<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-12-013713.txt : 20120905
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-12-013713.hdr.sgml : 20120905
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20120905180120
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-12-013713
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20120901
FILED AS OF DATE:		20120905
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20120905

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Leanse Thomas Jay
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001557099

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12504
		FILM NUMBER:		121074906

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		THE MACERICH COMPANY
		STREET 2:		401 WILSHIRE BLVED., SUITE 700
		CITY:			SANTA MONICA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90401

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MACERICH CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000912242
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				954448705
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		401 WILSHIRE BLVD
		STREET 2:		STE 700
		CITY:			SANTA MONICA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90401
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3103946000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		401 WILSHIRE BLVD SUITE 700
		CITY:			SANTA MONICA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90401
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2012-09-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000912242</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MACERICH CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MAC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001557099</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Leanse Thomas Jay</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>THE MACERICH COMPANY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>401 WILSHIRE BLVD., SUITE 700</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SANTA MONICA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90401</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Senior EVP</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>322</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Family Trusts</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The reporting person is the sole trustee of two trusts for the benefit of his children.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Madonna R. Shannon, for THOMAS J. LEANSE</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-09-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-24
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>tom_leanse.txt
<TEXT>
                               SECTION 16 REPORTS

                              CONFIRMING STATEMENT


        This statement confirms that the undersigned, THOMAS J. LEANSE, has
authorized and designated MADONNA R. SHANNON (the "Agent") to execute and file
on the undersigned's behalf the Form ID Application and all Forms 3, 4 and 5
(including any amendments thereto) that the undersigned may be required to file
with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission as a result of the
undersigned's ownership of or transactions in securities of THE MACERICH COMPANY
(the "Corporation").
      The authority of the Agent under this Statement shall continue until the
undersigned is no longer required to file Forms 3, 4, and 5 with regard to the
undersigned's ownership of or transactions in securities of the Corporation,
unless earlier revoked in writing. The undersigned acknowledges that Agent is
not assuming any of the undersigned's responsibilities to comply with Section 16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.


Date:  August 27, 2012          Signature: ___________________________
                                           Thomas J. Leanse

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
