Notes Receivable - Components of Notes Receivable (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]
Loans receivable	$ 46,642ddr_MortgageLoansReceivableBalance	$ 52,444ddr_MortgageLoansReceivableBalance	$ 72,805ddr_MortgageLoansReceivableBalance	$ 72,218ddr_MortgageLoansReceivableBalance
Tax Increment Financing Bonds ("TIF Bonds") and other	542ddr_TaxIncrementFinancingBondsAndOther	3,801ddr_TaxIncrementFinancingBondsAndOther
Notes receivable, net	$ 47,184us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet	$ 56,245us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet	$ 78,945us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet

Net amount of the investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, credit card receivables, notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets. Excludes trade accounts receivable with contractual maturity of one year or less and arose from the sale of goods or services.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 3

-Article 5

Name:	us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant