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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001362777-08-000001.txt : 20080215
<SEC-HEADER>0001362777-08-000001.hdr.sgml : 20080215
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080215154813
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001362777-08-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080214
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080215
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080215

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Polonia Sharon
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001362777

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11656
		FILM NUMBER:		08622679

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		312-960-5000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O GENERAL GROWTH PROPERTIES, INC.
		STREET 2:		110 NORTH WACKER DRIVE
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60606

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>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-02-14</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001362777</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Polonia Sharon</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>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>SVP, Asset Management</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-02-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1356</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>44042</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents the grant of stock to the reporting person under the General Growth Properties, Inc. 2003 Incentive Stock Plan.  This grant is exempt from Section 16(b) pursuant to Rule 16b-3(d). The grant vests 25% on each of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th anniversaries of Grant date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes 478 shares purchased under the General Growth Properties, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan for the period January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007, which transaction was exempt from Section 16 pursuant to Rule 16b-3(c).</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Edmund J. Hoyt as Attorney in fact for Sharon Polonia</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-02-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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