Equity Transactions (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Apr. 01, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Proceeds from issuance from common stock			$ 332,137	$ 531,379	$ 137,749
General partner ownership interest (in hundredths)			96.70%	96.70%
Redemption value of operating partnership units outstanding			$ 530,200	$ 447,900
BRE Properties, Inc. [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Share price (in dollars per share)						$ 7.18
Series H 7.125% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Sale of common stock (in shares)		2,950,000
Cumulative dividend rate (in hundredths)			7.125%	7.125%
Issue price (in dollars per share)		$ 25.00
Net proceeds		$ 71,200
Beginning date of called period		Apr. 13, 2016
Shares authorized (in shares)			8,000,000	8,000,000
Shares outstanding (in shares)			2,950,000	2,950,000
Liquidation preference			$ 73,800	$ 73,800
Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Sale of common stock (in shares)			1,481,737
Average price per share			$ 226.46
Proceeds from issuance from common stock			$ 332,000	$ 534,000
Common stock, number of shares sold				2,964,315
Average share price				$ 181.56
Common Stock [Member] | BRE Properties, Inc. [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock issued as consideration	23,067,446
Share price (in dollars per share)	$ 163.82
Operating Partnership Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares outstanding (in shares)			2,070,360	2,076,810
Long Term Incentive Plan 2014 Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares outstanding (in shares)			144,185	91,348