Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest, capitalized	$ 12.2	$ 17.8
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member]
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest, capitalized	$ 12.2	$ 17.8

The amount of cash paid during the current period for interest that is capitalized.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3213-108585

Name:	us-gaap_InterestPaidCapitalized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration