Noncontrolling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Aug. 20, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Limited partnership interest of the operating partnership (as a percent)	7.00%	7.00%
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Number of trading days used to calculate redemption value	10 days
Redemption value of outstanding OP Units not owned by the Company	$ 671,592	$ 733,141
The Macerich Partnership, L.P.
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Ownership interest in operating partnership (as a percent)	93.00%	93.00%