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Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets
The depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets is as follows:
Computer software and equipment
3 - 5 years
Interior apartment home improvements
5 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
5 years
Land improvements and certain exterior components of real property
10 years
Real estate structures
30 years
Components of Marketable Securities
As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 marketable securities and other investments consist of the following ($ in thousands):

 
December 31, 2015
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
 
Carrying
Value
Available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
Investment-grade unsecured bonds
$
11,618

 
$
68

 
$
11,686

Investment funds - US treasuries
3,675

 
(9
)
 
3,666

Common stock and stock funds
34,655

 
7,091

 
41,746

Held to maturity:
 

 
 

 
 

Mortgage backed securities
80,387

 
—

 
80,387

Total - Marketable securities and other investments
$
130,335

 
$
7,150

 
$
137,485


 
December 31, 2014
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gain
 
Carrying
Value
Available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
Investment-grade unsecured bonds
$
9,435

 
$
145

 
$
9,580

Investment funds - US treasuries
3,769

 
3

 
3,772

Common stock and stock funds
25,755

 
5,137

 
30,892

Held to maturity:
 

 
 

 
 

Mortgage backed securities
67,996

 
—

 
67,996

Total - Marketable securities
106,955

 
5,285

 
112,240

Other investments
5,000

 
—

 
5,000

Total - Marketable securities and other investments
$
111,955

 
$
5,285

 
$
117,240
Status of cash dividends distributed
The status of cash dividends distributed for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 related to common stock, Series G and Series H preferred stock are classified for tax purposes as follows:
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Common Stock
 
 
 
 
 
Ordinary income
99.28
%
 
70.03
%
 
77.34
%
Capital gain
0.72
%
 
21.95
%
 
17.64
%
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain
—
%
 
8.02
%
 
5.02
%
 
100.00
%
 
100.00
%
 
100.00
%

 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Series G and H Preferred stock
 
 
 
 
 
Ordinary income
99.28
%
 
70.03
%
 
77.34
%
Capital gains
0.72
%
 
21.95
%
 
17.64
%
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain
—
%
 
8.02
%
 
5.02
%
 
100.00
%
 
100.00
%
 
100.00
%
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net by Component
Essex Property Trust, Inc. ($ in thousands)
 
Change in fair
value and
amortization
of swap settlements
 
Unrealized
gains on
available for sale
securities
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2014
$
(56,003
)
 
$
4,551

 
$
(51,452
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification
(393
)
 
1,804

 
1,411

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
8,030

 
—

 
8,030

Other comprehensive income
7,637

 
1,804

 
9,441

Balance at December 31, 2015
$
(48,366
)
 
$
6,355

 
$
(42,011
)
Schedule of business acquisitions
A summary of the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired on April 1, 2014 was as follows (includes the 14 properties acquired on March 31, 2014 as the OP Units issued were retired on April 1, 2014) (in millions):

Cash assumed
$
140

Rental properties and real estate under development
5,605

Real estate held for sale, net
108

Co-investments
224

Acquired in-place lease value
77

Other assets
16

Mortgage notes payable and unsecured debt
(1,747
)
Other liabilities
(87
)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
(5
)
 
$
4,331

 
 
Cash consideration for BRE merger
$
556

Equity consideration for BRE merger
3,775

Total consideration for BRE merger
$
4,331
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member]  
Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net by Component
Essex Portfolio, L.P. ($ in thousands)
 
Change in fair
value and
amortization
of swap settlements
 
Unrealized
gains on
available for sale
securities
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2014
$
(53,980
)
 
$
4,624

 
$
(49,356
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification
(407
)
 
1,865

 
1,458

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
8,300

 
—

 
8,300

Other comprehensive income
7,893

 
1,865

 
9,758

Balance at December 31, 2015
$
(46,087
)
 
$
6,489

 
$
(39,598
)