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                                                                EXHIBIT 23(a)


                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

   
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of   
General Growth Properties, Inc. on Forms S-3 (File Nos. 333-11067, 333-15907, 
333-17021, 333-23035, 333-37247, 333-37383 and 333-41603) and the Registration
Statement of Forms S-8 (File Nos. 33-79372, 333-07241, 333-11237 and 333-28449)
of our reports dated February 11, 1997, on our audits of the consolidated
financial statements and financial statement schedule of General Growth
Properties, Inc. as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and for the three years in
the period ended December 31, 1996, and of our report dated February 13, 1996,
except for information as to earnings per share, dividends per share and
average shares outstanding, for which the date is March 3, 1997 on our audits
of the consolidated financial statements of Westfield America, Inc. formerly
CenterMark Properties, Inc. as of December 31, 1995 and 1994 and for the year
ended December 31, 1995 and the period from February 12, 1994 through December
31, 1994 and from January 1, 1994 through February 11, 1994, which reports are
included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K/A.
    






                                        Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.


Chicago, Illinois
January 12, 1998