-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 QJMNTbZnzqLS2ASxSgC6mhlL9nrTPK0pxEPTaO/nTMxJvoK2EpaUthCDF4KkTeEu
 GCdSIAJ4B7JdKsRv4sKmiw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000920522-05-000014.txt : 20050401
<SEC-HEADER>0000920522-05-000014.hdr.sgml : 20050401
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050401103756
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000920522-05-000014
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050331
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050401
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050401

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Dance Michael T
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001318689

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13106
		FILM NUMBER:		05723332

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		650-849-1600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.
		STREET 2:		925 EAST MEADOW DRIVE
		CITY:			PALO ALTO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94303

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000920522
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				770369576
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		925 EAST MEADOW DR
		CITY:			PALO ALTO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94303
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6504943700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		925 EAST MEADOW DRIVE
		CITY:			PALO ALTO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94303
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-03-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000920522</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ESS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001318689</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Dance Michael T</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>925 EAST MEADOW DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PALO ALTO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94303</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Executive VP and CFO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Series Z-1 Incentive Unit</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-03-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2005-03-31</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>15000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>1</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2019-06-30</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2019-06-30</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Series Z-1 Incentive Units</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>15000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>15000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents the grand of Series Z-1 Incentive Units pursuant to the Esesx Portfolo, L.P. Long Term Incentive Plan. Subject to the conversion Ratchet Percentage described below, the Series Z-q Incentive Units are convertible or reeemable, as the case may be, upon the occurence of certain events, into either (i) Operating Partnerhip units in Essex Portfolio, L.P. (&quot;OPUs&quot;), and such OPUs areconverticle into shares of Common Stock. The Conversion Ratchet Percentage, initially set at 20% will increase by up to 10% on January 1 of each year for each holder of SEries Z-1 Incentive Units who remains employed by Essex Property Trust, Inc. if Essex Property Trust, Inc. has met a specificed &quot;funds from operations&quot; per share target, or such other criteria established by the Compensation Committee, for the prior year, up to a maximum Conversion Ratchet Percentage of 100%.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The Series Z-1 Incentive Units will automatically convert into OPUs (1) if the Conversion Ratchet Percentage reaches the maximum level of 100%, (2) if none of the participating executives remain employed by Essex Property Trust, Inc., (3) if Essex Property Trust, Inc. dissolves or is liquidated or, (4) at the latest, June 2019.  In certain change of control situations, the participating executives will also be given the option to convert their units at the then-effective Conversion Ratchet Percentage.  In addition, Essex Portfolio, L.P. has the option to redeem Series Z-1 Incentive Units held by any executive whose employment has been terminated for any reason and the obligation to redeem any such units following the death of the holder.  In such event, Essex Portfolio, L.P. will redeem the units for, at its option, either OPUs or shares of Common Stock based on the then-effective Conversion Ratchet Percentage.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The Series Z-1 Incentive Units are convertible into the number of OPUs calculated by dividing (1) the remainder resulting from (a) the portion of the adjusted capital account balance properly allocable to such Series Z-1 Incentive Units minus (b) the product of (i) such adjusted capital account balance allocable to such Series Z-1 Incentive Unit multiplied by (ii) (x) 100% less (y) the Conversion Ratchet Percentage applicable to such Series Z-1 Incentive Unit, minus (c) any unpaid capital commitment (2) the average adjusted capital account balance properly allocable to one OPU determined immediately prior to such conversion.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">A capital contribution of $1.00 per Series Z-1 Incentive Unit.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Mary Jensen</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-04-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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