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                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.1

                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus of our reports dated February 17,
1998 included in Simon DeBartolo Group, Inc.'s Form 10-K/A for the year ended
December 31, 1997 and to the inclusion of our examination report dated August
12, 1998, on the pro forma combined condensed financial statements of Simon
Property Group, Inc. and SPG Realty Consultants, Inc., as of and for the
year ended December 31, 1997, and to all references to our Firm included in 
this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.


                                                /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP

                                                    ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Indianapolis, Indiana
August 12, 1998