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Unsecured Debt
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Unsecured Debt Unsecured Debt
Essex does not have any indebtedness as all debt is incurred by the Operating Partnership. Essex guarantees the Operating Partnership’s unsecured debt including the revolving credit facilities up to the maximum amounts and for the full term of the facilities.
 
Unsecured debt consists of the following as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 ($ in thousands):
20202019Weighted Average
Maturity
In Years
Unsecured bonds private placement - fixed rate$199,950 $199,820 0.5
Term loan - variable rate549,380 349,189 1.5
Bonds public offering - fixed rate4,858,655 4,214,197 9.4
Unsecured debt, net (1)
5,607,985 4,763,206  
Lines of credit (2)
— 55,000 
Total unsecured debt$5,607,985 $4,818,206  
Weighted average interest rate on fixed rate unsecured bonds private placement and bonds public offering3.4 %3.8 % 
Weighted average interest rate on variable rate term loan1.7 %2.7 % 
Weighted average interest rate on lines of credit1.0 %2.5 % 

(1)Includes unamortized discount, net of premiums, of $10.1 million and $12.2 million and unamortized debt issuance costs of $31.9 million and $24.5 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
(2)Lines of credit, related to the Company's two lines of unsecured credit aggregating $1.24 billion, excludes unamortized debt issuance costs of $3.7 million and $3.8 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These debt issuance costs are included in prepaid expenses and other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.
As of both December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had $200.0 million of private placement unsecured bonds outstanding at an average effective interest rate of 4.4%.

The following is a summary of the Company’s unsecured private placement bonds as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 ($ in thousands):
Maturity20202019Coupon
Rate
Senior unsecured private placement notesApril 2021100,000 100,000 4.27 %
Senior unsecured private placement notesJune 202150,000 50,000 4.30 %
Senior unsecured private placement notesAugust 202150,000 50,000 4.37 %
   $200,000 $200,000  

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had unsecured term loans outstanding of $550.0 million and $350.0 million, respectively, at an average interest rate of 1.7% and 2.7%, respectively. These loans are included in the line "Term loan - variable rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the carrying value, net of debt issuance costs, was $549.4 million and $349.2 million, respectively. $350.0 million of the term loan matures in February 2022 and $200.0 million of the term loan matures in April 2021 with two 12-month extension options, exercisable at the Company’s option. The Company had entered into five interest rate swap contracts, for a term of five years with a notional amount totaling $175.0 million, which will effectively convert the interest rate on $175.0 million of the term loan to a fixed rate of 2.3%. These interest rate swaps are accounted for as cash flow hedges.

In February 2020, the Operating Partnership issued $500.0 million of senior unsecured notes due on March 15, 2032, with a coupon rate of 2.650% (the "2032 Notes"), which are payable on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on September 15, 2020. The 2032 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 99.628% of par value. The 2032 Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are unconditionally guaranteed by Essex. The Company used the net proceeds of this offering to repay indebtedness under its unsecured lines of credit, which had been used to fund the buyout of CPPIB's 45.0% joint venture interests, as well as repay $100.3 million of secured debt during the quarter that ended March 31, 2020. In June 2020, the Operating Partnership issued an additional $150.0 million of the 2032 Notes at a price of 105.660% of par value, plus accrued interest from February 2020 up to, but not including, the date of delivery of the additional notes, with an effective yield of 2.093%. These additional notes have substantially identical terms as the 2032 Notes issued in February 2020. The proceeds were used to repay indebtedness under the Company's unsecured credit facilities and for other general corporate and working capital purposes. These bonds are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2020, the carrying value of the 2032 Notes, net of premiums and debt issuance costs, was $650.7 million.

In April 2020, the Company obtained a $200.0 million unsecured term loan with a one-year maturity and two 12-month extension options, exercisable at the Company’s option. The unsecured term loan bears a variable interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.20% and the proceeds were used to repay all remaining consolidated debt maturing in 2020.

In August 2020, the Operating Partnership issued $600.0 million of senior unsecured notes, consisting of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount due on January 15, 2031 with a coupon rate of 1.650% (the “2031 Notes”) and $300.0 million aggregate principal amount due on September 1, 2050 with a coupon rate of 2.650% (the “2050 Notes” and together with the 2031 Notes, the “Notes”). The 2031 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 99.035% of par value and the 2050 Notes at 99.691% of par value. Interest is payable on the 2031 Notes semiannually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on January 15, 2021. Interest is payable on the 2050 Notes semiannually on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning on March 1, 2021. The Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are unconditionally guaranteed by Essex. The Company used the net proceeds of this offering to repay debt maturities, including certain unsecured private placement notes, secured mortgage notes, and to fund the redemption of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of
its outstanding 3.625% senior unsecured notes due August 2022, and for other general corporate and working capital purposes. These bonds are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2020, the carrying value of the 2031 Notes and 2050 Notes, net of discount and debt issuance costs was $294.5 million and $295.7 million, respectively.
In August 2019, the Operating Partnership issued $400.0 million of senior unsecured notes due on January 15, 2030, with a coupon rate of 3.000% per annum (the "2030 Notes"), which are payable on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on January 15, 2020. The 2030 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 98.632% of the principal amount thereof. The 2030 Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are unconditionally guaranteed by Essex Property Trust, Inc. In October 2019, the Operating Partnership issued an additional $150.0 million of the 2030 notes at a price of 101.685% of the principal amount thereof. These additional notes have substantially identical terms as the 2030 Notes issued in August 2019. The Company used the net proceeds of these offerings to prepay, with no prepayment penalties, certain secured indebtedness under outstanding mortgage notes, to repay indebtedness under its unsecured lines of credit and for other general corporate and working capital purposes. These bonds are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2020, and 2019, the carrying value of the 2030 Notes, net of discount and debt issuance costs, was $543.1 million and $542.3 million, respectively.

In February 2019, the Operating Partnership issued $350.0 million of senior unsecured notes due on March 1, 2029, with a coupon rate of 4.000% per annum (the "2029 Notes"), which are payable on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning on September 1, 2019. The 2029 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 99.188% of the principal amount thereof. The 2029 Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are unconditionally guaranteed by Essex Property Trust, Inc. In March 2019, the Operating Partnership issued an additional $150.0 million of the 2029 Notes at a price of 100.717% of the principal amount thereof. These additional notes have substantially identical terms as the 2029 Notes issued in February 2019. The Company used the net proceeds of these offerings to repay indebtedness under its unsecured lines of credit and for other general corporate and working capital purposes. These bonds are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2020, and 2019, the carrying value of the 2029 Notes, net of discount and debt issuance costs was $494.8 million and $494.1 million, respectively.

In March 2018, the Operating Partnership issued $300.0 million of senior unsecured notes due on March 15, 2048 with a coupon rate of 4.500% per annum and are payable on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on September 15, 2018 (the "2048 Notes"). The 2048 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 99.591% of par value. The 2048 Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Essex Property Trust, Inc. These bonds are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the carrying value of the 2048 Notes, net of discount and debt issuance costs was $295.8 million and $295.6 million, respectively.

In April 2017, the Operating Partnership issued $350.0 million of senior unsecured notes due on May 1, 2027 with a coupon rate of 3.625% per annum and are payable on May 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning on November 1, 2017 (the "2027 Notes"). The 2027 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 99.423% of par value. The 2027 Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Essex Property Trust, Inc. These bonds are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the carrying value of the 2027 Notes, net of discount and debt issuance costs was $346.8 million and $346.3 million, respectively.

In April 2016, the Operating Partnership issued $450.0 million of senior unsecured notes due on April 15, 2026 with a coupon rate of 3.375% per annum and are payable on April 15th and October 15th of each year, beginning October 15, 2016 (the "2026 Notes"). The 2026 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 99.386% of par value. The 2026 Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Essex Property Trust, Inc. These bonds are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the carrying value of the 2026 Notes, net of discount and debt issuance costs was $446.4 million and $445.7 million, respectively.

In March 2015, the Operating Partnership issued $500.0 million of senior unsecured notes due on April 1, 2025 with a coupon rate of 3.5% per annum and are payable on April 1st and October 1st of each year, beginning October 1, 2015 (the "2025 Notes"). The 2025 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 99.747% of par value. The 2025 Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Essex Property Trust, Inc. These bonds are included
in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the carrying value of the 2025 Notes, net of discount and debt issuance costs was $497.6 million and $497.1 million, respectively.

In April 2014, the Company assumed $900.0 million aggregate principal amount of BRE Property Inc.’s 5.500% senior notes due 2017; 5.200% senior notes due 2021; and 3.375% senior notes due 2023 (together the "BRE Notes"). These notes are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the carrying value of the BRE Notes, plus unamortized premium was $296.8 million and $599.4 million, respectively. In December 2020, the Company paid off $300.0 million of 5.200% senior notes. In March 2017, the Company paid off $300.0 million of 5.500% senior notes, at maturity.

In April 2014, the Operating Partnership issued $400.0 million of senior unsecured notes due on May 1, 2024 with a coupon rate of 3.875% per annum and are payable on May 1st and November 1st of each year, beginning November 1, 2014 (the "2024 Notes"). The 2024 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 99.234% of par value. The 2024 Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Essex Property Trust, Inc. These bonds are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the carrying value of the 2024 Notes, net of discount and debt issuance costs was $397.8 million and $397.1 million, respectively.

In April 2013, the Operating Partnership issued $300.0 million of senior unsecured notes due on May 1, 2023 with a coupon rate of 3.25% per annum and are payable on May 1st and November 1st of each year, beginning November 1, 2013 (the "2023 Notes"). The 2023 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 99.152% of par value. The 2023 Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Essex Property Trust, Inc. These bonds are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the carrying value of the 2023 Notes, net of discount and debt issuance costs was $298.7 million and $298.2 million, respectively.

The following is a summary of the Company’s senior unsecured notes as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 ($ in thousands):
Maturity20202019Coupon
Rate
Senior notesMarch 2021$— $300,000 5.200 %
Senior notesAugust 2022— 300,000 3.625 %
Senior notesJanuary 2023300,000 300,000 3.375 %
Senior notesMay 2023300,000 300,000 3.250 %
Senior notesMay 2024400,000 400,000 3.875 %
Senior notesApril 2025500,000 500,000 3.500 %
Senior notesApril 2026450,000 450,000 3.375 %
Senior notesMay 2027350,000 350,000 3.625 %
Senior notesMarch 2029500,000 500,000 4.000 %
Senior notesJanuary 2030550,000 550,000 3.000 %
Senior notesJanuary 2031300,000 — 1.650 %
Senior notesMarch 2032650,000 — 2.650 %
Senior notesMarch 2048300,000 300,000 4.500 %
Senior notesSeptember 2050300,000 — 2.650 %
   $4,900,000 $4,250,000  

The aggregate scheduled principal payments of unsecured debt payable, excluding lines of credit, at December 31, 2020 are as follows ($ in thousands):
2021$— 
2022— 
2023600,000 
2024400,000 
2025500,000 
Thereafter3,400,000 
$4,900,000 

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had two unsecured lines of credit aggregating $1.24 billion, including a $1.2 billion unsecured line of credit and a $35.0 million working capital unsecured line of credit. As of December 31, 2020, there was no amount outstanding on the $1.2 billion unsecured line of credit. As of December 31, 2019, there was $55.0 million outstanding on this line. The interest rate is based on a tiered rate structure tied to the Company's credit ratings and was LIBOR plus 0.825% as of December 31, 2020. The $1.2 billion unsecured line of credit has a scheduled maturity date in December 2023 with one 18-month extension, exercisable at the Company's option. As of both December 31, 2020 and 2019, there was no amount outstanding on the Company's $35.0 million working capital unsecured line of credit. The interest rate on the amended line is based on a tiered rate structure tied to the Company's credit ratings and is currently at LIBOR plus 0.825%.

The Company’s unsecured lines of credit and unsecured debt agreements contain debt covenants related to limitations on indebtedness and liabilities, and maintenance of minimum levels of consolidated earnings before depreciation, interest and amortization. The Company was in compliance with the debt covenants as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.