Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Aug. 03, 2015
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000920522
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		65,744,325
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2015
ESSEX PORTFOLIO LP [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	ESSEX PORTFOLIO LP
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer