Number of assets held by joint venture.

No definition available.

Name:	ddr_NumberOfAssetsHeldByJointVenture
Namespace Prefix:	ddr_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of real estate assets disposed of during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ddr_NumberOfAssetsSold
Namespace Prefix:	ddr_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The percentage of ownership of equity participation by the joint venture partner for the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ddr_OwnershipInterestOfJointVenturePartner
Namespace Prefix:	ddr_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

In a business combination achieved in stages, this element represents the amount of net gain (loss) recognized by the entity as a result of remeasuring to fair value the equity interest in the acquiree it held before the business combination.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (g)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25497992&loc=d3e1392-128463

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireeRemeasurementGainOrLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of real estate properties owned as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=ddr_CoventryTwoFundMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=ddr_UnconsolidatedJointVenturesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Investments in and Advances to Joint Ventures - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014 ShoppingCenter
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Gain on change in control of interests	$ 14,279	$ 0
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Shopping centers owned	187		188
Coventry II Fund [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest in joint venture	80.00%
Percentage of ownership interest transferred	20.00%
Number of properties sold	21
Number of remaining properties	22