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Debt - Narrative (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
0 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Mortgage Notes [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Unamortized premium $ 78.2us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremium
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_MortgageNotesMember
$ 83.8us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremium
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_MortgageNotesMember
Unsecured Debt [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Unamortized premium 23.2us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremium
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
27.5us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremium
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
The Huxley And The Dylan [Member] | Mortgage Notes [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Principal balance of mortgage loans assumed $ 114.4us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= ess_TheHuxleyAndTheDylanMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_MortgageNotesMember
 
Remaining contractual term 32 years  
Municipal Market Data [Member] | The Huxley And The Dylan [Member] | Mortgage Notes [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Variable interest rate 3.45%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= ess_TheHuxleyAndTheDylanMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ess_MortgageNotesMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= ess_MunicipalMarketDataMember