)	(231,595)	22,962
Income tax expense (primarily Sonae Sierra Brasil), net									(1,781)	(6,286)	(1,855)
(Loss) income from continuing operations									(12,187)	(237,881)	21,107
Discontinued operations:
Loss from discontinued operations											(6,611)
Gain on disposition of real estate, net of tax											96,009
(Loss) income before gain on disposition of real estate									(12,187)	(237,881)	110,505
Gain on disposition of real estate, net									73,386	167,571	3,060
(Income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests, net									(1,187)	(1,858)	3,717
Net income (loss) attributable to DDR	$ 33,741	$ (60,360)	$ 41,058	$ 45,573	$ 93,466	$ 59,555	$ 18,598	$ (243,787)	60,012	(72,168)	117,282
Company's share of equity in net income (loss) of joint ventures									11,650	(5,289)	9,218
Basis differential adjustments									4,049	2,154	1,771
Equity in net income (loss) of joint ventures									15,699	(3,135)	10,989
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Member]
Condensed Combined Statements of Operations
Revenues from operations									513,365	524,697	485,764
Expenses from operations:
Operating expenses									144,984	146,924	140,615
Impairment charges									13,598	52,700	21,583
Depreciation and amortization									195,198	207,816	151,651
Interest expense									132,943	140,701	171,803
Preferred share expense									33,418	25,991	7,355
Other (income) expense, net									23,513	30,235	37,970
Total expenses									543,654	604,367	530,977
(Loss) income before tax expense									(30,289)	(79,670)	(45,213)
Income tax expense (primarily Sonae Sierra Brasil), net									0	0	(6,565)
(Loss) income from continuing operations									(30,289)	(79,670)	(51,778)
Discontinued operations:
Loss from discontinued operations									0	0	(13,955)
Gain on disposition of real estate, net of tax									0	0	55,020
(Loss) income before gain on disposition of real estate									(30,289)	(79,670)	(10,713)
Gain on disposition of real estate, net									57,261	17,188	10,116
Net income (loss) attributable to unconsolidated joint ventures									26,972	(62,482)	(597)
(Income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests, net									0	0	(2,022)
Net income (loss) attributable to DDR									$ 26,972	$ (62,482)	$ (2,619)