Document And Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Aug. 04, 2011
Entity Registrant Name	ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000920522
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		33,817,096
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2011