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Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 1 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Jul. 31, 2014
community
Mar. 31, 2015
Jan. 31, 2013
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]          
Management and other fees from affiliates $ 5.7ess_ManagementAndOtherFeesFromAffiliates $ 2.6ess_ManagementAndOtherFeesFromAffiliates      
Short term bridge loans to affiliates 4.2us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity     4.2us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity  
Co-venturer [Member]          
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]          
Development and redevelopment fees 3.1ess_RelatedPartyTransactionRevenuesfromDevelopmentandRedevelopmentFees
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= us-gaap_CoVenturerMember
0.9ess_RelatedPartyTransactionRevenuesfromDevelopmentandRedevelopmentFees
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= us-gaap_CoVenturerMember
     
Paragon Apartments [Member]          
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]          
Number of units     301ess_NumberOfPropertyUnits
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= ess_ParagonApartmentsMember
   
Cash consideration for BRE merger     111.0us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= ess_ParagonApartmentsMember
   
Marcus and Millichamp Company TMMC Affiliate [Member]          
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]          
Preferred equity interest investment in a related party entity         8.6ess_PreferredEquityInterestInvestmentRelatedPartyEntity
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= ess_MarcusAndMillichampCompanyTmmcAffiliateMember
Gain recognized on prepayment       $ 0.5ess_GainLossRecognizedOnPrepaymentOfPreferredEquityInterestInvestment
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= ess_MarcusAndMillichampCompanyTmmcAffiliateMember