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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 IFVR2rS1SrNWhndTjH+erZegkBklyK1ne8Qtt5E6dgjkOVL+LqfXbxAnO+JsOS5h
 BUZ9AArdH7Su3wgDZl26Ew==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001180975-03-000002.txt : 20030807
<SEC-HEADER>0001180975-03-000002.hdr.sgml : 20030807
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030807162627
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001180975-03-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030805
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030807

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PTAK FRANK S
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001180975

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11656
		FILM NUMBER:		03828968

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
		STREET 2:		3600 WEST LAKE AVE
		CITY:			GLENVIEW
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60068
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8476574077

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GENERAL GROWTH PROPERTIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000895648
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				421283895
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		110 N WACKER DRIVE
		STREET 2:		STE 3100
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60606
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3129605000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		110 N WACKER DRIVE
		STREET 2:		STE 3100
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60606
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-08-05</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000895648</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GENERAL GROWTH PROPERTIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GGP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001180975</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>PTAK FRANK S</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O GENERAL GROWTH PROPERTIES INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>110 NORTH WACKER DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60606</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>65.89</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-08-05</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-08-05</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-08-05</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>

    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Options acquired were granted under the General Growth Properties, Inc. 2003 Incentive Stock Plan. Such transaction is exempt from Section 16(b) pursuant to Rule 16b-3(d).</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Frank S. Ptak</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-08-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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