XML 42 R54.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Unsecured Debt and Lines of Credit (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Senior Notes $ 465,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes $ 465,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes
Unsecured Bonds 4.36% [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Maturity date Mar. 31, 2016  
Senior Notes 150,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_UnsecuredBonds436Member
150,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_UnsecuredBonds436Member
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 4.36%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_UnsecuredBonds436Member
4.36%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_UnsecuredBonds436Member
Unsecured Bonds 4.5% [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Maturity date Sep. 30, 2017  
Senior Notes 40,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_UnsecuredBonds45Member
40,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_UnsecuredBonds45Member
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 4.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_UnsecuredBonds45Member
4.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_UnsecuredBonds45Member
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage 4.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateDuringPeriod
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_UnsecuredBonds45Member
4.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateDuringPeriod
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_UnsecuredBonds45Member
Unsecured Bonds 4.92 % [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Maturity date Dec. 31, 2019  
Senior Notes 75,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_UnsecuredBonds492Member
75,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_UnsecuredBonds492Member
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 4.92%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_UnsecuredBonds492Member
4.92%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_UnsecuredBonds492Member
Unsecured Bonds 4.27% [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Maturity date Apr. 30, 2021  
Senior Notes 100,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_UnsecuredBonds427Member
100,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_UnsecuredBonds427Member
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 4.27%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_UnsecuredBonds427Member
4.27%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_UnsecuredBonds427Member
Unsecured Bonds 4.30% [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Maturity date Jun. 30, 2021  
Senior Notes 50,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_UnsecuredBonds430Member
50,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_UnsecuredBonds430Member
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 4.30%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_UnsecuredBonds430Member
4.30%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_UnsecuredBonds430Member
Unsecured Bonds 4.37% [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Maturity date Aug. 31, 2021  
Senior Notes $ 50,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_UnsecuredBonds437Member
$ 50,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_UnsecuredBonds437Member
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 4.37%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_UnsecuredBonds437Member
4.37%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_UnsecuredBonds437Member