Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures - Company Ownership (Details)	Dec. 31, 2016
443 Wabash MAB LLC
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	45.00%
AM Tysons LLC
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	50.00%
Biltmore Shopping Center Partners LLC
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	50.00%
Candlestick Center LLC—Fashion Outlets of San Francisco
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	50.10%
Coolidge Holding LLC
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	37.50%
Corte Madera Village, LLC
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	50.10%
Country Club Plaza KC Partners LLC
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	50.00%
Fashion Outlets of Philadelphia—Various Entities
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	50.00%
Jaren Associates 4
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	12.50%
Kierland Commons Investment LLC
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	50.00%
Macerich HHF Centers LLC—Various Properties
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	51.00%
Macerich Northwestern Associates—Broadway Plaza
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	50.00%
MS Portfolio LLC
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	50.00%
New River Associates LLC—Arrowhead Towne Center
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	60.00%
North Bridge Chicago LLC
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	50.00%
One Scottsdale Investors LLC
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	50.00%
Pacific Premier Retail LLC—Various Properties
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	60.00%
Propcor II Associates, LLC—Boulevard Shops
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	50.00%
Scottsdale Fashion Square Partnership
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	50.00%
The Market at Estrella Falls LLC
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	40.10%
TM TRS Holding Company LLC—Valencia Place at Country Club Plaza
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	50.00%
Tysons Corner LLC
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	50.00%
Tysons Corner Hotel I LLC
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	50.00%
Tysons Corner Property Holdings II LLC
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	50.00%
Tysons Corner Property LLC
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	50.00%
West Acres Development, LLP
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	19.00%
Westcor/Gilbert, L.L.C.
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	50.00%
Westcor/Queen Creek LLC
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	38.10%
Westcor/Surprise Auto Park LLC
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	33.30%
WMAP, L.L.C.—Atlas Park, The Shops at
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures:
Ownership %	50.00%