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Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets
The depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets is as follows:
Computer software and equipment
3 - 5 years
Interior unit improvements
5 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
5 years
Land improvements and certain exterior components of real property
10 years
Real estate structures
30 years
Components of Marketable Securities
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013 marketable securities consist of the following ($ in thousands):

 
December 31, 2014
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gain
 
Carrying
Value
Available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
Investment-grade unsecured bonds
$
9,435

 
$
145

 
$
9,580

Investment funds - US treasuries
3,769

 
3

 
3,772

Common stock and stock funds
25,755

 
5,137

 
30,892

Held to maturity:
 

 
 

 
 

Mortgage backed securities
67,996

 
—

 
67,996

Total - Marketable securities
106,955

 
5,285

 
112,240

Other investments (1)
5,000

 
—

 
5,000

Total - Marketable securities and other investments
$
111,955

 
$
5,285

 
$
117,240


(1) Limited partnership interests
 
December 31, 2013
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
 
Carrying
Value
Available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
Investment-grade unsecured bonds
$
15,446

 
$
509

 
$
15,955

Investment funds - US treasuries
3,675

 
3

 
3,678

Common stock
13,104

 
(1,304
)
 
11,800

Held to maturity:
 

 
 

 
 

Mortgage backed securities
58,651

 
—

 
58,651

Total - Marketable securities and other investments
$
90,876

 
$
(792
)
 
$
90,084
Status of cash dividends distributed
The status of cash dividends distributed for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 related to common stock, Series F, Series G, and Series H preferred stock are classified for tax purposes as follows:
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Common Stock
 
 
 
 
 
Ordinary income
70.03
%
 
77.34
%
 
70.58
%
Capital gain
21.95
%
 
17.64
%
 
8.75
%
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain
8.02
%
 
5.02
%
 
7.97
%
Return of capital
—
%
 
—
%
 
12.70
%
 
100.00
%
 
100.00
%
 
100.00
%

 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Series F, G, and H Preferred stock
 
 
 
 
 
Ordinary income
70.03
%
 
77.34
%
 
80.85
%
Capital gains
21.95
%
 
17.64
%
 
10.02
%
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain
8.02
%
 
5.02
%
 
9.13
%
 
100.00
%
 
100.00
%
 
100.00
%
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net by Component
Essex Property Trust, Inc.
 
Change in fair value and
amortization
of derivatives
 
Unrealized
gains/(losses) on
available for sale
securities
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2013,  net of noncontrolling interest
$
(59,724
)
 
$
(748
)
 
$
(60,472
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification
758

 
6,140

 
6,898

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
2,963

 
(841
)
 
2,122

Net other comprehensive income
3,721

 
5,299

 
9,020

Balance at December 31, 2014, net of noncontrolling interest
$
(56,003
)
 
$
4,551

 
$
(51,452
)
Schedule of business acquisitions
The preliminary valuation of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the BRE merger is as follows (in millions):

Cash assumed
$
140

Rental properties and real estate under development
5,618

Real estate held for sale, net
108

Co-investments
218

Acquired in-place lease value
77

Other assets
16

Mortgage notes payable and unsecured debt
(1,747
)
Other liabilities
(94
)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
(5
)
 
$
4,331

 
 
Cash consideration for BRE merger
$
556

Equity consideration for BRE merger
3,775

Total consideration for BRE merger
$
4,331
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member]  
Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net by Component
Essex Portfolio, L.P.
 
Change in fair
value and
amortization
of derivatives
 
Unrealized
gains/(losses) on
available for sale
securities
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2013
$
(58,148
)
 
$
(792
)
 
$
(58,940
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification
1,205

 
6,302

 
7,507

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
2,963

 
(886
)
 
2,077

Net other comprehensive income
4,168

 
5,416

 
9,584

Balance at December 31, 2014
$
(53,980
)
 
$
4,624

 
$
(49,356
)