10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(MARK ONE)

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012

OR

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ___________ TO _____________

Commission file number    1-13106

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Maryland	77-0369576
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

925 East Meadow Drive

Palo Alto, California    94303

(Address of Principal Executive Offices including Zip Code)

(650) 494-3700

(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.0001 par value	New York Stock Exchange
4.875% Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock	New York Stock Exchange
7.125% Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock	New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.Yesx   No o

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o   No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x   No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x   No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K, or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):

Large accelerated filer x Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o  No x

As of June 30, 2012, the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $5,325,843,948.  The aggregate market value was computed with reference to the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange on such date. Shares of common stock held by executive officers, directors and holders of more than ten percent of the outstanding common stock have been excluded from this calculation because such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This exclusion does not reflect a determination that such persons are affiliates for any other purposes.

As of February 20, 2013, 37,907,305 shares of common stock ($.0001 par value) were outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

The following document is incorporated by reference in Part III of the Annual Report on Form 10-K: Proxy statement for the annual meeting of stockholders of Essex Property Trust, Inc. to be held May 14, 2013.

ii

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

2012 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part I.		Page
Item 1.	Business	1
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	7
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments	17
Item 2.	Properties	17
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings	23
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	23
Part II.
Item 5.	Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	24
Item 6.	Selected Financial Data	27
Item 7.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	28
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks	42
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	43
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	43
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures	43
Item 9B.	Other Information	43
Part III.
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	44
Item 11.	Executive Compensation	44
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	44
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	44
Item 14.	Principal Accounting Fees and Services	44
Part IV.
Item 15.	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules	45
Signatures		S-1

iii

PART I

Forward Looking Statements

This Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Such forward-looking statements are described in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in the section, “Forward Looking Statements.”  Actual results could differ materially from those set forth in each forward-looking statement.  Certain factors that might cause such a difference are discussed in this report, including Item 1A, Risk Factors of this Form 10-K.

Item 1. Business

OVERVIEW

Essex Property Trust, Inc. (“Essex” or the “Company”) is a Maryland corporation that operates as a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”).  The Company owns all of its interest in its real estate investments directly or indirectly through Essex Portfolio, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership” or “EPLP”).  The Company is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership and as of December 31, 2012 owns a 94.5% general partnership interest.   In this report, the terms “Essex” or the “Company” also refer to Essex Property Trust, Inc., its Operating Partnership and the Operating Partnership’s subsidiaries.

The Company has elected to be treated as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, commencing with the year ended December 31, 1994 as the Company completed an initial public offering on June 13, 1994.  In order to maintain compliance with REIT tax rules, the Company utilizes taxable REIT subsidiaries for various revenue generating or investment activities. All taxable REIT subsidiaries are consolidated by the Company.

The Company is engaged primarily in the ownership, operation, management, acquisition, development and redevelopment of predominantly apartment communities.  As of December 31, 2012, the Company owned or held an interest in 163 communities, aggregating 33,468 units, located along the West Coast, as well as five commercial buildings (totaling approximately 315,900 square feet), and nine active development projects with 2,495 units in various stages of development (collectively, the “Portfolio”).

The Company’s website address is http://www.essexpropertytrust.com.  The Company’s annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports, and the Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders are available, free of charge, on its website as soon as practicable after the Company files the reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

BUSINESS STRATEGIES

The following is a discussion of the Company’s business strategies in regards to real estate investment and management.

Business Strategies

Research Driven Approach to Investments – The Company believes that successful real estate investment decisions and portfolio growth begin with extensive regional economic research and local market knowledge.  The Company continually assesses markets where the Company operates, as well as markets where the Company considers future investment opportunities by evaluating the following:

· Focus on markets in major metropolitan areas that have regional population in excess of one million;

· Constraints on new supply driven by: (i) low availability of developable land sites where competing housing could be economically built; (ii) political growth barriers, such as protected land, urban growth boundaries, and potential lengthy and expensive development permit processes; and (iii) natural limitations to development, such as mountains or waterways;

· Rental demand is enhanced by affordability of rents relative to costs of for-sale housing; and

· Housing demand that is based on proximity to jobs, high median incomes, the quality of life and related commuting factors, as well as potential job growth.

1

Recognizing that all real estate markets are cyclical, the Company regularly evaluates the results of its regional economic, and its local market research, and adjusts the geographic focus of its portfolio accordingly.  The Company seeks to increase its Portfolio allocation in markets projected to have the strongest local economies and to decrease such allocations in markets projected to have declining economic conditions.  Likewise, the Company also seeks to increase its portfolio allocation in markets that have attractive property valuations and to decrease such allocations in markets that have inflated valuations and low relative yields.

Property Operations – The Company manages its communities by focusing on activities that generate above-average rental growth, tenant retention/satisfaction and long-term asset appreciation.  The Company intends to achieve this by utilizing the strategies set forth below:

· Property Management – Oversee delivery of and quality of the housing provided to our residents and are responsible for the properties financial performance.

· Capital Preservation –Asset Management is responsible for the planning, budgeting and completion of major capital improvement projects at the Company’s communities.

· Business Planning and Control – Comprehensive business plans are implemented in conjunction with every investment decision.  These plans include benchmarks for future financial performance, based on collaborative discussions between on-site managers and senior management.

· Development and Redevelopment – The Company focuses on acquiring and developing apartment communities in supply constrained markets, and redeveloping its existing communities to improve the financial and physical aspects of the Company’s communities.

CURRENT BUSINESS ACTIVITIES

Acquisitions of Real Estate

Acquisitions are an important component of the Company’s business plan, and during 2012, the Company acquired ownership interests in fifteen communities totaling $801.9 million.  The following is a summary of its 2012 acquisitions:

				Essex									Assumed		Assumed			Assumed
				Ownership						Purchase			Debt		Debt Stated			Debt Effective
Property Name	Location	Units		Percentage			Ownership	Date		Price			Principal		Rate			Rate
Bon Terra	Redmond, WA		60		100	%	EPLP		Q1 2012	$	16,000		$	-		-			-
Reed Square	Sunnyvale, CA		100		100	%	EPLP		Q1 2012		23,000			-		-			-
Park Catalina	Los Angeles, CA		90		100	%	EPLP		Q2 2012		23,650			-		-			-
Skyline (1)	Santa Ana, CA		349		100	%	EPLP		Q2 2012		85,000			-		-			-
The Huntington	Huntington Beach, CA		276		100	%	EPLP		Q2 2012		48,250			30,300		5.7	%		3.3	%
Domaine	Seattle, WA		92		100	%	EPLP		Q3 2012		34,000			14,600		5.7	%		3.0	%
Montebello	Kirkland, WA		248		100	%	EPLP		Q3 2012		52,000			26,515		5.6	%		3.1	%
Park West	San Francisco, CA		126		100	%	EPLP		Q3 2012		31,600			-		-			-
Riley Square	Santa Clara, CA		156		50	%	Wesco I		Q3 2012		38,250			17,500		5.2	%		3.1	%
Ascent	Kirkland, WA		90		100	%	EPLP		Q4 2012		15,850			-		-			-
Bennett Lofts (2)	San Francisco, CA		113		100	%	EPLP		Q4 2012		73,730			-		-			-
Haver Hill	Fullerton, CA		264		50	%	Wesco III		Q4 2012		45,600			-		-			-
Madrid	Mission Viejo, CA		230		50	%	Wesco I		Q4 2012		(3	)		33,266		5.3	%		2.6	%
Pacific Electric Lofts	Los Angeles, CA		314		50	%	Wesco I		Q4 2012		(3	)		46,939		4.0	%		2.5	%
Willow Lake	San Jose, CA		508		100	%	EPLP		Q4 2012		148,000			-		-			-
	Total 2012		3,016							$	801,930		$	169,120

(1) In April 2012, the Company purchased the joint venture partner's remaining membership interest in the co-investment Essex Skyline at MacArthur Place for a purchase price of $85 million. The property is now consolidated.

(2) Approximately 75% of the property was acquired in December and the remainder in January 2013 for $22.2 million.

(3)  In accordance with terms of the purchase agreements, purchase price of the properties are not being disclosed by the  Company.

2

Dispositions of Real Estate

As part of its strategic plan to own quality real estate in supply-constrained markets, the Company continually evaluates all the communities and sells those which no longer meet its strategic criteria.  The Company may use the capital generated from the dispositions to invest in higher-return communities or other real estate investments, or repay debts.  The Company believes that the sale of these communities will not have a material impact on its future results of operations or cash flows nor will their sale materially affect its ongoing operations.  Generally, the Company seeks to have any impact of earnings dilution resulting from these dispositions offset by the positive impact of its acquisitions, development and redevelopment activities.

During 2012, the Company sold two apartment communities, for a total of $28.3 million resulting in a gain of $10.9 million.  Also, Essex Apartment Value Fund II sold seven communities for a total of $413.0 million.  The total gain on the transaction was $106 million, of which the Company’s pro-rata share was $29.1 million.

Development Pipeline

The Company defines development projects as new communities that are in various stages of active development, or the community is in lease-up and phases of the project are not completed.  As of December 31, 2012, the Company had two consolidated development projects and seven joint venture development projects comprised of 2,495 units for an estimated cost of $928.4 million, of which $463.9 million remains to be expended.

The Company defines the predevelopment projects as proposed communities in negotiation or in the entitlement process with a high likelihood of becoming entitled development projects.  As of December 31, 2012, the Company had two consolidated predevelopment projects and one unconsolidated joint venture predevelopment project aggregating 449 units.  The Company may also acquire land for future development purposes or sale.

The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s development pipeline:

		Essex					As of 12/31/12 ($ in millions)
		Ownership					Incurred		Estimated		Estimated		Projected
Development Pipeline	Location	%			Units		Project Cost		Remaining Cost		Project Cost(1)		Stabilization
Development Projects - Consolidated
64th & Christie	Emeryville, CA		100	%		190	$	18.1	$	40.1	$	58.2	Feb-15
Valley Village	Valley Village, CA		(2	)		121		1.5		36.1		37.6	Jun-14
Total - Consolidated Development Projects						311		19.6		76.2		95.8
Development Projects - Joint Venture
Expo	Seattle, WA		50	%		275		64.5		5.5		70.0	Apr-13
Epic -  Phase I and II	San Jose, CA		55	%		569		128.2		63.4		191.6	Dec-14
Connolly Station (fka Linc)	Dublin, CA		55	%		309		51.6		42.9		94.5	May-14
The Huxley (fka Fountain at La Brea)	West Hollywood, CA		50	%		187		46.2		28.8		75.0	Jul-14
The Dylan (fka Santa Monica at La Brea)	West Hollywood, CA		50	%		184		41.3		34.1		75.4	Oct-14
Folsom and Fifth	San Francisco, CA		55	%		463		88.5		161.5		250.0	Mar-15
Elkhorn	San Mateo, CA		55	%		197		24.6		51.5		76.1	Dec-14
Total - Joint Venture Development Projects						2,184		444.9		387.7		832.6
Predevelopment Projects
City Centre	Moorpark, CA		100	%		200		9.7		-		9.7
Epic - Phase III	San Jose, CA		55	% (3)		200		19.8		-		19.8
Main Street	Walnut Creek, CA		50	%		49		28.5		-		28.5
Other Projects						-		1.6		-		1.6
Total - Predevelopment Projects						449		59.6		-		59.6
Land Held for Future Development or Sale
Park Boulevard	Palo Alto, CA		(4	)		50		7.5		-		7.5
Grand Total - Development Pipeline						2,994	$	531.6	$	463.9	$	995.5

(1) Includes incurred costs and estimated costs to complete these development projects.

(2) The Company invested $1.0 million and has incurred $0.5 million of additional internal costs as part of an agreement to purchase the property upon receipt of temporary certificate of occupancy for total estimated cost of $37.6 million, which is expected in the first quarter of 2014.

(3) The Company accounts for this joint venture predevelopment project on the equity method.

(4) This property was sold in January 2013 for $9.1 million, representing a gain on sale of $1.5 million.

3

Redevelopment Pipeline

The Company defines redevelopment pipeline as existing properties owned or recently acquired, which have been targeted for additional investment by the Company with the expectation of increased financial returns through property improvement.  During redevelopment, apartment units may not be available for rent and, as a result, may have less than stabilized operations.  As of December 31, 2012, the Company had ownership interests in five redevelopment communities aggregating 1,056 apartment units with estimated redevelopment costs of $64.9 million, of which approximately $20.7 million remains to be expended.

Long Term Debt

During 2012, the Company paid off $237.7 million in secured debt including secured mortgage debt totaling $202.6 million at an average interest rate of 5.5% and $35.1 million of tax-exempt bonds.  Also, the Essex Skyline secured loan was repaid for $80.0 million.

During 2012, the Company issued $200 million of unsecured bonds through private placement offerings at an average rate of 4.3%.

In August 2012, the Company issued $300.0 million of senior unsecured bonds due August 2022 with a coupon rate of 3.625% per annum.

Bank Debt

During 2012, the Company increased the capacity of the unsecured line of credit facility from $425.0 million to $500.0 million, and the facility was increased to $600.0 million in January 2013.  This facility matures in December 2015 with two one-year extension options.  In November, Fitch Ratings upgraded the Company’s credit rating to BBB+ with a stable outlook from BBB with a positive outlook.  As a result, the pricing on the Company’s unsecured credit facility was reduced from LIBOR + 120 basis points to LIBOR + 107.5 basis points, and the pricing for the Company’s $350.0 term loan was reduced from LIBOR + 130 basis points to LIBOR + 120 basis points.

During 2012, the Company increased the size of the unsecured term loan from $200 million to $350 million.  The Company entered into interest rate swap contracts for a term of five years with a notional amount totaling $300 million, which effectively converted the interest rate on $300 million of the term loan to a fixed rate.  As of December 31, 2012, the Company had $350 million outstanding on the unsecured term loan outstanding at an average interest rate of 2.7%. 

Equity Transactions

During 2012, the Company issued 2,404,096 million shares of common stock at an average share price of $150.26 for $357.7 million, net of fees and commissions.  During the first quarter of 2013 through February 21, 2013, the Company has issued 758,644 shares of common stock at an average price of $151.70 for $114.0 million, net of fees and commissions.  The Company used the net proceeds from the stock offerings to pay down debt, fund redevelopment and development pipelines, fund acquisitions, and for general corporate purposes.

ESSEX APARTMENT VALUE FUND II

Essex Apartment Value Fund II, L.P. (“Fund II”) is an investment fund formed by the Company to add value through rental growth and asset appreciation, utilizing the Company's development, redevelopment, and property and asset management capabilities.

Fund II has eight institutional investors, and the Company, with combined partner equity contributions of $265.9 million.  The Company contributed $75.0 million to Fund II, which represents a 28.2% interest as general partner and limited partner, and the Company uses the equity method of accounting for its investment in Fund II.  Fund II utilized leverage equal to approximately 55% upon the initial acquisition of the underlying real estate.  Fund II invested in fourteen apartment communities in the Company’s targeted West Coast markets and sold seven of those communities in 2012.  As of December 31, 2012, Fund II owned seven apartment communities with 1,284 units.  The Company records revenue for its asset management, property management, development, and redevelopment services when earned, and promote income when realized, if Fund II exceeds certain financial return benchmarks.

4

WESCO

In 2011, the Company entered into a 50/50 programmatic joint venture, Wesco I LLC (“Wesco I”), with an institutional partner for a total equity commitment of $300.0 million.  Each partner’s equity commitment was $150.0 million, and Wesco I utilized debt as leverage equal to approximately 50% of the underlying real estate.  The Company has contributed $150.0 million to Wesco I, and as of December 31, 2012, Wesco I owned nine apartment communities with 2,713 units with an aggregate carrying value of $660.5 million.  Investments must meet certain criteria to qualify for inclusion in the joint venture and both partners must approve any new acquisitions and material dispositions. The Company receives asset and property management fees, and may earn a promoted interest.

During 2012, the Company entered into a 50/50 programmatic joint venture, Wesco III LLC (“Wesco III”), with an institutional partner for a total equity commitment from the parties of $120.0 million.  Wesco III will utilize debt as leverage equal to approximately 50% of the underlying real estate.  The Company has contributed $10.0 million to Wesco III, and provided a $26.0 million short term bridge loan to Wesco III at a rate of LIBOR + 2.5%.  As of December 31, 2012, Wesco III owned one apartment community with 264 units for a purchase price of $45.6 million.  Permanent secured financing is expected to be placed on the property in the first quarter of 2013.  Investments must meet certain criteria to qualify for inclusion in the joint venture and both partners must approve any new acquisitions and material dispositions. The joint venture has an investment period of up to two years.  The Company receives asset and property management fees, and may earn a promoted interest.

OFFICES AND EMPLOYEES

The Company is headquartered in Palo Alto, California, and has regional offices in Woodland Hills, California; Irvine, California; San Diego, California and Bellevue, Washington.  As of December 31, 2012, the Company had 1,144 employees.

INSURANCE

The Company carries comprehensive liability, fire, extended coverage and rental loss insurance for each of the communities.  Under comprehensive liability claims, the Company has insurance to cover claims in excess of $100,000 per incident.  Under property casualty claims, the Company reinsures the primary carrier for losses up to $5.0 million deductible per incident. There are, however, certain types of extraordinary losses, such as, losses from terrorism and earthquakes, for which the Company does not have insurance.  Substantially all of the communities are located in areas that are subject to earthquakes.

The Company believes it has a proactive approach to its potential earthquake losses.  The Company utilizes third-party seismic consultants for its acquisitions and may perform seismic upgrades to those acquisitions that are determined to have a higher level of potential loss from an earthquake.  The Company utilizes third-party loss models to help to determine its exposure.  The majority of the communities are lower density garden-style apartments which may be less susceptible to material earthquake damage.  The Company will continue to monitor third-party earthquake insurance pricing and conditions and may consider obtaining third-party coverage if it deems it cost effective.

Although the Company may carry insurance for potential losses associated with its communities, employees, residents, and compliance with applicable laws, it may still incur losses due to uninsured risks, deductibles, co-payments or losses in excess of applicable insurance coverage and those losses may be material.

COMPETITION

There are numerous housing alternatives that compete with the Company’s communities in attracting residents.  These include other apartment communities, and single-family homes.  The communities also compete for residents with new and existing condominiums.  If the demand for the Company’s communities is reduced or if competitors develop and/or acquire competing housing, rental rates and occupancy may drop which may have a material adverse affect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

The Company faces competition from other real estate investment trusts, businesses and other entities in the acquisition, development and operation of apartment communities.  Some competitors are larger and have greater financial resources than the Company.  This competition may result in increased costs of apartment communities the Company acquires and or develops.

5

WORKING CAPITAL

The Company believes that cash flows generated by its operations, existing cash and marketable securities balances, availability under existing lines of credit, access to capital markets and the ability to generate cash from the disposition of real estate are sufficient to meet all of its reasonably anticipated cash needs during 2013.  The timing, source and amounts of cash flows provided by financing activities and used in investing activities are sensitive to changes in interest rates and other fluctuations in the capital markets environment, which can affect its plans for acquisitions, dispositions, development and redevelopment activities.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

See the discussion under the caption, “The Company’s Portfolio may have unknown environmental liabilities” in Item 1A, Risk Factors, for information concerning the potential effect of environmental regulations on its operations, which discussion under the caption “The Company’s Portfolio may have unknown environmental liabilities” is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.

OTHER MATTERS

Certain Policies of the Company

The Company intends to continue to operate in a manner that will not subject it to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Company has in the past five years and may in the future (i) issue securities senior to its common stock, (ii) fund acquisition activities with borrowings under its line of credit and (iii) offer shares of common stock and/or units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership or affiliated partnerships as partial consideration for property acquisitions. The Company from time to time acquires partnership interests in partnerships and joint ventures, either directly or indirectly through subsidiaries of the Company, when such entities’ underlying assets are real estate.

The Company invests primarily in apartment communities that are located in predominantly coastal markets within Southern California, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the Seattle metropolitan area. The Company currently intends to continue to invest in apartment communities in such regions.  However, these practices may be reviewed and modified periodically by management.

6

Item 1A. Risk Factors

The Company’s business, operating results, cash flows and financial condition are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, those set forth below, any one of which could cause the Company’s actual results to vary materially from recent results or from the Company’s anticipated future results.

The Company depends on its key personnel.   The Company’s success depends on its ability to attract and retain executive officers, senior officers and company managers. There is substantial competition for qualified personnel in the real estate industry and the loss of any of the Company’s key personnel could have an adverse effect on the Company.

Capital and credit market conditions may affect the Company’s access to sources of capital and/or the cost of capital, which could negatively affect the Company’s business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.  In periods when the capital and credit markets experience significant volatility, the amounts, sources and cost of capital available to the Company may be adversely affected.  The Company’s strong balance sheet, the debt capacity available on the unsecured line of credit with a bank group and access to the private placement market and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac secured debt financing provides some insulation from volatile markets.  The Company has benefited from borrowing from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and there are no assurances that these entities will lend to the Company in the future.  To the extent that the Company’s access to capital and credit is at a higher cost than the Company has experienced in recent years (reflected in higher interest rates for debt financing or a lower stock price for equity financing) the Company’s ability to make acquisitions, develop communities, obtain new financing, and refinance existing borrowing at competitive rates could be adversely impacted.  For the past two years the Company has primarily issued unsecured debt and repaid secured debt when it has matured to place less reliance on mortgage debt financing.

Debt financing has inherent risks.  At December 31, 2012, the Company had approximately $2.82 billion of indebtedness (including $692.9 million of variable rate indebtedness, of which $300.0 million is subject to interest rate swaps effectively fixing the interest rate and $187.8 million is subject to interest rate protection agreements).  The Company is subject to the risks normally associated with debt financing, including the following:

· cash flow may not be sufficient to meet required payments of principal and interest;

· inability to refinance maturing indebtedness on encumbered apartment communities;

· inability to comply with debt covenants could cause an acceleration of the maturity date; and

· repaying debt before the scheduled maturity date could result in prepayment penalties.

The Company may not be able to refinance its indebtedness.  The communities subject to these mortgages could be foreclosed upon or otherwise transferred to the lender.  This could cause the Company to lose income and asset value.  The Company may be required to refinance the debt at higher interest rates or on terms that may not be as favorable as the terms of existing indebtedness.

Debt financing of communities may result in insufficient cash flow to service debt.  Where appropriate, the Company intends to continue to use leverage to increase the rate of return on the Company’s investments and to provide for additional investments that the Company could not otherwise make.  There is a risk that the cash flow from the communities will be insufficient to meet both debt payment obligations and the distribution requirements of the real estate investment trust provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  The Company may obtain additional debt financing in the future through mortgages on some or all of the communities.  These mortgages may be recourse, non-recourse, or cross-collateralized.

Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our indebtedness and to fund our operations, working capital and capital expenditures, depends on our ability to generate cash in the future. To a certain extent, our cash flow is subject to general economic, industry, regional, financial, competitive, operating, legislative, regulatory and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had 55 of its 139 consolidated communities encumbered by debt.  With respect to the 55 communities encumbered by debt, all of them are secured by deeds of trust relating solely to those communities.  The holders of this indebtedness will have rights with respect to these communities and lenders may seek foreclosure of communities which would reduce the Company’s income and net asset value.

7

Rising interest rates may affect the Company’s costs of capital and financing activities and results of operation.  Interest rates could increase, which could result in higher interest expense on the Company’s variable rate indebtedness or increase interest rates when refinancing maturing fixed rate debt.  Prolonged interest rate increases could negatively impact the Company’s ability to make acquisitions and develop apartment communities with positive economic returns on investment and the Company’s ability to refinance existing borrowings.

Interest rate hedging arrangements may result in losses.   Periodically, the Company has entered into agreements to reduce the risks associated with increases in interest rates, and may continue to do so.  Although these agreements may partially protect against rising interest rates, they also may reduce the benefits to the Company if interest rates decline.  If a hedging arrangement is not indexed to the same rate as the indebtedness that is hedged, the Company may be exposed to losses to the extent that the rate governing the indebtedness and the rate governing the hedging arrangement change independently of each other.  Finally, nonperformance by the other party to the hedging arrangement may subject the Company to increased credit risks.  In order to minimize counterparty credit risk, the Company’s policy is to enter into hedging arrangements only with financial institutions that have a current rating of A or higher.

Bond compliance requirements may limit income from certain communities.   At December 31, 2012, the Company had approximately $201.9 million of variable rate tax-exempt financing.  This tax-exempt financing provides for certain deed restrictions and restrictive covenants.  The Company expects to engage in tax-exempt financings in the future.  The Internal Revenue Code and rules and regulations thereunder impose various restrictions, conditions and requirements in order to allow the noteholder to exclude interest on qualified bond obligations from gross income for federal income tax purposes.  The Internal Revenue Code also requires that at least 20% of apartment units be made available to residents with gross incomes that do not exceed a specified percentage, generally 50%, of the median income for the applicable family size as determined by the Housing and Urban Development Department of the federal government.  Certain state and local authorities may impose additional rental restrictions.  These restrictions may limit income from the tax-exempt financed communities if the Company is required to lower rental rates to attract residents who satisfy the median income test.  If the Company does not reserve the required number of apartment homes for residents satisfying these income requirements, the tax-exempt status of the bonds may be terminated, the obligations under the bond documents may be accelerated and the Company may be subject to additional contractual liability.

General real estate investment risks may adversely affect property income and values.   Real estate investments are subject to a variety of risks.  If the communities do not generate sufficient income to meet operating expenses, including debt service and capital expenditures, cash flow and the ability to make distributions to stockholders will be adversely affected.  Income from the communities may be further adversely affected by, among other things, the following factors:

· the general economic climate;

· local economic conditions in which the communities are located, such as oversupply of housing or a reduction in demand for rental housing;

· the attractiveness of the communities to tenants;

· competition from other available housing; and

· the Company’s ability to provide for adequate maintenance and insurance.

As leases at the communities expire, tenants may enter into new leases on terms that are less favorable to the Company. Income and real estate values also may be adversely affected by such factors as applicable laws (e.g., the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and tax laws).  Real estate investments are relatively illiquid and, therefore, the Company’s ability to vary its portfolio promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions may be quite limited.

National and regional economic environments can negatively impact the Company’s operating results.  During recent years, a confluence of factors has resulted in job losses, turmoil and volatility in the capital markets, and caused a national and global recession.  The Company's forecast for the national economy assumes the return of growth, with estimated gross domestic product growth of the national economy and the economies of the western states.  In the event of another recession, the Company could incur reduction in rental rates, occupancy levels, property valuations and increases in operating costs such as advertising and turnover expenses.

Inflation/Deflation may affect rental rates and operating expenses. Substantial inflationary or deflationary pressures could have a negative effect on rental rates and property operating expenses.

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Acquisitions of communities may fail to meet expectations.  The Company intends to continue to acquire apartment communities.  However, there are risks that acquisitions will fail to meet the Company’s expectations.  The Company’s estimates of future income, expenses and the costs of improvements or redevelopment that is necessary to allow the Company to market an acquired apartment community as originally intended may prove to be inaccurate.  The Company expects to finance future acquisitions, in whole or in part, under various forms of secured or unsecured financing or through the issuance of partnership units by the Operating Partnership or related partnerships or additional equity by the Company.  The use of equity financing, rather than debt, for future developments or acquisitions could dilute the interest of the Company’s existing stockholders.  If the Company finances new acquisitions under existing lines of credit, there is a risk that, unless the Company obtains substitute financing, the Company may not be able to secure further lines of credit for new development or such lines of credit may be not available on advantageous terms.

Development and redevelopment activities may be delayed, not completed, and/or not achieve expected results.   The Company pursues development and redevelopment projects and these projects generally require various governmental and other approvals, which have no assurance of being received.  The Company’s development and redevelopment activities generally entail certain risks, including the following:

· funds may be expended and management's time devoted to projects that may not be completed;

· construction costs of a project may exceed original estimates possibly making the project economically unfeasible;

· projects may be delayed due to, without limitation, adverse weather conditions, labor or material shortage;

· occupancy rates and rents at a completed project may be less than anticipated; and

· expenses at completed development projects may be higher than anticipated.

These risks may reduce the funds available for distribution to the Company’s stockholders.  Further, the development and redevelopment of communities is also subject to the general risks associated with real estate investments. For further information regarding these risks, please see the risk factor “General real estate investment risks may adversely affect property income and values.”

The geographic concentration of the Company’s communities and fluctuations in local markets may adversely impact the Company’s financial condition and operating results.  The Company generated significant amounts of rental revenues for the year ended December 31, 2012, from the Company’s communities concentrated in Southern California (Los Angeles, Orange, Santa Barbara, San Diego, and Ventura counties), Northern California (the San Francisco Bay Area), and the Seattle metropolitan area. For the year ended December 31, 2012, 82% of the Company’s rental revenues were generated from communities located in California.  This geographic concentration could present risks if local property market performance falls below expectations. The economic condition of these markets could affect occupancy, property revenues, and expenses, from the communities and their underlying asset values.  The financial results of major local employers also may impact the cash flow and value of certain of the communities.  This could have a negative impact on the Company’s financial condition and operating results, which could affect the Company’s ability to pay expected dividends to its stockholders.

Competition in the apartment community market may adversely affect operations and the rental demand for the Company’s communities.  There are numerous housing alternatives that compete with the Company’s communities in attracting residents.  These include other apartment communities and single-family homes that are available for rent in the markets in which the communities are located.  If the demand for the Company’s communities is reduced or if competitors develop and/or acquire competing apartment communities, rental rates may drop, which may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.  The Company also faces competition from other real estate investment trusts, businesses and other entities in the acquisition, development and operation of apartment communities.  This competition may result in an increase in costs and prices of apartment communities that the Company acquires and/or develops.

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The price per share of the Company’s stock may fluctuate significantly.  The market price per share of the Company’s common stock may fluctuate significantly in response to many factors, including without limitation:

· regional, national and global economic conditions;

· actual or anticipated variations in the Company’s quarterly operating results or dividends;

· changes in the Company’s funds from operations or earnings estimates;

· issuances of common stock, preferred stock or convertible debt securities;

· publication of research reports about the Company or the real estate industry;

· the general reputation of real estate investment trusts and the attractiveness of their equity securities in comparison to other equity securities (including securities issued by other real estate based companies);

· general stock and bond market conditions, including changes in interest rates on fixed income securities, that may lead prospective purchasers of the Company’s stock to demand a higher annual yield from dividends;

· availability to capital markets and cost of capital;

· a change in analyst ratings or the Company’s credit ratings;

· terrorist activity may adversely affect the markets in which the Company’s securities trade, possibly increasing market volatility and causing erosion of business and consumer confidence and spending; and

· Natural disasters such as earthquakes.

Many of the factors listed above are beyond the Company’s control.  These factors may cause the market price of shares of the Company’s common stock to decline, regardless of the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or business prospects.

The Company’s future issuances of common stock, preferred stock or convertible debt securities could adversely affect the market price of the Company’s common stock.  In order to finance the Company’s acquisition and development activities, the Company has issued and sold common stock, preferred stock and convertible debt securities.  For example, during 2012 and 2011, the Company issued and sold 2.4 million and 2.5 million shares of common stock for $357.7 million and $323.9 million, net of fees and commissions, respectively.  The Company may in the future sell further shares of common stock, including pursuant to its equity distribution programs with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., BMO Capital Markets Corp., Liquidnet, Inc., and Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc, and Citigroup Global Markets Inc.  In 2011, the Company issued 2,950,000 shares of 7.125% Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock at a price of $25.00 per share for net proceeds of $71.2 million, net of costs and original issuance discounts.

In 2010, the Company filed a new shelf registration statement with the SEC, allowing the Company to sell an undetermined number of equity and debt securities as defined in the prospectus.  Future sales of common stock, preferred stock or convertible debt securities may dilute stockholder ownership in the Company and could adversely affect the market price of the common stock.

The indenture governing the notes, which we issued in August 2012, contains restrictive covenants that limit our operating flexibility.  In August2012, the Company, through the Operating Partnership, issued $300 million of senior notes.  The Operating Partnership has also agreed to conduct an offer to exchange these senior notes for a new series of publicly registered notes (the “exchange notes”) with substantially identical terms.  The indenture, which governs both the senior notes issued in August 2012 and the exchange notes, contains financial and operating covenants that, among other things,restrict our ability to take specific actions, even if we believe them to be in our best interest, includingrestrictions on our ability to:

·  consummate a merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets; and

·  incur additional secured and unsecured indebtedness.

In addition, the instruments governing our other unsecured indebtedness require us to meet specified financial covenants, including covenants relating to net worth, fixed charge coverage, debt service coverage, the amounts of total indebtedness and secured indebtedness, leverage and certain investment limitations. These covenants may restrict our ability to expand or fully pursue our business strategies. Our ability to comply with these provisions and those contained in the indenture governing the notes, may be affected by changes in our operating and financial performance, changes in general business and economic conditions, adverse regulatory developments or other events adversely impacting us. The breach of any of these covenants, including those contained in our indenture, could result in a default under our indebtedness, which could cause those and other obligations to become due and payable. If any of our indebtedness is accelerated, we may not be able to repay it.

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A downgrade in our investment grade credit rating could materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.  The Company plans to manage its operations to maintain its investment grade credit rating with a capital structure consistent with its current profile, but there can be no assurance that it will be able to maintain its current credit ratings. Any downgrades in terms of ratings or outlook by any of the rating agencies could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s cost and availability of capital, which could in turn have a material adverse impact on its financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

The Company’s Chairman is involved in other real estate activities and investments, which may lead to conflicts of interest.   The Company’s Chairman, George M. Marcus is not an employee of the Company, and is involved in other real estate activities and investments, which may lead to conflicts of interest. Mr. Marcus owns interests in various other real estate-related businesses and investments.  He is the Chairman of the Marcus & Millichap Company (“TMMC”), which is a holding company for certain real estate brokerage and services companies.  TMMC has an interest in Pacific Urban Residential and Summerhill Homes, companies that invest in apartment communities.

Mr. Marcus has agreed not to divulge any confidential or proprietary information that may be received by him in his capacity as Chairman of the Company to any of his affiliated companies and that he will abstain his vote on any and all resolutions by the Company Board of Directors regarding any proposed acquisition and/or development of an apartment community where it appears that there may be a conflict of interest with any of his affiliated companies.  Notwithstanding this agreement, Mr. Marcus and his affiliated entities may potentially compete with the Company in acquiring and/or developing apartment communities, which competition may be detrimental to the Company.  In addition, due to such potential competition for real estate investments, Mr. Marcus and his affiliated entities may have a conflict of interest with the Company, which may be detrimental to the interests of the Company’s stockholders.

The influence of executive officers, directors and significant stockholders may be detrimental to holders of common stock.  As of December 31, 2012, George M. Marcus, the Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors, wholly or partially owned 1.6 million shares of common stock (including shares issuable upon exchange of limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership and certain other partnerships and assuming exercise of all vested options). This represents approximately 4.4% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock. Mr. Marcus currently does not have majority control over the Company.  However, he currently has, and likely will continue to have, significant influence with respect to the election of directors and approval or disapproval of significant corporate actions.  Consequently, his influence could result in decisions that do not reflect the interests of all the Company’s stockholders.

Under the partnership agreement of the Operating Partnership, the consent of the holders of limited partnership interests is generally required for any amendment of the agreement and for certain extraordinary actions.  Through their ownership of limited partnership interests and their positions with the Company, the Company’s directors and executive officers, including Mr. Marcus, have substantial influence on the Company.  Consequently, their influence could result in decisions that do not reflect the interests of all stockholders.

The voting rights of preferred stock may allow holders of preferred stock to impede actions that otherwise benefit holders of common stock.Essex currently has outstanding shares of 7.125% Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series H Preferred Stock”). In general, the holders of the Company’s outstanding shares of Series H Preferred Stock do not have any voting rights. However, if full distributions are not made on outstanding Series H Preferred Stock for six quarterly distributions periods, the holders of Series H Preferred Stock, together with holders of other series of preferred stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred, will have the right to elect two additional directors to serve on Essex’s Board of Directors.

These voting rights continue until all distributions in arrears and distributions for the current quarterly period on the Series H Preferred Stock have been paid in full. At that time, the holders of the Series H Preferred Stock are divested of these voting rights, and the term of office of the directors so elected immediately terminates.

While any shares of the Company’s Series H Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Company may not, without the consent of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series H Preferred Stock:

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· authorize or create any class or series of stock that ranks senior to the Series H Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends, rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company’s business; or

· amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Company’s Charter, including by merger or consolidation, that would materially and adversely affect the rights of the Series H Preferred Stock; provided that in the case of a merger or consolidation, so long as the Series H Preferred Stock remains outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged or the holders of shares of Series H Preferred Stock receive shares of stock or other equity securities with rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers substantially similar to that of the Series H Preferred Stock, the occurrence of such merger or consolidation shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect the rights of the holders of the Series H Preferred Stock.

These voting rights of the holders of the Series H Preferred Stock and of other preferred stock may allow such holders to impede or veto actions that would otherwise benefit the holders of the Company’s common stock.

The Maryland business combination law may not allow certain transactions between the Company and its affiliates to proceed without compliance with such law.  Under Maryland law, “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder.  These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities.  An interested stockholder is defined as any person (and certain affiliates of such person) who beneficially owns ten percent or more of the voting power of the then-outstanding voting stock.  The law also requires a supermajority stockholder vote for such transactions. This means that the transaction must be approved by at least:

· 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding voting shares; and

· Two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding voting shares other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom the business combination is to be effected.

The statute permits various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations that are exempted by the board of directors prior to the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder.  These voting provisions do not apply if the stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law.  As permitted by the statute, the Board of Directors of the Company irrevocably has elected to exempt any business combination by the Company, George M. Marcus, who is the chairman of the Company, and TMMC or any entity owned or controlled by Mr. Marcus and TMMC. Consequently, the five-year prohibition and supermajority vote requirement described above will not apply to any business combination between the Company, Mr. Marcus, or TMMC.  As a result, the Company may in the future enter into business combinations with Mr. Marcus and TMMC, without compliance with the supermajority vote requirements and other provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law.

Anti-takeover provisions contained in the Operating Partnership agreement, charter, bylaws, and certain provisions of Maryland law could delay, defer or prevent a change in control.  While the Company is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership, and generally has full and exclusive responsibility and discretion in the management and control of the Operating Partnership, certain provisions of the Operating Partnership agreement place limitations on the Company’s ability to act with respect to the Operating Partnership.  Such limitations could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for the Company’s stock or otherwise be in the best interest of the stockholders or that could otherwise adversely affect the interest of the Company’s stockholders.  The partnership agreement provides that if the limited partners own at least 5% of the outstanding units of partnership interest in the Operating Partnership, the Company cannot, without first obtaining the consent of a majority-in-interest of the limited partners in the Operating Partnership, transfer all or any portion of the Company’s general partner interest in the Operating Partnership to another entity.  Such limitations on the Company’s ability to act may result in the Company’s being precluded from taking action that the Board of Directors believes is in the best interests of the Company’s stockholders.  As of December 31, 2012, the limited partners held or controlled approximately 5.5% of the outstanding units of partnership interest in the Operating Partnership, allowing such actions to be blocked by the limited partners.

The Company’s Charter authorizes the issuance of additional shares of common stock or preferred stock and the setting of the preferences, rights and other terms of such preferred stock without the approval of the holders of the common stock.  The Company may establish one or more series of preferred stock that could delay defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control.  Such a transaction might involve a premium price for the Company’s stock or otherwise be in the best interests of the holders of common stock.  Also, such a class of preferred stock could have dividend, voting or other rights that could adversely affect the interest of holders of common stock.

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The Company’s Charter contains other provisions that may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might be in the best interest of the Company’s stockholders.  The Charter contains ownership provisions limiting the transferability and ownership of shares of capital stock, which may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control.  For example, subject to receiving an exemption from the Board of Directors, potential acquirers may not purchase more than 6% in value of the stock (other than qualified pension trusts which can acquire 9.9%). This may discourage tender offers that may be attractive to the holders of common stock and limit the opportunity for stockholders to receive a premium for their shares of common stock.

The Maryland General Corporations Law restricts the voting rights of shares deemed to be “control shares.”   Under the Maryland General Corporations Law, “control shares” are those which, when aggregated with any other shares held by the acquirer, entitle the acquirer to exercise voting power within specified ranges.  Although the Bylaws exempt the Company from the control share provisions of the Maryland General Corporations Law, the Board of Directors may amend or eliminate the provisions of the Bylaws at any time in the future. Moreover, any such amendment or elimination of such provision of the Bylaws may result in the application of the control share provisions of the Maryland General Corporations Law not only to control shares which may be acquired in the future, but also to control shares previously acquired.  If the provisions of the Bylaws are amended or eliminated, the control share provisions of the Maryland General Corporations Law could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or change in control that might involve a premium price for the stock or otherwise be in the best interests of the Company’s stockholders.

The Company’s Charter and bylaws also contain other provisions that may impede various actions by stockholders without approval of the Company’s board of directors, which in turn may delay, defer or prevent a transaction, including a change in control.  Those provisions include:

· the Company’s directors have terms of office of three years and the board of directors is divided into three classes with staggered terms; as a result, less than a majority of directors are up for re-election to the board in any one year;

· directors may be removed, without cause, only upon a two-thirds vote of stockholders, and with cause, only upon a majority vote of stockholders;

· the Company’s board can fix the number of directors and fill vacant directorships upon the vote of a majority of the directors;

· stockholders must give advance notice to nominate directors or propose business for consideration at a stockholders’ meeting; and

· for stockholders to call a special meeting, the meeting must be requested by not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting.

The Company’s joint ventures and joint ownership of communities and partial interests in corporations and limited partnerships could limit the Company’s ability to control such communities and partial interests.   Instead of purchasing and developing apartment communities directly, the Company has invested and may continue to invest in joint ventures.  Joint venture partners often have shared control over the development and operation of the joint venture assets.  Therefore, it is possible that a joint venture partner in an investment might become bankrupt, or have economic or business interests or goals that are inconsistent with the Company’s business interests or goals, or be in a position to take action contrary to the Company’s instructions or requests, or its policies or objectives. Consequently, a joint venture partners’ actions might subject property owned by the joint venture to additional risk.  Although the Company seeks to maintain sufficient influence over any joint venture to achieve its objectives, the Company may be unable to take action without its joint venture partners’ approval, or joint venture partners could take actions binding on the joint venture without its consent.   Should a joint venture partner become bankrupt, the Company could become liable for such partner’s share of joint venture liabilities.  In some instances, the Company and the joint venture partner may each have the right to trigger a buy-sell arrangement, which could cause the Company to sell its interest, or acquire a partner’s interest, at a time when the Company otherwise would have not have initiated such a transaction.

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From time to time, the Company, through the Operating Partnership, invests in corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability companies or other entities that have been formed for the purpose of acquiring, developing, financing, or managing real property.  In certain circumstances, the Operating Partnership’s interest in a particular entity may be less than a majority of the outstanding voting interests of that entity.  Therefore, the Operating Partnership’s ability to control the daily operations of such an entity may be limited. Furthermore, the Operating Partnership may not have the power to remove a majority of the board of directors (in the case of a corporation) or the general partner or partners (in the case of a limited partnership) of such an entity in the event that its operations conflict with the Operating Partnership’s objectives.  The Operating Partnership may not be able to dispose of its interests in such an entity. In the event that such an entity becomes insolvent, the Operating Partnership may lose up to its entire investment in and any advances to the entity.  The Company may also incur losses if any guarantees were made by the Company.  The Company has, and in the future may, enter into transactions that could require the Company to pay the tax liabilities of partners, which contribute assets into joint ventures or the Operating Partnership, in the event that certain taxable events, which are within the Company’s control, occur.  Although the Company plans to hold the contributed assets or defer recognition of gain on sale pursuant to the like-kind exchange rules under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Company can provide no assurance that the Company will be able to do so and if such tax liabilities were incurred they can expect to have a material impact on its financial position.

There are risks that Fund II may operate in ways that may adversely impact the Company’s interests.  The Company is the general partner of Essex Apartment Value Fund II, L.P. (“Fund II”), and with Fund II there are the following risks:

· the Company’s partners in Fund II might remove the Company as the general partner of Fund II;

· the Company’s  partners in Fund II might have economic or business interests or goals that are inconsistent with the Company’s business interests or goals; or

· the Company’s partners in Fund II might fail to approve decisions regarding Fund II that are in the Company’s best interest.

Investments in mortgages and other real estate securities could affect the Company’s ability to make distributions to stockholders.  The Company may invest in securities related to real estate, which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to make distributions to stockholders.  The Company may purchase securities issued by entities which own real estate and invest in mortgages or unsecured debt obligations.  These mortgages may be first, second or third mortgages that may or may not be insured or otherwise guaranteed.  In general, investments in mortgages include the following risks:

·  that the value of mortgaged property may be less than the amounts owed, causing realized or unrealized losses;

· the borrower may not pay indebtedness under the mortgage when due, requiring the Company to foreclose, and the amount recovered in connection with the foreclosure may be less than the amount owed;

· that interest rates payable on the mortgages may be lower than the Company’s cost of funds; and

· in the case of junior mortgages, that foreclosure of a senior mortgage could eliminate the junior mortgage.

If any of the above were to occur, cash flows from operations and the Company’s ability to make expected dividends to stockholders could be adversely affected.

Compliance with laws benefiting disabled persons may require the Company to make significant unanticipated expenditures or impact the Company’s investment strategy.  A number of federal, state and local laws (including the Americans with Disabilities Act) and regulations exist that may require modifications to existing buildings or restrict certain renovations by requiring improved access to such buildings by disabled persons and may require other structural features which add to the cost of buildings under construction.  Legislation or regulations adopted in the future may impose further burdens or restrictions on the Company with respect to improved access by disabled persons.  The costs of compliance with these laws and regulations may be substantial.

The Company’s Portfolio may have unknown environmental liabilities.   Under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, an owner or operator of real estate is liable for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances on, in, to or migrating from such property.  Such laws often impose liability without regard as to whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such hazardous or toxic substances.  The presence of such substances, or the failure to properly remediate such substances, may adversely affect the owner’s or operator’s ability to sell or rent such property or to borrow using such property as collateral.  Persons exposed to such substances, either through soil vapor or ingestion of the substances may claim personal injury damages.  Persons who arrange for the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances or wastes also may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of such substances at the disposal or treatment facility to which such substances or wastes were sent, whether or not such facility is owned or operated by such person.  Certain environmental laws impose liability for release of asbestos-containing materials (“ACMs”) into the air, and third parties may seek recovery from owners or operators of apartment communities for personal injury associated with ACMs.  In connection with the ownership (direct or indirect), operation, management and development of apartment communities, the Company could be considered an owner or operator of such properties or as having arranged for the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances and, therefore, may be potentially liable for removal or remediation costs, as well as certain other costs, including governmental fines and costs related to injuries of persons and property.

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Investments in real property create a potential for environmental liabilities on the part of the owner of such real property.  The Company carries certain limited insurance coverage for this type of environmental risk.  The Company has conducted environmental studies which revealed the presence of groundwater contamination at certain communities.  Such contamination at certain of these apartment communities was reported to have migrated on-site from adjacent industrial manufacturing operations.  The former industrial users of the communities were identified as the source of contamination.  The environmental studies noted that certain communities are located adjacent to or possibly down gradient from sites with known groundwater contamination, the lateral limits of which may extend onto such apartment communities.  The environmental studies also noted that at certain of these apartment communities, contamination existed because of the presence of underground fuel storage tanks, which have been removed.  In general, in connection with the ownership, operation, financing, management and development of apartment communities, the Company may be potentially liable for removal or clean-up costs, as well as certain other costs and environmental liabilities.  The Company may also be subject to governmental fines and costs related to injuries to persons and property.

There have been an increasing number of lawsuits against owners and managers of apartment communities alleging personal injury and property damage caused by the presence of mold in residential real estate.  Some of these lawsuits have resulted in substantial monetary judgments or settlements.  The Company has been sued for mold related matters and has settled some, but not all, of such matters.   Insurance carriers have reacted to mold related liability awards by excluding mold related claims from standard policies and pricing mold endorsements at prohibitively high rates.  The Company has, however, purchased pollution liability insurance, which includes some coverage for mold.  The Company has adopted policies for promptly addressing and resolving reports of mold when it is detected, and to minimize any impact mold might have on residents of the property.  The Company believes its mold policies and proactive response to address any known existence, reduces its risk of loss from these cases.  There can be no assurance that the Company has identified and responded to all mold occurrences.  Liabilities resulting from such mold related matters are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.  As of December 31, 2012, potential liabilities for mold and other environmental liabilities are not considered probable or the loss cannot be quantified or estimated.

California has enacted legislation commonly referred to as “Proposition 65” requiring that “clear and reasonable” warnings be given to consumers who are exposed to chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity, including tobacco smoke.  Although the Company has sought to comply with Proposition 65 requirements, the Company cannot assure you that the Company will not be adversely affected by litigation relating to Proposition 65.

Methane gas is a naturally-occurring gas that is commonly found below the surface in several areas, particularly in the Southern California coastal areas.  Methane is a non-toxic gas, but can be ignitable in confined spaces.  Although naturally-occurring, methane gas is not regulated at the state or federal level, however some local governments, such as the County of Los Angeles, have imposed requirements that new buildings install detection systems in areas where methane gas is known to be located.    Methane gas is also associated with certain industrial activities, such as former municipal waste landfills.  Radon is also a naturally-occurring gas that is found below the surface.  The Company cannot assure you that it will not be adversely affected by costs related to its compliance with methane or radon gas related requirements or litigation costs related to methane or radon gas.

The Company has almost no indemnification agreements from third parties for potential environmental clean-up costs at its communities.  The Company has no way of determining at this time the magnitude of any potential liability to which it may be subject arising out of unknown environmental conditions or violations with respect to communities formerly owned by the Company.  No assurance can be given that existing environmental studies with respect to any of the communities reveal all environmental liabilities, that any prior owner or operator of an apartment community did not create any material environmental condition not known to the Company, or that a material environmental condition does not exist as to any one or more of the communities.  The Company has limited insurance coverage for the types of environmental liabilities described above.

15

The Company may incur general uninsured losses.  The Company carries comprehensive liability, fire, extended coverage and rental loss insurance for each of the communities.  There are, however, certain types of extraordinary losses, such as, for example, losses from terrorism or earthquakes, for which the Company does not have insurance coverage.  Substantially all of the communities are located in areas that are subject to earthquake activity.  In January 2007, the Company canceled its then existing earthquake policy and established a wholly owned insurance subsidiary, Pacific Western Insurance LLC (“PWI”).  Through PWI, the Company is self-insured as it relates to earthquake related losses.  Additionally, since January 2008, PWI has provided property and casualty insurance coverage for the first $5.0 million of the Company’s property level insurance claims per incident.

Although the Company may carry insurance for potential losses associated with its communities, employees, residents, and compliance with applicable laws, it may still incur losses due to uninsured risks, deductibles, co-payments or losses in excess of applicable insurance coverage and those losses may be material.  In the event of a substantial loss, insurance coverage may not be able to cover the full replacement cost of the Company’s lost investment, or the insurance carrier may become insolvent and not be able to cover the full amount of the insured losses.  Changes in building codes and ordinances, environmental considerations and other factors might also affect the Company’s ability to replace or renovate an apartment community after it has been damaged or destroyed.

Changes in real estate tax and other laws may adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.  Generally, the Company does not directly pass through costs resulting from changes in real estate tax laws to residential property tenants.  The Company also does not generally pass through increases in income, service or other taxes, to tenants under leases. These costs may adversely affect funds from operations and the ability to make distributions to stockholders.  Similarly, compliance with changes in (i) laws increasing the potential liability for environmental conditions existing on apartment communities or the restrictions on discharges or other conditions or (ii) rent control or rent stabilization laws or other laws regulating housing may result in significant unanticipated decrease in revenue or increase in expenditures, which would adversely affect funds from operations and the ability to make distributions to stockholders.

Adverse changes in laws may affect our liability relating to our properties and our operations.  Increases in real estate taxes and income, service and transfer taxes cannot always be passed through to residents or users in the form of higher rents, and may adversely affect our cash available for distribution and our ability to make distributions to our shareholders and pay amounts due on our debt. Similarly, changes in laws increasing the potential liability for environmental conditions existing on properties or increasing the restrictions on discharges or other conditions, as well as changes in laws affecting development, construction and safety requirements, may result in significant unanticipated expenditures, which could have a material adverse effect on us and our ability to make distributions to our shareholders and pay amounts due on our debt. In addition, future enactment of rent control or rent stabilization laws or other laws regulating multifamily housing may reduce rental revenues or increase operating costs.

Changes in the Company’s financing policy may lead to higher levels of indebtedness.  The Company has adopted a policy of maintaining a limit on debt financing consistent with the existing covenants required to maintain the Company’s unsecured line of credit bank facility, unsecured debt and senior unsecured bonds.  The Company’s organizational documents do not limit the amount or percentage of indebtedness that may be incurred.  If the Company changed this policy, the Company could incur more debt, resulting in an increased risk of default on the Company’s obligations and the obligations of the Operating Partnership, and an increase in debt service requirements that could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.  Such increased debt could exceed the underlying value of the communities.

The Company is subject to various tax risks.  The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code. The Company’s qualification as a REIT requires it to satisfy numerous requirements (some on an annual and quarterly basis) established under highly technical and complex Internal Revenue Code provisions for which there are only limited judicial or administrative interpretations, and involves the determination of various factual matters and circumstances not entirely within the Company’s control. Although the Company intends that its current organization and method of operation enables it to qualify as a REIT, it cannot assure you that it so qualifies or that it will be able to remain so qualified in the future.  Future legislation, new regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions (any of which could have retroactive effect) could adversely affect the Company’s ability to qualify as a REIT or adversely affect the Company’s stockholders.  If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, the Company would be subject to U.S. federal income tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on the Company’s taxable income at corporate rates, and the Company would not be allowed to deduct dividends paid to its shareholders in computing its taxable income.  The Company may also be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year in which the Company failed to qualify.  The additional tax liability would reduce its net earnings available for investment or distribution to stockholders, and the Company would no longer be required to make distributions to its stockholders.  Even if the Company continues to qualify as a REIT, it will continue to be subject to certain federal, state and local taxes on the Company’s income and property.

16

The Company has established several taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”).  Despite its qualification as a REIT, the Company’s TRSs must pay U.S. federal income tax on their taxable income.  While the Company will attempt to ensure that its dealings with its TRSs do not adversely affect its REIT qualification, it cannot provide assurance that it will successfully achieve that result.  Furthermore, it may be subject to a 100% penalty tax, or its TRSs may be denied deductions, to the extent its dealings with its TRSs are not deemed to be arm’s length in nature.  No assurances can be given that the Company’s dealings with its TRSs will be arm’s length in nature.

From time to time, the Company may transfer or otherwise dispose of some of its Properties.  Under the Internal Revenue Code, any gain resulting from transfers of Properties that the Company holds as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business would be treated as income from a prohibited transaction subject to a 100% penalty tax.  Since the Company acquires properties for investment purposes, it does not believe that its occasional transfers or disposals of property are prohibited transactions. However, whether property is held for investment purposes is a question of fact that depends on all the facts and circumstances surrounding the particular transaction.  The Internal Revenue Service may contend that certain transfers or disposals of properties by the Company are prohibited transactions.  If the Internal Revenue Service were to argue successfully that a transfer or disposition of property constituted a prohibited transaction, then the Company would be required to pay a 100% penalty tax on any gain allocable to it from the prohibited transaction and the Company’s ability to retain future gains on real property sales may be jeopardized.  Income from a prohibited transaction might adversely affect the Company’s ability to satisfy the income tests for qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Therefore, no assurances can be given that the Company will be able to satisfy the income tests for qualification as a REIT.

The U.S. federal tax rate on certain corporate dividends paid to certain individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers is at a reduced rate of 15%; a rate of 20% applies to certain high-income individual taxpayers.  Dividends paid by REITs to individuals and other non-corporate stockholders are not eligible for the reduced 15% dividend rates.  This may cause investors to view REIT investments to be less attractive than investments in non-REIT corporations, which in turn may adversely affect the value of stock in REITs, including the Company’s stock.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties

The Company’s Portfolio as of December 31, 2012 (including communities owned by unconsolidated joint ventures, but excluding communities underlying preferred equity investments) was comprised of 163 apartment communities (comprising 33,468 apartment units), of which 15,444 units are located in Southern California, 10,189 units are located in the San Francisco Bay Area, and 7,835 units are located in the Seattle metropolitan area.  The Company’s apartment communities accounted for 98.4% of the Company’s revenues for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Occupancy Rates

The Company’s average financial occupancies for the Company’s stabilized communities or “2012/2011 Same-Properties” (stabilized properties consolidated by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011) was unchanged at 96.3% for the years ended December 31, 2012, and 2011.  Financial occupancy is defined as the percentage resulting from dividing actual rental revenue by total possible rental revenue.  When calculating actual rents for occupied units and market rents for vacant units, delinquencies and concessions are not taken into account.  Total possible rental revenue represents the value of all apartment units, with occupied units valued at contractual rental rates pursuant to leases and vacant units valued at estimated market rents.   The Company believes that financial occupancy is a meaningful measure of occupancy because it considers the value of each vacant unit at its estimated market rate.  Financial occupancy may not completely reflect short-term trends in physical occupancy and financial occupancy rates as disclosed by other REITs may not be comparable to the Company’s calculation of financial occupancy.  Market rates are determined using a variety of factors such as effective rental rates at the property based on recently signed leases and asking rates for comparable properties in the market.  The recently signed effective rates at the property are used as the starting point in the determination of the market rates of vacant units.  The Company then increases or decreases these rates based on the supply and demand in the apartment community’s market.  The Company will check the reasonableness of these rents based on its position within the market and compare the rents against the asking rents by comparable properties in the market.

17

For communities that are development properties in lease-up without stabilized occupancy figures, the Company believes the physical occupancy rate is the appropriate performance metric.  While a community is in the lease-up phase, the Company’s primary motivation is to stabilize the property which may entail the use of rent concessions and other incentives, and thus financial occupancy which is based on contractual revenue is not considered the best metric to quantify occupancy. 

Communities

The Company’s communities are primarily suburban garden-style communities and town homes comprising multiple clusters of two and three-story buildings situated on three to fifteen acres of land.  As of December 31, 2012, the Company’s communities include 117 garden-style, 43 mid-rise, and 3 high-rise communities.  The communities have an average of approximately 206 units, with a mix of studio, one, two and some three-bedroom units.  A wide variety of amenities are available at the Company’s communities, including covered parking, fireplaces, swimming pools, clubhouses with fitness facilities, volleyball and playground areas and tennis courts.

The Company hires, trains and supervises on-site service and maintenance personnel.  The Company believes that the following primary factors enhance the Company’s ability to retain tenants:

· located near employment centers;

● attractive communities that are well maintained; and

● proactive customer service approach.

Commercial Buildings

The Company’s corporate headquarters is located in two office buildings with approximately 31,900 square feet located at 925/935 East Meadow Drive, Palo Alto, California.   The Company owns an office building with approximately 110,000 square feet located in Irvine, California, of which the Company occupies approximately 7,150 square feet at December 31, 2012.  The Company owns Essex-Hollywood, a 35,000 square foot commercial building as a future development site that is currently 100% leased as a production studio.

During 2011, the Company purchased a retail site in Santa Clara for $20.6 million.  The plans for this project are to entitle the site for 494 apartment units.  The site is currently improved with a 139,000 square foot retail space that is 100% leased.

18

The following tables describe the Company’s Portfolio as of December 31, 2012. The first table describes the Company’s communities and the second table describes the Company’s other real estate assets.   (See Note 7 of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for more information about the Company’s secured mortgage debt and Schedule III for a list of secured mortgage loans related to the Company’s Portfolio.)

				Rentable
				Square		Year			Year
Communities (1)	Location	Units		Footage		Built			Acquired		Occupancy(2)
Southern California
Alpine Village	Alpine, CA		301		254,400		1971			2002		97	%
Anavia	Anaheim, CA		250		312,343		2009			2010		95	%
Barkley, The(3)(4)	Anaheim, CA		161		139,800		1984			2000		97	%
Bonita Cedars	Bonita, CA		120		120,800		1983			2002		96	%
Camarillo Oaks	Camarillo, CA		564		459,000		1985			1996		96	%
Camino Ruiz Square	Camarillo, CA		160		105,448		1990			2006		97	%
Cambridge	Chula Vista, CA		40		22,100		1965			2002		95	%
Mesa Village	Clairemont, CA		133		43,600		1963			2002		97	%
Regency at Encino	Encino, CA		75		78,487		1989			2009		97	%
Valley Park(4)	Fountain Valley, CA		160		169,700		1969			2001		97	%
Capri at Sunny Hills(4)	Fullerton, CA		100		128,100		1961			2001		95	%
Haver Hill(5)	Fullerton, CA		264		224,130		1973			2012		96	%
Wilshire Promenade	Fullerton, CA		149		128,000		1992			1997		96	%
Montejo(4)	Garden Grove, CA		124		103,200		1974			2001		97	%
CBC Apartments	Goleta, CA		148		91,538		1962			2006		95	%
Sweeps, The (Chimney Sweep Apartments)	Goleta, CA		91		88,370		1967			2006		84	%
416 on Broadway	Glendale, CA		115		126,782		2009			2010		95	%
Hampton Court	Glendale, CA		83		71,500		1974			1999		97	%
Hampton Place	Glendale, CA		132		141,500		1970			1999		97	%
Devonshire	Hemet, CA		276		207,200		1988			2002		92	%
Huntington Breakers	Huntington Beach, CA		342		241,700		1984			1997		95	%
The Huntington	Huntington Beach, CA		276		202,256		1975			2012		97	%
Axis 2300	Irvine, CA		115		170,714		2010	(6)		2010		95	%
Hillsborough Park	La Habra, CA		235		215,500		1999			1999		96	%
Trabuco Villas	Lake Forest, CA		132		131,000		1985			1997		96	%
Madrid Apartments(7)	Mission Viejo, CA		230		228,099		2000			2012		97	%
Marbrisa	Long Beach, CA		202		122,800		1987			2002		97	%
Pathways	Long Beach, CA		296		197,700		1975	(8)		1991		96	%
Belmont Station	Los Angeles, CA		275		225,000		2008			2008		96	%
Bellerive	Los Angeles, CA		63		79,296		2011			2011		98	%
Bunker Hill	Los Angeles, CA		456		346,600		1968			1998		96	%
Cochran Apartments	Los Angeles, CA		58		51,400		1989			1998		96	%
Kings Road	Los Angeles, CA		196		132,100		1979			1997		96	%
Marbella, The	Los Angeles, CA		60		50,108		1991			2005		96	%
Pacific Electric Lofts(7)	Los Angeles, CA		314		277,980		2006			2012		100	%
Park Catalina	Los Angeles, CA		90		72,864		2002			2012		98	%
Park Place	Los Angeles, CA		60		48,000		1988			1997		96	%
Renaissance, The(9)	Los Angeles, CA		169		154,268		1990	(10)		2006		98	%
Santee Court	Los Angeles, CA		165		132,040		2004			2010		97	%
Santee Village	Los Angeles, CA		73		69,817		2011			2010		97	%
Windsor Court	Los Angeles, CA		58		46,600		1988			1997		96	%
Marina City Club(11)	Marina Del Rey, CA		101		127,200		1971			2004		97	%
Mirabella	Marina Del Rey, CA		188		176,800		2000			2000		96	%
Mira Monte	Mira Mesa, CA		355		262,600		1982			2002		97	%
Hillcrest Park	Newbury Park, CA		608		521,900		1973			1998		97	%
Fairways(12)	Newport Beach, CA		74		107,100		1972			1999		95	%
Muse	North Hollywood, CA		152		135,292		2011			2011		96	%
Country Villas	Oceanside, CA		180		179,700		1976			2002		96	%
Mission Hills	Oceanside, CA		282		244,000		1984			2005		97	%
Mariners Place	Oxnard, CA		105		77,200		1987			2000		98	%
Monterey Villas	Oxnard, CA		122		122,100		1974			1997		97	%
Tierra Vista	Oxnard, CA		404		387,100		2001			2001		96	%
Arbors Parc Rose(7)	Oxnard, CA		373		503,196		2001			2011		96	%
Monterra del Mar	Pasadena, CA		123		74,400		1972			1997		97	%
Monterra del Rey	Pasadena, CA		84		73,100		1972			1999		97	%
Monterra del Sol	Pasadena, CA		85		69,200		1972			1999		97	%
Villa Angelina(4)	Placentia, CA		256		217,600		1970			2001		97	%

(continued)

19

				Rentable
				Square		Year			Year
Communities (1)	Location	Units		Footage		Built			Acquired		Occupancy(2)
Southern California (continued)
Fountain Park	Playa Vista, CA		705		608,900		2002			2004		97	%
Highridge(4)	Rancho Palos Verdes, CA		255		290,200		1972	(13)		1997		94	%
CentrePointe (The Bluffs II)	San Diego, CA		224		126,700		1974	(14)		1997		94	%
Summit Park	San Diego, CA		300		229,400		1972			2002		96	%
Vista Capri - North	San Diego, CA		106		51,800		1975			2002		97	%
Brentwood(4)	Santa Ana, CA		140		154,800		1970			2001		98	%
Essex Skyline at MacArthur Place (15)	Santa Ana, CA		349		512,791		2008	(6)		2010		95	%
Fairhaven (Treehouse)(4)	Santa Ana, CA		164		135,700		1970			2001		96	%
Hope Ranch Collection	Santa Barbara, CA		108		126,700	1965 &73				2007		98	%
Hidden Valley(16)	Simi Valley, CA		324		310,900		2004			2004		96	%
Meadowood	Simi Valley, CA		320		264,500		1986			1996		96	%
Shadow Point	Spring Valley, CA		172		131,200		1983			2002		96	%
Coldwater Canyon	Studio City, CA		39		34,125		1979			2007		96	%
Allegro	Valley Village, CA		97		127,812		2010	(6)		2010		97	%
Lofts at Pinehurst, The	Ventura, CA		118		71,100		1971			1997		96	%
Pinehurst(17	Ventura, CA		28		21,200		1973			2004		99	%
Woodside Village	Ventura, CA		145		136,500		1987			2004		97	%
Walnut Heights	Walnut, CA		163		146,700		1964			2003		96	%
Reveal(7)	Woodland Hills, CA		438		414,892		2010			2011		93	%
Avondale at Warner Center	Woodland Hills, CA		446		331,000		1970	(18)		1997		97	%
			15,444		13,717,248							96	%
Northern California
Belmont Terrace	Belmont, CA		71		72,951		1974			2006		98	%
Carlmont Woods(9)	Belmont, CA		195		107,200		1971			2004		96	%
Davey Glen(9)	Belmont, CA		69		65,974		1962			2006		96	%
Fourth and U	Berkeley, CA		171		146,255		2010			2010		96	%
Commons, The	Campbell, CA		264		153,168		1973			2010		97	%
Pointe at Cupertino, The	Cupertino, CA		116		135,200		1963	(19)		1998		97	%
Harbor Cove(9)	Foster City, CA		400		306,600		1971			2004		96	%
Stevenson Place	Fremont, CA		200		146,200		1971			1983		97	%
Boulevard	Fremont, CA		172		131,200		1978	(20)		1996		95	%
Briarwood(7)	Fremont, CA		160		111,160		1975			2011		96	%
The Woods(7)	Fremont, CA		160		105,280		1978			2011		97	%
City View	Hayward, CA		572		462,400		1975	(21)		1998		96	%
Alderwood Park(9)	Newark, CA		96		74,624		1987			2006		97	%
Bridgeport	Newark, CA		184		139,000		1987	(22)		1987		97	%
The Grand	Oakland, CA		243		205,026		2009			2009		99	%
San Marcos	Richmond, CA		432		407,600		2003			2003		98	%
Mt. Sutro	San Francisco, CA		99		64,000		1973			2001		96	%
Park West	San Francisco, CA		126		90,060		1958			2012		82	%
Bennett Lofts	San Francisco, CA		113		142,667		2004			2012		93	%
101 San Fernando	San Jose, CA		323		296,078		2001			2010		97	%
Willow Lake	San Jose, CA		508		471,744		1989			2012		95	%
Bella Villagio	San Jose, CA		231		227,511		2004			2010		98	%
Carlyle, The	San Jose, CA		132		129,200		2000			2000		97	%
Esplanade	San Jose, CA		278		279,000		2002			2004		97	%
Waterford, The	San Jose, CA		238		219,600		2000			2000		97	%
Hillsdale Garden	San Mateo, CA		697		611,505		1948			2006		97	%
Bel Air	San Ramon, CA		462		391,000		1988/2000			1997		96	%
Canyon Oaks	San Ramon, CA		250		237,894		2005			2007		97	%
Foothill Gardens	San Ramon, CA		132		155,100		1985			1997		95	%
Mill Creek at Windermere	San Ramon, CA		400		381,060		2005			2007		96	%
Twin Creeks	San Ramon, CA		44		51,700		1985			1997		95	%
1000 Kiely	Santa Clara, CA		121		128,486		1971			2011		96	%
Le Parc Luxury Apartments	Santa Clara, CA		140		113,200		1975			1994		97	%
Marina Cove(23)	Santa Clara, CA		292		250,200		1974	(24)		1994		96	%
Riley Square(7)	Santa Clara, CA		156		126,900		1972			2012		94	%
Chestnut Street	Santa Cruz, CA		96		87,640		2002			2008		95	%
Harvest Park	Santa Rosa, CA		104		116,628		2004			2007		97	%
Bristol Commons	Sunnyvale, CA		188		142,600		1989			1997		97	%

(continued)

20

				Rentable
				Square		Year			Year
Communities (1)	Location	Units		Footage		Built			Acquired		Occupancy(2)
Northern California (continued)
Brookside Oaks(4)	Sunnyvale, CA		170		119,900		1973			2000		96	%
Magnolia Lane(25)	Sunnyvale, CA		32		31,541		2001	(26)		2007		96	%
Montclaire, The	Sunnyvale, CA		390		294,100		1973	(27)		1988		97	%
Reed Square	Sunnyvale, CA		100		95,440		1970			2011		96	%
Summerhill Park	Sunnyvale, CA		100		78,500		1988			1988		98	%
Magnolia Square (4)	Sunnyvale, CA		156		110,824		1969	(26)		2007		96	%
Windsor Ridge	Sunnyvale, CA		216		161,800		1989			1989		97	%
Via	Sunnyvale, CA		284		309,421		2011			2011		97	%
Vista Belvedere	Tiburon, CA		76		78,300		1963			2004		96	%
Tuscana	Tracy, CA		30		29,088		2007			2007		93	%
			10,189		8,792,525							97	%
Seattle, Washington Metropolitan Area
Cedar Terrace	Bellevue, WA		180		174,200		1984			2005		96	%
Courtyard off Main	Bellevue, WA		109		108,388		2000			2010		97	%
Emerald Ridge	Bellevue, WA		180		144,000		1987			1994		96	%
Foothill Commons	Bellevue, WA		388		288,300		1978	(28)		1990		94	%
Palisades, The	Bellevue, WA		192		159,700		1977			1990		97	%
Sammamish View	Bellevue, WA		153		133,500		1986			1994		98	%
Woodland Commons	Bellevue, WA		236		172,300		1978	(29)		1990		88	%
Canyon Pointe	Bothell, WA		250		210,400		1990			2003		96	%
Inglenook Court	Bothell, WA		224		183,600		1985			1994		96	%
Salmon Run at Perry Creek	Bothell, WA		132		117,100		2000			2000		98	%
Stonehedge Village	Bothell, WA		196		214,800		1986			1997		98	%
Highlands at Wynhaven	Issaquah, WA		333		424,674		2000			2008		96	%
Park Hill at Issaquah	Issaquah, WA		245		277,700		1999			1999		97	%
Wandering Creek	Kent, WA		156		124,300		1986			1995		98	%
Ascent	Kirkland, WA		90		75,840		1988			2012		94	%
Bridle Trails	Kirkland, WA		108		99,700		1986	(30)		1997		97	%
Corbella at Juanita Bay	Kirkland, WA		169		103,339		1978			2010		97	%
Evergreen Heights	Kirkland, WA		200		188,300		1990			1997		95	%
Montebello	Kirkland, WA		248		272,734		1996			2012		96	%
Laurels at Mill Creek, The	Mill Creek, WA		164		134,300		1981			1996		95	%
Morning Run(9)	Monroe, WA		222		221,786		1991			2005		97	%
The Elliot at Mukilteo (Anchor Village)(4)	Mukilteo, WA		301		245,900		1981			1997		95	%
Castle Creek	Newcastle, WA		216		191,900		1997			1997		97	%
Delano/Bon Terra	Redmond, WA		126		116,340		2011/2005			2011/2012		96	%
Elevation	Redmond, WA		157		138,916		1986			2010		94	%
Vesta (Redmond Hill East)(7)	Redmond, WA		440		381,675		1998			2011		96	%
Redmond Hill West(7)	Redmond, WA		442		350,275		1985			2011		96	%
Brighton Ridge	Renton, WA		264		201,300		1986			1996		97	%
Fairwood Pond	Renton, WA		194		189,200		1997			2004		96	%
Forest View	Renton, WA		192		182,500		1998			2003		97	%
Bernard, The	Seattle, WA		63		43,151		2008			2011		97	%
Cairns, The	Seattle, WA		100		70,806		2006			2007		96	%
Domaine	Seattle, WA		92		79,421		2012			2012		88	%
Eastlake 2851(9)	Seattle, WA		133		234,086		2008			2008		96	%
Fountain Court	Seattle, WA		320		207,000		2000			2000		95	%
Joule (31)	Seattle, WA		295		191,109		2010			2010		96	%
Linden Square	Seattle, WA		183		142,200		1994			2000		96	%
Wharfside Pointe	Seattle, WA		142		119,200		1990			1994		95	%
			7,835		6,913,940							96	%
Total/Weighted Average			33,468		29,423,713							96	%

				Rentable
				Square		Year		Year
Other real estate assets(1)	Location	Tenants		Footage		Built		Acquired		Occupancy(2)
Office Buildings
925 / 935 East Meadow Drive(32)	Palo Alto, CA		1		31,900		1988 / 1962		1997 / 2007		100	%
6230 Sunset Blvd(33)	Los Angeles, CA		1		35,000		1938		2006		100	%
17461 Derian Ave(34)	Irvine, CA		6		110,000		1983		2000		93	%
Santa Clara Retail	Santa Clara, CA		3		139,000		1970		2011		100	%
Total Office Buildings			11		315,900						99	%

21

Footnotes to the Company’s Portfolio Listing as of December 31, 2012

(1) Unless otherwise specified, the Company has a 100% ownership interest in each community.

(2) For communities, occupancy rates are based on financial occupancy for the year ended December 31, 2012; for the commercial buildings or properties which have not yet stabilized, or have insufficient operating history, occupancy rates are based on physical occupancy as of December 31, 2012.  For an explanation of how financial occupancy and physical occupancy are calculated, see “Properties-Occupancy Rates” in this Item 2.

(3) The community is subject to a ground lease, which, unless extended, will expire in 2082.

(4) The Company holds a 1% special limited partner interest in the partnerships which own these apartment communities. These investments were made under arrangements whereby EMC became the 1% sole general partner and the other limited partners were granted the right to require the applicable partnership to redeem their interest for cash. Subject to certain conditions, the Company may, however, elect to deliver an equivalent number of shares of the Company’s common stock in satisfaction of the applicable partnership’s cash redemption obligation.

(5) This community is owned by Wesco III. The Company has a 50% interest in Wesco III which is accounted for using the equity method of accounting.

(6) The Company completed development of the property in 2010.

(7) This community is owned by Wesco I.  The Company has a 50% interest in Wesco I which is accounted for using the equity method of accounting.

(8) The Company completed a $10.8 million redevelopment in 2009.

(9) This community is owned by Fund II. The Company has a 28.2% interest in Fund II which is accounted for using the equity method of accounting.

(10) Fund II completed a $5.3 million redevelopment in 2008.

(11) This community is subject to a ground lease, which, unless extended, will expire in 2067.

(12) This community is subject to a ground lease, which, unless extended, will expire in 2027.

(13) The Company completed a $16.6 million redevelopment in 2009.

(14) The Company is in the process of performing a $10.2 million redevelopment.

(15) The Company has a 97% interest. A 50% voting interest was acquired in April 2012 when the Company acquired the joint venture partner’s membership interest.

(16) The Company and EMC have a 74.0% and a 1% member interest, respectively.

(17) The Community is subject to a ground lease, which, unless extended, will expire in 2028.

(18) The Company completed a $12.0 million redevelopment in 2008.

(19) The Company is in the process of performing a $10.0 million redevelopment

(20) The Company completed an $8.9 million redevelopment in 2008.

(21) The Company completed a $9.4 million redevelopment in 2009.

(22) The Company completed a $4.6 million redevelopment in 2009.

(23) A portion of this community on which 84 units are presently located is subject to a ground lease, which, unless extended, will expire in 2028.

(24) The Company is in the process of performing a $9.9 million redevelopment.

(25) The community is subject to a ground lease, which, unless extended, will expire in 2070.

(26) The Company is in the process of performing a $13.3 million redevelopment.

(27) The Company completed a $12.5 million redevelopment in 2009.

(28) The Company completed a $36.3 million redevelopment in 2012, which included the construction of 28 in-fill units in 2009.

(29) The Company completed the construction of 66 additional apartment homes in 2012 and is in the process of performing a redevelopment for a total cost of $21.6 million.

(30) The Company completed a $5.1 million redevelopment and completed construction of 16 units of the community’s 108 units in 2006.

(31) The Company has 99% ownership in this community.

(32) The Company occupies 100% of this property.

(33) The property is leased through July 2014 to a single tenant.

(34) The Company occupies 7% of this property.

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Item 3. Legal Proceedings

There have been have been an increasing number of lawsuits against owners and managers of apartment communities alleging personal injury and property damage caused by the presence of mold in residential real estate.  Some of these lawsuits have resulted in substantial monetary judgments or settlements.  The Company has been sued for mold related matters and has settled some, but not all, of such matters.   Insurance carriers have reacted to mold related liability awards by excluding mold related claims from standard policies and pricing mold endorsements at prohibitively high rates.  The Company has, however, purchased pollution liability insurance, which includes some coverage for mold.  The Company has adopted policies for promptly addressing and resolving reports of mold when it is detected, and to minimize any impact mold might have on residents of the property.  The Company believes its mold policies and proactive response to address any known existence, reduces its risk of loss from these cases.  There can be no assurances that the Company has identified and responded to all mold occurrences, but the Company promptly addresses all known reports of mold.  Liabilities resulting from such mold related matters are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.  As of December 31, 2012, potential liabilities for mold and other environmental liabilities are not quantifiable and an estimate of possible loss cannot be made.

The Company is subject to various other lawsuits in the normal course of its business operations.  Such lawsuits are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable.

23

Part II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The shares of the Company’s common stock are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol ESS.

Market Information

The Company’s common stock has been traded on the NYSE since June 13, 1994. The high, low and closing price per share of common stock reported on the NYSE for the quarters indicated are as follows:

Quarter Ended	High		Low		Close
December 31, 2012	$	150.71	$	136.38	$	146.65
September 30, 2012	$	160.64	$	147.38	$	148.24
June 30, 2012	$	161.53	$	146.05	$	153.92
March 31, 2012	$	151.54	$	136.43	$	151.51
December 31, 2011	$	148.44	$	111.25	$	140.51
September 30, 2011	$	145.40	$	119.15	$	120.04
June 30, 2011	$	138.31	$	122.67	$	135.29
March 31, 2011	$	124.41	$	109.98	$	124.00

The closing price as of February 20, 2013 was $152.41.

Holders

The approximate number of holders of record of the shares of the Company’s common stock was 259 as of February 20, 2013.  This number does not include stockholders whose shares are held in investment accounts by other entities.  The Company believes the actual number of stockholders is greater than the number of holders of record.

Return of Capital

Under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the portion of the cash dividend, if any, that exceeds earnings and profits is considered a return of capital. The return of capital is generated due to a variety of factors, including the deduction of non-cash expenses, primarily depreciation, in the determination of earnings and profits.

The status of the cash dividends distributed for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 related to common stock, and Series F, G and Series H preferred stock for tax purposes are as follows:

	2012			2011			2010
Common Stock
Ordinary income		70.58	%		63.68	%		82.46	%
Capital gain		8.75	%		11.16	%		5.61	%
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain		7.97	%		0.74	%		0.00	%
Return of capital		12.70	%		24.42	%		11.93	%
		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%

	2012			2011			2010
Series F, G, and H Preferred stock
Ordinary income		80.85	%		100.00	%		93.63	%
Capital gains		10.02	%		0.00	%		6.37	%
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain		9.13	%		0.00	%		0.00	%
		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%

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Dividends and Distributions

Since its initial public offering on June 13, 1994, the Company has paid regular quarterly dividends to its stockholders. The Company has paid the following dividends per share of common stock:

Year Ended	Annual Dividend		Quarter Ended	2012		2011		2010
1995	$	1.685	March 31,	$	1.100	$	1.040	$	1.033
1996	$	1.720	June 30,		1.100		1.040		1.033
1997	$	1.770	September 30,		1.100		1.040		1.033
1998	$	1.950	December 31,		1.100		1.040		1.033
1999	$	2.150
2000	$	2.380	Annual Dividend	$	4.400	$	4.160	$	4.130
2001	$	2.800
2002	$	3.080
2003	$	3.120
2004	$	3.160
2005	$	3.240
2006	$	3.360
2007	$	3.720
2008	$	4.080
2009	$	4.120

Future distributions by the Company will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend on the actual cash flows from operations of the Company, its financial condition, capital requirements, the annual distribution requirements under the REIT provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, applicable legal restrictions and such other factors as the Board of Directors deem relevant.  There are currently no contractual restrictions on the Company’s present or future ability to pay dividends.

On February 20, 2013, the Company announced the Board of Directors approved a $0.44 per share increase to the annualized cash dividend.  Accordingly, the first quarter dividend distribution, payable on April 12, 2013 to stockholders as of record as of March 28, 2013, will be $1.21 per share.  On an annualized basis, the dividend represents a distribution of $4.84 per common share.

Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan

The Company has adopted a dividend reinvestment and share purchase plan designed to provide holders of common stock with a convenient and economical means to reinvest all or a portion of their cash dividends in shares of common stock and to acquire additional shares of common stock through voluntary purchases.  Computershare, LLC, which serves as the Company’s transfer agent, administers the dividend reinvestment and share purchase plan. For a copy of the plan, contact Computershare, LLC at (312) 360-5354.

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

See the Company’s disclosure in the 2013 Proxy Statement under the heading “Equity Compensation Plan Information”, which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.

Issuance of Registered Equity Securities

During 2012, the Company sold 2,404,096 shares of common stock for $357.7 million, net of commissions, at an average price of $150.26.  During the first quarter of 2013 through February 21, 2013, the Company has issued 758,644 shares of common stock at an average price of $151.70 for $114.0 million, net of fees and commissions.  These sales were pursuant to a registration statement and the Company used the net proceeds from the stock offerings to pay down debt, fund redevelopment and development pipelines, fund acquisitions, and for general corporate purposes.

25

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities – Common Stock, Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock

In August 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase plan to allow the Company to acquire shares in an aggregate of up to $200 million.  The Company did not repurchase any shares during 2012, 2011 and 2010.  Since the Company announced the inception of the stock repurchase plan, the Company has repurchased and retired 816,659 shares for $66.6 million at an average stock price of $81.56 per share, including commissions as of December 31, 2012.

Performance Graph

The line graph below compares the cumulative total stockholder return on the Company’s common stock for the last five years with the cumulative total return on the S&P 500 and the NAREIT All Equity REIT index over the same period.  This comparison assumes that the value of the investment in the common stock and each index was $100 on December 31, 2007 and that all dividends were reinvested (1).

			Period Ending
Index	12/31/07		12/31/08		12/31/09		12/31/10		12/31/11		12/31/12
Essex Property Trust, Inc.		100.00		81.99		94.78		134.70		171.15		183.99
NAREIT All Equity REIT Index		100.00		62.27		79.70		101.98		110.42		132.18
S&P 500		100.00		63.00		79.68		91.68		93.61		108.59

(1) Common stock performance data is provided by SNL Financial.

The graph and other information furnished under the above caption “Performance Graph” in this Part II Item 5 of this Form 10-K shall not deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C, or to the liabilities of the Exchange Act, as amended.

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following tables set forth summary financial and operating information for the Company from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2012.

				Years Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010			2009			2008
	($ in thousands, except per share amounts)
OPERATING DATA:
REVENUES
Rental and other property	$	531,936		$	465,713		$	405,728		$	401,550		$	397,673
Management and other fees from affiliates		11,489			6,780			4,551			4,325			5,166
		543,425			472,493			410,279			405,875			402,839
EXPENSES
Property operating expenses		174,088			159,234			143,164			137,457			130,328
Depreciation		170,592			151,428			128,221			116,540			108,221
General and administrative		23,307			20,694			23,255			24,966			24,725
Cost of management and other fees		6,513			4,610			2,707			3,096			2,959
Impairment and other charges		-			-			2,302			13,084			650
		374,500			335,966			299,649			295,143			266,883
Earnings from operations		168,925			136,527			110,630			110,732			135,956
Interest expense before amortization expense		(100,244	)		(91,694	)		(82,756	)		(81,196	)		(78,203	)
Amortization expense		(11,644	)		(11,474	)		(4,828	)		(4,820	)		(6,860	)
Interest and other income		13,833			17,139			27,841			13,040			11,337
Equity income (loss) from co-investments		41,745			(467	)		(1,715	)		670			7,820
Gain on remeasurement of co-investment		21,947			-			-			-			-
(Loss) gain on early retirement of debt		(5,009	)		(1,163	)		(10	)		4,750			3,997
Gain on the sales of real estate		-			-			-			103			4,578
Income before discontinued operations		129,553			48,868			49,162			43,279			78,625
Income from discontinued operations		10,037			8,648			1,620			10,460			5,770
Net income		139,590			57,516			50,782			53,739			84,395
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(14,306	)		(10,446	)		(14,848	)		(16,631	)		(22,255	)
Net income attributable to controlling interest		125,284			47,070			35,934			37,108			62,140
Dividends to preferred stockholders		(5,472	)		(4,753	)		(2,170	)		(4,860	)		(9,241	)
Excess (deficit) of the carrying amount of preferred stock redeemed over the cash paid to redeem preferred stock		-			(1,949	)		-			49,952			-
Net income available to common stockholders	$	119,812		$	40,368		$	33,764		$	82,200		$	52,899
Per share data:
Basic:
Income before discontinued operations available to common stockholders	$	3.15		$	0.99		$	1.09		$	2.66		$	1.88
Net income available to common stockholders	$	3.42		$	1.24		$	1.14		$	3.01		$	2.10
Weighted average common stock outstanding		35,032			32,542			29,667			27,270			25,205
Diluted:
Income before discontinued operations available to common stockholders	$	3.14		$	0.99		$	1.09		$	2.56		$	1.87
Net income available to common stockholders	$	3.41		$	1.24		$	1.14		$	2.91		$	2.09
Weighted average common stock outstanding		35,125			32,629			29,734			29,747			25,347
Cash dividend per common share	$	4.40		$	4.16		$	4.13		$	4.12		$	4.08

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	As of December 31,
	2012		2011		2010		2009		2008
	($ in thousands)
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Investment in rental properties (before accumulated depreciation)	$	5,033,672	$	4,313,064	$	3,964,561	$	3,412,930	$	3,279,788
Net investment in rental properties		3,952,155		3,393,038		3,189,008		2,663,466		2,639,762
Real estate under development		66,851		44,280		217,531		274,965		272,273
Total assets		4,847,223		4,036,964		3,732,887		3,254,637		3,164,823
Total secured indebtedness		1,565,599		1,745,858		2,082,745		1,832,549		1,588,931
Total unsecured indebtedness		1,253,084		615,000		176,000		14,893		165,457
Cumulative convertible preferred stock		4,349		4,349		4,349		4,349		145,912
Cumulative redeemable preferred stock		73,750		73,750		25,000		25,000		25,000
Stockholders' equity		1,764,804		1,437,527		1,149,946		1,053,096		852,227

	As of and for the years ended December 31,
	2012		2011			2010		2009		2008
OTHER DATA:
Net income	$	139,590	$	57,516		$	50,782	$	53,739	$	84,395
Interest expense before amortization expense		100,244		91,694			82,756		81,196		78,203
Amortization expense		11,644		11,474			4,828		4,820		6,860
Tax benefit		-		(1,682	)		-		-		-
Depreciation (1)		170,686		152,543			129,712		118,522		113,294
EBITDA(2)	$	422,164	$	311,545		$	268,078	$	258,277	$	282,752

(1) Includes amounts classified within discontinued operations.

(2) EBITDA is an operating measure and is defined as net income before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization.  EBITDA, as defined by the Company, is not a recognized measurement under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP.  This measurement should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income, cash flows from operating activities and other income or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP, or as a measure of profitability or liquidity.  The Company’s definition may not be comparable to that of other companies.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.  These consolidated financial statements include all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to reflect a fair statement of the results and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.

OVERVIEW

The Company is a self-administered and self-managed REIT that acquires, develops, redevelops and manages apartment communities in selected residential areas located primarily in the West Coast of the United States.  The Company owns all of its interests in its real estate investments, directly or indirectly, through the Operating Partnership.  The Company is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership and, as of December 31, 2012, had an approximately 94.5% general partner interest in the Operating Partnership.

The Company’s investment strategy has two components: constant monitoring of existing markets, and evaluation of new markets to identify areas with the characteristics that underlie rental growth.  The Company’s strong financial condition supports its investment strategy by enhancing its ability to quickly shift acquisition, development, and disposition activities to markets that will optimize the performance of the portfolio.

28

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had ownership interests in 163 communities, comprising 33,468 apartment units, and the apartment communities are located in the following major West Coast regions:

Southern California (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Santa Barbara, San Diego, and Ventura counties)

Northern California (the San Francisco Bay Area)

SeattleMetro (Seattle metropolitan area)

As of December 31, 2012, the Company also had ownership interests in five commercial buildings (with approximately 315,900 square feet).

As of December 31, 2012, the Company’s development pipeline was comprised of two consolidated projects under development, seven unconsolidated joint venture projects under development, two consolidated predevelopment project, one unconsolidated joint venture predevelopment project and one consolidated land parcel held for future development or sale aggregating 2,994 units, with total incurred costs of $531.6 million, and estimated remaining project costs of approximately $463.9 million for total estimated project costs of $995.5 million.  By region, the Company's operating results for 2012 and 2011 and projections for 2013 new housing supply, job growth, and rental income are as follows:

Southern California Region:  As of December 31, 2012, this region represented 47% of the Company’s consolidated apartment units.  During the year ended December 31, 2012, revenues for “2012/2011 Same-Properties” (as defined below), or “Same-Property revenues,” increased 4.2% in 2012 as compared to 2011.  In 2013, the Company expects new residential supply of 11,500 multifamily and 7,135 single family homes, which represents a total new multifamily supply of 0.5% and 0.3% of total housing stock, respectively.  The Company assumes an increase of 117,500 jobs or 1.7%, and an increase in rental income of 3.8% to 5.3% in 2013.

Northern California Region:  As of December 31, 2012, this region represented 31% of the Company’s consolidated apartment units.  Same-Property revenues increased 9.6% in 2012 as compared to 2011.  In 2013, the Company expects new residential supply of 9,900 multifamily and 4,479 single family homes, which represents a total new multifamily supply of 1.1% and 0.6%, respectively, of total housing stock.  The Company assumes an increase of 68,500 jobs or 2.4%, and an increase in rental income of 6.5% to 8.0% in 2013.

Seattle Metro Region: As of December 31, 2012, this region represented 22% of the Company’s consolidated apartment units.  Same-Property revenues increased 8.4% in 2012 as compared to 2011.  In 2013, the Company expects new residential supply of 6,900 multifamily and 5,888 single family homes, which represents a total new multifamily supply of 1.7% and 1.1%, respectively, of total housing stock.  The Company assumes an increase of 41,000 jobs or 2.8%, and an increase in rental income of 6.0% to 7.5% in 2013.

The Company expects 2013 Same-Property revenues to increase between 5.0% and 6.5% compared to 2012 results, as renewal and new leases are signed at higher rents in 2013 than 2012.  The Company expects 2013 Same-Property financial occupancy to be consistent with 2012 at 96.3%, and thus 2013 revenues will increase 5.0% to 6.5% due to a similar increase in scheduled rent.  Same-Property operating expenses are expected to increase from 2.0% in 2012, to a range of 3.0% to 4.0% in 2013, and forecasted increases in property taxes account for approximately 45% of the forecasted increase in property expenses in 2013 compared to 2012.  Finally, Same-Property net operating income (“NOI”) which is defined as Same-Property revenues less Same-Property operating expenses is expected to moderate from a 9.2% increase for 2012 to a range of an increase of 6.0% to 8.0% in 2013.

The Company’s consolidated communities are as follows:

	As of December 31, 2012					As of December 31, 2011
	Apartment Units		%			Apartment Units		%
Southern California		13,656		47	%		13,205		48	%
Northern California		8,987		31	%		8,106		30	%
Seattle Metro		6,598		22	%		6,108		22	%
Total		29,241		100	%		27,419		100	%

Co-investments including Fund II, Wesco I and Wesco III communities, and preferred equity co-investment communities are not included in the table presented above for both years.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Comparison of Year Ended December 31, 2012 to the Year Ended December 31, 2011

The Company’s average financial occupancies for the Company’s stabilized apartment communities or “2012/2011 Same-Properties” (stabilized properties consolidated by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011) remained consistent at 96.3% for 2012 and 2011.  Financial occupancy is defined as the percentage resulting from dividing actual rental revenue by total possible rental revenue.  Actual rental revenue represents contractual rental revenue pursuant to leases without considering delinquency and concessions.  Total possible rental revenue represents the value of all apartment units, with occupied units valued at contractual rental rates pursuant to leases and vacant units valued at estimated market rents.  We believe that financial occupancy is a meaningful measure of occupancy because it considers the value of each vacant unit at its estimated market rate.

Market rates are determined using a variety of factors such as effective rental rates at the property based on recently signed leases and asking rates for comparable properties in the market.  The recently signed effective rates at the property are used as the starting point in the determination of the market rates of vacant units.  The Company then increases or decreases these rates based on the supply and demand in the apartment community’s market.  The Company will check the reasonableness of these rents based on its position within the market and compare the rents against the asking rents by comparable properties in the market.  Financial occupancy may not completely reflect short-term trends in physical occupancy and financial occupancy rates as disclosed by other REITs may not be comparable to the Company’s calculation of financial occupancy.

The Company does not take into account delinquency and concessions to calculate actual rent for occupied units and market rents for vacant units.  The calculation of financial occupancy compares contractual rates for occupied units to estimated market rents for unoccupied units, thus the calculation compares the gross value of all apartment units excluding delinquency and concessions. For apartment communities that are development properties in lease-up without stabilized occupancy figures, the Company believes the physical occupancy rate is the appropriate performance metric.  While an apartment community is in the lease-up phase, the Company’s primary motivation is to stabilize the property which may entail the use of rent concessions and other incentives, and thus financial occupancy which is based on contractual revenue is not considered the best metric to quantify occupancy.

The regional breakdown of the Company’s 2012/2011 Same-Property portfolio for financial occupancy for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:

	Years ended
	December 31,
	2012			2011
Southern California		96.1	%		96.1	%
Northern California		96.7	%		96.7	%
Seattle Metro		96.1	%		96.1	%

The following table provides a breakdown of revenue amounts, including the revenues attributable to 2012/2011 Same-Properties.

			Years Ended
	Number of		December 31,				Dollar		Percentage
	Properties		2012		2011		Change		Change
Property Revenues($ in thousands)
2012/2011 Same-Properties:
Southern California		58	$	227,768	$	218,626	$	9,142		4.2	%
Northern California		33		159,993		146,008		13,985		9.6
Seattle Metro		28		85,373		78,785		6,588		8.4
Total 2011/2010 Same-Property revenues		119		473,134		443,419		29,715		6.7
2012/2011 Non-Same Property Revenues (1)				58,802		22,294		36,508		163.8
Total property revenues			$	531,936	$	465,713	$	66,223		14.2	%

 (1) Includes thirteen communities acquired after January 1, 2011, one redevelopment community, five development communities, and three commercial buildings.

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2012/2011 Same-Property Revenues increased by $29.7 million or 6.7% to $473.1 million for 2012 compared to $443.4 million in 2011.  The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in scheduled rents of $27.9 million as reflected in an increase of 6.4% in average rental rates from $1,388 per unit for 2011 to $1,478 per unit for 2012.  Scheduled rents increased in all regions by 3.8%, 9.5%, and 8.2% in Southern California, Northern California, and Seattle Metro, respectively.  Income from utility billings and other income increased by $1.3 million and $1.4 million, respectively in 2012 compared to 2011.  Occupancy was consistent between years at 96.3%.

2012/2011 Non-Same Property Revenues revenue increased by $36.5 million or 164% to $58.8 million in 2012 compared to $22.3 million to 2011.  The increase was primarily due to revenue generated from five development communities (Via, Allegro, Bellerive, Muse, and Santee Village), thirteen communities acquired or consolidated since January 1, 2011 (Bernard, 1000 Kiely, Delano/Bon Terra, Reed Square, Essex Skyline at MacArthur Place, Park Catalina, The Huntington, Montebello, Park West, Domaine, Ascent, Willow Lake, and Bennett Lofts).

Management and other fees from affiliates increased $4.7 million or 69.5% to $11.5 million in 2012 compared to $6.8 million in 2011.  The increase is primarily due to the asset and property management fees earned from Wesco I and II co-investments formed during 2011, and development fees earned from the joint ventures formed in 2011 and 2012 to develop Epic, Expo, Connolly Station, Elkhorn, Folsom and Fifth, The Huxley and The Dylan development projects.

Property operating expenses, excluding real estate taxes increased $9.9 million or 8.6% for 2012 compared to 2011, primarily due to the acquisition of thirteen communities and the lease-up of five development properties.  2012/2011 Same-Property operating expenses excluding real estate taxes, increased by $2.2 million or 2.0% for the 2012 compared to 2011, due mainly to a $1.5 million increase in salaries, marketing, and administration costs and a $0.3 million increase in utilities due to increases in rates for water and sewer.

Real estate taxes increased $4.9 million or 11.3% for 2012 compared to 2011, due primarily to the acquisition of thirteen communities and expensing property taxes instead of capitalizing the cost for communities that were previously under development.  2012/2011 Same-Property real estate taxes increased by $0.9 million or 2.3% for the 2012 compared to 2011 due to an increase of 5.6% in property taxes for the Seattle Metro and a 2.0% in property taxes for the majority of the properties located in California regulated by Prop. 13 offset by temporary reductions in assessed property valuations for select communities located in California.

Depreciation expense increased by $19.2 million or 12.7% for 2012 compared to 2011, due to the acquisition of thirteen communities and the lease-up of five development properties.  Also, the increase is due to the capitalization of approximately $97.9 million in additions to rental properties in 2012, including $40.2 million spent on redevelopment, $13.7 million spent on improvement to recent acquisitions, and $7.7 million spent on revenue generating capital expenditures, and the capitalization of approximately $95.3 million in additions to rental properties for 2011, including $45.1 million spent on redevelopment, $16.4 million spent on improvements to recent acquisitions, and $7.6 million spent on revenue generating capital expenditures.

General and administrative expense increased $2.6 million or 12.6% for 2012 compared to 2011 primarily due to an increase of acquisitions cost of $1.3 million compared to 2011 related to the increase in acquisitions in 2012 compared to 2011, annual compensation adjustments for merit, and the cost of hiring additional staff to manage the new acquisitions.

Cost of management and other fees increased $1.9 million or 41.3% for 2012 compared to 2011 primarily due to an increase in administrative costs due to hiring of additional staff to assist with the management of the Company’s co-investments including Wesco I and II and the development joint ventures formed in 2011 and 2012.

Interest expense before amortization increased $8.6 million or 9.3% in 2012, primarily due to the payoff of the $250 million secured line of credit in the fourth quarter of 2011 which had an average interest rate of 1.3%.  The Company replaced the secured line with an unsecured term loan at an average interest rate of 2.7%.  Also, on March 31, 2011, the Company issued $150 million of private placement notes with an average interest rate of 4.5%, on August 15, 2012 the Company issued $300 million of new unsecured bonds with an interest rate of 3.625%, and the Company drew an additional $150 million on a bank term loan in the fourth quarter of 2012.  Thus, interest expense increased due to an increase in average outstanding debt for the funding of 2012 acquisitions and the development pipeline and a higher average interest rate for 2012 compared to 2011.

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Interest and other income decreased by $3.3 million for 2012 primarily due to $2.3 million of promote income earned from achieving certain performance hurdles related to the Essex Skyline co-investment and the sale of marketable securities for a gain of $0.8 million in 2012, compared to a gain of $5.0 million from the sale of marketable securities, $0.2 gain from the sale of a land parcel, and a $1.7 million income tax benefit from a taxable REIT subsidiary that met the “more likely than not” threshold in the fourth quarter of 2011.  This tax benefit relates to the write-off of an investment in a joint venture development project recognized during 2009.

Equity income (loss) in co-investments was income of $41.7 million in 2012 compared to a loss of $0.5 million in 2011.  The increase was primarily due to the Company’s pro-rata share of the gain of $29.1 million from the sale of seven properties owned by Fund II, and income of $13.5 million in 2012 compared to $3.5 million for 2011, related to the Company’s preferred equity investments made in 2011.  In the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company made a preferred equity investment in Wesco II which earned $9.0 million for 2012 compared to $0.5 million in 2011.

Gain on remeasurement of co-investment of $21.9 million in 2012was due to the Company’s acquisition of the joint venture partner’s membership interest in Essex Skyline at MacArthur Place which the Company subsequently consolidated.  Upon consolidation, a gain was recorded equal to the amount by which the fair value of the Company’s previously noncontrolling interest exceeded its carrying value.

Loss on early retirement of debt was $5.0 million for 2012 was due to the write-off of deferred financing costs and prepayment penalties related to the early termination of secured debt related to six communities.  The loss for 2012 also included the Company’s pro-rata share of the write-off of deferred financing costs and prepayment penalties incurred for the prepayment of the secured debt for the Essex Skyline joint venture and seven Fund II communities sold in 2012.  During 2011, the loss on early retirement of debt was due to the write-off of deferred financing costs related to the termination of the Company’s $250 million secured line of credit with Freddie Mac and mortgages paid-off before maturity in 2011.

Income from discontinued operations for 2012 was $10.0 million and included a gain of $9.8 million from the sale of Tierra del Sol/Norte and Alpine Country, net of internal disposition costs.  For 2011,income fromdiscontinued operations was $8.6 million and included a gain of $7.5 million from the sale of Woodlawn Colonial and Clarendon, net of internal disposition costs, and the operating results of the two communities sold in 2011 and 2012.

Comparison of Year Ended December 31, 2011 to the Year Ended December 31, 2010

The Company’s average financial occupancies for the Company’s stabilized apartment communities for “2011/2010 Same-Properties” (stabilized properties consolidated by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010) decreased 50 basis points to 96.4% in 2011 from 96.9% in 2010.  The regional breakdown of the Company’s stabilized 2011/2010 Same-Property portfolio for financial occupancy for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 is as follows:

	Years ended
	December 31,
	2011			2010
Southern California		96.3	%		96.8	%
Northern California		96.6	%		97.2	%
Seattle Metro		96.4	%		96.9	%

The following table provides a breakdown of revenue amounts, including the revenues attributable to 2011/2010 Same-Properties.

			Years Ended
	Number of		December 31,				Dollar		Percentage
	Properties		2011		2010		Change		Change
Property Revenues($ in thousands)
2011/2010 Same-Properties:
Southern California		58	$	204,748	$	199,348	$	5,400		2.7	%
Northern California		28		123,451		116,796		6,655		5.7
Seattle Metro		23		61,827		59,101		2,726		4.6
Total 2010/2009 Same-Property revenues		109		390,026		375,245		14,781		3.9
2011/2010 Non-Same Property Revenues (1)				75,687		30,483		45,204		148.3
Total property revenues			$	465,713	$	405,728	$	59,985		14.8	%

(1)  Includes twelve communities acquired after January 1, 2010, two redevelopment communities, eight development communities, and three commercial buildings.

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2011/2010 Same-Property Revenues increased by $14.8 million or 3.9% to $390.0 million for 2011 compared to $375.2 million in 2010.  The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in scheduled rents of $15.1 million as reflected in an increase of 4.1% in average rental rates from $1,318 per unit for 2010 to $1,372 per unit for 2011.  Scheduled rents increased in all regions by 2.7%, 6.2%, and 4.8% in Southern California, Northern California, and Seattle Metro, respectively.  Other income and free rent also increased by $0.6 million and $1.6 million, respectively in 2011 compared to 2010.  Occupancy decreased 50 basis points in 2011 to 96.4% compared to 96.9% in 2010 which resulted in a decrease in revenue of $2.5 million due to the Company’s focus on increasing renewal and new lease rents at the communities compared to 2010 and 2009 when high occupancy was the primary objective due to market conditions.

2011/2010 Non-Same Property Revenues revenue increased $45.2 million or 148% to $75.7 million in 2011 compared to $30.5 million in 2010.  The increase was primarily generated from the acquisition of twelve operating properties since January 1, 2010 (Santee Court, Courtyard off Main, Corbella at Juanita Bay, Anavia, 416 on Broadway, 101 San Fernando, The Commons, Bella Villagio, Elevation, 1000 Kiely, The Bernard, and Delano).  The increase in 2011/2010 Non-Same Property revenue is also attributable to revenue earned from eight development communities (Via, Santee Village, Bellerive, Muse, Allegro, Axis 2300, Fourth & U and Joule) and the acquisition of the Santa Clara retail center.

Management and other fees from affiliates increased $2.2 million or 49.0% to $6.8 million in 2011 compared to $4.6 million in 2010.  The increase is primarily due to the asset and property management fees earned from Wesco I and II co-investments formed during 2011, and development fees earned from the joint ventures formed in 2011 to develop Epic, West Dublin, The Huxley (formerly Fountain at La Brea), The Dylan (formerly Santa Monica at La Brea), and Expo (formerly Queen Anne) development projects.

Property operating expenses, excluding real estate taxes increased $11.5 million or 11.0% for 2011 compared to 2010, primarily due to the acquisition of twelve communities and one retail center, and the lease-up of eight development properties.  2011/2010 Same-Property operating expenses excluding real estate taxes increased by $2.1 million or 2.2% for 2011 compared to 2010, due primarily to an increase of $1.1 million in repairs and maintenance expenses including a $0.5 million increase in turnover costs.

Real estate taxes increased $4.6 million or 11.7% for 2011 compared to 2010, due primarily to the acquisition of twelve communities and one retail center and expensing property taxes instead of capitalizing the cost for communities that were previously under development.  Same-Property real estate taxes decreased by $0.7 million or 1.9% for 2011 compared to the 2010 due to a reduction in assessed property valuations for select communities located in California and a decrease in assessed valuations for select properties in the Seattle Metro.

Depreciation expense increased by $23.2 million or 18.1% for 2011 compared to 2010, due to the acquisition of twelve communities, the completion of eight development communities, and the capitalization of approximately $95.3 million in additions to rental properties for 2011, including $45.1 million spent on redevelopment,  $16.4 million spent on improvements to recent acquisitions, $7.6 million on revenue generating capital, and the capitalization of approximately $51.4 million in additions to rental properties for 2010, including the capitalization of approximately $15.7 million spent on redevelopment and revenue generating capital and $6.4 million on acquisition capital.

General and administrative expense decreased $2.6 million or 11.0% for 2011 compared to 2010 primarily due to $1.6 million in non-recurring compensation costs related to the CEO’s retirement in 2010 and certain staff in 2011 reallocated to manage newly formed co-investments including Wesco I and II.

Cost of management and other fees increased $1.9 million or 70.3% compared to 2010 primarily due to an increase in administrative costs due to hiring of additional staff to assist with the management of the Company’s co-investments including Wesco I and II and the development joint ventures formed in 2011.

Impairment and other charges of $2.3 million in 2010relates to an expense recorded by the Company due to the hedge ineffectiveness of certain forward-starting swaps that were settled in 2010.

Interest expense before amortization increased $8.9 million or 10.8% in 2011, primarily due to the increase in average outstanding debt, and a decrease in capitalized interest of $1.2 million compared to 2010.

Amortization expense increased by $6.6 million in 2011 compared to 2010 due primarily to the settlement of forward starting swaps in the third and fourth quarters of 2010 that were applied to new 10-year secured mortgage loans, and as a result, the settlement amounts are being amortized over the ten years.

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Interest and other income decreased by $10.7 million for 2011 primarily due to a decrease of $7.5 million in gains from the sales of marketable securities.  The Company sold marketable securities for a gain of $5.0 million during 2011 compared to $12.5 million in gains generated from the sale of marketable securities for 2010.  Additionally, interest on notes receivables decreased by $3.4 million in 2011 compared to 2010.  This primarily relates to the settlement of the Santee Court note in 2010 upon the Company’s acquisition of the Santee Court property and a full year of interest in 2011 on a note purchased at a discount during the fourth quarter of 2010.  Finally, interest and dividends on marketable securities decreased by $1.6 million in 2011 compared to 2010 due to lower average investment balances, and this decrease was offset by a $1.6 million increase in other income resulting from an income tax benefit from a taxable REIT subsidiary that met the “more likely than not” threshold in the fourth quarter of 2011.  This tax benefit relates to the write-off of an investment in a joint venture development project recognized during 2009.

Equity income (loss) in co-investments was a loss of $0.5 million in 2011 compared to a loss of $1.7 million in 2010 due primarily to the gain on the sale of a co-investment of $0.9 million and an increase in income of $3.3 million related to the Company’s preferred equity investments made in 2010 and 2011, partially offset by an increase in losses attributable to Wesco I and Essex Skyline at MacArthur Place.  Essex Skyline at MacArthur Place achieved stabilization in second quarter of 2011.

Loss on early retirement of debt was $1.2 million for 2011 due to the write-off of deferred financing costs related to the termination of the Company’s $250 million secured line of credit with Freddie Mac and mortgages paid-off before maturity in 2011.

Income from discontinued operations for 2011 was $8.6 million and includes a gain of $7.5 million on the sale of Woodlawn Colonial and Clarendon, net of internal disposition costs.  For 2011 and 2010 discontinued operations consisted of the operating results of the two properties sold in 2011 and the operating results of Tierra del Sol/Norte and Alpine Country which were sold in 2012.

Excess of the carrying amount of preferred stock redeemed over the cash paid to redeem preferred stock for 2011 was $1.9 million due to the redemption of all of the Series B preferred units, which resulted in excess of cash paid of $1.0 million over the carrying value of Series B preferred units and the redemption of Series F preferred stock which resulted in excess of cash paid of $0.9 million over the carrying value of Series F preferred stock due to deferred offering costs and original issuance discounts.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Fitch Ratings ("Fitch"), Moody’s Investor Service, and Standard and Poor's (“S&P”) credit agencies rate Essex Property Trust, Inc. and Essex Portfolio, L.P. BBB+/Stable, Baa2/Stable, and BBB/Stable, respectively.

At December 31, 2012, the Company had $18.6 million of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and $92.7 million in marketable securities, of which $40.7 million were held available for sale.  The Company believes that cash flows generated by its operations, existing cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities balances, availability under existing lines of credit, access to capital markets and the ability to generate cash from the disposition of real estate are sufficient to meet all of the Company’s reasonably anticipated cash needs during 2013.  The timing, source and amounts of cash flows provided by financing activities and used in investing activities are sensitive to changes in interest rates and other fluctuations in the capital markets environment, which can affect the Company’s plans for acquisitions, dispositions, development and redevelopment activities.

The Company has two lines of credit aggregating $525.0 million as of December 31, 2012.  The Company had a $500.0 million unsecured line of credit that was increased to $600.0 million in January 2013.  As of December 31, 2012 there was a $141.0 million balance on this unsecured line.  The underlying interest rate on the $500.0 million facility is based on a tiered rate structure tied to Fitch and S&P ratings on the credit facility and the rate was LIBOR plus 1.075% as of December 31, 2012.  This facility matures in December 2015 with two one-year extensions, exercisable by the Company.  The Company has a working capital unsecured line of credit agreement for $25.0 million.  This facility matures in January 2014, with a one year extension option.  As of December 31, 2012 there was no balance outstanding on this unsecured line.  The underlying interest rate on the $25.0 million line is based on a tiered rate structure tied to Fitch and S&P ratings on the credit facility of LIBOR plus 1.075%.

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As of December 31 2012, the Company had $465 million of unsecured bonds outstanding at an average interest rate of 4.5%.  During the second quarter of 2012, the Company issued through private placements, $100 million of bonds and $50 million of bonds at 4.27% and 4.30%, respectively, due in 2021 and during the third quarter of 2012, $50 million of bonds at 4.37% due in 2021.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had a $350 million unsecured term loan outstanding at an average interest rate of 2.7%.  The term loan has a variable interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.2%.  During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company increased the size of the term loan from $200 million to $350 million.  The Company entered into interest rate swap contracts for a term of five years with a notional amount totaling $300 million, which effectively converted the interest rate on $300 million of the term loan to a fixed rate.

During the third quarter of 2012, the Company issued $300 million of senior unsecured bonds due August 2022 with a coupon rate of 3.625% per annum and payable on February 15th and August 15th of each year, beginning February 15, 2013.

The Company’s unsecured line 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, 2012 and 2011.

During March 2010, the Company filed a new shelf registration statement with the SEC, allowing the Company to sell an undetermined number or amount of certain equity and debt securities as defined in the prospectus.  The Company intends to file a new shelf registration statement in March 2013.

In the second quarter of 2011, the Company issued 2,950,000 shares of 7.125% Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series H”) at a price of $25.00 per share for net proceeds of $71.2 million, net of costs and original issuance discounts.  The Series H has no maturity date and generally may not be called by the Company before April 13, 2016.  Net proceeds from the Series H offering were used to redeem all of the 7.875% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units of Essex Portfolio, L.P. (“Series B”) with a liquidation value of $80.0 million.  The Company also redeemed its 7.8125% Series F Preferred Stock (“Series F”) at liquidation value for $25.0 million.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company’s mortgage notes payable totaled $1.6 billion which consisted of $1.4 billion in fixed rate debt with interest rates varying from 4.3% to 6.4% and maturity dates ranging from 2013 to 2021 and $201.9 million of tax-exempt variable rate demand notes with a weighted average interest rate of 1.9%. The tax-exempt variable rate demand notes have maturity dates ranging from 2013 to 2039, and $187.8 million are subject to interest rate caps.

The Company pays quarterly dividends from cash available for distribution. Until it is distributed, cash available for distribution is invested by the Company primarily in investment grade securities held available for sale or is used by the Company to reduce balances outstanding under its line of credit.

Derivative Activity

The Company has entered into interest rate swap contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $300 million that effectively fixed the interest rate on $300 million of the $350 million unsecured term loan at 2.7%.  These derivatives qualify for hedge accounting.

As of December 31, 2012 the Company also had twelve interest rate cap contracts totaling a notional amount of $187.8 million that qualify for hedge accounting as they effectively limit the Company’s exposure to interest rate risk by providing a ceiling on the underlying variable interest rate for $187.8 million of the $202.1 million of the Company’s tax exempt variable rate debt.

During the third quarter 2012, the Company terminated a swap transaction with respect to the $38.0 million of tax-exempt bonds for the 101 San Fernando apartment community with Citibank because the bonds were repurchased by the Company at par.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011 the aggregate carrying value of the interest rate swap contracts was a liability of $6.6 million and $1.4 million, respectively. The aggregate carrying value of the interest rate cap contracts was zero on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2012, and was an asset of $0.2 million as of December 31, 2011.

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During the first quarter of 2011, the Company settled its remaining $20.0 million forward starting swap contract for $2.3 million which was applied to the $32.0 million mortgage obtained in February 2011, increasing the effective borrowing rate from 5.4% to 6.2%.

During 2010, the Company settled $355 million in forward-starting swap contracts for $81.3 million, which was applied to 10-year mortgage loans obtained in 2010.  The settlement of the forward-starting swaps increased the average effective interest rate on the 2010 mortgage loans from 4.5% to 6.8%.   During 2010, the Company incurred $2.3 million in expense related to the ineffectiveness of certain of the settled forward-starting swap hedges, which is included in impairment and other charges in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2010.  No hedge ineffectiveness on cash flow hedges was incurred during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

Issuance of Common Stock

The Company has entered into equity distribution agreements with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co, KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., BMO Capital Markets Corp., Liquidnet, Inc., Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc., and Citigroup Global Markets Inc.  Pursuant to its equity distribution program, in 2012, the Company issued 2,404,096 million shares of common stock for $357.7 million, net of fees and commissions, and in 2011, the Company issued 2,459,947 million shares of common stock for $323.9 million, net of fees and commissions.  During the first quarter of 2013 through February 21, 2013, the Company has issued 758,644 shares of common stock at an average price of $151.70 for $114.0 million, net of fees and commissions.  Under this program, the Company may from time to time sell shares of common stock into the existing trading market at current market prices, and the Company anticipates using the net proceeds to pay down debt, acquire apartment communities and fund the development pipeline.  As of February 21, 2013, the Company may sell an additional 1,343,239 shares under the current equity distribution program.

Capital Expenditures

Non-revenue generating capital expenditures are improvements and upgrades that extend the useful life of the property.  For the year ended December 31, 2012, non-revenue generating capital expenditures totaled approximately $1,101 per unit. The Company expects to incur approximately $1,150 per unit in non-revenue generating capital expenditures for the year ending December 31, 2013.  These expenditures do not include the improvements required in connection with the origination of mortgage loans, expenditures for deferred maintenance on acquisition properties, and expenditures for property renovations and improvements which are expected to generate additional revenue.  The Company expects that cash from operations and/or its lines of credit will fund such expenditures.  However, there can be no assurance that the actual expenditures incurred during 2013 and/or the funding thereof will not be significantly different than the Company’s current expectations.

Development and Predevelopment Pipeline

The Company defines development activities as new communities that are in various stages of active development, or the community is in lease-up and phases of the project are not completed.  As of December 31, 2012, the Company had two consolidated development projects comprised of 311 units with an estimated cost of $95.8 million of which $76.2 million remains to be expended, and seven unconsolidated joint venture active development projects comprised of 2,184 units with an estimated cost of $832.6 million, of which $387.7 million remains to be expended.  See discussion in the section, “Development and redevelopment activities may be delayed, not completed, and/or not achieve expected results” in Item 1A, Risk Factors, of this Form 10-K.

The Company defines the predevelopment pipeline as proposed communities in negotiation or in the entitlement process with a high likelihood of becoming entitled development projects.  As of December 31, 2012, the Company had two consolidated joint venture development that classified as predevelopment projects aggregating 249 units for a total estimated cost of $39.8 million, and one unconsolidated joint venture predevelopment project aggregating 200 units for a total estimated cost of $19.8 million.  The Company may also acquire land for future development purposes or sale.   The Company had incurred $7.5 million in costs related to a land parcel held for future development or sale as of December 31, 2012, which was sold in the first quarter of 2013.

The Company expects to fund the development and predevelopment pipeline by using a combination of some or all of the following sources: its working capital, amounts available on its lines of credit, construction loans, net proceeds from public and private equity and debt issuances, and proceeds from the disposition of properties, if any.

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Redevelopment Pipeline

The Company defines redevelopment communities as existing properties owned or recently acquired, which have been targeted for additional investment by the Company with the expectation of increased financial returns through property improvement.  During redevelopment, apartment units may not be available for rent and, as a result, may have less than stabilized operations.  As of December 31, 2012, the Company had ownership interests in five major redevelopment communities aggregating 1,056 apartment units with estimated redevelopment costs of $64.9 million, of which approximately $20.7 million remains to be expended.

Alternative Capital Sources

Fund II has eight institutional investors, and the Company, with combined partner equity contributions of $265.9 million.  The Company contributed $75.0 million to Fund II, which represents a 28.2% interest as general partner and limited partner, and the Company uses the equity method of accounting for its investment in Fund II.  Fund II utilized leverage equal to approximately 55% upon the initial acquisition of the underlying real estate.  Fund II invested in apartment communities in the Company’s targeted West Coast markets and, as of December 31, 2012, owned seven apartment communities.  The Company records revenue for its asset management, property management, development and redevelopment services when earned, and promote income when realized if Fund II exceeds certain financial return benchmarks.  Seven communities were sold during 2012 from Fund II, and it is anticipated that the remaining seven communities will be sold during 2013.

Wesco, I LLC (“Wesco I”) is a 50/50 programmatic joint venture with an institutional partner for a total equity commitment of $300.0 million.  Each partner’s equity commitment is $150.0 million.  Wesco I will utilize debt as leverage equal to approximately 50% of the underlying real estate.  The Company has contributed $150.0 million to Wesco I, and as of December 31, 2012, Wesco I owned nine apartment communities with 2,713 units with an aggregate carrying value of $660.5 million.

During 2012, the Company entered into a 50/50 programmatic joint venture, Wesco III LLC (“Wesco III”), with an institutional partner for a total equity commitment from the parties of $120.0 million.  Each partner’s commitment is $60.0 million. Wesco III will utilize debt as leverage equal to approximately 50% of the underlying real estate.  The Company has contributed $10.0 million to Wesco III, and provided a $26.0 million short term bridge loan to Wesco III at a rate of LIBOR + 2.5%, and as of December 31, 2012, Wesco III owned one apartment community with 264 units for a purchase price of $45.6 million. Permanent secured financing is expected to be placed on the property in the first quarter of 2013.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

The following table summarizes the maturation or due dates of the Company’s contractual obligations and other commitments at December 31, 2012, and the effect such obligations could have on the Company’s liquidity and cash flow in future periods ($ in thousands):

			2014 and		2016 and
	2013		2015		2017		Thereafter		Total
Mortgage notes payable	$	57,621	$	134,268	$	197,957	$	1,175,753	$	1,565,599
Unsecured debt		-		-		540,000		572,084		1,112,084
Lines of credit		-		141,000		-		-		141,000
Interest on indebtedness (1)		119,547		226,264		180,971		225,038		751,820
Development commitments (including co-investments)		198,400		87,700		-		-		286,100
Redevelopment commitments		13,820		6,908		-		-		20,728
	$	389,388	$	596,140	$	918,928	$	1,972,875	$	3,877,331

 (1) Interest on indebtedness for variable debt was calculated using interest rates as of December 31, 2012.

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Variable Interest Entities

In accordance with accounting standards for consolidation of variable interest entities, the Company consolidates 19 DownREIT limited partnerships (comprising twelve communities).  The Company consolidates these entities because it is deemed the primary beneficiary.  The consolidated total assets and liabilities related to these VIEs, net of intercompany eliminations, were approximately $201.1 million and $178.6 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2012, and $199.8 million and $171.5 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2011.  Interest holders in VIEs consolidated by the Company are allocated net income equal to the cash payments made to those interest holders for services rendered or distributions from cash flow.  The remaining results of operations are generally allocated to the Company.  As of December 31, 2012, the Company did not have any VIE’s of which it was not deemed to be the primary beneficiary.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities.  The Company defines critical accounting policies as those accounting policies that require the Company's management to exercise their most difficult, subjective and complex judgments.  The Company’s critical accounting policies relate principally to the following key areas: (i) consolidation under applicable accounting standards of various entities; (ii) assessing the carrying values of the Company's real estate and investments in and advances to joint ventures and affiliates; and (iii) internal cost capitalization.  The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, current market conditions, and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from those estimates made by management.

The Company assesses each entity in which it has an investment or contractual relationship to determine if it may be deemed to be a VIE.  If such an entity is a VIE, then the Company performs an analysis to determine who is the primary beneficiary.  If the Company is the primary beneficiary, then the entity is consolidated.  The analysis required to identify VIEs and primary beneficiaries is complex and judgmental, and the analysis must be applied to various types of entities and legal structures.

The Company assesses the carrying value of its real estate investments by monitoring investment market conditions and performance compared to budget for operating properties and joint ventures, and by monitoring estimated costs for properties under development.  Local market knowledge and data is used to assess carrying values of properties and the market value of acquisition opportunities.  Whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a property held for investment may not be fully recoverable, the carrying amount is evaluated.  If the sum of the property’s expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount of the property, then the Company will recognize an impairment loss equal to the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the property.  Adverse changes in market conditions or poor operating results of real estate investments could result in impairment charges.  When the Company determines that a property is held for sale, it discontinues the periodic depreciation of that property.  The criteria for determining when a property is held for sale requires judgment and has potential financial statement impact as depreciation would cease and an impairment loss could occur upon determination of held for sale status.  Assets held for sale are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or estimated fair value less costs to sell.  With respect to investments in and advances to joint ventures and affiliates, the Company looks to the underlying properties to assess performance and the recoverability of carrying amounts for those investments in a manner similar to direct investments in real estate properties.

Further, the Company evaluates whether its co-investments have other than temporary impairment and, if so, records a write down.

The Company capitalizes all direct and certain indirect costs, including interest and real estate taxes, incurred during development and redevelopment activities. Interest is capitalized on real estate assets that require a period of time to get them ready for their intended use.  The amount of interest capitalized is based upon the average amount of accumulated development expenditures during the reporting period.  Included in capitalized costs are management’s accounting estimates of the direct and incremental personnel costs and indirect project costs associated with the Company's development and redevelopment activities.  Indirect project costs consist primarily of personnel costs associated with construction administration and development, including accounting, legal fees, and various office costs that clearly relate to projects under development.

38

The Company bases its accounting estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.  Actual results may vary from those estimates and those estimates could be different under different assumptions or conditions.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K which are not historical facts may be considered forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding the Company's expectations, hopes, intentions, beliefs and strategies regarding the future.  Forward looking statements include statements regarding the Company's expectations as to the timing of completion of current development and redevelopment projects and the stabilization dates of such projects, expectation as to the total projected costs of development and redevelopment projects, beliefs as to the adequacy of future cash flows to meet operating requirements  and anticipated cash needs and to provide for dividend payments in accordance with REIT requirements, expectations as to the amount of non-revenue generating capital expenditures, future acquisitions, the Company's development and redevelopment pipeline and the sources of funding for it, the anticipated performance of existing properties, the effect of property sales on future results, anticipated property and growth trends in various geographic regions, statements regarding the Company’s expected 2013 rental income, 2013 Same-Property revenue, 2013 Same-Property financial occupancy, 2013 Same-Property operating expenses and 2013 Same-Property net operating income, statements regarding the Company's financing activities, and the use of proceeds from such activities.

Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors including, but not limited to, that the Company will fail to achieve its business objectives, that the actual completion of development and redevelopment projects will be subject to delays, that the stabilization dates of such projects will be delayed, that the total projected costs of current development and redevelopment projects will exceed expectations, that such development and redevelopment projects will not be completed, that development and redevelopment projects and acquisitions will fail to meet expectations, that estimates of future income from an acquired property may prove to be inaccurate, that future cash flows will be inadequate to meet operating requirements and/or will be insufficient to provide for dividend payments in accordance with REIT requirements, that the actual non-revenue generating capital expenditures will exceed the Company's current expectations, that there may be a downturn in the markets in which the Company's communities are located, that the terms of any refinancing may not be as favorable as the terms of existing indebtedness, as well as those risks, special considerations, and other factors discussed in Item 1A, Risk Factors, of this Form 10-K, and those risk factors and special considerations set forth in the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  All forward-looking statements are made as of today, and the Company assumes no obligation to update this information.

Funds from Operations ("FFO")

FFO is a financial measure that is commonly used in the REIT industry.  The Company presents funds from operations as a supplemental operating performance measure.  FFO is not used by the Company, nor should it be considered to be, as an alternative to net earnings computed under GAAP as an indicator of the Company’s operating performance or as an alternative to cash from operating activities computed under GAAP as an indicator of the Company's ability to fund its cash needs.

FFO is not meant to represent a comprehensive system of financial reporting and does not present, nor does the Company intend it to present, a complete picture of its financial condition and operating performance. The Company believes that net earnings computed under GAAP remains the primary measure of performance and that FFO is only meaningful when it is used in conjunction with net earnings. Further, the Company believes that its consolidated financial statements, prepared in accordance with GAAP, provide the most meaningful picture of its financial condition and its operating performance.

39

In calculating FFO, the Company follows the definition for this measure published by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”), which is a REIT trade association.  The Company believes that, under the NAREIT FFO definition, the two most significant adjustments made to net income are (i) the exclusion of historical cost depreciation and (ii) the exclusion of gains and losses from the sale of previously depreciated properties.  Essex agrees that these two NAREIT adjustments are useful to investors for the following reasons:

(a) historical cost accounting for real estate assets in accordance with GAAP assumes, through depreciation charges, that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. NAREIT stated in its White Paper on Funds from Operations “since real estate asset values have historically risen or fallen with market conditions, many industry investors have considered presentations of operating results for real estate companies that use historical cost accounting to be insufficient by themselves.” Consequently, NAREIT’s definition of FFO reflects the fact that real estate, as an asset class, generally appreciates over time and depreciation charges required by GAAP do not reflect the underlying economic realities.

(b) REITs were created as a legal form of organization in order to encourage public ownership of real estate as an asset class through investment in firms that were in the business of long-term ownership and management of real estate.  The exclusion, in NAREIT’s definition of FFO, of gains from the sales of previously depreciated operating real estate assets allows investors and analysts to readily identify the operating results of the long-term assets that form the core of a REIT’s activity and assists in comparing those operating results between periods.

Management has consistently applied the NAREIT definition of FFO to all periods presented.  However, other REITs in calculating FFO may vary from the NAREIT definition for this measure, and thus their disclosure of FFO may not be comparable to the Company’s calculation.

The following table sets forth the Company’s calculation of FFO and Core FFO for 2012 ($ in thousands).

	For the year
	ended			For the quarter ended
	12/31/12			12/31/12			9/30/12			6/30/12			3/31/12
Net income available to common stockholders	$	119,812		$	43,793		$	16,219		$	37,078		$	22,722
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization		170,686			45,017			43,041			41,801			40,827
Gains not included in FFO, net of internal disposition costs		(60,842	)		(29,112	)		-			(21,947	)		(9,783	)
Depreciation add back from unconsolidated co-investments and add back convertible preferred dividend - Series G		14,467			3,365			3,352			3,366			4,384
Noncontrolling interests related to Operating Partnership units		7,950			2,781			1,077			2,502			1,590
Depreciation attributable to third party of co-investments		(1,223	)		(319	)		(312	)		(303	)		(289	)
Funds from operations	$	250,850		$	65,525		$	63,377		$	62,497		$	59,451
Funds from operations per share - diluted	$	6.71		$	1.72		$	1.67		$	1.69		$	1.63
Non-core items:
Loss on early retirement of debt		5,009			2,348			1,211			1,450			-
Acquisition costs		2,255			1,480			277			312			186
Gain on sales of marketable securities		(819	)		(298	)		-			(521	)		-
Co-investment promote income		(2,299	)		-			-			(2,299	)		-
Funds from operations excluding non-core items	$	254,996		$	69,055		$	64,865		$	61,439		$	59,637
Core funds from operations per share - diluted	$	6.82		$	1.81		$	1.71		$	1.66		$	1.64
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, diluted(1)		37,377,986			38,182,569			37,969,407			36,947,477			36,396,641

40

The following table sets forth the Company’s calculation of FFO and Core FFO for 2011 ($ in thousands).

	For the year
	ended			For the quarter ended
	12/31/11			12/31/11			9/30/11			6/30/11			3/31/11
Net income available to common stockholders	$	40,368		$	13,937		$	7,687		$	10,325		$	8,419
Adjustments:		-
Depreciation and amortization		152,544			39,863			38,137			37,510			37,034
Gains not included in FFO, net of internal disposition costs.		(7,543	)		(3,159	)		880			(5,264	)		-
Depreciation add back from unconsolidated co-investments and add back convertible preferred dividend - Series G		12,642			4,145			3,502			1,957			3,038
Noncontrolling interests related to
Operating Partnership units		3,228			1,027			583			987			631
Depreciation attributable to third party of co-investments		(1,066	)		(277	)		(266	)		(260	)		(263	)
Funds from operations	$	200,173		$	55,536		$	50,523		$	45,255		$	48,859
Funds from operations per share - diluted	$	5.74		$	1.55		$	1.43		$	1.32		$	1.45
Non-core items:
Loss on early retirement of debt		1,163			343			567			253			-
Acquisition costs		1,231			181			210			510			330
Gain on sales of marketable securities		(4,956	)		(414	)		-			-			(4,542	)
Tax benefit - TRS activity		(1,682	)		(1,682	)		-			-			-
Gain on sale of co-investment		(919	)		-			(919	)		-			-
Gain on sale of land		(180	)		-			(180	)		-			-
Excess of cash paid to redeem preferred stock and units over the carrying value		1,949			-			-			1,949			-
Funds from operations excluding non-core items	$	196,779		$	53,964		$	50,201		$	47,967		$	44,647
Core funds from operations per share - diluted	$	5.64		$	1.51		$	1.42		$	1.40		$	1.32
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, diluted(1)		34,860,521			35,818,631			35,437,693			34,365,418			33,787,332

(1) Assumes conversion of all dilutive outstanding operating partnership interests in the Operating Partnership.

The following table sets forth the Company’s cash flows for 2012 and 2011 ($ in thousands).

	For the year
	ended			For the quarter ended
	12/31/12			12/31/2012			9/30/2012			6/30/2012			3/31/2012
Cash flow provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	267,499		$	48,164		$	89,943		$	57,232		$	72,160
Investing activities		(812,138	)		(294,072	)		(201,888	)		(272,127	)		(44,051	)
Financing activities		550,356			262,571			109,756			205,283			(27,254	)
	For the year
	ended			For the quarter ended
	12/31/11			12/31/2011			9/30/2011			6/30/2011			3/31/2011
Cash flow provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	216,571		$	45,877		$	66,343		$	47,044		$	57,307
Investing activities		(425,783	)		(167,271	)		(108,393	)		(65,933	)		(84,186	)
Financing activities		208,348			125,263			42,261			(69,985	)		110,809

41

Net Operating Income (“NOI”)

Same-Property net operating income (“NOI”) is considered by management to be an important supplemental performance measure to earnings from operations included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.   The presentation of same-property NOI assists with the presentation of the Company’s operations prior to the allocation of depreciation and any corporate-level or financing-related costs.  NOI reflects the operating performance of a community and allows for an easy comparison of the operating performance of individual communities or groups of communities.  In addition, because prospective buyers of real estate have different financing and overhead structures, with varying marginal impacts to overhead by acquiring real estate, NOI is considered by many in the real estate industry to be a useful measure for determining the value of a real estate asset or group of assets.  The Company defines Same-Property NOI as Same-Property revenue less Same-Property operating expenses, including property taxes.  Please see the reconciliation of earnings from operations to Same-Property NOI, which in the table below is the NOI for stabilized properties consolidated by the Company for the periods presented:

	2012			2011			2010
Earnings from operations	$	168,925		$	136,527		$	110,630
Adjustments:
General and administrative		23,307			20,694			23,255
Cost of management and other fees		6,513			4,610			2,707
Depreciation		170,592			151,428			128,221
Impairment and other charges		-			-			2,302
Management and other fees from affiliates		(11,489	)		(6,780	)		(4,551	)
Net operating income		357,848			306,479			262,564
Less: Non Same-Property NOI		(39,569	)		(14,907	)		(22,867	)
Same-Property NOI	$	318,279		$	291,572		$	239,697

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks

Interest Rate Hedging Activities

The Company’s objective in using derivatives is to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements or other identified risks.  To accomplish this objective, the Company uses interest rate swaps as part of its cash flow hedging strategy.  As of December 31, 2012, the Company has entered into ten interest rate swap contracts to mitigate the risk of changes in the interest-related cash outflows on $300.0 million of the five-year unsecured term debt.  As of December 31, 2012, the Company also had $201.9 million of variable rate indebtedness, of which $187.8 million is subject to interest rate cap protection.   All of the Company’s derivative instruments are designated as cash flow hedges, and the Company does not have any fair value hedges as of December 31, 2012.  The following table summarizes the notional amount, carrying value, and estimated fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments used to hedge interest rates as of December 31, 2012.   The notional amount represents the aggregate amount of a particular security that is currently hedged at one time, but does not represent exposure to credit, interest rates or market risks.  The table also includes a sensitivity analysis to demonstrate the impact on the Company’s derivative instruments from an increase or decrease in 10-year Treasury bill interest rates by 50 basis points, as of December 31, 2012.

					Carrying and			Estimated Carrying Value
	Notional		Maturity		Estimate Fair			+ 50			- 50
($ in thousands)	Amount		Date Range		Value			Basis Points			Basis Points
Cash flow hedges:
Interest rate swaps	$	300,000		2016-2017	$	(6,606	)	$	(474	)	$	(11,619	)
Interest rate caps		187,788		2013-2018		-			102			-
Total cash flow hedges	$	487,788		2013-2018	$	(6,606	)	$	(372	)	$	(11,619	)

Interest Rate Sensitive Liabilities

The Company is exposed to interest rate changes primarily as a result of its line of credit and long-term debt used to maintain liquidity and fund capital expenditures and expansion of the Company’s real estate investment portfolio and operations. The Company’s interest rate risk management objective is to limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and to lower its overall borrowing costs. To achieve its objectives the Company borrows primarily at fixed rates and may enter into derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps, caps and treasury locks in order to mitigate its interest rate risk on a related financial instrument. The Company does not enter into derivative or interest rate transactions for speculative purposes.

42

The Company’s interest rate risk is monitored using a variety of techniques. The table below presents the principal amounts and weighted average interest rates by year of expected maturity to evaluate the expected cash flows. Management has estimated that the fair value of the Company’s $2.13 billion and $1.77 billion of fixed rate debt at December 31, 2012 and 2011 respectively, to be $2.24 billion and $1.88 billion.  Management has estimated the fair value of the Company’s $692.9 million and $593.7 million of variable rate debt at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, is $671.7 million and $572.3 million based on the terms of existing mortgage notes payable and variable rate demand notes compared to those available in the marketplace ($ in thousands).

	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2013			2014			2015			2016			2017			Thereafter					Total		Fair value
Fixed rate debt	$	38,201		$	47,994		$	68,926		$	162,656		$	225,301		$	1,582,737				$	2,125,815	$	2,237,462
Average interest rate		5.6	%		5.2	%		5.2	%		4.5	%		5.5	%		5.4	%
Variable rate debt	$	19,420		$	-		$	141,000		$	200,000		$	150,000		$	182,448		(1	)	$	692,868	$	671,651
Average interest rate		1.5	%		-			2.3	%		2.6	%		2.7	%		1.9	%

(1) $187.8 million subject to interest rate caps.

The table incorporates only those exposures that exist as of December 31, 2012; it does not consider those exposures or positions that could arise after that date.  As a result, the Company’s ultimate realized gain or loss, with respect to interest rate fluctuations and hedging strategies would depend on the exposures that arise during the period.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The response to this item is submitted as a separate section of this Form 10-K. See Item 15.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Not applicable.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

As of December 31, 2012, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)).  Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of December 31, 2012, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act were recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms and that such disclosure controls and procedures were also effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting, that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2012, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012. In making this assessment, the Company’s management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. The Company’s management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2012, its internal control over financial reporting was effective based on these criteria. The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, has issued an audit report on the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting, which is included herein.

Item 9B. Other Information

None.

43

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The information required by Item 10 is incorporated by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its annual stockholders’ meeting to be held on May 14, 2013.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information required by Item 11 is incorporated by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its annual stockholders’ meeting to be held on May 14, 2013.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information required by Item 12 is incorporated by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its annual stockholders’ meeting to be held on May 14, 2013.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

The information required by Item 13 is incorporated by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its annual stockholders’ meeting to be held on May 14, 2013.

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

The information required by Item 14 is incorporated by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its annual stockholders’ meeting to be held on May 14, 2013.

44

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(A) Financial Statements

(1)   Consolidated Financial Statements	Page
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheets: As of December 31, 2012 and 2011	F-4
Consolidated Statements of Operations: Years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010	F-5
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss): Years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010	F-6
Consolidated Statements of Equity: Years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010	F-7
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows: Years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010	F-8
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements	F-10
(2)  Financial Statement Schedule - Schedule III - Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation as of December 31, 2011	F-38
(3)   See the Exhibit Index immediately following the signature page and certifications for a list of exhibits filed or incorporated by reference as part of this report.

(B) Exhibits

The Company hereby files, as exhibits to this Form 10-K, those exhibits listed on the Exhibit Index referenced in Item 15(A)(3) above.

45

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Essex Property Trust, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Essex Property Trust, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss),  equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we have also audited the accompanying financial statement schedule III. These consolidated financial statements and the accompanying financial statement schedule III are the responsibility of Essex Property Trust Inc.’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and the accompanying financial statement schedule III based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Essex Property Trust, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule III, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Essex Property Trust, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control–Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 22, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of Essex Property Trust, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting.

/S/ KPMG LLP

KPMG LLP

San Francisco, California

February 22, 2013

F-1

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Essex Property Trust, Inc.:

We have audited Essex Property Trust, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control–Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  Essex Property Trust, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on Essex Property Trust Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, based on the assessed risk.  Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Essex Property Trust, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control–Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

F-2

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Essex Property Trust, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, and our report dated February 22, 2013, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

/S/ KPMG LLP

KPMG LLP

San Francisco, California

February ­­22, 2013

F-3

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 31, 2012 and 2011

(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)

	2012			2011
ASSETS
Real estate:
Rental properties:
Land and land improvements	$	1,003,171		$	860,661
Buildings and improvements		4,030,501			3,452,403
		5,033,672			4,313,064
Less: accumulated depreciation		(1,081,517	)		(920,026	)
		3,952,155			3,393,038
Real estate under development		66,851			44,280
Co-investments		571,345			383,412
		4,590,351			3,820,730
Cash and cash equivalents-unrestricted		18,606			12,889
Cash and cash equivalents-restricted		23,520			22,574
Marketable securities		92,713			74,275
Notes and other receivables		66,163			66,369
Prepaid expenses and other assets		35,003			22,682
Deferred charges, net		20,867			17,445
Total assets	$	4,847,223		$	4,036,964
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Mortgage notes payable	$	1,565,599		$	1,745,858
Unsecured debt		1,112,084			465,000
Lines of credit		141,000			150,000
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		64,858			48,324
Construction payable		5,392			6,505
Dividends payable		45,052			39,611
Derivative liabilities		6,606			3,061
Other liabilities		22,167			20,528
Total liabilities		2,962,758			2,478,887
Commitments and contingencies
Cumulative convertible 4.875% Series G preferred stock; $.0001 par value: 5,890,000 issued, and 178,249 outstanding		4,349			4,349
Equity:
Common stock; $.0001 par value, 656,020,000 shares authorized; 36,442,994 and 33,888,082 shares issued and outstanding		3			3
Cumulative redeemable preferred stock at liquidation value		73,750			73,750
Excess stock, $.0001 par value, 330,000,000 shares authorized and no shares issued or outstanding		-			-
Additional paid-in capital		2,204,778			1,844,611
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings		(444,466	)		(408,066	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(69,261	)		(72,771	)
Total stockholders' equity		1,764,804			1,437,527
Noncontrolling interest		115,312			116,201
Total equity		1,880,116			1,553,728
Total liabilities and equity	$	4,847,223		$	4,036,964

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-4

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations

Years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

(Dollars in thousands, except per share and share amounts)

	2012			2011			2010
Revenues:
Rental and other property	$	531,936		$	465,713		$	405,728
Management and other fees from affiliates		11,489			6,780			4,551
		543,425			472,493			410,279
Expenses:
Property operating, excluding real estate taxes		125,437			115,528			104,049
Real estate taxes		48,651			43,706			39,115
Depreciation		170,592			151,428			128,221
General and administrative		23,307			20,694			23,255
Cost of management and other fees		6,513			4,610			2,707
Impairment and other charges		-			-			2,302
		374,500			335,966			299,649
Earnings from operations		168,925			136,527			110,630
Interest expense before amortization		(100,244	)		(91,694	)		(82,756	)
Amortization expense		(11,644	)		(11,474	)		(4,828	)
Interest and other income		13,833			17,139			27,841
Equity income (loss)  from co-investments		41,745			(467	)		(1,715	)
Gain on remeasurement of co-investment		21,947			-			-
Loss on early retirement of debt		(5,009	)		(1,163	)		(10	)
Income before discontinued operations		129,553			48,868			49,162
Income from discontinued operations		10,037			8,648			1,620
Net income		139,590			57,516			50,782
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(14,306	)		(10,446	)		(14,848	)
Net income attributable to controlling interest		125,284			47,070			35,934
Dividends to preferred stockholders		(5,472	)		(4,753	)		(2,170	)
Excess of cash paid to redeem preferred stock and units over the carrying value		-			(1,949	)		-
Net income available to common stockholders	$	119,812		$	40,368		$	33,764
Per share data:
Basic:
Income before discontinued operations available to common stockholders	$	3.15		$	0.99		$	1.09
Income from discontinued operations available to common stockholders		0.27			0.25			0.05
Net income available to common stockholders	$	3.42		$	1.24		$	1.14
Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year		35,032,491			32,541,792			29,667,064
Diluted:
Income before discontinued operations available to common stockholders	$	3.14		$	0.99		$	1.09
Income from discontinued operations available to common stockholders		0.27			0.25			0.05
Net income available to common stockholders	$	3.41		$	1.24		$	1.14
Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year		35,124,921			32,628,714			29,734,383

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-5

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

(Dollars in thousands)

	2012			2011			2010
Net income	$	139,590		$	57,516		$	50,782
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges and amortization of settlement swaps		3,402			7,707			(50,437	)
Changes in fair value of marketable securities		1,411			1,330			5,357
Reversal of unrealized gains upon the sale of marketable securities		(1,082	)		(4,286	)		(12,027	)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)		3,731			4,751			(57,107	)
Comprehensive income (loss)		143,321			62,267			(6,325	)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(14,527	)		(10,751	)		(10,752	)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the Company	$	128,794		$	51,516		$	(17,077	)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-6

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Equity

Years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

(Dollars and shares in thousands)

														Distributions			Accumulated
											Additional			in excess of			other
	Preferred stock						Common stock				paid-in			accumulated			comprehensive			Noncontrolling
	Shares			Amount			Shares		Amount		capital			earnings			(loss) income			Interest			Total
Balances at December 31, 2009		1,000		$	25,000			28,849	$	3	$	1,275,251		$	(222,952	)	$	(24,206	)	$	220,445		$	1,273,541
Net income		-			-			-		-		-			35,934			-			14,848			50,782
Reversal of unrealized gains upon the sale of marketable securities		-			-			-		-		-			-			(11,163	)		(864	)		(12,027	)
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges and amortization of settlement swaps		-			-			-		-		-			-			(46,817	)		(3,620	)		(50,437	)
Changes in fair value of marketable securities		-			-			-		-		-			-			4,969			388			5,357
Issuance of common stock under:
Stock option plans		-			-			122		-		5,803			-			-			-			5,803
Sale of common stock		-			-			2,354		-		251,455			-			-			-			251,455
Equity based compensation costs		-			-			-		-		(260	)		-			-			2,474			2,214
Retirement of exchangeable bonds		-			-			-		-		(434	)		-			-			-			(434	)
Contributions of noncontrolling interest		-			-			-		-		-			-			-			4,038			4,038
Redemptions of noncontrolling interest		-			-			-		-		(16,347	)		-			-			(7,839	)		(24,186	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest		-			-			-		-		-			-			-			(24,802	)		(24,802	)
Common and preferred stock dividends declared		-			-			-		-		-			(126,290	)		-			-			(126,290	)
Balances at December 31, 2010		1,000			25,000			31,325		3		1,515,468			(313,308	)		(77,217	)		205,068			1,355,014
Net income		-			-			-		-		-			47,070			-			10,446			57,516
Reversal of unrealized gains upon the sale of marketable securities		-			-			-		-		-			-			(4,011	)		(275	)		(4,286	)
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges and amortization of settlement swaps		-			-			-		-		-			-			7,212			495			7,707
Changes in fair value of marketable securities		-			-			-		-		-			-			1,245			85			1,330
Issuance of common stock under:
Stock option plans		-			-			103		-		8,412			-			-			-			8,412
Sale of common stock		-			-			2,460		-		323,931			-			-			-			323,931
Equity based compensation costs		-			-			-		-		(725	)		-			-			1,598			873
Issuance of Series H Preferred		2,950			73,750			-		-		(2,541	)		-			-			-			71,209
Redemptions of Series F Preferred		(1,000	)		(25,000	)		-		-		-			-			-			-			(25,000	)
Redemptions of Series B Preferred		-			-			-		-		1,200			-			-			(80,000	)		(78,800	)
Redemptions of noncontrolling interest		-			-			-		-		(1,134	)		-			-			(4,253	)		(5,387	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest		-			-			-		-		-			-			-			(16,963	)		(16,963	)
Common and preferred stock dividends declared		-			-			-		-		-			(141,828	)		-			-			(141,828	)
Balances at December 31, 2011		2,950			73,750			33,888		3		1,844,611			(408,066	)		(72,771	)		116,201			1,553,728
Net income		-			-			-		-		-			125,284			-			14,306			139,590
Reversal of unrealized gains upon the sale of marketable securities		-			-			-		-		-			-			(1,018	)		(64	)		(1,082	)
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges and amortization of settlement swaps		-			-			-		-		-			-			3,183			219			3,402
Changes in fair value of marketable securities		-			-			-		-		-			-			1,345			66			1,411
Issuance of common stock under:
Stock option plans		-			-			151		-		4,675			-			-			-			4,675
Sale of common stock		-			-			2,404		-		357,720			-			-			-			357,720
Equity based compensation costs		-			-			-		-		(430	)		-			-			2,231			1,801
Contributions from noncontrollong interest		-			-			-		-		-			-			-			4,232			4,232
Redemptions of noncontrolling interest		-			-			-		-		(1,798	)		-			-			(5,188	)		(6,986	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest		-			-			-		-		-			-			-			(16,691	)		(16,691	)
Common and preferred stock dividends declared		-			-			-		-		-			(161,684	)		-			-			(161,684	)
Balances at December 31, 2012		2,950		$	73,750			36,443	$	3	$	2,204,778		$	(444,466	)	$	(69,261	)	$	115,312		$	1,880,116

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-7

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

(Dollars in thousands)

	2012			2011			2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	139,590		$	57,516		$	50,782
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gain on sale of marketable securities		(819	)		(4,956	)		(12,491	)
Gain on remeasurement of co-investment		(21,947	)		-			-
Company's share of gain on the sales of co-investment		(29,112	)		(919	)		-
Gain on the sales of real estate		(10,870	)		(8,562	)		-
Loss on early retirement of debt		5,009			1,163			10
Co-investments		1,626			7,929			1,715
Amortization expense		11,644			11,474			4,828
Amortization of discount on notes receivables		(1,832	)		(1,757	)		(4,806	)
Amortization of discount on marketable securities		(5,127	)		(4,794	)		(3,714	)
Loss on derivative instruments - ineffectiveness		-			-			2,301
Depreciation		170,686			152,542			129,711
Equity-based compensation		4,141			2,927			3,251
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(9,488	)		(1,172	)		(2,771	)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		12,360			3,620			4,302
Other liabilities		1,638			1,560			2,412
Net cash provided by operating activities		267,499			216,571			175,530
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to real estate:
Acquisitions of real estate		(393,771	)		(57,478	)		(279,607	)
Improvements to recent acquisitions		(13,704	)		(16,446	)		(6,388	)
Redevelopment		(40,200	)		(45,130	)		(14,096	)
Revenue generating capital expenditures		(7,620	)		(7,616	)		(1,584	)
Non-revenue generating capital expenditures		(30,491	)		(26,090	)		(29,278	)
Acquisition of and additions to real estate under development		(29,196	)		(79,194	)		(155,267	)
Acquisition of membership interest in co-investment		(85,000	)		-			-
Dispositions of real estate		27,800			23,003			-
Changes in restricted cash and refundable deposits		(6,069	)		(1,376	)		(4,414	)
Purchases of marketable securities		(73,735	)		(8,048	)		(49,974	)
Sales and maturities marketable securities		61,703			32,998			102,039
Proceeds from tax investor		-			-			1,223
Purchases of and advances under notes and other receivables		(26,000	)		(12,325	)		(37,627	)
Collections of notes and other receivables		14,525			884			1,855
Contributions to co-investments		(260,153	)		(246,106	)		(79,450	)
Non-operating distributions from co-investments		49,773			17,141			41,700
Net cash used in investing activities		(812,138	)		(425,783	)		(510,868	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under debt agreements		1,745,853			1,514,684			1,214,216
Repayment of debt		(1,371,317	)		(1,435,135	)		(882,646	)
Additions to deferred charges		(6,707	)		(5,533	)		(4,109	)
Payments to settle derivative instruments		-			(2,395	)		(81,282	)
Retirement of exchangeable bonds		-			-			(5,396	)
Net proceeds from issuance of Preferred stock, Series H		-			71,209			-
Retirement of Series B preferred units and Series F Preferred stock		-			(103,800	)		-
Equity related issuance cost		(309	)		(627	)		-
Net proceeds from stock options exercised		2,643			6,986			4,765
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock		357,720			323,931			251,455
Contributions from noncontrolling interest		2,400			-			4,038
Distributions to noncontrolling interest		(16,691	)		(16,963	)		(24,795	)
Redemption of noncontrolling interest		(6,986	)		(5,387	)		(24,186	)
Common and preferred stock dividends paid		(156,250	)		(138,622	)		(123,629	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		550,356			208,348			328,431
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		5,717			(864	)		(6,907	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		12,889			13,753			20,660
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	18,606		$	12,889		$	13,753

(Continued)

F-8

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

(Dollars in thousands)

	2012		2011		2010
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest, net of $10,346, $8,240, and $9,486 capitalized in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively	$	95,597	$	89,691	$	83,497
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:
Transfer from real estate under development to rental properties	$	6,632	$	165,214	$	170,940
Transfer from co-investments to rental properties	$	148,053	$	-	$	-
Mortgage notes assumed in connection with purchases of real estate including the loan premiums recorded	$	82,133	$	20,927	$	87,336
Transfer from real estate under development to co-investments	$	-	$	54,472	$	-
Note receivable settled when the company purchased the property securing the note receivable	$	-	$	-	$	25,750
Contribution of note receivable to co-investment	$	12,325	$	-	$	-
Change in accrual of dividends	$	5,441	$	3,206	$	2,655
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities	$	4,461	$	230	$	1,907
Change in fair value of marketable securities	$	459	$	2,836	$	6,670
Change in construction payable	$	1,113	$	2,518	$	1,304

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-9

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

(1) Organization

The accompanying consolidated financial statements present the accounts of Essex Property Trust, Inc. (the “Company”), which include the accounts of the Company and Essex Portfolio, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership,” which holds the operating assets of the Company).

The Company is the sole general partner in the Operating Partnership with a 94.5% general partner interest and the limited partners owned a 5.5% interest as of December 31, 2012.  The limited partners may convert their Operating Partnership units into an equivalent number of shares of common stock.  Total Operating Partnership units outstanding were 2,122,381 and 2,229,230 as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and the redemption value of the units, based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock totaled $311.2 million and $313.2 million, as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The Company has reserved shares of common stock for such conversions. These conversion rights may be exercised by the limited partners at any time through 2026.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company owned or had ownership interests in 163 apartment communities, (aggregating 33,468 units), five commercial buildings, and nine active development projects (collectively, the “Portfolio”).  The communities are located in Southern California (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Santa Barbara, San Diego, and Ventura counties), Northern California (the San Francisco Bay Area) and the Seattle metropolitan area.

(2) Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies

(a) Principles of Consolidation

The accounts of the Company, its controlled subsidiaries and the variable interest entities (“VIEs”) in which it is the primary beneficiary are consolidated in the accompanying financial statements. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Noncontrolling interest includes the 5.5% and 6.2% limited partner interests in the Operating Partnership not held by the Company at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These percentages include the Operating Partnership’s vested long term incentive plan units (see Note 13).

The Company consolidates 19 DownREIT limited partnerships (comprising twelve communities), since the Company is the primary beneficiary of these variable interest entities (“VIEs”).  The consolidated total assets and liabilities related to these VIEs, net of intercompany eliminations, were approximately $201.1 million and $178.6 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2012, and $199.8 million and $171.5million, respectively, as of December 31, 2011.

The DownREIT VIEs collectively own twelve apartment communities in which Essex Management Company (“EMC”) is the general partner, the Operating Partnership is a special limited partner, and the other limited partners were granted rights of redemption for their interests.  Such limited partners can request to be redeemed and the Company can elect to redeem their rights for cash or by issuing shares of its common stock on a one share per unit basis.  Conversion values will be based on the market value of the Company's common stock at the time of redemption multiplied by the number of units stipulated under the above arrangements.  The other limited partners receive distributions based on the Company's current dividend rate times the number of units held.  Total DownREIT units outstanding were 1,039,431 and 1,063,848 as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 respectively, and the redemption value of the units, based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock totaled $152.4 million and $149.5 million, as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the carrying value of the other limited partners' interests is presented at their historical cost and is classified within noncontrolling interest in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Interest holders in VIEs consolidated by the Company are allocated a priority of net income equal to the cash payments made to those interest holders or distributions from cash flow.  The remaining results of operations are generally allocated to the Company.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company did not have any VIE’s of which it was not deemed to be the primary beneficiary.

F-10

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

(b) Real Estate Rental Properties

Significant expenditures, which improve or extend the life of an asset and have a useful life of greater than one year, are capitalized.  Operating real estate assets are stated at cost and consist of land, buildings and improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment, and other costs incurred during their development, redevelopment and acquisition.  Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.

The depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets is as follows:

Computer software and equipment	3 - 5 years
Interior unit improvements	5 years
Land improvements and certain exterior components of real property	10 years
Real estate structures	30 years

The Company capitalizes all costs incurred with the predevelopment, development or redevelopment of real estate assets or are associated with the construction or expansion of real property.  Such capitalized costs include land, land improvements, allocated costs of the Company’s project management staff, construction costs, as well as interest and related loan fees, property taxes and insurance.  Capitalization begins for predevelopment, development, and redevelopment projects when activity commences.  Capitalization ends when the apartment home is completed and the property is available for a new resident or if the development activities are put on hold.  The Company ceases to capitalize costs such as property taxes, insurance, and interest expenses once the development activities are put on hold.

The Company allocates the purchase price of real estate to land and building, and identifiable intangible assets, such as the value of above, below and in-place leases. The values of the above and below market leases are amortized and recorded as either a decrease (in the case of above market leases) or an increase (in the case of below market leases) to rental revenue over the remaining term of the associated leases acquired, which in the case of below market leases the Company assumes lessees will elect to renew their leases.  The value of acquired in-place leases are amortized to expense over the term the Company expects to retain the acquired tenant, which is generally 20 months.

The Company performs the following evaluation for communities acquired:

(1) Adjust the purchase price for any fair value adjustments resulting from such things as assumed debt or contingencies.

(2) estimate the value of the real estate “as if vacant” as of the acquisition date;

(3) allocate that value among land and building;

(4) compute the value of the difference between the “as if vacant” value and the adjusted purchase price, which will represent the total intangible assets;

(5) compute the value of the above and below market leases and determine the associated life of the above market/ below market leases;

(6) compute the value of the in-place leases and customer relationships, if any, and the associated lives of these assets.

Whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a property held for investment or held for sale may not be fully recoverable, the carrying amount will be evaluated for impairment. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount (including intangible assets) of a property held for investment, then the Company will recognize an impairment loss equal to the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the property.  Fair value of a property is determined using conventional real estate valuation methods, such as discounted cash flow, the property’s unleveraged yield in comparison to the unleveraged yields and sales prices of similar communities that have been recently sold, and other third party information, if available.  Communities held for sale are carried at the lower of cost and fair value less estimated costs to sell.  As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, no communities were classified as held for sale and no impairment charges were recorded in 2012, 2011 or 2010.

In the normal course of business, the Company will receive purchase offers for its communities, either solicited or unsolicited. For those offers that are accepted, the prospective buyer will usually require a due diligence period before consummation of the transaction.  It is not unusual for matters to arise that result in the withdrawal or rejection of the offer during this process.  The Company classifies real estate as "held for sale" when all criteria under the accounting standard for the disposals of long-lived assets have been met.  In accordance with the standard, the Company presents income and gains/losses on communities sold or held for sale as discontinued operations.  The Company’s equity in income or loss from real estate investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting remain classified in continuing operations upon disposition.  (See Note 6 for a description of the Company’s discontinued operations for 2012, 2011, and 2010).

F-11

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

(c) Co-investments

The Company owns investments in joint ventures (“co-investments”) in which it has significant influence, but its ownership interest does not meet the criteria for consolidation in accordance with the accounting standards.  Therefore, the Company accounts for these investments using the equity method of accounting.  Under the equity method of accounting, the investment is carried at the cost of assets contributed, plus the Company’s equity in earnings less distributions received and the Company’s share of losses.  For preferred equity investments the Company recognizes its preferred interest as its equity in earnings.

A majority of the co-investments, excluding the preferred equity investments, compensate the Company for its asset management services and some of these investments may provide promote distributions if certain financial return benchmarks are achieved.  Asset management fees are recognized when earned, and promote fees are recognized when the earnings events have occurred and the amount is determinable and collectible.  Any promote distributions are reflected in equity (loss) income in co-investments. In 2012, the Company recorded a $2.3 million promote fee in connection with acquisition of our joint venture partner's remaining membership interest in the co-investment Essex Skyline at MacArthur Place for a purchase price of $85 million.  The property is now consolidated.  There were no promote fees recognized in 2011 and 2010 in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

(d) Revenues and Gains on Sale of Real Estate

Revenues from tenants renting or leasing apartment units are recorded when due from tenants and are recognized monthly as they are earned, which is not materially different than on a straight-line basis.  Units are rented under short-term leases (generally, lease terms of 6 to 12 months) and may provide no rent for one or two months, depending on the market conditions and leasing practices of the Company’s competitors in each sub-market at the time the leases are executed.   Revenues from tenants leasing commercial space are recorded on a straight-line basis over the life of the respective lease.

The Company recognizes gains on sales of real estate when a contract is in place, a closing has taken place, the buyer’s initial and continuing investment is adequate to demonstrate a commitment to pay for the property and the Company does not have a substantial continuing involvement in the property.

(e) Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased are classified as cash equivalents.  Restricted cash balances relate primarily to reserve requirements for capital replacement at certain communities in connection with the Company’s mortgage debt.

(f)  Marketable Securities

The Company reports its available for sale securities at fair value, based on quoted market prices (Level 2 for the unsecured bonds and Level 1 for the common stock and investment funds, as defined by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) standard for fair value measurements as discussed later in Note 2), and any unrealized gain or loss is recorded as other comprehensive income (loss).  There were no other than temporary impairment charges for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.  Realized gains and losses, interest income, and amortization of purchase discounts are included in interest and other income on the consolidated statement of operations.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, marketable securities consisted primarily of investment-grade unsecured bonds, common stock, investments in mortgage backed securities and investment funds that invest in U.S. treasury or agency securities.  As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company classified its investments in mortgage backed securities, which mature in November 2019 and September 2020, as held to maturity, and accordingly, these securities are stated at their amortized cost.  The estimated fair values of the mortgage backed securities (Level 2 securities) are approximately equal to the carrying values.

F-12

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011 marketable securities consist of the following ($ in thousands):

	December 31, 2012
			Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Carrying
	Cost		Gain		Value
Available for sale:
Investment-grade unsecured bonds	$	5,143	$	98	$	5,241
Investment funds - US treasuries		14,120		729		14,849
Common stock		18,917		1,704		20,621
Held to maturity:
Mortgage backed securities		52,002		-		52,002
Total	$	90,182	$	2,531	$	92,713
	December 31, 2011
			Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Carrying
	Cost		Gain		Value
Available for sale:
Investment-grade unsecured bonds	$	3,615	$	399	$	4,014
Investment funds - US treasuries		11,783		121		11,904
Common stock		10,067		1,552		11,619
Held to maturity:
Mortgage backed securities		46,738		-		46,738
Total	$	72,203	$	2,072	$	74,275

The Company uses the specific identification method to determine the cost basis of a security sold and to reclassify amounts from accumulated other comprehensive income for securities sold.  For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the proceeds from sales of available for sale securities totaled $61.7 million, $33.0 million and $102.0 million, respectively.  These sales all resulted in gains, which totaled $0.8 million, $5.0 million and $12.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

(g) Notes Receivable

Notes receivable relate to real estate financing arrangements including mezzanine and bridge loans and are secured by real estate.  Interest is recognized over the life of the note.

Each note is analyzed to determine if it is impaired.  A note is impaired if it is probable that the Company will not collect all principal and interest contractually due.  The Company does not accrue interest when a note is considered impaired and a loan allowance is recorded for any principal and previously accrued interest that are not believed to be collectable. All cash receipts on impaired notes are applied to reduce the principal amount of such notes until the principal has been recovered and, thereafter, are recognized as interest income.   As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, no notes were impaired.

(h) Capitalization Policy

The Company capitalizes all direct and certain indirect costs, including interest and real estate taxes, incurred during development and redevelopment activities. Interest is capitalized on real estate assets that require a period of time to get them ready for their intended use.  The amount of interest capitalized is based upon the average amount of accumulated development expenditures during the reporting period.  Included in capitalized costs are management’s accounting estimates of the direct and incremental personnel costs and indirect project costs associated with the Company's development and redevelopment activities.  Indirect project costs consist primarily of personnel costs associated with construction administration and development, including accounting, legal fees, and various office costs that clearly relate to projects under development.  The Company’s capitalized internal costs related to development and redevelopment projects totaled $4.4 million, $4.3 million and $4.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively,  most of which relates to development projects.  These totals include capitalized salaries of $2.4 million, $2.2 million and $2.1 million, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

F-13

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

(i) Interest and Other Income

Interest income is generated primarily from cash balances and marketable securities as well as notes receivables.  Other income primarily consists of gains on sales of marketable securities.  Total interest and other income is comprised of the following for the years ended December 31 ($ in thousands):

	2012		2011		2010
Interest income	$	10,715	$	10,501	$	15,350
Co-investment promote fee		2,299		-		-
Gains on sales of marketable securities		819		4,956		12,491
Tax benefit - taxable REIT subsidiary		-		1,682		-
	$	13,833	$	17,139	$	27,841

(j) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company values its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy of valuation techniques described in the FASB’s accounting standard for fair value measurements.  Level 1 inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.  Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and inputs other than quoted prices observable for the asset or liability.   Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.  The Company uses Level 1 inputs for the fair values of its cash equivalents and its marketable securities except for unsecured bonds and mortgage backed securities.  The Company uses Level 2 inputs for its investments in unsecured bonds, mortgage backed securities, notes receivable, notes payable, and derivative liabilities.  These inputs include interest rates for similar financial instruments.  The Company’s valuation methodology for derivatives is described in more detail in Note 9.  The Company's valuation methodology for the swap related to the multifamily revenue refunding bonds for the 101 San Fernando community, which the Company terminated in 2012, is described in detail in Note 9.  The Company does not use Level 3 inputs to estimate fair values of any of its financial instruments.  The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

Management believes that the carrying amounts of its amounts outstanding under lines of credit, notes receivable and other receivables approximate fair value as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, because interest rates, yields and other terms for these instruments are consistent with yields and other terms currently available for similar instruments.  Management has estimated that the fair value of the Company’s $2.13 billion and $1.77 billion of fixed rate debt at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, to be $2.24 billion and $1.88 billion.  Management has estimated the fair value of the Company’s $692.9 million and $593.7 million of variable rate debt at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, is $671.7 million and $572.3 million based on the terms of the Company’s existing variable rate debt compared to those available in the marketplace.  Management believes that the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, construction payables, other liabilities and dividends payable approximate fair value as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.  The fair values of the Company’s investments in mortgage backed securities are approximately equal to the amortized cost carrying value of these securities.  Marketable securities and derivative liabilities are carried at fair value as of December 31, 2012.

F-14

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

(k) Interest Rate Protection, Swap, and Forward Contracts

The Company uses interest rate swaps, interest rate cap contracts, and forward starting swaps to manage interest rate risks.  As of December 31, 2012, there were no outstanding forward starting swaps.  The valuation of these derivative instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves. The fair values of  forward starting interest rate swaps were determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts (or payments) and the discounted expected variable cash payments (or receipts). The variable cash payments (or receipts) were based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves. The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements.  The Company records all derivatives on its consolidated balance sheet at fair value.  The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation.   Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges.  Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges.

For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged item related to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings.  For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is initially reported in other comprehensive income (outside of earnings) and subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings, and the ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recognized directly in earnings.  The Company assesses the initial and ongoing effectiveness of each hedging relationship by comparing the changes in fair value or cash flows of the derivative hedging instrument with the changes in fair value or cash flows of the designated hedged item or transaction.

For derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges, changes in fair value are recognized in earnings.  All of the Company’s interest rate swaps and interest rate caps are considered cash flow hedges except for the swap related to the multifamily revenue refunding bonds for the 101 San Fernando community that was terminated in 2012 as described in detail in Note 9.  The Company did not have any fair value hedges during the years end December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

The Company’s objective in using derivatives is to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements or other identified risks.  To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily used interest rate swaps and interest rate forward-starting swaps as part of its cash flow hedging strategy.  The Company was hedging its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for a portion of its forecasted transactions.

(l) Deferred Charges

Deferred charges are principally comprised of loan fees and related costs which are amortized over the terms of the related borrowing in a manner which approximates the effective interest method.

(m) Income Taxes

Generally in any year in which the Company qualifies as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code (the “IRC”), it is not subject to federal income tax on that portion of its income that it distributes to stockholders. No provision for federal income taxes, other than the taxable REIT subsidiaries discussed below, has been made in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012 as the Company has elected to be and believes it qualifies under the IRC as a REIT and has made distributions during the periods in amounts to preclude the Company from paying federal income tax.

In order to maintain compliance with REIT tax rules, the Company utilizes taxable REIT subsidiariesfor various revenue generating or investment activities. The taxable REIT subsidiaries are consolidated by the Company. The activities and tax related provisions, assets and liabilities are not material.

F-15

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

The status of cash dividends distributed for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 related to common stock, Series F, Series G, and Series H preferred stock are classified for tax purposes as follows:

	2012			2011			2010
Common Stock
Ordinary income		70.58	%		63.68	%		82.46	%
Capital gain		8.75	%		11.16	%		5.61	%
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain		7.97	%		0.74	%		0.00	%
Return of capital		12.70	%		24.42	%		11.93	%
		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%
		2012			2011			2010
Series F, G, and H Preferred stock
Ordinary income		80.85	%		100.00	%		93.63	%
Capital gains		10.02	%		0.00	%		6.37	%
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain		9.13	%		0.00	%		0.00	%
		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%

(n) Preferred Stock

The Company’s Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series G Preferred Stock”) contains fundamental change provisions that allow the holder to redeem the preferred stock for cash if certain events occur.  The redemption under these provisions is not solely within the Company’s control, thus the Company has classified the Series G Preferred Stock as temporary equity in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

The Company’s Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series H Preferred Stock”), issued during 2011, contains fundamental change provisions that allow the holder to redeem the preferred stock for cash if certain events occur.  The redemption under these provisions is within the Company’s control, and thus the Company has classified the Series H Preferred Stock as permanent equity in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.

(o) Equity-based Compensation

The cost of share and unit based compensation awards is measured at the grant date based on the estimated fair value of the awards.  The estimated fair value of stock options and restricted stock granted by the Company are being amortized over the vesting period.  The estimated grant date fair values of the long term incentive plan units (discussed in Note 13) are being amortized over the expected service periods.

(p) Accounting Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to acquiring, developing and assessing the carrying values of its real estate portfolio, its investments in and advances to joint ventures and affiliates, its notes receivable and its qualification as a REIT.  The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, current market conditions, and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may vary from those estimates and those estimates could be different under different assumptions or conditions.

F-16

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

(3) Real Estate Investments

(a) Acquisitions of Real Estate

For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company purchased eleven communities consisting of 2,052 units for $551.1 million.

During the first quarter of 2012, the Company acquired Bon Terra, a 60 unit community located adjacent to Delano in Redmond, Washington for $16.0 million.  The Company also acquired Reed Square, a 100 unit community located in Sunnyvale, California for $23.0 million.

During the second quarter of 2012, the Company purchased the joint venture partner’s membership interest in the co-investment Essex Skyline at MacArthur Place, a 349 unit premier high-rise apartment community located in Santa Ana, California, for a total purchase price of $85.0 million.  The Company recorded promote income of $2.3 million included in interest and other income on the consolidated statements of operations, earned as a result of achieving certain performance hurdles as defined in the joint venture agreement.  Upon the acquisition of partner’s membership interest, the property was consolidated and a gain on remeasurement of the Company’s co-investment interest of $21.9 million was recorded equal to the amount by which the fair value of the Company’s previously owned noncontrolling interest exceeded its carrying value.  The secured $80.0 million loan was repaid early as part of this transaction.

Also during the second quarter 2012, the Company purchased Park Catalina, a 90 unit property located in the Koreatown submarket of Los Angeles, California for a total purchase price of $23.7 million. In addition, the Company purchased The Huntington, a 276 unit property located in Huntington Beach, California for a purchase price of $48.3 million.  The Company assumed a $30.3 million loan secured by the property at a fixed rate of 5.7% for seven years.  The interest rate on the loan was unfavorable compared to currently available market rates for mortgage loans, and thus in conjunction with the purchase price allocation, the Company recorded a $4.3 million loan premium to reflect the debt at fair value.  This results in an effective interest rate for this loan of 3.3%.

During the third quarter of 2012, the Company purchased Montebello, a 248 unit property located in Kirkland, Washington, for a purchase price of $52.0 million from a related party entity.  The Company assumed a $26.5 million mortgage loan secured by the property at a fixed rate of 5.6% for eight years.  The interest rate on the loan was unfavorable compared to currently available market rates for mortgage loans, and thus in conjunction with the purchase price allocation, the Company recorded a $4.1 million loan premium to reflect the debt at fair value.  This results in an effective interest rate for this loan of 3.1%.

Also during the third quarter 2012, the Company acquired Park West, a 126 unit apartment community located in San Francisco, California, for $31.6 million. The Company intends to renovate the exterior of the community for $8 million.  In addition, the Company acquired Domaine, a 92 unit property located in Seattle, Washington for $34.0 million.  In connection with the purchase, the Company assumed a $14.6 million loan at a fixed rate of 5.7% for an 8 year term. The interest rate on the loan was unfavorable compared to currently available market rates for mortgage loans, and thus in conjunction with the purchase price allocation, the Company recorded a $2.4 million loan premium to reflect the debt at fair value.  This results in an effective interest rate for this loan of 3.0%.

During the fourth quarter 2012, the Company acquired Ascent, a 90 unit community located in Kirkland, Washington, for $15.9 million and Willow Lake Apartments, a 508 unit property located in San Jose, California for $148.0 million.  Also during the fourth quarter 2012, the Company purchased Bennett Lofts (formerly Q Lofts), a 147 unit apartment community located in San Francisco, California, for a total purchase price of $96.0 million.  Approximately 75% of the property was acquired in December for $73.8 million, and the remainder was purchased in January 2013 for $22.2 million.

F-17

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company purchased five communities for approximately $103.3 million, consisting of the following communities ($ in thousands):

Communities	Location	Purchase Price		Units
Delano	Redmond, WA	$	14,100		66
Bernard	Seattle, WA		13,800		63
Bellerive	Los Angeles, CA		27,000		63
Santee Village	Los Angeles, CA		17,000		73
1000 Kiely	Santa Clara, CA		31,400		121
Total 2011 purchases		$	103,300		386

(b) Sales of Real Estate investments

For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company sold $28.3 million of real estate which resulted in a gain of $10.9 million.

During the first quarter of 2012, the Company sold Tierra Del Sol/Norte, a 156 unit community located in San Diego, California for $17.2 million for a gain of $7.0 million.  The Company also sold Alpine Country, a 108 unit community located in San Diego metropolitan area, for $11.1 million for a gain of $3.9 million.

During the second quarter of 2011, the Company disposed of Woodlawn Colonial, a 159-unit community located in Chula Vista, California for $16.0 million which resulted in a gain of $5.2 million.  The property was purchased in 2002 as part of the John M. Sachs, Inc. merger.

During the third quarter 2011, the Company sold the View Pointe land parcel located in Newcastle, Washington for net proceeds of $1.4 million and a gain of $0.2 million.

During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company sold the Clarendon office building in Woodland Hills, California for $7.4 million which resulted in a gain of $3.2 million on the sale.

No communities were held for sale as of December 31, 2012 or 2011.

(c) Co-investments

The Company has joint venture investments in co-investments which are accounted for under the equity method.  The co-investments’ accounting policies are similar to the Company’s accounting policies.  The joint ventures own, operate, and develop apartment communities.

Wesco I, LLC

Wesco, I LLC (“Wesco I”) is a 50/50 programmatic joint venture with an institutional partner for a total equity commitment of $300.0 million.  Each partner’s equity commitment is $150.0 million. Wesco I will utilize debt as leverage equal to approximately 50% of the underlying real estate.  The Company has contributed $150.0 million to Wesco I, and as of December 31, 2012, Wesco I owned nine apartment communities with 2,713 units with an aggregate carrying value of $660.5 million.

During the third quarter 2012, Wesco I acquired Riley Square (formerly Waterstone Santa Clara) for $38.3 million from a related party entity.  The property contains 156 units and is located in Santa Clara, California.  Wesco I assumed a $17.5 million mortgage loan secured by the property at a fixed rate of 5.2% for a term of 8 years.  The interest rate on the loan was unfavorable compared to currently available market rates for mortgage loans, and thus in conjunction with the purchase price allocation, Wesco I recorded a $2.3 million loan premium to reflect the debt at fair value.  This results in an effective interest rate for this loan of 3.1%.

F-18

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

During the fourth quarter 2012, Wesco I acquired Madrid, a 230 unit community located in Mission Viejo, California for an undisclosed price (per an agreement with the seller).  Also during the quarter, Wesco I acquired Pacific Electric Lofts for an undisclosed amount (per an agreement with the seller).  The property contains 314 units along with 22,100 square feet of retail.

For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company purchased five communities under the Wesco I joint venture for approximately $429.2 million, consisting of the following communities ($ in thousands):

Communities	Location	Purchase Price		Units
Arbors Parc Rose	Oxnard, CA	$	92,000		373
Redmond Hill	Redmond, WA		151,300		882
Reveal	Woodland Hills, CA		132,900		438
Briarwood	Fremont, CA		27,800		160
The Woods	Fremont, CA		25,200		160
Total 2011 purchases		$	429,200		2,013

Wesco III, LLC

During 2012, the Company entered into a 50/50 programmatic joint venture, Wesco III LLC (“Wesco III”), with an institutional partner for a total equity commitment from the parties of $120.0 million. Each partner’s equity commitment is $60.0 million.  Wesco III will utilize debt as leverage equal to approximately 50% of the underlying real estate.  The Company has contributed $10.0 million to Wesco III, and provided a $26.0 million short term bridge loan to Wesco III at a rate of LIBOR + 2.5%.

During the fourth quarter 2012, Wesco III acquired Haver Hill, a 264 unit community located in Fullerton, California for $45.6 million.

Essex Apartment Value Fund II, L.P.

Essex Apartment Value Fund II, L.P. (“Fund II”), has eight institutional investors with combined partner equity contributions of $265.9 million.  The Company contributed $75.0 million to Fund II, which represents a 28.2% interest as general partner and limited partner.  Fund II utilized debt as leverage equal to approximately 55% upon the initial acquisition of the underlying real estate.  Fund II invested in apartment communities in the Company’s targeted West Coast markets with an emphasis on investment opportunities in the Seattle metropolitan area and the San Francisco Bay Area.  As of October 2006, Fund II was fully invested and closed for any future acquisitions or development.  As of December 31, 2012, Fund II owned seven apartment communities.

During the fourth quarter 2012, Fund II sold seven communities for gross proceeds of $413.0 million, consisting of the following communities ($ in thousands):

Communities	Location	Purchase Price		Units
Parcwood	Corona, CA	$	42,200		312
Regency Tower	Oakland, CA		31,000		178
Studio 40-41	Studio City, CA		56,300		149
Tower @ 801	Seattle, WA		50,100		173
Cielo	Chatsworth, CA		33,100		119
Echo Ridge	Snoqualmie, WA		26,500		120
The Enclave	San Jose, CA		173,750		637
Total 2012 sales		$	412,950		1,688

In conjunction with the sale of the assets, the Company incurred a prepayment penalty on debt obligations of $2.3 million during the fourth quarter 2012 for its pro-rata share of Fund II’s debt.  The total gain on the transaction was $106 million, of which the Company’s pro rata share was $29.1 million.

F-19

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board – Joint Venture Developments

The Company has entered into four development joint ventures with the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (“CPPIB”) to develop four apartment communities.  For each joint venture the Company holds a 55% non controlling interest in the venture and will earn customary management fees and may earn development, asset, and property management fees.  The Company may also earn a promote interest. These co-investments are not variable interest entities since they have sufficient equity without additional subordinated support, and the Company and CPPIB jointly have the power to direct activities that most significantly impact the co-investments’ economic performance.  Each of the co-investments between the Company and CPPIB has a single general partner, which is subsidiary consolidated by the Company.  However, the Company, as general partner of the co-investments, does not control the co-investments because the limited partners have substantive participating rights.  Therefore, the presumption of control by the Company as general partner is overcome by the rights held by CPPIB, and the Company records the co-investments with CPPIB on the equity method of accounting.

The following are the CPPIB development joint ventures:

		Ownership			Estimated		Construction
Development Projects - CPPIB Joint Venture	Location	%	Units		Total Cost		Start
Epic -  Phase I and II	San Jose, CA	55%		569	$	191.6	Aug-11
Connolly Station (fka Linc)	Dublin, CA	55%		309		94.5	Aug-11
Folsom and Fifth	San Francisco, CA	55%		463		250.0	Jun-12
Elkhorn	San Mateo, CA	55%		197		76.1	Aug-12
Total - CPPIB Joint Venture Development Projects				1,538	$	612.2

The Huxley and The Dylan (formerly Fountain and Santa Monica at La Brea) – Joint Venture Developments

During the third quarter 2011, the Company entered into a development joint venture with a regional developer for the construction of The Huxley, a 187 unit community with approximately 18,200 square feet of retail located in West Hollywood, California.  The regional developer contributed the land and the Company contributed approximately $9.0 million in cash for a 50% interest in the venture.  The joint venture obtained bond financing for the project in the amount of $54.5 million with a maturity date of October 2046 and entered into an interest rate swap transaction with respect to the bonds that terminates in September 2016 that effectively converts the interest rate to the Securities Industry and Financial Market Association index (“SIFMA”) plus 150 basis points through December 2016.

In the fourth quarter 2011, the Company entered into another development joint venture with the same regional developer for the construction of The Dylan, a 184 unit apartment community with approximately 12,750 square feet of retail located in West Hollywood, California.  The 50/50 joint venture was created with the contribution of $5.8 million by the Company and the contribution of entitled land by the regional developer.  The joint venture secured bond financing in the amount of $59.9 million, maturing in December 2046.  The joint venture entered into a total return swap agreement that effectively converts the interest rate to SIFMA plus 150 basis points through December 2016.

The bond financing for these two development projects have joint and several liability for the joint venture partners.  Additionally, if either partner fails to make capital contributions to one of these joint ventures in certain instances, then the ownership interest of the defaulting partner in the other joint venture may be reduced.

Expo (formerly Queen Anne) – Joint Venture Development

During December 2010, the Company entered into a development joint venture with a partner who contributed a land parcel during the first quarter of 2011 in return for a 50% interest in the venture and the Company contributed cash equal to the value of the land in return for a 50% interest in the joint venture. The 275-unit community is under development in Seattle, Washington.  The Expo joint venture obtained a $45.0 million construction loan at a rate of LIBOR plus 195 basis points, due July 2014, with two one-year extension options exercisable at the joint venture’s option.

F-20

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

Preferred Equity Investments

During the second quarter 2012, the Company made a $14 million preferred equity investment in an apartment community located in Cupertino, California to a related party entity.  The investment has a preferred return of 9.5% and matures in May 2016.  The preferred equity agreement provides for up to $4 million of additional funding for renovation costs.

During the first quarter 2011, the Company invested $9.7 million as preferred equity investments in two apartment communities located in downtown Los Angeles.  The investments are for ten years with a preferred return of 9% for five years, increasing to a minimum of 10% and a maximum of 12.5% thereafter.

During the second quarter of 2011, the Company completed a $13.0 million preferred equity investment in an entity owning an apartment community located in downtown Los Angeles.  The Company’s preferred return is 10% and the Company’s investment has a five-year term.

During the third quarter of 2011, the Company sold its preferred stock investments in MyNewPlace.com, a real estate technology company for net proceeds of $1.6 million and a gain of $0.9 million.

During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company entered into a 50/50 joint venture with an institutional partner, Wesco II, LLC (“Wesco II”), which in turn closed a $175 million preferred equity investment in Park Merced, a 3,221-unit apartment community located in San Francisco, California.  The preferred equity investment has a stated term of 7 years and a preferred return of 10.1%.  The investment cannot be repaid during the first two years, and there is a prepayment penalty in the third through the fifth year of the investment.  The community is encumbered with a $450 million senior mortgage loan with a fixed interest rate of 3.83% due in 2018.  The senior loan represents roughly a 60% loan to value, and the projected debt service coverage is approximately 110% including Wesco II’s preferred equity investment (unaudited).

F-21

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

The carrying values of the Company’s co-investments as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows ($ in thousands):

	2012		2011
Investments in joint ventures accounted for under the equity method of accounting:
Membership interest in Wesco I	$	143,874	$	75,588
Partnership interest in Fund II		53,601		64,294
Membership interest in Wesco III		9,941		-
Membership interest in a limited liability company that owns Essex Skyline at MacArthur Place		-		24,063
Total operating co-investments		207,416		163,945
Membership interests in limited liability companies that own and are developing Epic, Connolly Station, Folsom and Fifth, and Elkhorn		186,362		62,897
Membership interest in a limited liability company that owns and is developing Expo		18,752		17,981
Membership interests in limited liability companies that own and are developing The Huxley and The Dylan		16,552		15,194
Total development co-investments		221,666		96,072
Membership interest in Wesco II that owns a preferred equity interest in Parkmerced with a perferred return of 10.1%		91,843		88,075
Preferred interests in limited liability companies that own apartment communities in downtown Los Angeles with preferred returns of 9% and 10%		22,807		22,792
Preferred interests in related party limited liability company that owns Sage at Cupertino with a preferred return of  9.5%		14,438		-
Preferred interest in a related party limited liability company that owns Madison Park at Anaheim with a preferred return of 13%		13,175		12,528
Total preferred interest investments		142,263		123,395
Total co-investments	$	571,345	$	383,412

F-22

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

The combined summarized financial information of co-investments, which are accounted for under the equity method, is as follows ($ in thousands):

	December 31,
	2012		2011
Balance sheets:
Rental properties and real estate under development	$	1,745,147	$	1,659,078
Other assets		168,061		63,847
Total assets	$	1,913,208	$	1,722,925
Debt	$	820,895	$	900,095
Other liabilities		91,922		48,518
Equity		1,000,391		774,312
Total liabilities and partners' equity	$	1,913,208	$	1,722,925
Company's share of equity	$	571,345	$	383,412

	Years ended
	December 31,
	2012			2011			2010
Statements of operations:
Property revenues	$	130,128		$	106,386		$	54,699
Property operating expenses		(55,990	)		(43,066	)		(24,098	)
Net operating income		74,138			63,320			30,601
Gain on sale of real estate		106,016			-			-
Interest expense		(34,959	)		(27,843	)		(13,619	)
General and administrative		(3,697	)		(1,748	)		(709	)
Depreciation and amortization		(47,917	)		(44,412	)		(20,850	)
Net income (loss)	$	93,581		$	(10,683	)	$	(4,577	)
Company's share of net income (loss)	$	41,745		$	(467	)	$	(1,715	)

(d) Real Estate for Development

The Company defines development activities as new properties that are being constructed, or are newly constructed and, in the case of development communities, are in a phase of lease-up and have not yet reached stabilized operations.  As of December 31, 2012, the Company had two consolidated development projects, and seven unconsolidated joint venture development projects aggregating 2,495 units for an estimated total cost of $928.4 million, of which $463.9 million remains to be expended.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had two consolidated predevelopment projects and one unconsolidated predevelopment joint venture project consisting of 449 units for a total cost of $59.6 million.  In addition, the Company owned one land parcel held for future development or sale as of December 31, 2012.  The Company expects to fund the development and predevelopment pipeline by using a combination of some or all of the following sources: its working capital, amounts available on its lines of credit, net proceeds from public and private equity and debt issuances, and proceeds from the disposition of properties, if any.

F-23

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

(4) Notes and Other Receivables

Notes receivables, secured by real estate, and other receivables consist of the following as December 31, 2012 and 2011 ($ in thousands):

	2012		2011
Note receivable, secured, bearing interest at 9.8%, paid in full January 2012	$	-	$	7,331
Note receivable, secured, bearing interest at 5.0%, due November 2012 (1)		-		12,428
Note receivable, secured, bearing interest at LIBOR + 8.0%, paid in full December 2012		-		6,422
Note receivable, secured, bearing interest at 8.8%, due February 2014 (2)		10,800		10,928
Note receivable, secured, bearing interest at 8.0%, due November 2013		971		971
Note receivable, secured, effective interest at 9.6%, due February 2014		18,499		17,646
Note receivable, secured, bearing interest at 4.0%, due December 2014 (3)		3,212		3,221
Notes and other receivables from affiliates (4)		28,896		2,734
Other receivables		3,785		4,688
	$	66,163	$	66,369

(1) $12.4 million note receivable was contributed to the Elkhorn co-investment during the first quarter of 2012.

(2) During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company amended the loan to extend the maturity date to February 2014.

(3) During the first quarter 2012, the Company amended the loan secured by Vacationer RV Park to extend the maturity date to December 2014.  Beginning January 1, 2012 the note which has a carrying value of $3.2 million, bears interest at a rate of 4%, and the borrower funds an impound account for capital replacement.

(4) The Company provided a $26.0 million short-term bridge loan to Wesco III at a rate of LIBOR + 2.5%.

(5) Related Party Transactions

Management and other fees from affiliates is comprised primarily of asset management, property management, development and redevelopment fees from co-investments.  These fees from affiliates total $10.9 million, $6.1 million, and $4.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively, and a property acquisition fee of $0.5 million from the limited liability company that owns Skyline at MacArthur Place for the year ended December 31, 2010.  All of these fees are net of intercompany amounts eliminated by the Company.

The Company provided a $26.0 million short-term bridge loan to Wesco III at a rate of LIBOR + 2.5%, to assist with the purchase of Haver Hill.

The Company’s Chairman and founder, Mr. George Marcus, is the Chairman of The Marcus & Millichap Company (“TMMC”), which is a holding company for certain real estate brokerage services and other subsidiary companies.  For further discussion of the Company’s policies and procedures with respect to related party transactions see the caption, “Certain Relationships and Related Persons Transactions” in the Company’s 2013 Definitive Proxy Statement which is incorporated by reference in Item 13 of the Company's December 31, 2012 Form 10-K.  Fund II paid a brokerage commission totaling $0.4 million to an affiliate of TMMC related to the sale of a property in 2012 and no brokerage commissions during 2011 or 2010, and no brokerage commissions were paid by the Company to TMMC or its affiliates during 2012, 2011, and 2010.

In January 2013, the Company invested $8.6 million as a preferred equity interest investment in an entity affiliated with TMMC that owns an apartment development in Redwood City, California.  The investment has a preferred return of 9.5% and matures in January 2016.  Independent members of the Company’s Board of Directors that serve on the Nominating and Audit Committees approved the investment in this entity.

During the third quarter of 2012, the Company invested $14.0 million as a preferred equity interest investment in an entity affiliated with TMMC that owns an apartment community in Cupertino, California.  The investment has a preferred return of 9.5% and matures in May 2016.  The Company will invest an additional $4.0 million in preferred equity to fund renovation costs.  Independent directors (other than Mr. Marcus) on the Company’s Board of Directors approved the investment in this entity.

F-24

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

Also during the third quarter of 2012, the Company acquired Montebello, a 248 unit apartment community in Kirkland, Washington for $52.0 million from an entity affiliated with TMMC, and Wesco I acquired Riley Square (formerly Waterstone Santa Clara), a 156 unit apartment community in Santa Clara, California for $38.3 million from an entity affiliated with TMMC.  Independent directors (other than Mr. Marcus) on the Company’s Board of Directors approved the acquisitions of Montebello and Riley Square.

During the third quarter of 2010, the Company invested $12.0 million as a preferred equity interest investment in a related party entity that owns a 768-unit apartment community in Anaheim, California.  The entity that owns the property is an affiliate of TMMC.  The Company’s independent directors (other than Mr. Marcus) approved the investment in this entity.  The preferred return for this investment during the first five years is 13% per annum, and the preferred return increases to 15% thereafter.

During the second quarter of 2010, the independent directors (other than Mr. Marcus)  approved the partial redemption for cash by the Operating Partnership of limited Operating Partnership units that were held by Mr. Marcus, at $106.76 per unit representing a 2% discount from the closing price of the Company’s common stock on May 17, 2010.  The Operating Partnership purchased 187,334 units from Mr. Marcus.  Under the Operating Partnership’s partnership agreement, limited partnership units are exchangeable on a one-for-one basis into shares of the Company’s common stock.

An Executive Vice President of the Company has invested $4.0 million for a 3% limited partnership interest in a partnership with the Company that owns Essex Skyline at MacArthur Place.  The Executive Vice President’s investment is equal to a pro-rata share of the contributions to the limited partnership.  The Executive Vice President’s investment also receives pro-rata distributions resulting from distributable cash generated by the property if and when distributions are made.  The Executive Vice President does not participate in fees paid to the Company by the property.

(6) Discontinued Operations

During 2012, the Company sold Tierra Del Sol/Norte, a 156 unit community located in the San Diego, California for $17.2 million for a gain of $7.0 million.  Also during 2012, the Company sold Alpine Country, a 108 unit community located in San Diego metropolitan area, for $11.1 million for a gain of $3.9 million. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011 no communities were held for sale.

During 2011, the Company sold one apartment community, Woodlawn Colonial, and one office building, Clarendon, for a total of $23.4 million resulting in gains totaling $8.4 million.

The Company has recorded the gains and operations for these various assets sold described above as part of discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.  The components of discontinued operations are outlined below and include the results of operations for the respective periods that the Company owned such assets, as described above ($ in thousands):

	2012			2011			2010
Revenues	$	608		$	4,081		$	5,453
Property operating expenses		(260	)		(1,861	)		(2,342	)
Depreciation and amortization		(94	)		(1,115	)		(1,491	)
Expenses		(354	)		(2,976	)		(3,833	)
Operating income from real estate sold		254			1,105			1,620
Gain on sale of real estate		10,870			8,382			-
Internal disposition costs		(1,087	)		(839	)		-
Income from discontinued operations	$	10,037		$	8,648		$	1,620

F-25

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

(7) Mortgage Notes Payable

Mortgage notes payable consist of the following as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 ($ in thousands):

	2012			2011
Fixed rate mortgage notes payable	$	1,363,731		$	1,502,208
Variable rate mortgage notes payable(1)		201,868			243,650
	$	1,565,599		$	1,745,858
Number of properties securing mortgage notes		55			68
Remaining terms	1-27 years			1-28 years
Weighted average interest rate		5.4	%		5.4	%

The aggregate scheduled principal payments of mortgage notes payable are as follows ($ in thousands):

2013	$	57,621
2014		47,994
2015		68,926
2016		12,656
2017		185,301
Thereafter		1,193,101
	$	1,565,599

(1) Variable rate mortgage notes payable consists of multifamily housing mortgage revenue bonds secured by deeds of trust on rental properties and guaranteed by collateral pledge agreements, payable monthly at a variable rate as defined in the Loan Agreement (approximately 1.9% at December 2012 and 2.0% at December 2011) plus credit enhancement and underwriting fees ranging from approximately 1.2% to 1.9%.  Among the terms imposed on the properties, which are security for the bonds, is a requirement that 20% of the units are subject to tenant income criteria. Principal balances are due in full at various maturity dates from September 2013 through December 2039.  Of these bonds $187.8 million are subject to various interest rate cap agreements which limit the maximum interest rate to such bonds.

For the Company’s mortgage notes payable as of December 31, 2012, monthly interest expense and principal amortization, excluding balloon payments, totaled approximately $7.0 million and $2.0 million, respectively.  Second deeds of trust accounted for $87.3 million of the $1.6 billion in mortgage notes payable as of December 31, 2012.  Repayment of debt before the scheduled maturity date could result in prepayment penalties.  The prepayment penalty on the majority of the Company’s mortgage notes payable are computed by the greater of (a) 1% of the amount of the principal being prepaid or (b) the present value of the mortgage note payable which is calculated by multiplying the principal being prepaid by the difference between the interest rate of the mortgage note and the stated yield rate on a specified U.S. treasury security as defined in the mortgage note agreement.  (See Schedule III for a list of mortgage loans related to each community in the Company’s Portfolio.)

(8) Unsecured Debt and Lines of Credit

Unsecured debt and lines of credit consist of the following as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 ($ in thousands):

							Weighted Average
							Maturity
	2012			2011			In Years
Bonds private placement - fixed rate	$	465,000		$	265,000			6.2
Term loan - variable rate		350,000			200,000			4.2
Bonds public offering - fixed rate		297,084			-			9.6
Unsecured debt		1,112,084			465,000
Lines of credit		141,000			150,000			3.0
Total unsecured debt	$	1,253,084		$	615,000
Weighted average interest rate on fixed rate unsecured bonds		4.2	%		4.5	%
Weighted average interest rate on variable rate term loan		2.7	%		2.7	%
Weighted average interest rate on line of credit		2.3	%		2.5	%

F-26

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

The following is a summary of the Company’s unsecured private placement bonds as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 ($ in thousands):

						Coupon
	Maturity	2012		2011		Rate
Senior unsecured private placement notes	March 2016	$	150,000	$	150,000		4.36	%
Senior unsecured private placement notes	September 2017		40,000		40,000		4.50	%
Senior unsecured private placement notes	December 2019		75,000		75,000		4.92	%
Senior unsecured private placement notes	April 2021		100,000		-		4.27	%
Senior unsecured private placement notes	June 2021		50,000		-		4.30	%
Senior unsecured private placement notes	August 2021		50,000		-		4.37	%
		$	465,000	$	265,000

The Company has two lines of credit aggregating $525.0 million as of December 31, 2012.  The Company had a $500.0 million unsecured line of credit that was increased to $600.0 million in January 2013.  As of December 31, 2012 there was a $141.0 million balance on this unsecured line.  The underlying interest rate on the $500.0 million facility is based on a tiered rate structure tied to Fitch and S&P ratings on the credit facility and the rate was LIBOR plus 1.075% as of December 31, 2012.  This facility matures in December 2015 with two one-year extensions, exercisable by the Company.  The Company has a working capital unsecured line of credit agreement for $25.0 million.  This facility matures in January 2014, with a one year extension option.  As of December 31, 2012 there was no balance outstanding on this unsecured line.  The underlying interest rate on the $25.0 million line is based on a tiered rate structure tied to Fitch and S&P ratings on the credit facility of LIBOR plus 1.075%.

As of December 31 2012, the Company had $465 million of unsecured bonds outstanding at an average effective interest rate of 4.5%.  During the second quarter of 2012, the Company issued through private placements, $100 million of bonds and $50 million of bonds at 4.27% and 4.30%, respectively, due in 2021, and during the third quarter of 2012, $50 million of bonds at 4.37% due in 2021.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had a $350 million unsecured term loan outstanding at an average interest rate of 2.7%.  The term loan has a variable interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.2%. During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company increased the size of the term loan from $200 million to $350 million.  The Company entered into interest rate swap contracts for a term of five years with a notional amount totaling $300 million, which effectively converted the interest rate on the $300 million of the term loan to a fixed rate.

During the third quarter 2012, the Company issued $300.0 million of senior unsecured notes due August 2022 with a coupon rate of 3.625% per annum and are payable on February 15th and August 15th of each year, beginning February 15, 2013 (the 2022 Notes). The 2022 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 98.99% of par value. The 2022 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.

On August 15th, 2012, in connection with the 2022 Notes issuance, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement whereby the Operating Partnership agreed to conduct an offer to exchange the 2022 Notes for a new series of publicly registered notes with substantially identical terms.  If the Operating Partnership does not fulfill certain of its obligation under the registration rights agreement, it will be required to pay registration default damages to the holders of the 2022 Notes. No separate contingent obligation was recorded as no registration default damages became probable as of December 31, 2012.

The Company’s unsecured line 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, 2012 and 2011.

(9) Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company uses interest rate swaps and interest rate cap contracts to manage certain interest rate risks. The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves. The fair values of interest rate swaps are determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts (or payments) and the discounted expected variable cash payments (or receipts). The variable cash payments (or receipts) are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves. The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements.

F-27

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

The Company has entered into interest rate swap contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $300 million that effectively fixed the interest rate on $300 million of the $350 million unsecured term loan at 2.7% through November 2016.  These derivatives qualify for hedge accounting.

As of December 31, 2012 the Company also had twelve interest rate cap contracts totaling a notional amount of $187.8 million that qualify for hedge accounting as they effectively limit the Company’s exposure to interest rate risk by providing a ceiling on the underlying variable interest rate for $201.9 million of the Company’s tax exempt variable rate debt.

As of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 the aggregate carrying value of the interest rate swap contracts was a liability of $6.6 million and $1.4 million, respectively. The aggregate carrying value of the interest rate cap contracts was zero on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2012, and was an asset of $0.2 million as of December 31, 2011.

During the third quarter 2012, the Company terminated a swap transaction with respect to the $38.0 million of tax-exempt bonds for the 101 San Fernando apartment community with Citibank because the bonds were repurchased by the Company at par.

During 2011, the Company settled its remaining $20.0 million forward starting swap contract for $2.3 million which was applied to the $32.0 million mortgage obtained in February 2011, increasing the effective borrowing rate from 5.4% to 6.2%.

During 2010, the Company settled $355 million in forward-starting swap contracts for $81.3 million, which was applied to 10-year mortgage loans obtained in 2010.  The settlement of the forward-starting swaps increased the average effective interest rate on the 2010 mortgage loans from 4.5% to 6.8%.   During 2010, the Company incurred $2.3 million in expense related to the ineffectiveness of certain of the settled forward-starting swap hedges, which is included in impairment and other charges in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2010.  No hedge ineffectiveness on cash flow hedges was incurred during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

(10) Lease Agreements

As of December 31, 2012 the Company is a lessor for four commercial buildings and the commercial portions of 20 mixed use communities. The tenants’ lease terms expire at various times through 2028.  The future minimum non-cancelable base rent to be received under these operating leases for each of the years ending after December 31 is summarized as follows ($ in thousands):

	Future
	Minimum
	Rent
2013	$	8,592
2014		8,395
2015		6,933
2016		4,512
2017		2,781
Thereafter		14,562
	$	45,775

F-28

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

(11) Equity Transactions

Preferred Securities Offerings

As of December 31, 2012, the Company has the following cumulative preferred securities outstanding:

		Shares	Shares	Liquidation
Description	Issue Date	Authorized	Outstanding	Preference
7.125% Series H	April 2011	8,000,000	2,950,000	$	73,750
4.875% Series G	July 2006	5,980,000	178,249	$	4,456

During the second quarter of 2011, the Company issued 2,950,000 shares of 7.125% Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series H”) at a price of $25.00 per share for net proceeds of $71.2 million, net of costs and original issuance discounts.  The Series H has no maturity date and generally may not be called by the Company before April 13, 2016.  Net proceeds from the Series H offering were used to redeem all of the 7.875% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units of Essex Portfolio, L.P. (“Series B”) with a liquidation value of $80.0 million, which resulted in excess of cash paid of $1.0 million over the carrying value of Series B due to deferred offering costs and original issuance discounts.

Also during the second quarter of 2011, the Company redeemed its 7.8125% Series F Preferred Stock (“Series F”) at liquidation value for $25.0 million which resulted in excess of cash paid of $0.9 million over the carrying value of Series F due to deferred offering costs and original issuance discounts.

During the third quarter of 2006, the Company sold 5,980,000 shares of 4.875% Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series G”) for gross proceeds of $149.5 million.  Holders may convert Series G into shares of the Company’s common stock subject to certain conditions.  The conversion rate was initially .1830 shares of common stock per the $25 share liquidation preference, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $136.62 per share of common stock (the conversion rate will be subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of specified events).  The Company may, under certain circumstances, cause some or all of the Series G to be converted into that number of shares of common stock at the then prevailing conversion rate.  As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, shares of Series G with an aggregate liquidation value of $4.5 million were outstanding.

Common Stock Offerings

During 2012, the Company sold 2.4 million shares of common stock for $357.7 million, net of fees and commissions, at an average price of $150.26.  During the first quarter of 2013, through February 21, 2013, the Company sold 758,644 shares of common stock for $114.0 million, net of fees and commissions at an average price of $151.70.

During 2011 and 2010, the Company issued 2.5 million and 2.4 million shares of common stock for $323.9 million and $251.4 million, net of fees and commissions, respectively. The Company used the net proceeds from such sales to pay down debt, repurchase preferred stock, fund redevelopment and development pipelines, fund acquisitions, and for general corporate purposes.

F-29

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

(12) Net Income Per Common Share

Basic and diluted income from continuing operations per share are calculated as follows for the years ended December 31 ($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

	2012						2011						2010
			Weighted-		Per				Weighted-		Per				Weighted-		Per
			average		Common				average		Common				average		Common
			Common		Share				Common		Share				Common		Share
	Income		Shares		Amount		Income		Shares		Amount		Income		Shares		Amount
Basic:
Income from continuing operations available to common stockholders	$	110,373		35,032,491	$	3.15	$	32,256		32,541,792	$	0.99	$	32,251		29,667,064	$	1.09
Income from discontinued operations available to common stockholders		9,439		35,032,491		0.27		8,112		32,541,792		0.25		1,513		29,667,064		0.05
		119,812				3.42		40,368				1.24		33,764				1.14
Effect of Dilutive Securities (1)		-		92,430				-		86,922				-		67,319
Diluted:
Income from continuing operations available to common stockholders (1)	$	110,373		35,124,921	$	3.14	$	32,256		32,628,714	$	0.99	$	32,251		29,734,383	$	1.09
Income from discontinued operations available to common stockholders		9,439		35,124,921		0.27		8,112		32,628,714		0.25		1,513		29,734,383		0.05
	$	119,812			$	3.41	$	40,368			$	1.24	$	33,764			$	1.14

(1) Weighted convertible limited partnership units of 2,219,046, 2,231,807 and 2,293,886, which include vested Series Z incentive units, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, were not included in the determination of diluted EPS because they were anti-dilutive. The Company has the ability to redeem DownREIT limited partnership units for cash and does not consider them to be potentially dilutive securities.

Stock options of 263,613; 175,500; and 123,164; for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively, were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because the exercise price of these options were greater than the average market price of the common shares for the years ended and, therefore, were anti-dilutive.

All shares of cumulative convertible preferred stock Series G have been excluded from diluted earnings per share for the years ended 2012, 2011, and 2010 respectively, as the effect was anti-dilutive.

(13) Equity Based Compensation Plans

Stock Options and Restricted Stock

The Essex Property Trust, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan provides incentives to attract and retain officers, directors and key employees.  The Stock Incentive Plan provides for the grants of options to purchase a specified number of shares of common stock or grants of restricted shares of common stock.  Under the Stock Incentive Plan, the total number of shares available for grant is approximately 1,200,000.  The 2004 Stock Incentive Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.  The Compensation Committee is comprised of independent directors.   The Compensation Committee is authorized to establish the exercise price; however, the exercise price cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock on the grant date.  The Company’s options have a life of seven to ten years.  Option grants for officers and employees fully vest between one year and five years after the grant date.

Stock-based compensation expense for options and restricted stock under the fair value method totaled $2.0 million, $1.5 million, and $1.0 million for years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 respectively.  Stock-based compensation capitalized for options and restricted stock totaled $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, and $0.2 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.  The intrinsic value of the options exercised totaled $2.9 million, $3.8 million, and $2.9 million, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 respectively.  The intrinsic value of the options outstanding and fully vested totaled $9.9 million, $10.6 million, and $7.7 million, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based compensation granted for stock options totaled $3.2 million as of December 31, 2012.  The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a period of 1 to 5 years for the stock option plans.

F-30

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

The average fair value of stock options granted for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $12.64, $14.49 and $18.39, respectively.  The stock options granted during the fourth quarter of 2012 included a $75 cap on the appreciation of the market price over the exercise price.  The stock options granted during 2011 and through the third quarter of 2012 included a $100 cap on the appreciation of the market price over the exercise price.  The fair value of stock options was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions used for grants:

	2012	2011	2010
Stock price	$143.95	$131.87	$107.21
Risk-free interest rates	1.16%	2.23%	3.50%
Expected lives	5 - 10 years	10 years	10 years
Volatility	20.05%	19.63%	22.00%
Dividend yield	3.26%	3.29%	3.85%

A summary of the status of the Company’s stock option plans as of December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 and changes during the years ended on those dates is presented below:

	2012					2011					2010
				Weighted-					Weighted-					Weighted-
				average					average					average
				exercise					exercise					exercise
	Shares			price		Shares			price		Shares			price
Outstanding at beginning of year		415,020		$	109.71		300,642		$	88.11		378,542		$	82.08
Granted		263,113			143.95		197,500			131.87		18,214			107.21
Exercised		(41,603	)		77.21		(83,122	)		84.24		(78,381	)		63.97
Forfeited and canceled		(13,096	)		128.36		-			0.00		(17,733	)		105.40
Outstanding at end of year		623,434			125.96		415,020			109.71		300,642			88.11
Options exercisable at year end		250,620			107.12		219,820			92.31		265,770			86.28

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2012:

	Options outstanding					Options exercisable
	Number		Weighted-			Number
	outstanding		average	Weighted-		exercisable		Weighted-
	as of		remaining	average		as of		average
Range of	December 31,		contractual	exercise		December 31,		exercise
exercise prices	2012		life	price		2012		price
$51.01 - 79.05		34,973	3.0 years	$	69.97		34,973	$	69.97
79.25 - 125.84		144,498	3.9 years		99.10		130,498		98.69
126.73 - 155.34		443,963	7.9 years		139.10		85,149		135.31
		623,434	6.7 years		125.96		250,620		107.12

During 2012, 2011, and 2010 the Company issued 1,614, 1,540, and 14,415 shares of restricted stock, respectively.  The unrecognized compensation cost granted under the restricted stock program of $1.9 million as of December 31, 2012 will be recognized straight-line over a period of 1 to 7 years.

F-31

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

The following table summarizes information about restricted stock outstanding as of December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 and changes during the years ended:

	2012					2011					2010
				Weighted-					Weighted-					Weighted-
				average					average					average
				grant					grant					grant
	Shares			price		Shares			price		Shares			price
Unvested at beginning of year		35,219		$	98.57		44,877		$	102.46		37,727		$	99.43
Granted		1,614			149.68		1,540			134.44		14,415			109.62
Vested		(8,641	)		106.69		(9,532	)		104.91		(6,126	)		102.27
Forfeited and canceled		(3,270	)		102.00		(1,666	)		94.35		(1,139	)		93.92
Unvested at end of year		24,922			104.52		35,219			98.57		44,877			102.46

Long Term Incentive Plan – Z Units

The Company has adopted an incentive program involving the issuance of Series Z Incentive Units and Series Z-1 Incentive Units (collectively referred to as “Z Units”) of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership.  Vesting in the Z Units is based on performance criteria established in the plan.  The criteria can be revised at the beginning of the year by the Board's Compensation Committee if the Committee deems that the plan's criterion is unachievable for any given year.   The sale of Z Units is contractually prohibited.  Z Units are convertible into Operating Partnership units which are exchangeable for shares of the Company’s common stock that have marketability restrictions.  The estimated fair value of a Z Unit is determined on the grant date and considers the company's current stock price, the dividends that are not paid on unvested units and a marketability discount for the 8 to 15 years of illiquidity.  Compensation expense is calculated by multiplying estimated vesting increases for the period by the estimated fair value as of the grant date less its $1.00 per unit purchase price.

Stock-based compensation expense for Z Units under the fair value method totaled approximately $2.1 million, $1.5 million and $2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Stock-based compensation capitalized for Z Units totaled approximately $0.5 million, $0.3 million, and $0.6 million, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.  The intrinsic value of the unvested Z Units totaled $20.8 million as of December 31, 2012.  Total unrecognized compensation cost related to the unvested Z Units under the Z Units plans totaled $7.3 million as of December 31, 2012.  The unamortized cost is recognized up to 14 years subject to the achievement of the stated performance criteria.

The issuance of Z Units is administered by the Compensation Committee which has the authority to select participants and determine the awards to be made up to a maximum of 600,000 Z Units.  Effective January 1 of each year for each participating executive who remains employed by the Company if the Company has met a specified “funds from operations” per share target, or such other target as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate, for the prior year, up to a maximum conversion ratchet of 100%.  Z units issued in 2011 and 2010 are discussed below.

During 2010, the Operating Partnership issued 108,000 Series Z-1 Incentive Units (the “2010 Z-1 Units”) of limited partner interest to twenty executives of the Company. The conversion ratchet (accounted for as vesting) of the 2010 Z-1 Units into common units, increased to 20 percent effective January 1, 2011 because the Company achieved the FFO minimum target of $4.75 per diluted share in 2010.  Once the units are vested, Z-1 Unit holders receive quarterly distributions of approximately the dividend rate paid on common shares.  Each year thereafter, vesting of the 2010 Z-1 Units will be consistent with the Company’s annual FFO growth, but is not to be less than zero or greater than 14 percent.

During 2011, the Operating Partnership issued 46,500 Series Z-1 Incentive Units (the “2011 Z-1 Units”) of limited partner interest to fourteen executives of the Company in exchange for cash from eight executive officers of the Company, and a capital commitment from the remaining six executives of $1.00 per 2011 Z-1 Unit.  The 2011 Z-1 Units are convertible one-for-one into common units of the Operating Partnership (which, in turn, are convertible into common stock of the Company) upon the earlier to occur of 100 percent vesting of the units or the year 2026.  The conversion ratchet (accounted for as vesting) of the 2011 Z-1 Units into common units, increased to 10 percent effective January 1, 2012 because the Company achieved the FFO minimum target of $5.65 per diluted share in 2011.  Each year thereafter, vesting of the 2011 Z-1 Units will be consistent with the Company’s annual FFO growth, but is not to be less than zero or greater than 14 percent.  The 2011 Z-1 Unit holders are entitled to receive approximately the same as dividends distributed to common stockholders on vested units.

F-32

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

The following table summarizes information about the Z Units outstanding as of December 31, 2012 ($ in thousands):

	Long Term Incentive Plan - Z Units
							Aggregate							Weighted-
							Intrinsic					Weighted-		average
	Total			Total			Value		Total			average		Remaining
	Vested			Unvested			of Unvested		Outstanding			Grant-date		Contractual
	Units			Units			Units		Units			Fair Value		Life
Balance, December 2009		288,651			105,881		$	8,751		394,532		$	39.36	8.2 years
Granted		-			108,000					108,000
Vested		37,629			(37,629	)				-
Cancelled					(4,350	)				(4,350	)
Balance, December 2010		326,280			171,902			19,463		498,182			54.15	11.2 years
Granted		-			46,500					46,500
Vested		44,520			(44,520	)				-
Converted		(191,718	)		-					(191,718	)
Cancelled		-			(3,863	)				(3,863	)
Balance, December 2011		179,082			170,019			23,719		349,101			58.17	12.3 years
Granted		-			-					-
Vested		28,163			(28,163	)				-
Converted		(16,541	)		-					(16,541	)
Cancelled		-			(1,813	)				(1,813	)
Balance, December 2012		190,704			140,043		$	20,800		330,747		$	58.44	11.3 years

F-33

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

(14) Segment Information

The Company defines its reportable operating segments as the three geographical regions in which its communities are located: Southern California, Northern California and Seattle Metro.  Excluded from segment revenues are communities classified in discontinued operations, management and other fees from affiliates, and interest and other income.  Non-segment revenues and net operating income included in the following schedule also consist of revenue generated from commercial properties.  Other non-segment assets include real estate under development, co-investments, cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, notes and other receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets and deferred charges.

The revenues and net operating income for each of the reportable operating segments are summarized as follows for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 ($ in thousands):

	Years Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010
Revenues:
Southern California	$	249,524		$	223,304		$	200,541
Northern California		175,325			149,457			127,302
Seattle Metro		94,708			81,967			70,348
Other real estate assets		12,379			10,985			7,537
Total property revenues	$	531,936		$	465,713		$	405,728
Net operating income:
Southern California	$	166,162		$	146,519		$	132,150
Northern California		120,540			99,047			82,288
Seattle Metro		62,076			52,173			43,006
Other real estate assets		9,070			8,740			5,120
Total net operating income		357,848			306,479			262,564
Depreciation		(170,592	)		(151,428	)		(128,221	)
Interest expense before amortization		(100,244	)		(91,694	)		(82,756	)
Amortization expense		(11,644	)		(11,474	)		(4,828	)
Management and other fees from affiliates		11,489			6,780			4,551
General and administrative		(23,307	)		(20,694	)		(23,255	)
Cost of management and other fees		(6,513	)		(4,610	)		(2,707	)
Impairment and other charges		-			-			(2,302	)
Interest and other income		13,833			17,139			27,841
Loss on early retirement of debt		(5,009	)		(1,163	)		(10	)
Equity income (loss) income from co-investments		41,745			(467	)		(1,715	)
Gain on remeasurement of co-investment		21,947			-			-
Income before discontinued operations	$	129,553		$	48,868		$	49,162

F-34

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

Total assets for each of the reportable operating segments are summarized as follows as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 ($ in thousands):

	As of December 31,
Assets:	2012		2011
Southern California	$	1,675,265	$	1,478,018
Northern California		1,489,095		1,241,320
Seattle Metro		699,465		579,612
Other real estate assets		88,330		94,088
Net reportable operating segments - real estate assets		3,952,155		3,393,038
Real estate under development		66,851		44,280
Co-investments		571,345		383,412
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash		42,126		35,463
Marketable securities		92,713		74,275
Notes and other receivables		66,163		66,369
Other non-segment assets		55,870		40,127
Total assets	$	4,847,223	$	4,036,964

(15) 401(k) Plan

The Company has a 401(k) benefit plan (the “Plan”) for all full-time employees who have completed six months of service. Employee contributions are limited by the maximum allowed under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code.  The Company matches the employee contributions for non-highly compensated personnel, up to 50% of their contribution up to a specified maximum.  Company contributions to the Plan were approximately $0.2 million, $0.3 million, and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.

(16) Commitments and Contingencies

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had six non-cancelable land leases for certain apartment communities and buildings that expire between 2027 and 2080.  Land lease payments are typically the greater of a stated minimum or a percentage of gross rents generated by these apartment communities.  Total minimum lease commitments, under land leases and operating leases, are approximately $1.7 million per year for the next five years.

To the extent that an environmental matter arises or is identified in the future that has other than a remote risk of having a material impact on the financial statements, the Company will disclose the estimated range of possible outcomes, and, if an outcome is probable, accrue an appropriate liability for remediation and other potential liability. The Company will consider whether such occurrence results in an impairment of value on the affected property and, if so, impairment will be recognized.

Except with respect to three communities, the Company has no indemnification agreements from third parties for potential environmental clean-up costs at its communities.  The Company has no way of determining at this time the magnitude of any potential liability to which it may be subject arising out of unknown environmental conditions or violations with respect to the communities formerly owned by the Company.  No assurance can be given that existing environmental studies with respect to any of the communities reveal all environmental liabilities, that any prior owner or operator of a Property did not create any material environmental condition not known to the Company, or that a material environmental condition does not otherwise exist as to any one or more of the communities.  The Company has limited insurance coverage for the types of environmental liabilities described above.

The Company has entered into transactions that may require the Company to pay the tax liabilities of the partners in the Operating Partnership or in the DownREIT entities.  These transactions are within the Company’s control. Although the Company plans to hold the contributed assets or defer recognition of gain on their sale pursuant to like-kind exchange rules under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code the Company can provide no assurance that it will be able to do so and if such tax liabilities were incurred they may to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position.

F-35

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

There have been an increasing number of lawsuits against owners and managers of apartment communities alleging personal injury and property damage caused by the presence of mold in residential real estate. Some of these lawsuits have resulted in substantial monetary judgments or settlements.  The Company has been sued for mold related matters and has settled some, but not all, of such matters.   Insurance carriers have reacted to mold related liability awards by excluding mold related claims from standard policies and pricing mold endorsements at prohibitively high rates.  The Company has, however, purchased pollution liability insurance, which includes some coverage for mold.  The Company has adopted policies to promptly address and resolve reports of mold when it is detected, and to minimize any impact mold might have on residents of the property.  The Company believes its mold policies and proactive response to address any known existence, reduces its risk of loss from these cases.  There can be no assurances that the Company has identified and responded to all mold occurrences, but the company promptly addresses all known reports of mold.  Liabilities resulting from such mold related matters are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.  As of December 31, 2012, potential liabilities for mold and other environmental liabilities are not quantifiable and an estimate of possible loss cannot be made.

The Company carries comprehensive liability, fire, extended coverage and rental loss insurance for each of the communities.  Under comprehensive liability claims, the Company has insurance to cover claims in excess of $100,000 per incident.  Under property casualty claims, the Company reinsures the primary carrier for losses up to $5.0 million deductible per incident.  There are, however, certain types of extraordinary losses, such as, for example, losses from terrorism and earthquake, for which the Company does not have insurance. Substantially all of the communities are located in areas that are subject to earthquakes.

The Company provided a loan and construction completion guarantee to the lender in order to fulfill the lender’s standard financing requirements related to the construction of the Expo community.  The outstanding balance for the construction loan is included in the debt line item in the balance sheet of the co-investments included in Note 3.  The construction completion guarantee is for the life of the loan, which is scheduled to mature on July 1, 2014, with two, one-year extension options at the Expo joint venture’s option.  As of December 31, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all terms of the construction loan and the construction of the community is expected to be completed on time and within budget.  The maximum exposure of the guarantee as of December 31, 2012 was $70.0 million based on the construction costs that were budgeted to be incurred to complete the construction.

The Company provided a payment guarantee to the counterparties in relation to the total return swaps entered into by the joint venture responsible for the development of The Huxley (formerly Fountain at La Brea) and The Dylan (formerly Santa Monica at La Brea) communities.  Further the Company has guaranteed completion of development and made certain debt service guarantees for The Huxley and The Dylan.  The outstanding balance for the loans is included in the debt line item in the balance sheet of the co-investments included in Note 3.  The payment guarantee is for the payment of the amounts due to the counterparty related total return swaps which are scheduled to mature in September and December 2016.  The maximum exposure of the guarantee as of December 31, 2012 was $55.7 million based on the aggregate outstanding debt amount.

The Company is subject to various other lawsuits in the normal course of its business operations.  Such lawsuits are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

(17) Subsequent Events

In January 2013, the Company sold the land parcel held for future development located in Palo Alto, California for $9.1 million, resulting in a gain of $1.5 million.

In January 2013, the Company acquired Annaliese, a 56 unit community located in Seattle, Washington for $19.0 million.  The property was built in 2009 and located in the South Lake Union submarket.

In January 2013, the Company sold $20.3 million of a common stock investment for a gain of $1.8 million.

In February 2013, the Company acquired Fox Plaza, a 444 unit property located in San Francisco, California for $135.0 million.  The 29 story high rise tower was built in 1968, and the Fox Plaza apartments are located on floors 14 through 29.  The purchase did not include the 12 floors of commercial office space but did include an adjacent two story building comprised of 37,800 square feet of space leased to retail and office tenants and a two story underground parking garage comprised of 405 stalls.

F-36

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

(18) Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

The following is a summary of quarterly results of operations for 2012 and 2011 ($ in thousands, except per share and dividend amounts):

	Quarter ended		Quarter ended		Quarter ended		Quarter ended
	December 31		September 30		June 30		March 31
2012:
Total property revenues	$	141,628	$	135,070	$	129,764	$	125,474
Income before discontinued operations	$	49,640	$	20,221	$	42,490	$	17,202
Net income	$	49,640	$	20,221	$	42,490	$	27,239
Net income available to common stockholders	$	43,793	$	16,219	$	37,078	$	22,722
Per share data:
Net income:
Basic	$	1.22	$	0.46	$	1.07	$	0.67
Diluted	$	1.22	$	0.45	$	1.07	$	0.67
Market price:
High	$	150.71	$	160.64	$	161.53	$	151.54
Low	$	136.38	$	147.38	$	146.05	$	136.43
Close	$	146.65	$	148.24	$	153.92	$	151.51
Dividends declared	$	1.10	$	1.10	$	1.10	$	1.10
2011:
Total property revenues	$	122,373	$	117,226	$	114,906	$	111,208
Income before discontinued operations	$	14,493	$	11,767	$	10,502	$	12,106
Net income	$	17,868	$	11,085	$	16,052	$	12,511
Net income available to common stockholders	$	13,937	$	7,687	$	10,326	$	8,418
Per share data:
Net income:
Basic	$	0.42	$	0.23	$	0.32	$	0.27
Diluted	$	0.42	$	0.23	$	0.32	$	0.27
Market price:
High	$	148.44	$	145.40	$	138.31	$	124.41
Low	$	111.25	$	119.15	$	122.67	$	109.98
Close	$	140.51	$	120.04	$	135.29	$	124.00
Dividends declared	$	1.04	$	1.04	$	1.04	$	1.04

F-37

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

						Costs
				Initial cost		capitalized	Gross amount carried at close of period
					Buildings and	subsequent to	Land and	Buildings and		Accumulated	Date of	Date	Lives
Property	Units	Location	Encumbrance	Land	improvements	acquisition	improvements	improvements	Total(1)	depreciation	construction	acquired	(years)
Encumbered communities
Anchor Village(The Elliot at Mukilteo)	301	Mukilteo, WA	10,750	2,498	10,595	11,861	2,824	22,130	24,954	(9,585)	1981	01/97	3-30
Avondale at Warner Center	446	Woodland Hills, CA	46,761	10,536	24,522	14,571	10,601	39,028	49,629	(19,625)	1970	01/97	3-30
Bridgeport	184	Newark, CA	21,724	1,608	7,582	6,107	1,525	13,772	15,297	(9,783)	1987	07/87	3-30
Barkley, The(2)	161	Anaheim, CA	16,784	-	8,520	4,533	2,353	10,700	13,053	(4,485)	1984	04/00	3-30
Bel Air	462	San Ramon, CA	55,835	12,105	18,252	22,959	12,682	40,634	53,316	(18,970)	1988	01/97	3-30
Belmont Station	275	Los Angeles, CA	30,045	8,100	66,666	2,765	8,267	69,264	77,531	(13,106)	2008	12/08	3-30
Bella Villagio	231	San Jose, CA	38,088	17,247	40,343	1,515	17,247	41,858	59,105	(3,304)	2004	09/10	3-30
Brentwood	140	Santa Ana, CA	19,283	2,833	11,303	5,482	3,502	16,116	19,618	(5,786)	1970	11/01	3-30
Brighton Ridge	264	Renton, WA	14,644	2,623	10,800	2,779	2,656	13,546	16,202	(7,375)	1986	12/96	3-30
Brookside Oaks	170	Sunnyvale, CA	19,974	7,301	16,310	19,923	10,328	33,206	43,534	(11,170)	1973	06/00	3-30
Camarillo Oaks	564	Camarillo, CA	47,350	10,953	25,254	2,634	11,075	27,766	38,841	(15,403)	1985	07/96	3-30
Camino Ruiz Square	160	Camarillo, CA	21,110	6,871	26,119	831	6,931	26,890	33,821	(5,525)	1990	12/06	3-30
Canyon Oaks	250	San Ramon, CA	28,989	19,088	44,473	1,338	19,088	45,811	64,899	(8,857)	2005	05/07	3-30
Canyon Pointe	250	Bothell, WA	14,391	4,692	18,288	3,507	4,693	21,794	26,487	(7,095)	1990	10/03	3-30
Carlyle, The	132	San Jose, CA	18,613	3,954	15,277	9,847	5,801	23,277	29,078	(9,265)	2000	04/00	3-30
City View	572	Hayward, CA	63,159	9,883	37,670	20,699	10,350	57,902	68,252	(29,059)	1975	03/98	3-30
Coldwater Canyon	39	Studio City, CA	5,538	1,674	6,640	1,178	1,676	7,816	9,492	(1,972)	1979	05/07	3-30
Courtyard off Main	109	Bellevue, WA	16,261	7,465	21,405	2,627	7,465	24,032	31,497	(1,806)	2000	10/10	3-30
Domaine	92	Seattle, WA	16,866	9,059	27,177	167	9,059	27,344	36,403	(266)	2009	09/12	3-30
Elevation	157	Redmond, WA	11,839	4,758	14,285	4,666	4,757	18,951	23,708	(2,019)	1986	06/10	3-30
Esplanade	278	San Jose, CA	44,928	18,170	40,086	5,765	18,429	45,592	64,021	(13,226)	2002	11/04	3-30
Fairhaven(Treehouse)	164	Santa Ana, CA	17,269	2,626	10,485	4,806	2,957	14,960	17,917	(5,128)	1970	11/01	3-30
Fairwood Pond	194	Renton, WA	13,307	5,296	15,564	2,054	5,297	17,617	22,914	(5,257)	1997	10/04	3-30
Fountain Park	705	Playa Vista, CA	97,450	25,073	94,980	21,849	25,203	116,699	141,902	(36,486)	2002	02/04	3-30
Harvest Park	104	Santa Rosa, CA	10,691	6,700	15,479	888	6,690	16,377	23,067	(3,401)	2004	03/07	3-30
Hampton Place /Hampton Court	215	Glendale, CA	21,296	6,695	16,753	5,266	6,733	21,981	28,714	(9,914)	1970	06/99	3-30
Hidden Valley	324	Simi Valley, CA	30,603	14,174	34,065	1,404	9,725	39,918	49,643	(11,368)	2004	12/04	3-30
Highridge	255	Rancho Palos Verdes, CA	44,807	5,419	18,347	23,194	6,073	40,887	46,960	(17,025)	1972	05/97	3-30
Highlands at Wynhaven	333	Issaquah, WA	33,343	16,271	48,932	4,331	16,271	53,263	69,534	(8,371)	2000	08/08	3-30
Hillcrest Park	608	Newbury Park, CA	69,555	15,318	40,601	14,623	15,755	54,787	70,542	(25,168)	1973	03/98	3-30
Hillsborough Park	235	La Habra, CA	37,909	6,291	15,455	1,414	6,272	16,888	23,160	(7,487)	1999	09/99	3-30
Huntington, The	276	Huntington Beach, CA	34,121	10,374	41,495	646	10,374	42,141	52,515	(757)	1975	06/12	3-30
Huntington Breakers	342	Huntington Beach, CA	38,734	9,306	22,720	5,399	9,315	28,110	37,425	(13,781)	1984	10/97	3-30
Inglenook Court	224	Bothell, WA	8,300	3,467	7,881	5,494	3,474	13,368	16,842	(8,091)	1985	10/94	3-30
Magnolia Square	156	Sunnyvale, CA	18,314	8,190	24,736	5,097	8,191	29,832	38,023	(5,069)	1969	09/07	3-30
Marbrisa	202	Long Beach, CA	18,959	4,700	18,605	3,082	4,760	21,627	26,387	(7,385)	1987	09/02	3-30
Mirabella	188	Marina Del Rey, CA	46,338	6,180	26,673	12,934	6,270	39,517	45,787	(14,326)	2000	05/00	3-30
Mill Creek at Windermere	400	San Ramon, CA	50,027	29,551	69,032	1,594	29,551	70,626	100,177	(12,721)	2005	09/07	3-30
Montclaire, The	390	Sunnyvale, CA	47,283	4,842	19,776	19,907	4,997	39,528	44,525	(27,380)	1973	12/88	3-30
Montebello	248	Kirkland, WA	30,158	13,857	41,575	3,810	13,858	45,384	59,242	(684)	1996	07/12	3-30
Montejo	124	Garden Grove, CA	13,307	1,925	7,685	2,264	2,194	9,680	11,874	(3,760)	1974	11/01	3-30
Park Hill at Issaquah	245	Issaquah, CA	29,477	7,284	21,937	1,905	7,284	23,842	31,126	(6,882)	1999	02/99	3-30
Palisades, The	192	Bellevue, WA	21,277	1,560	6,242	10,331	1,565	16,568	18,133	(10,156)	1977	05/90	3-30
Pathways	296	Long Beach, CA	38,219	4,083	16,757	18,076	6,239	32,677	38,916	(20,789)	1975	02/91	3-30
Stevenson Place	200	Fremont, CA	22,034	996	5,582	6,974	1,001	12,551	13,552	(8,698)	1971	04/83	3-30

(Continued)

F-38

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

						Costs
				Initial cost		capitalized	Gross amount carried at close of period
					Buildings and	subsequent to	Land and	Buildings and		Accumulated	Date of	Date	Lives
Property	Units	Location	Encumbrance	Land	improvements	acquisition	improvements	improvements	Total(1)	depreciation	construction	acquired	(years)
Encumbered communities (continued)
Stonehedge Village	196	Bothell, WA	12,657	3,167	12,603	4,531	3,201	17,100	20,301	(8,471)	1986	10/97	3-30
Summerhill Park	100	Sunnyvale, CA	13,769	2,654	4,918	1,069	2,656	5,985	8,641	(4,530)	1988	09/88	3-30
The Bernard	63	Seattle, CA	10,064	3,699	11,345	43	3,689	11,398	15,087	(490)	2008	09/11	3-30
Tierra Vista	404	Oxnard, CA	57,444	13,652	53,336	3,030	13,661	56,357	70,018	(16,376)	2001	01/01	3-30
Valley Park	160	Fountain Valley, CA	22,592	3,361	13,420	3,210	3,761	16,230	19,991	(6,161)	1969	11/01	3-30
Villa Angelina	256	Placentia, CA	27,542	4,498	17,962	4,726	4,962	22,224	27,186	(7,778)	1970	11/01	3-30
Vista Belvedere	76	Tiburon, CA	10,272	5,573	11,901	4,180	5,573	16,081	21,654	(5,201)	1963	08/04	3-30
Wandering Creek	156	Kent, WA	5,300	1,285	4,980	3,366	1,296	8,335	9,631	(4,945)	1986	11/95	3-30
Waterford, The	238	San Jose, CA	31,975	11,808	24,500	12,418	15,165	33,561	48,726	(13,735)	2000	06/00	3-30
Wilshire Promenade	149	Fullerton, CA	18,276	3,118	7,385	6,683	3,797	13,389	17,186	(6,013)	1992	01/97	3-30
			1,565,599	424,411	1,295,274	366,352	439,119	1,646,917	2,086,036	(541,466)
Unencumbered communities
Allegro	97	Valley Village, CA		5,869	23,977	949	5,869	24,926	30,795	(2,624)	2010	10/10	3-30
Alpine Village	301	Alpine, CA		4,967	19,728	3,690	4,982	23,403	28,385	(8,158)	1971	12/02	3-30
Anavia	250	Anaheim, CA		15,925	63,712	5,469	15,925	69,181	85,106	(4,704)	2009	12/10	3-30
Ascent	90	Kirkland, CA		3,924	11,862	271	3,924	12,133	16,057	(86)	1988	10/12	3-30
Axis 2300	115	Irvine, CA		5,405	33,585	518	5,405	34,103	39,508	(3,659)	2010	08/10	3-30
Bellerive	63	Los Angeles, CA		5,401	21,803	517	5,401	22,320	27,721	(1,347)	2011	08/11	3-30
Belmont Terrace	71	Belmont, CA		4,446	10,290	2,250	4,473	12,513	16,986	(3,635)	1974	10/06	3-30
Bennett Lofts	113	San Francisco, CA		21,771	50,800	80	21,771	50,880	72,651	(212)	2004	12/12	3-30
Bonita Cedars	120	Bonita, CA		2,496	9,913	1,584	2,503	11,490	13,993	(4,124)	1983	12/02	3-30
Boulevard	172	Fremont, CA		3,520	8,182	10,469	3,580	18,591	22,171	(9,989)	1978	01/96	3-30
Bridle Trails	108	Kirkland, WA		1,500	5,930	5,304	1,531	11,203	12,734	(5,243)	1986	10/97	3-30
Bristol Commons	188	Sunnyvale, CA		5,278	11,853	2,033	5,293	13,871	19,164	(7,384)	1989	01/97	3-30
416 on Broadway	115	Glendale, CA		8,557	34,235	756	8,557	34,991	43,548	(2,448)	2009	12/10	3-30
Bunker Hill	456	Los Angeles, CA		11,498	27,871	7,472	11,639	35,202	46,841	(15,732)	1968	03/98	3-30
Cairns, The	100	Seattle, WA		6,937	20,679	364	6,939	21,041	27,980	(3,941)	2006	06/07	3-30
Cambridge	40	Chula Vista, CA		497	1,973	324	498	2,296	2,794	(831)	1965	12/02	3-30
Capri at Sunny Hills	100	Fullerton, CA		3,337	13,320	6,230	4,048	18,839	22,887	(6,863)	1961	09/01	3-30
Castle Creek	216	Newcastle, WA		4,149	16,028	2,097	4,833	17,441	22,274	(9,292)	1997	12/97	3-30
CBC Apartments	148	Goleta, CA		6,283	24,000	2,418	6,288	26,413	32,701	(6,800)	1962	01/06	3-30
CentrePointe (The Bluffs II)	224	San Diego, CA		3,405	7,743	14,218	3,442	21,924	25,366	(5,977)	1974	06/97	3-30
Cedar Terrace	180	Bellevue, WA		5,543	16,442	3,572	5,652	19,905	25,557	(6,150)	1984	01/05	3-30
Chestnut Street	96	Santa Cruz, CA		6,582	15,689	955	6,582	16,644	23,226	(2,602)	2002	07/08	3-30
Commons, The	264	Campbell, CA		12,555	29,307	3,566	12,556	32,872	45,428	(3,067)	1973	07/10	3-30
Corbella at Juanita Bay	169	Kirkland, WA		5,801	17,415	852	5,801	18,267	24,068	(1,373)	1978	11/10	3-30
Country Villas	180	Oceanside, CA		4,174	16,583	2,443	4,187	19,013	23,200	(6,884)	1976	12/02	3-30
Delano/Bon Terra	126	Redmond, WA		7,470	22,511	561	7,470	23,072	30,542	(773)	2005/2011	12/11	3-30
Devonshire	276	Hemet, CA		3,470	13,786	2,282	3,482	16,056	19,538	(5,780)	1988	12/02	3-30
Emerald Ridge - North	180	Bellevue, WA		3,449	7,801	2,828	3,449	10,629	14,078	(6,697)	1987	11/94	3-30
Essex Skyline at MacAuthur Place	349	Santa Ana, CA		21,537	146,099	463	21,537	146,562	168,099	(3,536)	2008	04/12	3-30
Evergreen Heights	200	Kirkland, WA		3,566	13,395	3,346	3,649	16,658	20,307	(8,384)	1990	06/97	3-30
Fairways(3)	74	Newport Beach, CA		-	7,850	4,218	9	12,059	12,068	(4,634)	1972	06/99	3-30
Foothill Commons	388	Bellevue, WA		2,435	9,821	30,872	2,440	40,688	43,128	(18,651)	1978	03/90	3-30
Foothill Gardens/Twin Creeks	176	San Ramon, CA		5,875	13,992	4,360	5,964	18,263	24,227	(9,093)	1985	02/97	3-30
Forest View	192	Renton, WA		3,731	14,530	1,212	3,731	15,742	19,473	(5,132)	1998	10/03	3-30

(Continued)

F-39

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

						Costs
				Initial cost		capitalized	Gross amount carried at close of period
					Buildings and	subsequent to	Land and	Buildings and		Accumulated	Date of	Date	Lives
Property	Units	Location	Encumbrance	Land	improvements	acquisition	improvements	improvements	Total(1)	depreciation	construction	acquired	(years)
Unencumbered communities (continued)
Fountain Court	320	Seattle, WA		6,702	27,306	4,214	6,985	31,237	38,222	(13,626)	2000	03/00	3-30
Fourth & U	171	Berkeley, CA		8,879	52,351	1,821	8,879	54,172	63,051	(5,429)	2010	04/10	3-30
Hillsdale Garden Apartments	697	San Mateo, CA		22,000	94,681	17,407	22,244	111,844	134,088	(23,317)	1948	09/06	3-30
Hope Ranch Collection	108	Santa Barbara, CA		4,078	16,877	2,291	4,208	19,038	23,246	(3,366)	1965	03/07	3-30
Joule	295	Seattle, WA		14,558	69,417	2,473	14,558	71,890	86,448	(7,421)	2010	03/10	3-30
1000 Kiely	121	Santa Clara, CA		9,359	21,845	3,675	9,359	25,520	34,879	(1,590)	1971	03/11	3-30
Kings Road	196	Los Angeles, CA		4,023	9,527	7,646	4,031	17,165	21,196	(7,801)	1979	06/97	3-30
Le Parc Luxury Apartments	140	Santa Clara, CA		3,090	7,421	10,766	3,092	18,185	21,277	(9,041)	1975	02/94	3-30
Linden Square	183	Seattle, WA		4,374	11,588	1,886	4,202	13,646	17,848	(5,673)	1994	06/00	3-30
Lofts at Pinehurst, The	118	Ventura, CA		1,570	3,912	4,197	1,618	8,061	9,679	(3,461)	1971	06/97	3-30
Magnolia Lane(4)	32	Sunnyvale, CA		-	5,430	210	-	5,640	5,640	(1,080)	2001	06/07	3-30
Marina City Club(5)	101	Marina Del Rey, CA		-	28,167	6,696	-	34,863	34,863	(10,453)	1971	01/04	3-30
Marina Cove(6)	292	Santa Clara, CA		5,320	16,431	8,311	5,324	24,738	30,062	(13,558)	1974	06/94	3-30
Mariners Place	105	Oxnard, CA		1,555	6,103	1,748	1,562	7,844	9,406	(3,476)	1987	05/00	3-30
Meadoweood	320	Simi Valley, CA		7,852	18,592	5,498	7,898	24,044	31,942	(12,206)	1986	11/96	3-30
Mesa Village	133	Clairemont, CA		1,888	7,498	1,001	1,894	8,493	10,387	(2,890)	1963	12/02	3-30
Mira Monte	355	Mira Mesa, CA		7,165	28,459	7,652	7,186	36,090	43,276	(14,088)	1982	12/02	3-30
Miracle Mile/Marbella	236	Los Angeles, CA		7,791	23,075	10,885	7,886	33,865	41,751	(15,215)	1988	08/97	3-30
Mission Hills	282	Oceanside, CA		10,099	38,778	3,677	10,167	42,387	52,554	(11,755)	1984	07/05	3-30
Monterra del Mar/Rey/Sol	292	Pasadena, CA		2,202	4,794	28,101	8,385	26,712	35,097	(12,072)	1972	04/99	3-30
Monterey Villas	122	Oxnard, CA		2,349	5,579	5,217	2,424	10,721	13,145	(4,670)	1974	07/97	3-30
Mt. Sutro	99	San Francisco, CA		2,334	8,507	2,988	2,809	11,020	13,829	(4,924)	1973	06/01	3-30
Muse	152	Hollywood, CA		7,822	33,436	1,136	7,823	34,571	42,394	(3,117)	2011	02/11	3-30
Park Catalina	90	Los Angeles, CA		4,710	18,839	293	4,710	19,132	23,842	(346)	2002	06/12	3-30
Park West	126	San Francisco, CA		9,424	21,988	659	9,424	22,647	32,071	(215)	1958	09/12	3-30
Pinehurst(7)	28	Ventura, CA		355	1,356	377	6	2,082	2,088	(733)	1973	12/04	3-30
Pointe at Cupertino, The	116	Cupertino, CA		4,505	17,605	8,388	4,505	25,993	30,498	(6,545)	1963	08/98	3-30
Reed Square	100	Sunnyvale, CA		6,873	16,037	1,897	6,873	17,934	24,807	(550)	1970	01/12	3-30
Regency at Encino	75	Encino, CA		3,184	12,737	1,348	3,184	14,084	17,268	(1,730)	1989	12/09	3-30
Salmon Run at Perry Creek	132	Bothell, WA		3,717	11,483	1,119	3,801	12,518	16,319	(5,024)	2000	10/00	3-30
101 San Fernando	323	San Jose, CA		4,173	58,961	3,678	4,173	62,639	66,812	(5,392)	2001	07/10	3-30
Sammamish View	153	Bellevue, WA		3,324	7,501	5,677	3,331	13,171	16,502	(8,094)	1986	11/94	3-30
San Marcos	432	Richmond, CA		15,563	36,204	26,282	22,866	55,183	78,049	(17,358)	2003	11/03	3-30
Santee Court	165	Los Angeles, CA		6,177	24,716	956	6,177	25,672	31,849	(1,992)	2004	10/10	3-30
Santee Village	73	Los Angeles, CA		3,404	15,601	1,391	3,404	16,992	20,396	(997)	2011	07/11	3-30
Shadow Point	172	Spring Valley, CA		2,812	11,170	1,747	2,820	12,909	15,729	(4,606)	1983	12/02	3-30
Summit Park	300	San Diego, CA		5,959	23,670	3,273	5,977	26,925	32,902	(9,704)	1972	12/02	3-30
The Laurels at Mill Creek	164	Mill Creek, WA		1,559	6,430	4,945	1,595	11,339	12,934	(5,607)	1981	12/96	3-30
The Grand	243	Oakland, CA		4,531	89,208	3,969	4,531	93,177	97,708	(13,803)	2009	01/09	3-30
The Sweep Apartments	91	Goleta, CA		5,558	21,320	1,866	5,618	23,126	28,744	(6,481)	1967	01/06	3-30
Trabucco Villas	132	Lake Forest, CA		3,638	8,640	2,035	3,890	10,423	14,313	(4,949)	1985	10/97	3-30
Tuscana	30	Tracy, CA		2,828	6,599	154	2,870	6,711	9,581	(1,260)	2007	02/07	3-30
Via	284	Sunnyvale, CA		22,000	82,270	169	22,016	82,423	104,439	(4,617)	2011	07/11	3-30
Vista Capri - North	106	San Diego, CA		1,663	6,609	830	1,668	7,434	9,102	(2,526)	1975	12/02	3-30
Walnut Heights	163	Walnut, CA		4,858	19,168	2,212	4,887	21,351	26,238	(6,775)	1964	10/03	3-30
Wharfside Pointe	142	Seattle, WA		2,245	7,020	6,010	2,258	13,017	15,275	(6,954)	1990	06/94	3-30
Willow Lake	508	San Jose, CA		43,194	101,030	857	43,194	101,887	145,081	(707)	1989	10/12	3-30
Windsor Ridge	216	Sunnyvale, CA		4,017	10,315	6,281	4,021	16,592	20,613	(11,252)	1989	03/89	3-30
Woodland Commons	236	Bellevue, WA		2,040	8,727	16,655	2,044	25,378	27,422	(10,043)	1978	03/90	3-30
Woodside Village	145	Ventura, CA		5,331	21,036	2,828	5,341	23,854	29,195	(6,678)	1987	12/04	3-30
	29,207		1,565,599	948,416	3,263,992	740,286	980,247	3,972,447	4,952,694	(1,062,438)

(Continued)

F-40

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

									Costs
	Rentable				Initial cost				capitalized		Gross amount carried at close of period
	Square						Buildings and		subsequent to		Land and		Buildings and				Accumulated		Date of	Date	Lives
Property	Footage	Location		Encumbrance	Land		improvements		acquisition		improvements		improvements		Total(1)		depreciation		construction	acquired	(years)
Other real estate assets
Office Buildings
Essex Hollywood	35,000	Los Angeles, CA				10,200		13,800		2,177		10,200		15,977		26,177		(4,243)	1938	07/06	3-30
Santa Clara Square retail	139,000	Santa Clara, CA				6,472		11,704		2,636		6,472		14,340		20,812		(1,711)	1970	09/11	3-30
925/935 East Meadow	31,900	Palo Alto, CA				1,401		3,172		7,985		3,147		9,411		12,558		(3,866)	1988	11/97	3-30
17461 Derian	110,000	Irvine, CA				3,079		12,315		6,037		3,105		18,326		21,431		(9,259)	1983	07/00	3-30
Consolidated Development Pipeline						31,957		-		34,894		66,851		-		66,851		-
Total apartment communities and other real estate assets			$	1,565,599	$	1,001,525	$	3,304,983	$	794,015	$	1,070,022	$	4,030,501	$	5,100,523	$	(1,081,517)

(1) The aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $4.0 billion (unaudited).

(2) The land is leased pursuant to a ground lease expiring 2082.

(3) The land is leased pursuant to a ground lease expiring 2027.

(4) The land is leased pursuant to a ground lease expiring 2070.

(5)  The land is leased pursuant to a ground lease expiring 2067.

(6)  A portion of land is leased pursuant to a ground lease expiring in 2028.

(7) The land is leased pursuant to a ground lease expiring in 2028.

	2012			2011			2010			2012			2011			2010
Rental properties:									Accumulated depreciation:
Balance at beginning of year	$	4,313,064		$	3,964,561		$	3,310,152	Balance at beginning of year	$	920,026		$	775,553		$	646,686
Improvements		97,947			219,692			51,101	Depreciation expense - Acquisitions		3,744			1,279			2,505
Acquisition of real estate		619,743			103,300			387,300	Depreciation expense - Discontinued operations		2,108			315			700
Development of real estate		25,545			44,280			216,008	Depreciation expense - Rental properties		161,492			148,337			125,662
Disposition of real estate		(22,627	)		(18,769	)		-	Dispositions		(5,853	)		(5,458	)		-
Balance at the end of year	$	5,033,672		$	4,313,064		$	3,964,561	Balance at the end of year	$	1,081,517		$	920,026		$	775,553

See accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm.

F-41

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 of 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.

(Registrant)

Date: February ­22, 2013

By:  /S/ MICHAEL T. DANCE

Michael T. Dance

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

(Authorized Officer, Principal Financial Officer)

By:  /S/ BRYAN G. HUNT

Bryan G. Hunt

First Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer

KNOWN ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Michael J. Schall and Michael T. Dance, and each of them, his attorney-in-fact, each with the power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Report on Form 10-K and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorney-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacity and on the date indicated.

Signature	Title	Date
/S/ MICHAEL J. SCHALL	Chief Executive Officer and President, and Director	February ­22, 2013
Michael J. Schall	(Principal Executive Officer)
/S/ KEITH R. GUERICKE	Director, and Vice Chairman of the Board	February ­22, 2013
Keith R. Guericke
/S/ GEORGE M. MARCUS	Director and Chairman of the Board	February ­22, 2013
George M. Marcus
/S/ DAVID W. BRADY	Director	February ­22, 2013
David W. Brady
/S/ GARY P. MARTIN	Director	February ­22, 2013
Gary P. Martin
/S/ ISSIE N. RABINOVITCH	Director	February ­22, 2013
Issie N. Rabinovitch

S-1

Signature	Title	Date
/S/ THOMAS E. RANDLETT	Director	February ­22, 2013
Thomas E. Randlett
/S/ BYRON A. SCORDELIS.	Director	February ­22, 2013
Byron A. Scordelis
/S/ JANICE L. SEARS.	Director	February ­22, 2013
Janice L. Sears
/S/ CLAUDE J. ZINNGRABE	Director	February ­22, 2013
Claude J. Zinngrabe

S-2

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Document
3.1	Articles of Restatement of Essex Property Trust, Inc., attached as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 16, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference.
3.2	Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Essex Property Trust, Inc., dated as of September 16, 2008, attached as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 22, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.
4.1	Form of 4.875% Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock Certificate, attached as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed July 27, 2006, and incorporated herein by reference.
4.2	Form of 7.125% Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock Certificate, attached as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed April 13, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference.
4.3	Indenture, dated August 15, 2012, among Essex Portfolio, L.P., Essex Property Trust, Inc., and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, including the form of 3.625% Senior Notes due 2022 and the guarantee thereof, attached as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed August 15, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.1	Essex Property Trust, Inc. 1994 Stock Incentive Plan, (amended and restated), attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference.*
10.2	Form of Essex Property Trust, Inc. 1994 Non-Employee and Director Stock Incentive Plan, attached as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-11 (Registration No. 33-76578), which became effective on June 6, 1994, and incorporated herein by reference.*
10.3	Agreement between Essex Property Trust, Inc. and George M. Marcus, dated March 27, 2003 attached as Exhibit 10.32 to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.4	Essex Property Trust, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.*
10.5	2005 Deferred Compensation Plan (as amended and restated) of Essex Portfolio, L.P., dated as of December 2, 2008, attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 8, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.*
10.6	Executive Severance Plan of Essex Property Trust, Inc., amended and restated effective as of December 31, 2008, attached as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 8, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.*
10.7	Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Essex Portfolio, L.P., dated as of May 27, 2009, attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed May 27, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference.*
10.8	First Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Essex Portfolio, L.P., dated as of December 23, 2009, attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 30, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference.*
10.9	Form of Indemnification Agreement between Essex Property Trust, Inc. and its directors and officers, attached as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 25, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference.*
10.10	Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2011, among Essex Portfolio, L.P., Essex Property Trust, Inc. and the purchasers of the notes party thereto (including the form of the 4.36% Senior Guaranteed Notes, due March 31, 2016), attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed April 1, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference.†

10.11	Second Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Essex Portfolio, L.P., dated as of April 13, 2011, attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed April 13, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.12	Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2011, among Essex Portfolio, L.P., Essex Property Trust, Inc. and the purchasers of the notes party thereto (including the forms of the 4.50% Senior Guaranteed Notes, Series A, due September 30,  2017, and the 4.92% Senior Guaranteed Notes, Series B, due December 30, 2019) , attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed July 5, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference.†
10.13	Amended and Restated 2004 Non-Employee Director Equity Award Program, dated May 1, 2011, attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference.*
10.14	Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of September 16, 2011, by and among Essex Portfolio, L.P., PNC Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer, and other lenders as specified therein, attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.15	Equity Distribution Agreement between the Company and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. dated March 5, 2012 (relating to common stock), attached as exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 7, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.16	Equity Distribution Agreement between the Company and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. dated March 5, 2012 (relating to preferred stock), attached as exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 7, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.17	Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 14, 2012, among Essex Portfolio, L.P., the Company and the purchasers of the notes party thereto (including the forms of the 4.27% Senior Guaranteed Notes, Series C, due April 30, 2021, the 4.30% Senior Guaranteed Notes, Series D, due June 29, 2021, and the 4.37% Senior Guaranteed Notes, Series E, due August 30, 2021), attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 20, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference. †
10.18	First Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated May 31, 2012, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.19	Modification Agreement, dated July 30, 2012, filed as Exhibit 10.2  to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference
10.20	Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 15, 2012, among Essex Portfolio, L.P., the Company and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC as representatives of the several initial purchasers, attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 15, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.21	Amendment to Agreement, dated as of September 11, 2012, between the Company and George Marcus, attached as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.22	Third Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Essex Portfolio, L.P., as amended, dated December 4, 2012, attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 10, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference.
12.1	Schedule of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends.
14.1	Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, attached as Exhibit 14.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference.
21.1	List of Subsidiaries of Essex Property Trust, Inc.

23.1	Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
24.1	Power of Attorney (see signature page)
31.1	Certification of Michael J. Schall, Principal Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2	Certification of Michael T. Dance, Principal Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1	Certification of Michael J. Schall, Principal Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2	Certification of Michael T. Dance, Principal Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS**	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

† The schedules and certain exhibits to this agreement, as set forth in the agreement, have not been filed herewith.  The Company agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

** XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information is furnished and not filed herewith, is not part of a registration statement or Prospectus for purposes of Section 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

EX-12.1

EXHIBIT 12.1

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Schedule of computation of Ratio and Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends

(Dollars in thousands, except ratios)

	Year
	ended
	December 31,			Years ended December 31
	2012			2011			2010			2009				2008
Earnings:
Income before discontinued operations	$	129,553		$	48,868		$	49,162		$	43,279			$	78,625
Gain on sales of real estate		-			-			-			(103	)			(4,578	)
Interest and amortization expense		111,888			103,168			87,584			86,016				85,063
Total earnings	$	241,441		$	152,036		$	136,746		$	129,192			$	159,110
Fixed charges:
Interest and amortization expense	$	111,888		$	103,168		$	87,584		$	86,016			$	85,063
Capitalized interest		10,346			8,240			9,486			10,463				10,908
Preferred stock dividends		5,472			4,753			2,170			4,860				9,241
Perpetual preferred unit distributions		-			1,650			6,300			6,300				9,909
Total fixed charges and preferred stock dividends and preferred unit distributions	$	127,706		$	117,811		$	105,540		$	107,639			$	115,121
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (excluding preferred stock dividends and preferred unit distributions)		1.98	X		1.36	X		1.41	X		1.34		X		1.66		X
Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends and preferred unit distributions		1.89	X		1.29	X		1.30	X		1.20		X		1.38		X

EX-21.1

Exhibit 21.1

List of Subsidiaries

1.	Essex Portfolio, L.P., a California limited partnership
2.	Essex Management Corporation, a California corporation
3.	Essex Palisades Facilitator, a California limited partnership
4.	Essex Sunpointe Ltd., a California limited partnership
5.	Essex Mirabella Marina Apartments, L.P., a California limited partnership
6.	Essex San Ramon Partners L.P., a California limited partnership
7.	Essex Fidelity I Corporation, a California corporation
8.	Essex Camarillo Corporation, a California corporation
9.	Essex Camarillo L.P., a California limited partnership
10.	Essex Meadowood, L.P., a California limited partnership
11.	Essex Bunker Hill, L.P., a California limited partnership
12.	Essex Treetops, L.P., a California limited partnership
13.	Essex Bluffs, L.P., a California limited partnership
14.	Essex Huntington Breakers, L.P., a California limited partnership
15.	Essex Stonehedge Village, L.P., a California limited partnership
16.	Essex Bridle Trails, L.P., a California limited partnership
17.	Fountain Court Apartment Associates, L.P., a Washington limited partnership
18.	Essex Inglenook Court, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
19.	Essex Wandering Creek, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
20.	Essex Columbus, L.P., a California limited partnership
21.	Essex Lorraine, L.P., a California limited partnership
22.	Essex Glenbrook, L.P., a California limited partnership
23.	Essex Euclid, L.P., a California limited partnership
24.	Richmond Essex L.P., a California limited partnership
25.	Essex Wilshire, L.P., a California limited partnership
26.	Essex Wynhaven, L.P., a California limited partnership
27.	Jackson School Village, Limited Partnership. a California limited partnership
28.	Mt. Sutro Terrace Associates Ltd., a California limited partnership
29.	Essex Carlyle, L.P., a California limited partnership
30.	Essex Dupont Lofts, L.P., a California limited partnership
31.	ESG Properties I LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
32.	Lineberry Sammamish, LLC, a Washington limited liability company
33.	Essex Cochran, L.P., a California limited partnership
34.	Essex Kings Road, L.P., a California limited partnership
35.	Essex Le Parc, L.P., a California limited partnership
36.	Essex Monterey Villas, L.P., a California limited partnership
37.	Essex Monterey Villas, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
38.	Essex Jaysac Tasman, L.P., a California limited partnership
39.	Western Blossom Hill Investors, a California limited partnership
40.	Western Los Gatos I Investors, a California limited partnership
41.	Western Highridge Investors, a California limited partnership
42.	Western San Jose III Investors, a California limited partnership
43.	Western Riviera Investors, a California limited partnership
44.	Western Palo Alto II Investors, a California limited partnership
45.	Irvington Square Associates, a California limited partnership
46.	Western Seven Trees Investors, a California limited partnership
47.	Western Las Hadas Investors, a California limited partnership
48.	San Pablo Medical Investors, LTD, a California limited partnership
49.	Gilroy Associates, a California limited partnership
50.	The Oakbrook Company, a Ohio limited partnership

51.	Pine Grove Apartment Fund, LTD, a California limited partnership
52.	Valley Park Apartments, LTD, a California limited partnership
53.	Fairhaven Apartment Fund, LTD, a California limited partnership
54.	K-H Properties, a California limited partnership
55.	Villa Angelina Apartment Fund, LTD, a California limited partnership
56.	Essex Camarillo Oaks 789, L.P., a California limited partnership
57.	Essex Emerald Ridge, L.P., a California limited partnership
58.	Essex Evergreen Heights, L.P., a California limited partnership
59.	Essex Sammamish View, L.P., a California limited partnership
60.	Essex Wharfside Pointe, L.P., a California limited partnership
61.	Essex CAL-WA, L.P., a California limited partnership
62.	Essex Marina City Club, L.P., a California limited partnership
63.	Essex Fountain Park Apartments, L.P., a California limited partnership
64.	Essex SPE, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
65.	Essex MCC, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
66.	Essex FPA, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
67.	Essex Excess Assets TRS, Inc., a Delaware corporation
68.	Essex The Pointe, L.P., a California limited partnership
69.	Essex Tierra Vista, L.P., a California limited partnership
70.	EMC SPE, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
71.	Essex Apartment Value Fund II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
72.	Essex VFGP II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
73.	Essex Vista Belvedere, L.P., a California limited partnership
74.	Essex Carlmont Woods Apartments, L.P., a California limited partnership
75.	Essex Harbor Cove Apartments, L.P., a California limited partnership
76.	Essex Parcwood Apartments, L.P., a California limited partnership
77.	Essex Marbrisa Long Beach, L.P., a California limited partnership
78.	Essex Regency Tower Apartments, L.P., a California limited partnership
79.	Essex Marina City Club, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
80.	Essex Northwest Gateway, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
81.	Essex VFGP II, Inc., a Delaware corporation
82.	Essex Lake Merritt, Inc., a California corporation
83.	Essex Brighton Ridge, L.P., a California limited partnership
84.	Essex Canyon Pointe, L.P., a California limited partnership
85.	Essex Tower 801 Apartments, L.P., a California limited partnership
86.	Essex Echo Ridge Apartments, L.P., a California limited partnership
87.	Essex Morning Run Apartments, L.P., a California limited partnership
88.	Essex Enclave Apartments, L.P., a California limited partnership
89.	Essex Fairwood Pond, L.P., a California limited partnership
90.	Park Hill, LLC, a Washington limited liability company
91.	Essex Park Boulevard, L.P., a California limited partnership
92.	Essex NBN SPE, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
93.	Essex Gateway Management, LLC, a California limited liability company
94.	Essex Eastridge, Inc., a California corporation
95.	Essex Tracy Development, Inc., a California corporation
96.	Essex Property Financial Corporation, a California corporation
97.	Northwest Gateway Apartments, L.P., a California limited partnership
98.	Essex Eastlake Union, L.P., a California limited partnership
99.	Essex Radford, L.P., a California limited partnership
100.	Essex Davey Glen  Apartments, L.P., a California limited partnership
101.	Essex Renaissance Apartments, L.P., a California limited partnership
102.	Essex Topanga Canyon, L.P., a California limited partnership
103.	Essex Alderwood Park Apartments, L.P., a California limited partnership
104.	Essex View Pointe, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
105.	Essex Alamo, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
106.	Essex Broadway, LLC, a Washington limited liability company

107.	Essex HGA, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
108.	Essex Hillsdale Garden Apartments, L.P., a California limited partnership
109.	Essex Camino Ruiz Apartments, L.P., a California limited partnership
110.	Essex Harvest Park Apartments, L.P., a California limited partnership
111.	Belmont Affordable Partners, L.P., a California limited partnership
112.	Essex Chestnut Apartments, L.P., a California limited partnership
113.	Essex Canyon Oaks Apartments, L.P., a California limited partnership
114.	Essex Coldwater Canyon Apartments, L.P., a California limited partnership
115.	Essex Esplanade, L.P., a California limited partnership
116.	Pacific Western Insurance, LLC, a Hawaii limited liability company
117.	Western Mountain View II Investors, a California limited partnership
118.	Western San Jose IV Investors Limited Partnership, a California limited partnership
119.	Essex Berkeley 4th Street, L.P., a California limited partnership
120.	Newport Beach North, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
121.	Essex Summerhill Park, L.P., a California limited partnership
122.	Essex Skyline, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
123.	Essex San Fernando, L.P., a California limited partnership
124.	Essex Eagle Rim, L.P., a California limited partnership
125.	Essex Hillcrest Park, L.P., a California limited partnership
126.	Essex The Commons, L.P., a California limited partnership
127.	Essex Derian, L.P., a California limited partnership
128.	Essex Bella Villagio, L.P., a California limited partnership
129.	Essex NoHo Apartments, L.P., a California limited partnership
130.	Essex Hillsborough Park, L.P., a California limited partnership
131.	Essex Santee Court, L.P., a California limited partnership
132.	Essex City View, L.P., a California limited partnership
133.	Essex Courtyard, L.P., a California limited partnership
134.	Essex Corbella, L.P., a California limited partnership
135.	Essex Anavia, L.P., a California limited partnership
136.	Essex Waterford, L.P., a California limited partnership
137.	Essex 416 on Broadway, L.P., a California limited partnership
138.	RP/Essex Skyline Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
139.	Essex Valley Village Magnolia, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
140.	Essex Queen Anne, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
141.	Essex Wesco, L.P., a California limited partnership
142.	Essex Arbors, L.P., a California limited partnership
143.	Essex Cadence GP, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
144.	Essex Cadence Owner, L.P., a California limited partnership
145.	Cadence San Jose, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
146.	Essex Warner Center, L.P., a California limited partnership
147.	Essex Bellerive, L.P., a California limited partnership
148.	Essex Bernard, L.P., a California limited partnership
149.	Essex Dublin GP, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
150.	Essex Dublin Owner, L.P., a California limited partnership
151.	West Bart Dublin, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
152.	Essex P.M., L.P., a California limited partnership
153.	Essex Redmond Hill CW, L.P., a California limited partnership
154.	Essex Redmond Hill NE, L.P., a California limited partnership
155.	Essex Monarch I, L.P., a California limited partnership
156.	Essex Monarch La Brea Apartments, L.P., a California limited partnership
157.	Essex Monarch II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
158.	Essex Monarch Santa Monica Apartments, L.P.
159.	Essex Briarwood, L.P., a California limited partnership
160.	Essex The Woods, L.P., a California limited partnership
161.	Essex JMS Acquisition, L.P. , a California limited partnership
162.	Wesco I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

163.	Santa Clara Square, LLC, a California limited liability company
164.	Wesco GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
165.	Cadence REIT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
166.	Dublin REIT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
167.	Wesco II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
168.	EssexMonarch GP I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
169.	EssexMonarch GP II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
170.	Essex Monarch Guarantor I, a California general partnership
171.	Essex Monarch Guarantor II, a California general partnership
172.	Wesco Redmond CW GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
173.	Wesco Redmond NE GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
174.	Essex CPP, GP, L.P., a Delaware limited liability company
175.	Essex CPP, L.P., a Delaware limited liability company
176.	Essex CPP REIT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
177.	Essex SF GP, L.P., a California limited partnership
178.	Essex SF Owner, L.P., a California limited partnership
179.	Essex SF, L.P., a Delaware limited liability company
180.	Essex SF Manager, L.P., a California limited partnership
181.	Essex SF REIT, LLC,  a Delaware limited liability company
182.	Essex Huntington on Edinger, L.P., a California limited partnership
183.	Essex Montebello, L.P., a California limited partnership
184.	Rockwood Christie, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
185.	Essex Elkhorn Owner, L.P., a California limited partnership
186.	Essex PE Lofts, L.P., a California limited partnership
187.	Essex Riley Square, L.P., a California limited partnership
188.	Essex Moorpark GP, L.P., a California limited partnership
189.	Essex Moorpark Owner, L.P., a California limited partnership
190.	Essex Moorpark, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
191.	Essex Moorpark REIT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
192.	Essex Madrid, L.P., a California limited partnership
193.	Essex Wesco III, L.P. a California limited partnership
194.	Wesco III, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
195.	Wesco III  GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
196.	Essex Haver Hill, L.P., a California limited partnership
197.	Essex Piazza, L.P., a California limited partnership

EX-23.1

EXHIBIT 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors

Essex Property Trust, Inc.:

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements on Form S-3 (Nos. 333-165693, 333-131178, and 333-102552), the registration statement on Form S-3D (No. 333-36029), and the registration statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-123001, 333-122999, and 333-55646) of Essex Property Trust, Inc. of our reports dated February 22, 2013, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Essex Property Trust, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), equity and cash flows, for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, the related financial statement schedule III, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, which reports appear in the December 31, 2012 annual report on Form 10-K of Essex Property Trust, Inc.

/S/ KPMG LLP

KPMG LLP

San Francisco, California

February 22, 2013

EX-31.1

EXHIBIT 31.1

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.

Certification of Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Michael J. Schall, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Essex Property Trust, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure control and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal controls over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:      February 22, 2013

/s/ Michael J. Schall

Michael J. Schall

Chief Executive Officer and President,

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

EX-31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.

Certification of Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Michael T. Dance, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Essex Property Trust, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure control and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal controls over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5) The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:       February 22, 2013

/s/ Michael T. Dance

Michael T. Dance

Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President,

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.

Certification of Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code), I, Michael J. Schall, hereby certify, to the best of my knowledge, that the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (the “Form 10-K”) of Essex Property Trust, Inc. fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and information contained in the Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Essex Property Trust, Inc. at the dates of and for the periods presented.

Date: February 22, 2013	/s/ Michael J. Schall
	Michael J. Schall
	Chief Executive Officer and President,
	Essex Property Trust, Inc.

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.

Certification of Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code), I, Michael T. Dance, hereby certify, to the best of my knowledge, that the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (the “Form 10-K”) of Essex Property Trust, Inc. fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and information contained in the Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Essex Property Trust, Inc. at the dates of and for the periods presented.

Date: February 22, 2013	/s/ Michael T. Dance
	Michael T. Dance
	Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President,
	Essex Property Trust, Inc.

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Segment Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Segment Information [Abstract]

Reconciliation Of Revenues And Operating Profit Loss From Segments To Consolidated

The revenues and net operating income for each of the reportable operating segments are summarized as follows for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 ($ in thousands):

	Years Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010
Revenues:
Southern California	$	249,524		$	223,304		$	200,541
Northern California		175,325			149,457			127,302
Seattle Metro		94,708			81,967			70,348
Other real estate assets		12,379			10,985			7,537
Total property revenues	$	531,936		$	465,713		$	405,728
Net operating income:
Southern California	$	166,162		$	146,519		$	132,150
Northern California		120,540			99,047			82,288
Seattle Metro		62,076			52,173			43,006
Other real estate assets		9,070			8,740			5,120
Total net operating income		357,848			306,479			262,564
Depreciation		(170,592	)		(151,428	)		(128,221	)
Interest expense before amortization		(100,244	)		(91,694	)		(82,756	)
Amortization expense		(11,644	)		(11,474	)		(4,828	)
Management and other fees from affiliates		11,489			6,780			4,551
General and administrative		(23,307	)		(20,694	)		(23,255	)
Cost of management and other fees		(6,513	)		(4,610	)		(2,707	)
Impairment and other charges		-			-			(2,302	)
Interest and other income		13,833			17,139			27,841
Loss on early retirement of debt		(5,009	)		(1,163	)		(10	)
Equity income (loss) income from co-investments		41,745			(467	)		(1,715	)
Gain on remeasurement of co-investment		21,947			-			-
Income before discontinued operations	$	129,553		$	48,868		$	49,162

Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated

Total assets for each of the reportable operating segments are summarized as follows as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 ($ in thousands):

	As of December 31,
Assets:	2012		2011
Southern California	$	1,675,265	$	1,478,018
Northern California		1,489,095		1,241,320
Seattle Metro		699,465		579,612
Other real estate assets		88,330		94,088
Net reportable operating segments - real estate assets		3,952,155		3,393,038
Real estate under development		66,851		44,280
Co-investments		571,345		383,412
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash		42,126		35,463
Marketable securities		92,713		74,275
Notes and other receivables		66,163		66,369
Other non-segment assets		55,870		40,127
Total assets	$	4,847,223	$	4,036,964

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Equity Based Compensation Plans Weighted average assumptions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Weighted average fair value assumptions [Abstract]
Stock price (in dollars per share)	$ 143.95	$ 131.87	$ 107.21
Risk-free interest rates (in hundredths)	1.16%	2.23%	3.50%
Expected lives, minimum	7 years
Expected lives, maximum	10 years
Expected lives		10 years	10 years
Volatility (in hundredths)	20.05%	19.63%	22.00%
Dividend yield (in hundredths)	3.26%	3.29%	3.85%

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Unsecured Debt and Lines of Credit (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended								12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012 Unsecured Line of Credit [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Line of Credit Working Capital [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Bonds Private Placement - Fixed Rate [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Bonds Private Placement - Fixed Rate [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Term Loan - Variable Rate [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Term Loan - Variable Rate [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Bonds Public Offering - Fixed Rate [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Bonds Public Offering - Fixed Rate [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Line of Credit [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Line of Credit [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Unsecured Bonds [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Unsecured Bonds [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Unsecured Bonds 4.36% [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Unsecured Bonds 4.36% [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Unsecured Bonds 4.5% [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Unsecured Bonds 4.5% [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Unsecured Bonds 4.92 % [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Unsecured Bonds 4.92 % [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Unsecured Bonds 4.27% [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Unsecured Bonds 4.27% [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Unsecured Bonds 4.27% [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Unsecured Bonds 4.30% [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Unsecured Bonds 4.30% [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Unsecured Bonds 4.30% [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Unsecured Bonds 4.37% [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Unsecured Bonds 4.37% [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Unsecured Bonds 4.37% [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Unsecured Bonds 3.625% [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Unsecured Bonds 3.625% [Member]
Unsecured debts and line of credit [Abstract]
Unsecured debt	$ 1,112,084,000	$ 465,000,000			$ 465,000,000	$ 265,000,000	$ 350,000,000	$ 200,000,000	$ 297,084,000	$ 0
Lines of credit	141,000,000	150,000,000
Total unsecured debt	1,253,084,000	615,000,000
Weighted Average Maturity					6 years 2 months 12 days		4 years 2 months 12 days		9 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted Average Maturity, Line of credit	3 years
Weighted average interest rate (in hundredths)							2.70%	2.60%			2.30%	2.50%	4.20%	4.50%
Senior Notes [Abstract]
Maturity date															Mar. 31, 2016		Sep. 30, 2017		Dec. 31, 2019			Apr. 30, 2021			Jun. 30, 2021			Aug. 31, 2021		Aug. 15, 2022
Senior Notes	465,000,000	265,000,000													150,000,000	150,000,000	40,000,000	40,000,000	75,000,000	75,000,000		100,000,000	0		50,000,000	0		50,000,000	0
Coupon Rae (in hundredths)																4.36%		4.50%		4.92%			4.27%			4.30%			4.37%	3.625%
Proceeds from issuance of unsecured bonds																					100,000,000			50,000,000			50,000,000			300,000,000
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)	2.50%						1.20%
Term of loan							5 years
Notional amount of interest rate swap							300,000,000
Debt instrument face amount							350,000,000	200,000,000
Debt offering price (in hundredths)																															98.99%
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Number of outstanding lines of credit	2
Line of credit maximum borrowing capacity	525,000,000
Line of credit with an accordion option			500,000,000	25,000,000
Accordion option to increase maximum borrowing capacity			600,000,000
Unsecured line of credit balance			$ 141,000,000	$ 0
Debt instrument, description of variable rate basis			LIBOR	LIBOR
Basis spread on variable rate, initial (in hundredths)			1.075%	1.075%
Number of one year extensions available			2
Line of credit facility expiration date			Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014

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Equity Based Compensation Plans Summary of stock options activity (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Stock options [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance, outstanding (in shares)	415,020	300,642	378,542
Granted (in shares)	263,113	197,500	18,214
Exercised (in shares)	(41,603)	(83,122)	(78,381)
Forfeited and canceled (in shares)	(13,096)	0	(17,733)
Ending balance, outstanding (in shares)	623,434	415,020	300,642
Options exercisable, ending balance (in shares)	250,620	219,820	265,770
Stock options additional disclosures [Abstract]
Weighted average exercise price, outstanding, beginning balance (in dollars per share)	$ 109.71	$ 88.11	$ 82.08
Weighted average exercise price, granted (in dollars per share)	$ 143.95	$ 131.87	$ 107.21
Weighted average exercise price, exercised (in dollars per share)	$ 77.21	$ 84.24	$ 63.97
Weighted average exercise price, forfeited and canceled (in dollars per share)	$ 128.36	$ 0.00	$ 105.40
Weighted average exercise price, outstanding, ending balance (in dollars per share)	$ 125.96	$ 109.71	$ 88.11
Weighted average exercise price, options exercisable, ending balance (in dollars per share)	$ 107.12	$ 92.31	$ 86.28

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Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Schedule of components from discontinued operations [Abstract]
Rental revenues	$ 608,000	$ 4,081,000	$ 5,453,000
Property operating expenses	(260,000)	(1,861,000)	(2,342,000)
Depreciation and amortization	(94,000)	(1,115,000)	(1,491,000)
Expenses	(354,000)	(2,976,000)	(3,833,000)
Operating income from real estate sold	254,000	1,105,000	1,620,000
Gain on sale of real estate	10,870,000	8,382,000	0
Internal disposition costs	(1,087,000)	(839,000)	0
Income from discontinued operations	10,037,000	8,648,000	1,620,000
Tierra Del Sol/Norte [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Units in the community	156
Sales price of communities sold	17,200,000
Gain on sale of real estate	7,000,000
Alpine Country [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Units in the community	108
Sales price of communities sold	11,100,000
Gain on sale of real estate	3,900,000
Woodlawn Colonial [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Sales price of communities sold		23,400,000
Gain on sale of real estate		$ 8,400,000

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Mortgage Notes Payable (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Mortgage Notes Payable [Abstract]

Mortgages notes payable

Mortgage notes payable consist of the following as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 ($ in thousands):

	2012			2011
Fixed rate mortgage notes payable	$	1,363,731		$	1,502,208
Variable rate mortgage notes payable(1)		201,868			243,650
	$	1,565,599		$	1,745,858
Number of properties securing mortgage notes		55			68
Remaining terms	1-27 years			1-28 years
Weighted average interest rate		5.4	%		5.4	%

Aggregate scheduled principal payments of mortgage notes payable

The aggregate scheduled principal payments of mortgage notes payable are as follows ($ in thousands):

2013	$	57,621
2014		47,994
2015		68,926
2016		12,656
2017		185,301
Thereafter		1,193,101
	$	1,565,599

(1) Variable rate mortgage notes payable consists of multifamily housing mortgage revenue bonds secured by deeds of trust on rental properties and guaranteed by collateral pledge agreements, payable monthly at a variable rate as defined in the Loan Agreement (approximately 1.9% at December 2012 and 2.0% at December 2011) plus credit enhancement and underwriting fees ranging from approximately 1.2% to 1.9%.  Among the terms imposed on the properties, which are security for the bonds, is a requirement that 20% of the units are subject to tenant income criteria. Principal balances are due in full at various maturity dates from September 2013 through December 2039.  Of these bonds $187.8 million are subject to various interest rate cap agreements which limit the maximum interest rate to such bonds.

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Equity Based Compensation Plans, Restricted stock activity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Nonvested stock [Roll forward]
Unvested, beginning balance (in shares)	35,219	44,877	37,727
Granted (in shares)	1,614	1,540	14,415
Vested (in shares)	(8,641)	(9,532)	(6,126)
Forfeited and canceled (in shares)	(3,270)	(1,666)	(1,139)
Unvested, ending balance (in shares)	24,922	35,219	44,877
Additional disclosures [Abstract]
Weighted-average grant price, unvested, beginning balance (in dollars per share)	$ 98.57	$ 102.46	$ 99.43
Weighted-average grant price, granted (in dollars per share)	$ 149.68	$ 134.44	$ 109.62
Weighted-average grant price, vested (in dollars per share)	$ 106.69	$ 104.91	$ 102.27
Weighted-average grant price, forfeited and canceled (in dollars per share)	$ 102.00	$ 94.35	$ 93.92
Weighted-average grant price, unvested, ending balance (in dollars per share)	$ 104.52	$ 98.57	$ 102.46
Series Z Incentive Units [Member]
Nonvested stock [Roll forward]
Unvested, beginning balance (in shares)	170,019	171,902	105,881
Granted (in shares)	0	46,500	108,000
Vested (in shares)	(28,163)	(44,520)	(37,629)
Forfeited and canceled (in shares)	(1,813)	(3,863)	(4,350)
Converted (in shares)	0	0
Unvested, ending balance (in shares)	140,043	170,019	171,902
Additional disclosures [Abstract]
Weighted-average grant price, unvested, beginning balance (in dollars per share)	$ 58.17	$ 54.15	$ 39.36
Weighted-average grant price, unvested, ending balance (in dollars per share)	$ 58.44	$ 58.17	$ 54.15
Incentive units vested [Roll Forward]
Vested, beginning balance (in shares)	179,082	326,280	288,651
Vested, units granted (in shares)	0	0	0
Vested, units vested (in shares)	28,163	44,520	37,629
Converted (in shares)	(16,541)	(191,718)
Cancelled (in shares)	0	0
Vested, ending balance (in shares)	190,704	179,082	326,280
Aggregate intrinsic value, unvested, beginning balance	$ 23,719	$ 19,463	$ 8,751
Aggregate intrinsic value, unvested, ending balance	$ 20,800	$ 23,719	$ 19,463
Total outstanding incentive units [Abstract]
Total outstanding units, beginning balance (in shares)	349,101	498,182	394,532
Total outstanding units, granted (in shares)	0	46,500	108,000
Total outstanding units, vested (in shares)	0	0	0
Total outstanding units, converted (in shares)	(16,541)	(191,718)
Total outstanding units, cancelled (in shares)	(1,813)	(3,863)	(4,350)
Total outstanding units, ending balance (in shares)	330,747	349,101	498,182
Weighted-average remaining contractual life, beginning balance	12 years 3 months 18 days	11 years 2 months 12 days	8 years 2 months 12 days
Weighted-average remaining contractual life, ending balance	11 years 3 months 18 days	12 years 3 months 18 days	11 years 2 months 12 days

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Subsequent Events

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Events

(17) Subsequent Events

In January 2013, the Company sold the land parcel held for future development located in Palo Alto, California for $9.1 million, resulting in a gain of $1.5 million.

In January 2013, the Company acquired Annaliese, a 56 unit community located in Seattle, Washington for $19.0 million.  The property was built in 2009 and located in the South Lake Union submarket.

In January 2013, the Company sold $20.3 million of a common stock investment for a gain of $1.8 million.

In February 2013, the Company acquired Fox Plaza, a 444 unit property located in San Francisco, California for $135.0 million.  The 29 story high rise tower was built in 1968, and the Fox Plaza apartments are located on floors 14 through 29.  The purchase did not include the 12 floors of commercial office space but did include an adjacent two story building comprised of 37,800 square feet of space leased to retail and office tenants and a two story underground parking garage comprised of 405 stalls.

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Lease Agreements (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Lease Agreements [Abstract]
Number of commercial buildings leased	4
Number of commercial portions of mixed use communities leased	20
Future minimum rent
2013	$ 8,592
2014	8,395
2015	6,933
2016	4,512
2017	2,781
Thereafter	14,562
Total future minimum rent	$ 45,775

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Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Principles of consolidation [Abstract]
Noncontrolling interest in Operating Partnership (in hundredths)		5.50%	6.20%
Number of DownREIT limited partnerships the company consolidates		19
Number of communities within the DownREIT partnership		12
Assets related to variable interest entities, net intercompany eliminations		$ 201,100,000	$ 199,800,000
Liabilities related to variable interest entities, net of intercompany eliminations		178,600,000	171,500,000
Redemption rights of limited partners by issuance of common stock for partnership unit, conversion basis		one share per unit basis
Total DownREIT units outstanding (in units)		1,039,431	1,063,848
Redemption value of the variable interest entities		152,400,000	149,500,000
Real estate rental properties [Abstract]
Threshold useful life of assets for capitalization (in years)		1 year
Depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets [Abstract]
Expected lease term of acquired tenant (in months)		20 months
Schedule Of Equity And Cost Method Investments [Line Items]
Promote income	2,300,000
Revenues and gains on sale of real estate [Abstract]
Lease terms, minimum (in months)		6 months
Lease terms, maximum (in months)		12 months
No rent time period, minimum (in months)		1 month
No rent time period, maximum (in months)		2 months
Cash equivalents and restricted cash [Abstract]
Original maturities of highly liquid investments to be classified as cash equivalents, maximum (in months)		3 months
Marketable securities [Abstract]
Maturity date of investments in mortgage backed securities, first		November 2019	November 2019
Maturity date of investments in mortgage backed securities, final		September 2020	September 2020
Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities		61,700,000	33,000,000	102,000,000
Gain from sales of available-for-sale securities		800,000	5,000,000	12,450,000
Capitalization [Abstract]
Capitalized internal costs related to development and redevelopment projects		4,400,000	4,300,000	4,000,000
Capitalized salaries		2,400,000	2,200,000	2,100,000
Fair value of financial instruments [Abstract]
Fixed rate debt carrying amount		2,130,000,000	1,770,000,000
Fixed rate debt fair value		2,240,000	1,880,000
Variable rate debt, carrying amount		692,900,000	593,700,000
Variable rate debt fair value		671,700,000	572,300,000
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total Amortized Cost		90,182,000	72,203,000
Total Gross Unrealized Gain (Loss)		2,531,000	2,072,000
Total Fair Value		92,713,000	74,275,000
Interest income		10,715,000	10,501,000	15,350,000
Co investment promote fee		2,299,000	0	0
Gains on sales of marketable securities		819,000	4,956,000	12,491,000
Tax benefit - Taxable REIT Subsidiary		0	1,682,000	0
Total interest and other income		13,833,000	17,139,000	27,841,000
Investment-grade unsecured bonds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		5,143,000	3,615,000
Gross Unrealized Gain (Loss)		98,000	399,000
Fair Value		5,241,000	4,014,000
Investment funds-US treasuries [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		14,120,000	11,783,000
Gross Unrealized Gain (Loss)		729,000	121,000
Fair Value		14,849,000	11,904,000
Common Stock [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		18,917,000	10,067,000
Gross Unrealized Gain (Loss)		1,704,000	1,552,000
Fair Value		20,621,000	11,619,000
Mortgage backed securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		52,002,000	46,738,000
Gross Unrealized Gain		0	0
Carrying Value		52,002,000	46,738,000
Common Stock [Member]
Status of cash dividends distributed [Abstract]
Ordinary income (in hundredths)		70.58%	63.68%	82.46%
Capital gains (in hundredths)		8.75%	11.16%	5.61%
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain (in hundredths)		7.97%	0.74%	0.00%
Return of capital (in hundredths)		12.70%	24.42%	11.93%
Total cash dividends distributed (in hundredths)		100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Series F, G and H Preferred Stock [Member]
Status of cash dividends distributed [Abstract]
Ordinary income (in hundredths)		80.85%	100.00%	93.63%
Capital gains (in hundredths)		10.02%	0.00%	6.37%
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain (in hundredths)		9.13%	0.00%	0.00%
Total cash dividends distributed (in hundredths)		100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Essex Skyline at MacArthur Place [Member]
Schedule Of Equity And Cost Method Investments [Line Items]
Promote income		2,300,000
Equity investment, contribution by Company	$ 85,000,000
Computer Software and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets [Abstract]
Depreciable life, average (in years)		3 years
Computer Software and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets [Abstract]
Depreciable life, average (in years)		5 years
Interior Unit Improvements [Member]
Depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets [Abstract]
Depreciable life, average (in years)		5 years
Land Improvements and Certain Exterior Components of Real Property [Member]
Depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets [Abstract]
Depreciable life, average (in years)		10 years
Real Estate Structures [Member]
Depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets [Abstract]
Depreciable life, average (in years)		30 years

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Net Income Per Common Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Net Income Per Common Share [Abstract]

Net Income Per Common Share

Basic and diluted income from continuing operations per share are calculated as follows for the years ended December 31 ($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

	2012						2011						2010
			Weighted-		Per				Weighted-		Per				Weighted-		Per
			average		Common				average		Common				average		Common
			Common		Share				Common		Share				Common		Share
	Income		Shares		Amount		Income		Shares		Amount		Income		Shares		Amount
Basic:
Income from continuing operations available to common stockholders	$	110,373		35,032,491	$	3.15	$	32,256		32,541,792	$	0.99	$	32,251		29,667,064	$	1.09
Income from discontinued operations available to common stockholders		9,439		35,032,491		0.27		8,112		32,541,792		0.25		1,513		29,667,064		0.05
		119,812				3.42		40,368				1.24		33,764				1.14
Effect of Dilutive Securities (1)		-		92,430				-		86,922				-		67,319
Diluted:
Income from continuing operations available to common stockholders (1)	$	110,373		35,124,921	$	3.14	$	32,256		32,628,714	$	0.99	$	32,251		29,734,383	$	1.09
Income from discontinued operations available to common stockholders		9,439		35,124,921		0.27		8,112		32,628,714		0.25		1,513		29,734,383		0.05
	$	119,812			$	3.41	$	40,368			$	1.24	$	33,764			$	1.14

(1) Weighted convertible limited partnership units of 2,219,046, 2,231,807 and 2,293,886, which include vested Series Z incentive units, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, were not included in the determination of diluted EPS because they were anti-dilutive. The Company has the ability to redeem DownREIT limited partnership units for cash and does not consider them to be potentially dilutive securities.

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Net Income Per Common Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Basic:
Income from continuing operations available to common stockholders									$ 110,373		$ 32,256		$ 32,251
Income from continuing operations available to common stockholders (in shares)									35,032,491		32,541,792		29,667,064
Income from continuing operations available to common stockholders (in dollars per share)									$ 3.15		$ 0.99		$ 1.09
Income from discontinued operations									9,439		8,112		1,513
Income from discontinued operations (in shares)									35,032,491		32,541,792		29,667,064
Income from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)									$ 0.27		$ 0.25		$ 0.05
Income available to common stockholders	43,793	16,219	37,078	22,722	13,937	7,687	10,326	8,418	119,812		40,368		33,764
Income available to common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.22	$ 0.46	$ 1.07	$ 0.67	$ 0.42	$ 0.23	$ 0.32	$ 0.27	$ 3.42		$ 1.24		$ 1.14
Effect of Dilutive Securities									0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Effect of Dilutive Securities (in shares)									92,430	[1]	86,922	[1]	67,319	[1]
Diluted:
Income from continuing operations available to common stockholders									110,373	[1]	32,256	[1]	32,251	[1]
Adjusted income from continuing operations available to common stockholders ( 1 ) (in shares)									35,124,921	[1]	32,628,714	[1]	29,734,383	[1]
Adjusted income from continuing operations available to common stockholders ( 1 ) (in dollars per share)									$ 3.14	[1]	$ 0.99	[1]	$ 1.09	[1]
Adjusted income from discontinued operations available to common stockholders									9,439		8,112		1,513
Adjusted income from discontinued operations available to common stockholders (in shares)									35,124,921		32,628,714		29,734,383
Adjusted income from discontinued operations available to common stockholders (in dollars per share)									$ 0.27		$ 0.25		$ 0.05
Total income (Diluted)									$ 119,812		$ 40,368		$ 33,764
Total income per common share amount (in dollars per share)	$ 1.22	$ 0.45	$ 1.07	$ 0.67	$ 0.42	$ 0.23	$ 0.32	$ 0.27	$ 3.41		$ 1.24		$ 1.14
Convertible Limited Partnership Units [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Weighted convertible limited partnership units									2,219,046		2,231,807		2,293,886
Anti-dilutive securities (in shares)									2,219,046		2,231,807		2,293,886
Stock Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Weighted convertible limited partnership units									263,613		175,500		123,164
Anti-dilutive securities (in shares)									263,613		175,500		123,164

[1] Weighted convertible limited partnership units of 2,219,046, 2,231,807 and 2,293,886, which include vested Series Z incentive units, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, were not included in the determination of diluted EPS because they were anti-dilutive. The Company has the ability to redeem DownREIT limited partnership units for cash and does not consider them to be potentially dilutive securities.

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Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Number of non cancelable ground leases	6
Total minimum lease commitments under land leases and operating leases for next five years	$ 1,700,000
Number of communities with indemnification agreements from third parties for potential environmental clean-up costs	3
Comprehensive liabilities insurance deductible per incident	100,000
Property casualty insurance, deductible per incident, maximum	5,000,000
Loan and Construction Completion Guarantee [Member] | Construction Contracts [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Mortgage loan, maturity date	Jul. 01, 2014
Debt instrument, number of extensions	2
Debt instrument, term of extensions options	1 year
Maximum exposure of the guarantee	70,000,000
Payment Guarantee [Member] | Construction Contracts [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Maximum exposure of the guarantee	$ 55,700,000

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Mortgage Notes Payable (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgages notes payable	$ 1,565,599,000		$ 1,745,858,000
Number of properties securing mortgage notes	55		68
Weighted average interest rate	5.40%		5.40%
Monthly interest expense	7,000,000
Monthly principal amortization	2,000,000
Mortgages notes payable	1,565,599,000		1,745,858,000
Repayment of debt before the scheduled maturity date, prepayment penalties	The prepayment penalty on the majority of the Company's mortgage notes payable are computed by the greater of (a) 1% of the amount of the principal being prepaid or (b) the present value of the mortgage note payable which is calculated by multiplying the principal being prepaid by the difference between the interest rate of the mortgage note and the stated yield rate on a specified U.S. treasury security as defined in the mortgage note agreement.
Mortgage notes payable maturities
2013	57,621,000
2014	47,994,000
2015	68,926,000
2016	12,656,000
2017	185,301,000
Thereafter	1,193,101,000
Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Remaining terms	P1Y		P1Y
Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Remaining terms	P27Y		P28Y
Mortgage Notes Payable [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgages notes payable	1,363,731,000		1,502,208,000
Multifamily Housing Mortgage Revenue Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgages notes payable	201,868,000	[1]	243,650,000	[1]
Multifamily housing mortgage revenue bonds, variable interest rate (in hundredths)	1.90%		2.00%
Multifamily housing mortgage revenue bonds credit enhancement and underwriting fees, minimum (in hundredths)	1.20%
Multifamily housing mortgage revenue bonds credit enhancement and underwriting fees, maximum (in hundredths)	1.90%
Percentage of units subject to tenant income criteria (in hundredths)	20.00%
Bond subject to interest rate caps	187,800,000
Secured Deeds of Trust [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgages notes payable	$ 87,300,000

[1] Variable rate mortgage notes payable consists of multifamily housing mortgage revenue bonds secured by deeds of trust on rental properties and guaranteed by collateral pledge agreements, payable monthly at a variable rate as defined in the Loan Agreement (approximately 1.9% at December 2012 and 2.0% at December 2011) plus credit enhancement and underwriting fees ranging from approximately 1.2% to 1.9%. Among the terms imposed on the properties, which are security for the bonds, is a requirement that 20% of the units are subject to tenant income criteria. Principal balances are due in full at various maturity dates from October 2013 through December 2039. Of these bonds $187.8 million are subject to various interest rate cap agreements which limit the maximum interest rate to such bonds.

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Organization

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Organization [Abstract]

Organization

(1) Organization

The accompanying consolidated financial statements present the accounts of Essex Property Trust, Inc. (the "Company"), which include the accounts of the Company and Essex Portfolio, L.P. (the "Operating Partnership," which holds the operating assets of the Company).

The Company is the sole general partner in the Operating Partnership with a 94.5% general partner interest and the limited partners owned a 5.5% interest as of December 31, 2012.  The limited partners may convert their Operating Partnership units into an equivalent number of shares of common stock.  Total Operating Partnership units outstanding were 2,122,381 and 2,229,230 as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and the redemption value of the units, based on the closing price of the Company's common stock totaled $311.2 million and $313.2 million, as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The Company has reserved shares of common stock for such conversions. These conversion rights may be exercised by the limited partners at any time through 2026.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company owned or had ownership interests in 163 apartment communities, (aggregating 33,468 units), five commercial buildings, and nine active development projects (collectively, the "Portfolio").  The communities are located in Southern California (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Santa Barbara, San Diego, and Ventura counties), Northern California (the San Francisco Bay Area) and the Seattle metropolitan area.

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Subsequent Events (Details) (Subsequent Event [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2013 Common Stock [Member]	Jan. 31, 2013 Land [Member]	Jan. 31, 2013 Acquisition I [Member]	Feb. 28, 2013 Acquisition II [Member] sqft
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of units			56	444
Subsequent event, amount	$ 20.3	$ 9.1	$ 19.0	$ 135.0
Gain on sale of land parcel held for future development		1.5
Gain on sale of common stock investment	$ 1.8
Number of floors of acquired property				29
Number of floors of commercial office excluded from acquired property				12
Number of floors of underground parking garage included from acquired property				2
Number of stalls in underground parking included in acquired property included from acquired property				405
Subsequent Events Area Acquired				37,800

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Real Estate Investments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended				3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended										3 Months Ended											12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended											3 Months Ended							12 Months Ended														1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended						12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended												3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended															3 Months Ended						12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended						3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012 Huntington Beach [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Montebello [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Park West [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Domaine [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Wesco III [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Mortgages [Member] Fountain at La Brea - bond financing [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Mortgages [Member] Santa Monica at La Brea - bond financing [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Construction Loans [Member] Expo (formerly Queen Anne) - construction loan [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Construction Loans [Member] Expo (formerly Queen Anne) - construction loan [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Construction Loans [Member] Expo (formerly Queen Anne) - construction loan [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Santee Village [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Santee Village [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 1000 Kiely [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 1000 Kiely [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Bellerive [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Bellerive [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Bernard [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Bernard [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Delano [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Delano [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Bon Terra [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Reed Square [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Essex Skyline at MacArthur Place [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Park Catalina [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Huntington Beach [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Montebello [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Park West [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Domaine [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Ascent [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Willow Lake Apartments [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Bennett Lofts [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Real Estate Under Development Activities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Real Estate predevelopment projects [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Predevelopment Pipeline [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Predevelopment Pipeline - Land [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Wesco I LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Wesco I Arbors Parc Rose [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Wesco I Arbors Parc Rose [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Wesco I Redmond Hill [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Wesco I Redmond Hill [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Wesco I Reveal [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Wesco I Reveal [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Wesco I Briarwood [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Wesco I Briarwood [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Wesco I The Woods [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Wesco I The Woods [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Wesco I Madrid [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Wesco I Pacific Electric Lofts [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Tierra Del Sol/Norte [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Alpine Country [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Woodlawn Colonial [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Clarendon Office Building in Woodland Hills [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Wesco III Haver Hill [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Parcwood [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Parcwood [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Regency Tower [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Regency Tower [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Studio 40-41 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Studio 40-41 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Tower @ 801 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Tower @ 801 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Cielo [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Cielo [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Echo Ridge [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Echo Ridge [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 The Enclave [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 The Enclave [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Willow Lake Apartments and Bennett Lofts [Member]	Jan. 31, 2013 Willow Lake Apartments and Bennett Lofts [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Equity Method Investment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Equity Method Investment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Equity Method Investment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Equity Method Investment [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Equity Method Investment [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Equity Method Investment [Member] Wesco I Santa Clara [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Equity Method Investment [Member] Mortgages [Member] Wesco II, LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Equity Method Investment [Member] Wesco I LLC [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Equity Method Investment [Member] Wesco I Santa Clara [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Equity Method Investment [Member] Wesco II LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Equity Method Investment Operating [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Equity Method Investment Operating [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Equity Method Investment Development [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Equity Method Investment Development [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Equity Method Investment Preferred Interest [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Equity Method Investment Preferred Interest [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Wesco I LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Wesco I LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Wesco I LLC [Member] Equity Method Investment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Essex Apartment Value Fund II LP Fund II [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Essex Apartment Value Fund II LP Fund II [Member] Equity Method Investment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Essex Skyline at MacArthur Place [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Essex Skyline at MacArthur Place [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Essex Skyline at MacArthur Place [Member] Equity Method Investment Operating [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Essex Skyline at MacArthur Place [Member] Equity Method Investment Operating [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Fountain at La Brea [Member] Equity Method Investment [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Fountain at La Brea [Member] Equity Method Investment [Member] sqft	Dec. 31, 2012 Santa Monica at La Brea [Member] Equity Method Investment [Member] sqft	Dec. 31, 2011 Santa Monica at La Brea [Member] Equity Method Investment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Expo formerly Queen Anne [Member] Equity Method Investment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Expo formerly Queen Anne [Member] Equity Method Investment Development [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Expo formerly Queen Anne [Member] Equity Method Investment Development [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Wesco II LLC [Member] Equity Method Investment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Wesco II LLC [Member] Equity Method Investment Preferred Interest [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Wesco II LLC [Member] Equity Method Investment Preferred Interest [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Los Angeles I [Member] Equity Method Investment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Los Angeles II [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Los Angeles II [Member]	Mar. 31, 2011 Los Angeles II [Member] Equity Method Investment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Anaheim [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 MyNewPlace com [Member] Equity Method Investment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Limited partnership interest in Essex Apartment Value Fund II LP [Member] Equity Method Investment Operating [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Limited partnership interest in Essex Apartment Value Fund II LP [Member] Equity Method Investment Operating [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Limited liability companies that own own and are developing Fountain and Santa Monica at La Brea [Member] Equity Method Investment Development [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Limited liability companies that own own and are developing Fountain and Santa Monica at La Brea [Member] Equity Method Investment Development [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Limited liability companies that own and are developing Epic, Connoly Station, Elkhorn, and Folsom and Fifth [Member]L Equity Method Investment Development [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Limited liability companies that own and are developing Epic, Connoly Station, Elkhorn, and Folsom and Fifth [Member]L Equity Method Investment Development [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Apartment communities in downtown Los Angeles [Member] Equity Method Investment Preferred Interest [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Apartment communities in downtown Los Angeles [Member] Equity Method Investment Preferred Interest [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Madison Park at Anaheim [Member] Equity Method Investment Preferred Interest [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Madison Park at Anaheim [Member] Equity Method Investment Preferred Interest [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Membership interest in Wesco I [Member] Equity Method Investment Operating [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Membership interest in Wesco I [Member] Equity Method Investment Operating [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Membership interest in Wesco III [Member] Equity Method Investment Operating [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Membership interest in Wesco III [Member] Equity Method Investment Operating [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Tierra Del Sol/Norte [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Alpine Country [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Woodlawn Colonial [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 View Pointe Land Parcel [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Clarendon Office Building in Woodland Hills [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Wesco I Pacific Electric Lofts [Member] sqft	Dec. 31, 2012 Wesco III [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Wesco III [Member] Equity Method Investment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Parcwood [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Regency Tower [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Studio 40-41 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Tower @ 801 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Cielo [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Cupertino California [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Cupertino California [Member] Equity Method Investment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Cupertino California [Member] Equity Method Investment Preferred Interest [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Cupertino California [Member] Equity Method Investment Preferred Interest [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Echo Ridge [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 The Enclave [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 CPPIB Epic Phase I and II [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 CPPIB Connolly Station [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 CPPIB Folsom and Fifth [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 CPPIB Elkhom [Member]
Schedule Of Equity And Cost Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of communities acquired				11	5																																																																																							5	9
Promote income	$ 2,300,000																																																																																															$ 2,300,000
Gain from sale of real estate				10,900,000																																																																																										106,000,000																						900,000															7,000,000	3,900,000	5,200,000	200,000	3,200,000
Number of units sold					1,688																																																																																																																														156	108	159						312	178	149	173	119					120	637
Ownership interest in joint venture (in hundredths)																																																																																															28.20%					55.00%					50.00%																																													55.00%	55.00%	55.00%	55.00%
Number of units in joint venture																																																																																																				1,538																																																		569	309	463	197
Estimated total cost																																																																																																				612,200,000																																																		191,600,000	94,500,000	250,000,000	76,100,000
Construction start																																																																																																																																																						Aug-11	Aug-11	Jun-12	Aug-12
Initial occupancy																																																																																																																																																						May-13	Aug-13	Apr-14	Jun-14
Prepayment penalties on debt obligation																																																																																														2,300,000
Pro rata gain on sale of property of joint venture																																																																																														29,100,000
Number of institutional investors in partnership																																																																																															8
Equity investment contributions by institutional investors																																																																																															265,900,000
Equity investment, contribution by Company																																																																																															75,000,000		85,000,000					9,000,000	5,800,000																																		10,000,000
Debt ratio as leverage (in hundredths)																																																																																															55.00%													60.00%																													50.00%
Number of apartment communities owned				163																																																																																										7						4														2
Ownership split in joint venture																																																																																													50/50										50/50					50/50																														50/50
Total equity commitment from partners																																																																																													300,000,000																																												120,000,000
Each partner's equity commitment																																																																																													150,000,000																																													60,000,000
Co-investment	21,900,000	383,412,000		571,345,000	383,412,000																																																																										14,000,000						207,416,000	163,945,000	221,666,000	96,072,000	142,263,000	123,395,000			150,000,000					0	24,063,000							18,752,000	17,981,000	175,000,000	91,843,000	88,075,000	13,000,000			9,700,000			53,601,000	64,294,000	16,552,000	15,194,000	186,362,000	62,897,000	22,807,000	22,792,000	13,175,000	12,528,000	143,874,000	75,588,000	9,941,000	0																14,438,000	0
Percentage debt in joint venture (in hundredths)																																																																																											50.00%																																														50.00%
Number of units to be developed by joint venture																																																																																																					187			184	275
Square footage of real estate property (in sq ft)																																																																																																						18,200	12,750																																	22,100
Ownership interest in joint venture by partner (in hundredths)																																																																																																						50.00%			50.00%
Preferred Equity Investment Additional funding, Maximum																																																																												14,000,000
Stated term of preferred equity investment (in years)																																																																											7 years																																				5 years			10 years
Preferred return on preferred equity investment (in hundredths)																																																																																																												10.10%			10.00%																																		9.50%
Preferred Returns Maturity Date																																																																																																																																																	May 31, 2016
Preferred return on preferred equity investment in first five years (in hundredths)																																																																																																																		9.00%
Preferred return on preferred equity investment, thereafter, minimum (in hundredths)																																																																																																																		10.00%
Preferred return on preferred equity investment, thereafter, maximum (in hundredths)																																																																																																																		12.50%
Preferred return on preferred equity investment, thereafter (in hundredths)																																																																																																																9.00%	10.00%		13.00%																													9.50%
Net proceeds from sale of property																																																																																																																				1,600,000																		1,400,000
Balance sheets [Abstract]
Rental properties and real estate under development																																																																											1,659,078,000	1,745,147,000	1,659,078,000
Other assets																																																																											63,847,000	168,061,000	63,847,000
Total assets																																																																											1,722,925,000	1,913,208,000	1,722,925,000
Debt	(80,000,000)					(30,300,000)	(26,500,000)		(14,600,000)		(54,500,000)	(59,900,000)	(45,000,000)																																																														900,095,000	820,895,000	900,095,000			(17,500,000)	(450,000,000)
Other liabilities																																																																											48,518,000	91,922,000	48,518,000
Equity																																																																											774,312,000	1,000,391,000	774,312,000
Total liabilities and partners' equity																																																																											1,722,925,000	1,913,208,000	1,722,925,000
Company's share of equity																																																																											383,412,000	571,345,000	383,412,000
Statements of operations [Abstract]
Property revenues																																																																												130,128,000	106,386,000	54,699,000
Property operating expenses																																																																												(55,990,000)	(43,066,000)	(24,098,000)
Net operating income																																																																												74,138,000	63,320,000	30,601,000
Gain on sale of real estate																																																																												106,016,000	0	0
Interest expense																																																																												(34,959,000)	(27,843,000)	(13,619,000)
General and administrative																																																																												(3,697,000)	(1,748,000)	(709,000)
Depreciation and amortization																																																																												(47,917,000)	(44,412,000)	(20,850,000)
Net income (loss)																																																																												93,581,000	(10,683,000)	(4,577,000)
Company's share of net income (loss)																																																																												41,745,000	(467,000)	(1,715,000)
Projected debt service coverage ratio (in hundredths)																																																																																																												110.00%
Number of years the investment can not be repaid (in years)																																																																																																												2 years
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]
Cost of acquired entity		103,300,000		551,100,000	103,300,000												17,000,000		31,400,000		27,000,000		13,800,000		14,100,000	23,000,000	16,000,000		23,700,000	48,300,000	52,000,000	31,600,000	34,000,000	15,900,000	148,000,000	96,000,000					429,200,000		92,000,000		151,300,000		132,900,000		27,800,000		25,200,000							45,600,000															73,800,000	22,200,000								660,500,000	38,300,000
Number of units acquired				2,052	386												73		121		63		63		66	60	100	349	90	276	248	126	92	90	508	147	2,495	449			2,013		373		882		438		160		160	230	314					264																								2,713	156	3,221
Mortgage loan on property acquired, interest rate (in hundredths)																														5.70%	5.60%		5.70%																																																		5.20%	3.83%
Mortgage loans on real estate interest rate term																														7 years	8 years		8 years																																																		8 years
Property acquired in month of December (in hundredths)																																																																									75.00%
Purchase Price		103,300,000		551,100,000	103,300,000												17,000,000		31,400,000		27,000,000		13,800,000		14,100,000	23,000,000	16,000,000		23,700,000	48,300,000	52,000,000	31,600,000	34,000,000	15,900,000	148,000,000	96,000,000					429,200,000		92,000,000		151,300,000		132,900,000		27,800,000		25,200,000							45,600,000															73,800,000	22,200,000								660,500,000	38,300,000
Units				2,052	386												73		121		63		63		66	60	100	349	90	276	248	126	92	90	508	147	2,495	449			2,013		373		882		438		160		160	230	314					264																								2,713	156	3,221
Quarter acquired																	Q1 2011		Q1 2011		Q2 2011		Q3 2011		Q4 2011																		Q2 2011		Q3 2011		Q3 2011		Q4 2011		Q4 2011									Q4 2012		Q4 2012		Q4 2012		Q4 2012		Q4 2012		Q4 2012		Q4 2012
Sales price of real estate				28,300,000	412,950,000																																																	17,200,000	11,100,000	16,000,000	7,400,000			42,200,000		31,000,000		56,300,000		50,100,000		33,100,000		26,500,000		173,750,000
Location																Los Angeles, CA		Santa Clara, CA		Los Angeles, CA		Seattle, WA		Redmond, WA																		Oxnard, CA		Redmond, WA		Woodland Hills, CA		Fremont, CA		Fremont, CA									Corona, CA		Oakland, CA		Studio City, CA		Seattle, WA		Chatsworth, CA		Snoqualmie, WA		San Jose, CA
Number of active development projects				9																																	7		2
Number of predevelopment projects Owned																																						2		1
Aggregate carrying value of Predevelopment charges																																						59,600,000
Estimated cost of active development projects																																					928,400,000
Estimated costs to be expended																																					463,900,000
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Payment made for short term bridge loan to joint venture										26,000,000
Debt instrument, description of variable rate basis										LIBOR			LIBOR																																																																																																																												LIBOR
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)				2.50%						2.50%					1.95%																																																																																																																										2.50%
Secured mortgage loans on real estate	80,000,000					30,300,000	26,500,000		14,600,000		54,500,000	59,900,000	45,000,000																																																														(900,095,000)	(820,895,000)	(900,095,000)			17,500,000	450,000,000
Premium for loan						4,300,000	4,100,000		2,400,000																																																																							2,300,000
Debt instrument, effective interest rate (in hundredths)						3.30%	3.10%		3.00%																																																																							3.10%
Debt instrument, number of extensions													2
Debt instrument, term of extensions (in years)														1 year
Estimated total cost of renovation	$ 4,000,000							$ 8,000,000
Mortgage loan on property acquired, maturity date											Oct. 31, 2046	Dec. 31, 2046
Interest rate swap, termination date			Sep. 30, 2016										Jul. 31, 2014
Interest rate swap, description of variable interest rate basis		SIFMA	SIFMA
Interest rate swap, basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)		1.50%	1.50%		1.50%

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Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets

Significant expenditures, which improve or extend the life of an asset and have a useful life of greater than one year, are capitalized.  Operating real estate assets are stated at cost and consist of land, buildings and improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment, and other costs incurred during their development, redevelopment and acquisition.  Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.

The depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets is as follows:

Computer software and equipment	3 - 5 years
Interior unit improvements	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, 2012 and 2011 marketable securities consist of the following ($ in thousands):

	December 31, 2012
			Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Carrying
	Cost		Gain		Value
Available for sale:
Investment-grade unsecured bonds	$	5,143	$	98	$	5,241
Investment funds - US treasuries		14,120		729		14,849
Common stock		18,917		1,704		20,621
Held to maturity:
Mortgage backed securities		52,002		-		52,002
Total	$	90,182	$	2,531	$	92,713
	December 31, 2011
			Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Carrying
	Cost		Gain		Value
Available for sale:
Investment-grade unsecured bonds	$	3,615	$	399	$	4,014
Investment funds - US treasuries		11,783		121		11,904
Common stock		10,067		1,552		11,619
Held to maturity:
Mortgage backed securities		46,738		-		46,738
Total	$	72,203	$	2,072	$	74,275

Components of Interest and Other Income

Interest income is generated primarily from cash balances and marketable securities as well as notes receivables.  Other income primarily consists of gains on sales of marketable securities.  Total interest and other income is comprised of the following for the years ended December 31 ($ in thousands):

	2012		2011		2010
Interest income	$	10,715	$	10,501	$	15,350
Co-investment promote fee		2,299		-		-
Gains on sales of marketable securities		819		4,956		12,491
Tax benefit - taxable REIT subsidiary		-		1,682		-
	$	13,833	$	17,139	$	27,841

Status of cash dividends distributed

The status of cash dividends distributed for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 related to common stock, Series F, Series G, and Series H preferred stock are classified for tax purposes as follows:

	2012			2011			2010
Common Stock
Ordinary income		70.58	%		63.68	%		82.46	%
Capital gain		8.75	%		11.16	%		5.61	%
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain		7.97	%		0.74	%		0.00	%
Return of capital		12.70	%		24.42	%		11.93	%
		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%
		2012			2011			2010
Series F, G, and H Preferred stock
Ordinary income		80.85	%		100.00	%		93.63	%
Capital gains		10.02	%		0.00	%		6.37	%
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain		9.13	%		0.00	%		0.00	%
		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%

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Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of consolidation

(a) Principles of Consolidation

The accounts of the Company, its controlled subsidiaries and the variable interest entities ("VIEs") in which it is the primary beneficiary are consolidated in the accompanying financial statements. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Noncontrolling interest includes the 5.5% and 6.2% limited partner interests in the Operating Partnership not held by the Company at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These percentages include the Operating Partnership's vested long term incentive plan units (see Note 13).

The Company consolidates 19 DownREIT limited partnerships (comprising twelve communities), since the Company is the primary beneficiary of these variable interest entities ("VIEs").  The consolidated total assets and liabilities related to these VIEs, net of intercompany eliminations, were approximately $201.1 million and $178.6 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2012, and $199.8 million and $171.5million, respectively, as of December 31, 2011.

The DownREIT VIEs collectively own twelve apartment communities in which Essex Management Company ("EMC") is the general partner, the Operating Partnership is a special limited partner, and the other limited partners were granted rights of redemption for their interests.  Such limited partners can request to be redeemed and the Company can elect to redeem their rights for cash or by issuing shares of its common stock on a one share per unit basis.  Conversion values will be based on the market value of the Company's common stock at the time of redemption multiplied by the number of units stipulated under the above arrangements.  The other limited partners receive distributions based on the Company's current dividend rate times the number of units held.  Total DownREIT units outstanding were 1,039,431 and 1,063,848 as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 respectively, and the redemption value of the units, based on the closing price of the Company's common stock totaled $152.4 million and $149.5 million, as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the carrying value of the other limited partners' interests is presented at their historical cost and is classified within noncontrolling interest in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Interest holders in VIEs consolidated by the Company are allocated a priority of net income equal to the cash payments made to those interest holders or distributions from cash flow.  The remaining results of operations are generally allocated to the Company.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company did not have any VIE's of which it was not deemed to be the primary beneficiary.

Real estate rental properties

(b) Real Estate Rental Properties

Significant expenditures, which improve or extend the life of an asset and have a useful life of greater than one year, are capitalized.  Operating real estate assets are stated at cost and consist of land, buildings and improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment, and other costs incurred during their development, redevelopment and acquisition.  Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.

The depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets is as follows:

Computer software and equipment	3 - 5 years
Interior unit improvements	5 years
Land improvements and certain exterior components of real property	10 years
Real estate structures	30 years

The Company capitalizes all costs incurred with the predevelopment, development or redevelopment of real estate assets or are associated with the construction or expansion of real property.  Such capitalized costs include land, land improvements, allocated costs of the Company's project management staff, construction costs, as well as interest and related loan fees, property taxes and insurance.  Capitalization begins for predevelopment, development, and redevelopment projects when activity commences.  Capitalization ends when the apartment home is completed and the property is available for a new resident or if the development activities are put on hold.  The Company ceases to capitalize costs such as property taxes, insurance, and interest expenses once the development activities are put on hold.

The Company allocates the purchase price of real estate to land and building, and identifiable intangible assets, such as the value of above, below and in-place leases. The values of the above and below market leases are amortized and recorded as either a decrease (in the case of above market leases) or an increase (in the case of below market leases) to rental revenue over the remaining term of the associated leases acquired, which in the case of below market leases the Company assumes lessees will elect to renew their leases.  The value of acquired in-place leases are amortized to expense over the term the Company expects to retain the acquired tenant, which is generally 20 months.

The Company performs the following evaluation for communities acquired:

(1) Adjust the purchase price for any fair value adjustments resulting from such things as assumed debt or contingencies.

(2) estimate the value of the real estate "as if vacant" as of the acquisition date;

(3) allocate that value among land and building;

(4) compute the value of the difference between the "as if vacant" value and the adjusted purchase price, which will represent the total intangible assets;

(5) compute the value of the above and below market leases and determine the associated life of the above market/ below market leases;

(6) compute the value of the in-place leases and customer relationships, if any, and the associated lives of these assets.

Whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a property held for investment or held for sale may not be fully recoverable, the carrying amount will be evaluated for impairment. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount (including intangible assets) of a property held for investment, then the Company will recognize an impairment loss equal to the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the property.  Fair value of a property is determined using conventional real estate valuation methods, such as discounted cash flow, the property's unleveraged yield in comparison to the unleveraged yields and sales prices of similar communities that have been recently sold, and other third party information, if available.  Communities held for sale are carried at the lower of cost and fair value less estimated costs to sell.  As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, no communities were classified as held for sale and no impairment charges were recorded in 2012, 2011 or 2010.

In the normal course of business, the Company will receive purchase offers for its communities, either solicited or unsolicited. For those offers that are accepted, the prospective buyer will usually require a due diligence period before consummation of the transaction.  It is not unusual for matters to arise that result in the withdrawal or rejection of the offer during this process.  The Company classifies real estate as "held for sale" when all criteria under the accounting standard for the disposals of long-lived assets have been met.  In accordance with the standard, the Company presents income and gains/losses on communities sold or held for sale as discontinued operations.  The Company's equity in income or loss from real estate investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting remain classified in continuing operations upon disposition.  (See Note 6 for a description of the Company's discontinued operations for 2012, 2011, and 2010).

Co-investments

(c) Co-investments

The Company owns investments in joint ventures ("co-investments") in which it has significant influence, but its ownership interest does not meet the criteria for consolidation in accordance with the accounting standards.  Therefore, the Company accounts for these investments using the equity method of accounting.  Under the equity method of accounting, the investment is carried at the cost of assets contributed, plus the Company's equity in earnings less distributions received and the Company's share of losses.  For preferred equity investments the Company recognizes its preferred interest as its equity in earnings.

A majority of the co-investments, excluding the preferred equity investments, compensate the Company for its asset management services and some of these investments may provide promote distributions if certain financial return benchmarks are achieved.  Asset management fees are recognized when earned, and promote fees are recognized when the earnings events have occurred and the amount is determinable and collectible.  Any promote distributions are reflected in equity (loss) income in co-investments. In 2012, the Company recorded a $2.3 million promote fee in connection with acquisition of our joint venture partner's remaining membership interest in the co-investment Essex Skyline at MacArthur Place for a purchase price of $85 million.  The property is now consolidated.  There were no promote fees recognized in 2011 and 2010 in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Revenues and gains on sale of real estate

(d) Revenues and Gains on Sale of Real Estate

Revenues from tenants renting or leasing apartment units are recorded when due from tenants and are recognized monthly as they are earned, which is not materially different than on a straight-line basis.  Units are rented under short-term leases (generally, lease terms of 6 to 12 months) and may provide no rent for one or two months, depending on the market conditions and leasing practices of the Company's competitors in each sub-market at the time the leases are executed.   Revenues from tenants leasing commercial space are recorded on a straight-line basis over the life of the respective lease.

The Company recognizes gains on sales of real estate when a contract is in place, a closing has taken place, the buyer's initial and continuing investment is adequate to demonstrate a commitment to pay for the property and the Company does not have a substantial continuing involvement in the property.

Cash equivalents and restricted cash

(e) Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased are classified as cash equivalents.  Restricted cash balances relate primarily to reserve requirements for capital replacement at certain communities in connection with the Company's mortgage debt.

Marketable securities

(f)  Marketable Securities

The Company reports its available for sale securities at fair value, based on quoted market prices (Level 2 for the unsecured bonds and Level 1 for the common stock and investment funds, as defined by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") standard for fair value measurements as discussed later in Note 2), and any unrealized gain or loss is recorded as other comprehensive income (loss).  There were no other than temporary impairment charges for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.  Realized gains and losses, interest income, and amortization of purchase discounts are included in interest and other income on the consolidated statement of operations.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, marketable securities consisted primarily of investment-grade unsecured bonds, common stock, investments in mortgage backed securities and investment funds that invest in U.S. treasury or agency securities.  As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company classified its investments in mortgage backed securities, which mature in November 2019 and September 2020, as held to maturity, and accordingly, these securities are stated at their amortized cost.  The estimated fair values of the mortgage backed securities (Level 2 securities) are approximately equal to the carrying values.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011 marketable securities consist of the following ($ in thousands):

	December 31, 2012
			Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Carrying
	Cost		Gain		Value
Available for sale:
Investment-grade unsecured bonds	$	5,143	$	98	$	5,241
Investment funds - US treasuries		14,120		729		14,849
Common stock		18,917		1,704		20,621
Held to maturity:
Mortgage backed securities		52,002		-		52,002
Total	$	90,182	$	2,531	$	92,713
	December 31, 2011
			Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Carrying
	Cost		Gain		Value
Available for sale:
Investment-grade unsecured bonds	$	3,615	$	399	$	4,014
Investment funds - US treasuries		11,783		121		11,904
Common stock		10,067		1,552		11,619
Held to maturity:
Mortgage backed securities		46,738		-		46,738
Total	$	72,203	$	2,072	$	74,275

The Company uses the specific identification method to determine the cost basis of a security sold and to reclassify amounts from accumulated other comprehensive income for securities sold.  For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the proceeds from sales of available for sale securities totaled $61.7 million, $33.0 million and $102.0 million, respectively.  These sales all resulted in gains, which totaled $0.8 million, $5.0 million and $12.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Notes receivable

(g) Notes Receivable

Notes receivable relate to real estate financing arrangements including mezzanine and bridge loans and are secured by real estate.  Interest is recognized over the life of the note.

Each note is analyzed to determine if it is impaired.  A note is impaired if it is probable that the Company will not collect all principal and interest contractually due.  The Company does not accrue interest when a note is considered impaired and a loan allowance is recorded for any principal and previously accrued interest that are not believed to be collectable. All cash receipts on impaired notes are applied to reduce the principal amount of such notes until the principal has been recovered and, thereafter, are recognized as interest income.   As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, no notes were impaired.

Capitalization Policy

(h) Capitalization Policy

The Company capitalizes all direct and certain indirect costs, including interest and real estate taxes, incurred during development and redevelopment activities. Interest is capitalized on real estate assets that require a period of time to get them ready for their intended use.  The amount of interest capitalized is based upon the average amount of accumulated development expenditures during the reporting period.  Included in capitalized costs are management's accounting estimates of the direct and incremental personnel costs and indirect project costs associated with the Company's development and redevelopment activities.  Indirect project costs consist primarily of personnel costs associated with construction administration and development, including accounting, legal fees, and various office costs that clearly relate to projects under development.  The Company's capitalized internal costs related to development and redevelopment projects totaled $4.4 million, $4.3 million and $4.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively,  most of which relates to development projects.  These totals include capitalized salaries of $2.4 million, $2.2 million and $2.1 million, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Interest and other income

(i) Interest and Other Income

Interest income is generated primarily from cash balances and marketable securities as well as notes receivables.  Other income primarily consists of gains on sales of marketable securities.  Total interest and other income is comprised of the following for the years ended December 31 ($ in thousands):

	2012		2011		2010
Interest income	$	10,715	$	10,501	$	15,350
Co-investment promote fee		2,299		-		-
Gains on sales of marketable securities		819		4,956		12,491
Tax benefit - taxable REIT subsidiary		-		1,682		-
	$	13,833	$	17,139	$	27,841

Fair value of financial instruments

(j) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company values its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy of valuation techniques described in the FASB's accounting standard for fair value measurements.  Level 1 inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.  Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and inputs other than quoted prices observable for the asset or liability.   Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.  The Company uses Level 1 inputs for the fair values of its cash equivalents and its marketable securities except for unsecured bonds and mortgage backed securities.  The Company uses Level 2 inputs for its investments in unsecured bonds, mortgage backed securities, notes receivable, notes payable, and derivative liabilities.  These inputs include interest rates for similar financial instruments.  The Company's valuation methodology for derivatives is described in more detail in Note 9.  The Company's valuation methodology for the swap related to the multifamily revenue refunding bonds for the 101 San Fernando community, which the Company terminated in 2012, is described in detail in Note 9.  The Company does not use Level 3 inputs to estimate fair values of any of its financial instruments.  The Company's assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

Management believes that the carrying amounts of its amounts outstanding under lines of credit, notes receivable and other receivables approximate fair value as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, because interest rates, yields and other terms for these instruments are consistent with yields and other terms currently available for similar instruments.  Management has estimated that the fair value of the Company's $2.13 billion and $1.77 billion of fixed rate debt at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, to be $2.24 billion and $1.88 billion.  Management has estimated the fair value of the Company's $692.9 million and $593.7 million of variable rate debt at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, is $671.7 million and $572.3 million based on the terms of the Company's existing variable rate debt compared to those available in the marketplace.  Management believes that the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, construction payables, other liabilities and dividends payable approximate fair value as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.  The fair values of the Company's investments in mortgage backed securities are approximately equal to the amortized cost carrying value of these securities.  Marketable securities and derivative liabilities are carried at fair value as of December 31, 2012.

Interest rate protection, swap, and forward contracts

(k) Interest Rate Protection, Swap, and Forward Contracts

The Company uses interest rate swaps, interest rate cap contracts, and forward starting swaps to manage interest rate risks.  As of December 31, 2012, there were no outstanding forward starting swaps.  The valuation of these derivative instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves. The fair values of  forward starting interest rate swaps were determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts (or payments) and the discounted expected variable cash payments (or receipts). The variable cash payments (or receipts) were based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves. The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty's nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements.  The Company records all derivatives on its consolidated balance sheet at fair value.  The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation.   Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges.  Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges.

For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged item related to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings.  For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is initially reported in other comprehensive income (outside of earnings) and subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings, and the ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recognized directly in earnings.  The Company assesses the initial and ongoing effectiveness of each hedging relationship by comparing the changes in fair value or cash flows of the derivative hedging instrument with the changes in fair value or cash flows of the designated hedged item or transaction.

For derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges, changes in fair value are recognized in earnings.  All of the Company's interest rate swaps and interest rate caps are considered cash flow hedges except for the swap related to the multifamily revenue refunding bonds for the 101 San Fernando community that was terminated in 2012 as described in detail in Note 9.  The Company did not have any fair value hedges during the years end December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

The Company's objective in using derivatives is to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements or other identified risks.  To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily used interest rate swaps and interest rate forward-starting swaps as part of its cash flow hedging strategy.  The Company was hedging its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for a portion of its forecasted transactions.

Deferred charges

(l) Deferred Charges

Deferred charges are principally comprised of loan fees and related costs which are amortized over the terms of the related borrowing in a manner which approximates the effective interest method.

Income taxes

(m) Income Taxes

Generally in any year in which the Company qualifies as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") under the Internal Revenue Code (the "IRC"), it is not subject to federal income tax on that portion of its income that it distributes to stockholders. No provision for federal income taxes, other than the taxable REIT subsidiaries discussed below, has been made in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012 as the Company has elected to be and believes it qualifies under the IRC as a REIT and has made distributions during the periods in amounts to preclude the Company from paying federal income tax.

In order to maintain compliance with REIT tax rules, the Company utilizes taxable REIT subsidiariesfor various revenue generating or investment activities. The taxable REIT subsidiaries are consolidated by the Company. The activities and tax related provisions, assets and liabilities are not material.

The status of cash dividends distributed for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 related to common stock, Series F, Series G, and Series H preferred stock are classified for tax purposes as follows:

	2012			2011			2010
Common Stock
Ordinary income		70.58	%		63.68	%		82.46	%
Capital gain		8.75	%		11.16	%		5.61	%
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain		7.97	%		0.74	%		0.00	%
Return of capital		12.70	%		24.42	%		11.93	%
		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%
		2012			2011			2010
Series F, G, and H Preferred stock
Ordinary income		80.85	%		100.00	%		93.63	%
Capital gains		10.02	%		0.00	%		6.37	%
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain		9.13	%		0.00	%		0.00	%
		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%

Preferred stock

(n) Preferred Stock

The Company's Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series G Preferred Stock") contains fundamental change provisions that allow the holder to redeem the preferred stock for cash if certain events occur.  The redemption under these provisions is not solely within the Company's control, thus the Company has classified the Series G Preferred Stock as temporary equity in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

The Company's Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock ("Series H Preferred Stock"), issued during 2011, contains fundamental change provisions that allow the holder to redeem the preferred stock for cash if certain events occur.  The redemption under these provisions is within the Company's control, and thus the Company has classified the Series H Preferred Stock as permanent equity in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.

Equity-based compensation

(o) Equity-based Compensation

The cost of share and unit based compensation awards is measured at the grant date based on the estimated fair value of the awards.  The estimated fair value of stock options and restricted stock granted by the Company are being amortized over the vesting period.  The estimated grant date fair values of the long term incentive plan units (discussed in Note 13) are being amortized over the expected service periods.

Accounting estimates

(p) Accounting Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to acquiring, developing and assessing the carrying values of its real estate portfolio, its investments in and advances to joint ventures and affiliates, its notes receivable and its qualification as a REIT.  The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, current market conditions, and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may vary from those estimates and those estimates could be different under different assumptions or conditions.

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Equity Based Compensation Plans, Summary information of stock options outstanding (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Number of options outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	623,434
Options outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual life	6 years 8 months 12 days
Options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	125.96
Number of options exercisable, ending balance (in shares)	250,620
Options exercisable, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	107.12
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued (in shares)	1,614	1,540	14,415
Unrecognized compensation cost, weighted average recognition period, minimum	1 year
Unrecognized compensation cost, weighted average recognition period, maximum	7 years
51.01 - 79.05 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, lower range limit (in dollars per share)	51.01
Exercise price range, upper range limit (in dollars per share)	79.05
Number of options outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	34,973
Options outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual life	3 years
Options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	69.97
Number of options exercisable, ending balance (in shares)	34,973
Options exercisable, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	69.97
79.25 - 125.84 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, lower range limit (in dollars per share)	79.25
Exercise price range, upper range limit (in dollars per share)	125.84
Number of options outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	144,498
Options outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual life	3 years 10 months 24 days
Options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	99.10
Number of options exercisable, ending balance (in shares)	130,498
Options exercisable, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	98.69
126.73 - 155.34 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, lower range limit (in dollars per share)	126.73
Exercise price range, upper range limit (in dollars per share)	155.34
Number of options outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	443,963
Options outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual life	7 years 10 months 24 days
Options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	139.10
Number of options exercisable, ending balance (in shares)	85,149
Options exercisable, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	135.31

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Notes and Other Receivables (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012 Secured Due January 2012 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Secured Due November 2012 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Secured 1 Due December 2012 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Secured 2 Due December 2012 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Secured Due November 2013 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Secured Due February 2014 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Secured 2 Due February 2014 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Secured Due December 2014 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Wesco III [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Note and Other Receivables From Affiliates [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Note and Other Receivables From Affiliates [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 Note and Other Receivables From Affiliates [Member] Secured Due January 2012 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Note and Other Receivables From Affiliates [Member] Secured Due January 2012 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Note and Other Receivables From Affiliates [Member] Secured Due November 2012 [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Note and Other Receivables From Affiliates [Member] Secured Due November 2012 [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 Note and Other Receivables From Affiliates [Member] Secured 1 Due December 2012 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Note and Other Receivables From Affiliates [Member] Secured 1 Due December 2012 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Note and Other Receivables From Affiliates [Member] Secured Due November 2013 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Note and Other Receivables From Affiliates [Member] Secured Due November 2013 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Note and Other Receivables From Affiliates [Member] Secured Due February 2014 [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Note and Other Receivables From Affiliates [Member] Secured Due February 2014 [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 Note and Other Receivables From Affiliates [Member] Secured 2 Due February 2014 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Note and Other Receivables From Affiliates [Member] Secured 2 Due February 2014 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Note and Other Receivables From Affiliates [Member] Secured Due December 2014 [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Note and Other Receivables From Affiliates [Member] Secured Due December 2014 [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 Other Receivables [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes receivable		$ 66,163,000	$ 66,369,000										$ 28,896,000	[1]	$ 2,734,000	[1]	$ 0	$ 7,331,000	$ 0	[2]	$ 12,428,000	[2]	$ 0	$ 6,422,000	$ 971,000	$ 971,000	$ 10,800,000	[3]	$ 10,928,000	[3]	$ 18,499,000	$ 17,646,000	$ 3,212,000	[4]	$ 3,221,000	[4]	$ 3,785,000	$ 4,688,000
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)				9.80%	5.00%	8.00%		8.00%	8.80%	9.60%	4.00%
Variable rate basis							LIBOR					LIBOR
Basis spread on rate (in hundredths)		2.50%					8.00%					2.50%
Note receivable contributed to Elkhorn co-investment	12,400,000
Short term Bridge Loan												$ 26,000,000

[1] The Company provided a $26.0 million short-term bridge loan to Wesco III at a rate of LIBOR + 2.5%, permanent secured financing is expected to be placed on the property by the end of the first quarter 2013.

[2] $12.4 million note receivable was contributed to the Elkhorn co-investment during the first quarter of 2012.

[3] During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company amended the loan to extend the maturity date to February 2014.

[4] During the first quarter 2012, the Company amended the loan secured by Vacationer RV Park to extend the maturity date to December 2014. Beginning January 1, 2012 the note which has a carrying value of $3.2 million, bears interest at a rate of 4%, and the borrower funds an impound account for capital replacement.

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Real Estate Investments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Schedule Of Equity And Cost Method Investments [Line Items]

Purchases/sale of communities

During the fourth quarter 2012, Fund II sold seven communities for gross proceeds of $413.0 million, consisting of the following communities ($ in thousands):

Communities	Location	Purchase Price		Units
Parcwood	Corona, CA	$	42,200		312
Regency Tower	Oakland, CA		31,000		178
Studio 40-41	Studio City, CA		56,300		149
Tower @ 801	Seattle, WA		50,100		173
Cielo	Chatsworth, CA		33,100		119
Echo Ridge	Snoqualmie, WA		26,500		120
The Enclave	San Jose, CA		173,750		637
Total 2012 sales		$	412,950		1,688

Joint venture developments

The following are the CPPIB development joint ventures:

		Ownership			Estimated		Construction
Development Projects - CPPIB Joint Venture	Location	%	Units		Total Cost		Start
Epic -  Phase I and II	San Jose, CA	55%		569	$	191.6	Aug-11
Connolly Station (fka Linc)	Dublin, CA	55%		309		94.5	Aug-11
Folsom and Fifth	San Francisco, CA	55%		463		250.0	Jun-12
Elkhorn	San Mateo, CA	55%		197		76.1	Aug-12
Total - CPPIB Joint Venture Development Projects				1,538	$	612.2

Investments in Joint Ventures Accounted for under the Equity Method and Preferred Stock Accounted for under the Cost Method

	2012		2011
Investments in joint ventures accounted for under the equity method of accounting:
Membership interest in Wesco I	$	143,874	$	75,588
Partnership interest in Fund II		53,601		64,294
Membership interest in Wesco III		9,941		-
Membership interest in a limited liability company that owns Essex Skyline at MacArthur Place		-		24,063
Total operating co-investments		207,416		163,945
Membership interests in limited liability companies that own and are developing Epic, Connolly Station, Folsom and Fifth, and Elkhorn		186,362		62,897
Membership interest in a limited liability company that owns and is developing Expo		18,752		17,981
Membership interests in limited liability companies that own and are developing The Huxley and The Dylan		16,552		15,194
Total development co-investments		221,666		96,072
Membership interest in Wesco II that owns a preferred equity interest in Parkmerced with a perferred return of 10.1%		91,843		88,075
Preferred interests in limited liability companies that own apartment communities in downtown Los Angeles with preferred returns of 9% and 10%		22,807		22,792
Preferred interests in related party limited liability company that owns Sage at Cupertino with a preferred return of  9.5%		14,438		-
Preferred interest in a related party limited liability company that owns Madison Park at Anaheim with a preferred return of 13%		13,175		12,528
Total preferred interest investments		142,263		123,395
Total co-investments	$	571,345	$	383,412

Combined Financial Information of Co-investments Accounted for under the Equity Method

The combined summarized financial information of co-investments, which are accounted for under the equity method, is as follows ($ in thousands):

	December 31,
	2012		2011
Balance sheets:
Rental properties and real estate under development	$	1,745,147	$	1,659,078
Other assets		168,061		63,847
Total assets	$	1,913,208	$	1,722,925
Debt	$	820,895	$	900,095
Other liabilities		91,922		48,518
Equity		1,000,391		774,312
Total liabilities and partners' equity	$	1,913,208	$	1,722,925
Company's share of equity	$	571,345	$	383,412

	Years ended
	December 31,
	2012			2011			2010
Statements of operations:
Property revenues	$	130,128		$	106,386		$	54,699
Property operating expenses		(55,990	)		(43,066	)		(24,098	)
Net operating income		74,138			63,320			30,601
Gain on sale of real estate		106,016			-			-
Interest expense		(34,959	)		(27,843	)		(13,619	)
General and administrative		(3,697	)		(1,748	)		(709	)
Depreciation and amortization		(47,917	)		(44,412	)		(20,850	)
Net income (loss)	$	93,581		$	(10,683	)	$	(4,577	)
Company's share of net income (loss)	$	41,745		$	(467	)	$	(1,715	)

Wesco I LLC [Member]

Schedule Of Equity And Cost Method Investments [Line Items]

Purchases/sale of communities

For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company purchased five communities for approximately $103.3 million, consisting of the following communities ($ in thousands):

Communities	Location	Purchase Price		Units
Delano	Redmond, WA	$	14,100		66
Bernard	Seattle, WA		13,800		63
Bellerive	Los Angeles, CA		27,000		63
Santee Village	Los Angeles, CA		17,000		73
1000 Kiely	Santa Clara, CA		31,400		121
Total 2011 purchases		$	103,300		386

Essex Apartment Value Fund II, L.P. Fund II [Member]

Schedule Of Equity And Cost Method Investments [Line Items]

Purchases/sale of communities

For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company purchased five communities under the Wesco I joint venture for approximately $429.2 million, consisting of the following communities ($ in thousands):

Communities	Location	Purchase Price		Units
Arbors Parc Rose	Oxnard, CA	$	92,000		373
Redmond Hill	Redmond, WA		151,300		882
Reveal	Woodland Hills, CA		132,900		438
Briarwood	Fremont, CA		27,800		160
The Woods	Fremont, CA		25,200		160
Total 2011 purchases		$	429,200		2,013

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Notes and Other Receivables (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Notes and Other Receivables [Abstract]

Notes and Other Receivables

Notes receivables, secured by real estate, and other receivables consist of the following as December 31, 2012 and 2011 ($ in thousands):

	2012		2011
Note receivable, secured, bearing interest at 9.8%, paid in full January 2012	$	-	$	7,331
Note receivable, secured, bearing interest at 5.0%, due November 2012 (1)		-		12,428
Note receivable, secured, bearing interest at LIBOR + 8.0%, paid in full December 2012		-		6,422
Note receivable, secured, bearing interest at 8.8%, due February 2014 (2)		10,800		10,928
Note receivable, secured, bearing interest at 8.0%, due November 2013		971		971
Note receivable, secured, effective interest at 9.6%, due February 2014		18,499		17,646
Note receivable, secured, bearing interest at 4.0%, due December 2014 (3)		3,212		3,221
Notes and other receivables from affiliates (4)		28,896		2,734
Other receivables		3,785		4,688
	$	66,163	$	66,369

(1) $12.4 million note receivable was contributed to the Elkhorn co-investment during the first quarter of 2012.

(2) During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company amended the loan to extend the maturity date to February 2014.

(3) During the first quarter 2012, the Company amended the loan secured by Vacationer RV Park to extend the maturity date to December 2014.  Beginning January 1, 2012 the note which has a carrying value of $3.2 million, bears interest at a rate of 4%, and the borrower funds an impound account for capital replacement.

(4) The Company provided a $26.0 million short-term bridge loan to Wesco III at a rate of LIBOR + 2.5%.

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest, capitalized	$ 10,346	$ 8,240	$ 9,486

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Discontinued Operations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Discontinued Operations [Abstract]

Schedule of Components from Discontinued Operations

The Company has recorded the gains and operations for these various assets sold described above as part of discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.  The components of discontinued operations are outlined below and include the results of operations for the respective periods that the Company owned such assets, as described above ($ in thousands):

	2012			2011			2010
Revenues	$	608		$	4,081		$	5,453
Property operating expenses		(260	)		(1,861	)		(2,342	)
Depreciation and amortization		(94	)		(1,115	)		(1,491	)
Expenses		(354	)		(2,976	)		(3,833	)
Operating income from real estate sold		254			1,105			1,620
Gain on sale of real estate		10,870			8,382			-
Internal disposition costs		(1,087	)		(839	)		-
Income from discontinued operations	$	10,037		$	8,648		$	1,620

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Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) [Abstract]

Summary of quarterly results of operations

The following is a summary of quarterly results of operations for 2012 and 2011 ($ in thousands, except per share and dividend amounts):

	Quarter ended		Quarter ended		Quarter ended		Quarter ended
	December 31		September 30		June 30		March 31
2012:
Total property revenues	$	141,628	$	135,070	$	129,764	$	125,474
Income before discontinued operations	$	49,640	$	20,221	$	42,490	$	17,202
Net income	$	49,640	$	20,221	$	42,490	$	27,239
Net income available to common stockholders	$	43,793	$	16,219	$	37,078	$	22,722
Per share data:
Net income:
Basic	$	1.22	$	0.46	$	1.07	$	0.67
Diluted	$	1.22	$	0.45	$	1.07	$	0.67
Market price:
High	$	150.71	$	160.64	$	161.53	$	151.54
Low	$	136.38	$	147.38	$	146.05	$	136.43
Close	$	146.65	$	148.24	$	153.92	$	151.51
Dividends declared	$	1.10	$	1.10	$	1.10	$	1.10
2011:
Total property revenues	$	122,373	$	117,226	$	114,906	$	111,208
Income before discontinued operations	$	14,493	$	11,767	$	10,502	$	12,106
Net income	$	17,868	$	11,085	$	16,052	$	12,511
Net income available to common stockholders	$	13,937	$	7,687	$	10,326	$	8,418
Per share data:
Net income:
Basic	$	0.42	$	0.23	$	0.32	$	0.27
Diluted	$	0.42	$	0.23	$	0.32	$	0.27
Market price:
High	$	148.44	$	145.40	$	138.31	$	124.41
Low	$	111.25	$	119.15	$	122.67	$	109.98
Close	$	140.51	$	120.04	$	135.29	$	124.00
Dividends declared	$	1.04	$	1.04	$	1.04	$	1.04

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Equity Based Compensation Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Equity Based Compensation Plans [Abstract]
Number of shares available (in shares)	1,200,000
Exercise price as a percentage of fair market value of common stock on grant date, minimum (in hundredths)	100.00%
Life of options, minimum	7 years
Life of options, maximum	10 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 4,141,000	$ 2,927,000	$ 3,251,000
Intrinsic value of the options outstanding and fully vested	9,900,000	10,600,000	7,700,000
Average fair value of stock options granted (in dollars per share)	$ 12.64	$ 14.49	$ 18.39
Cap on the appreciation of the market price over the exercise price	100	75
Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Option grants to officers and employees vesting period	1 year
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Option grants to officers and employees vesting period	5 years
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	2,000,000	1,500,000	1,000,000
Stock-based compensation capitalized	300,000	200,000	200,000
Intrinsic value of options exercised	2,900,000	3,800,000	2,900,000
Unrecognized compensation cost	3,200,000
Unrecognized compensation cost, weighted average recognition period, minimum	1 year
Unrecognized compensation cost, weighted average recognition period, maximum	5 years
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	2,000,000	1,500,000	1,000,000
Stock-based compensation capitalized	300,000	200,000	200,000
Unrecognized compensation cost	1,900,000
Series Z Incentive Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	2,100,000	1,500,000	2,300,000
Stock-based compensation capitalized	500,000	300,000	600,000
Intrinsic value of options exercised	20,800,000
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 7,300,000
Unrecognized compensation cost, weighted average recognition period, maximum	14 years
Series Z Incentive Units [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Option grants to officers and employees vesting period	8 years
Series Z Incentive Units [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Option grants to officers and employees vesting period	15 years

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Rental properties:
Land and land improvements	$ 1,003,171	$ 860,661
Buildings and improvements	4,030,501	3,452,403
Total Rental Properties	5,033,672	4,313,064
Less: accumulated depreciation	(1,081,517)	(920,026)
Net Real Estate	3,952,155	3,393,038
Real estate under development	66,851	44,280
Co-investments	571,345	383,412
Total Real Estate	4,590,351	3,820,730
Cash and cash equivalents-unrestricted	18,606	12,889
Cash and cash equivalents-restricted	23,520	22,574
Marketable securities	92,713	74,275
Notes and other receivables	66,163	66,369
Prepaid expenses and other assets	35,003	22,682
Deferred charges, net	20,867	17,445
Total assets	4,847,223	4,036,964
Liabilities and Equity
Mortgage notes payable	1,565,599	1,745,858
Unsecured debt	1,112,084	465,000
Lines of credit	141,000	150,000
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	64,858	48,324
Construction payable	5,392	6,505
Dividends payable	45,052	39,611
Derivative liabilities	6,606	3,061
Other liabilities	22,167	20,528
Total liabilities	2,962,758	2,478,887
Commitments and contingencies
Cumulative convertible preferred stock; $0001 par value:
4.875% Series G - 5,890,000 issued, and 178,249 outstanding	4,349	4,349
Equity:
Common stock; $.0001 par value, 656,020,000 shares authorized;36,442,994 and 33,888,082 shares issued and outstanding	3	3
Cumulative redeemable preferred stock at liquidation value	73,750	73,750
Excess Stock, $.0001 par value, 330,000,000 shares authorized and no shares issued or outstanding	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	2,204,778	1,844,611
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(444,466)	(408,066)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(69,261)	(72,771)
Total stockholders' equity	1,764,804	1,437,527
Noncontrolling interest	115,312	116,201
Total equity	1,880,116	1,553,728
Total liabilities and equity	$ 4,847,223	$ 4,036,964

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Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Management and other fees from affiliates including management, property management, development and redevelopment fees from co-investments, net of intercompany amounts eliminated by company	$ 10,900,000	$ 6,100,000	$ 4,100,000
Property acquisition fee			500,000
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)	2.50%
Number of units acquired	2,052	386
Cost of acquired entity	551,100,000	103,300,000
Redemption price per partnership unit (in dollars per share)			$ 106.76
Redemption price discount from the closing price of the company's common stock (in hundredths)			2.00%
Partnership units purchased from related party (in shares)			187,334
Limited partnership units exchange ratio to Company's common stock			one-for-one
Executive Vice President of the Company invested			4,000,000
Limited partnership interest in partnership investments (in hundredths)			3.00%
Marcus and Millichamp Company TMMC Affiliate [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Brokerage commissions revenue	400,000
Wesco III [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Short term bridge loan	26,000,000
SummerHill Apartment Communities [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Preferred equity interest investment in a related party entity	8,600,000
Preferred return on investment in related party investee during first five years (in hundredths)	9.50%
Pacific Urban Residential [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Preferred equity interest investment in a related party entity	14,000,000
Additional preferred equity interest investment related party entity	4,000,000
Preferred return on investment in related party investee during first five years (in hundredths)	9.50%
Maturity date	May 31, 2016
Montebello [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of units acquired	248
Cost of acquired entity	52,000,000
TMCC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Preferred equity interest investment in a related party entity	12,000,000
Preferred return on investment in related party investee during first five years (in hundredths)	13.00%
Units in the community	768
Preferred return on investment in related party investee after year five (in hundredths)	15.00%
TMCC and Wesco I [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Units in the community	156
Cost of acquired entity	$ 38,300,000

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Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity and Noncontrolling Interest (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Distributions in Excess of Accumulated Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Total
Balances at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 25,000	$ 3	$ 1,275,251	$ (222,952)	$ (24,206)	$ 220,445	$ 1,273,541
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2009	1,000,000	28,849,000
Net income	0	0	0	35,934	0	14,848	50,782
Reversal of unrealized gains upon the sale of marketable securities	0	0	0	0	(11,163)	(864)	(12,027)
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges and amortization of settlement swaps	0	0	0	0	(46,817)	(3,620)	(50,437)
Changes in fair value of marketable securities	0	0	0	0	4,969	388	5,357
Issuance of common stock under:
Stock option plans	0	0	5,803	0	0	0	5,803
Stock option plans (in shares)		122,000
Sale of common stock	0	0	251,455	0	0	0	251,455
Sale of common stock (in shares)		2,354,000
Equity based compensation costs	0	0	(260)	0	0	2,474	2,214
Retirement of exchangeable bonds	0	0	(434)	0	0	0	(434)
Contributions of noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0	0	4,038	4,038
Redemptions of noncontrolling interest	0	0	(16,347)	0	0	(7,839)	(24,186)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0	0	(24,802)	(24,802)
Common and preferred stock dividends declared	0	0	0	(126,290)	0	0	(126,290)
Balances at Dec. 31, 2010	25,000	3	1,515,468	(313,308)	(77,217)	205,068	1,355,014
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010	1,000,000	31,325,000
Net income	0	0	0	47,070	0	10,446	57,516
Reversal of unrealized gains upon the sale of marketable securities	0	0	0	0	(4,011)	(275)	(4,286)
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges and amortization of settlement swaps	0	0	0	0	7,212	495	7,707
Changes in fair value of marketable securities	0	0	0	0	1,245	85	1,330
Issuance of common stock under:
Stock option plans	0	0	8,412	0	0	0	8,412
Stock option plans (in shares)		103,000
Sale of common stock	0	0	323,931	0	0	0	323,931
Sale of common stock (in shares)		2,460,000
Equity based compensation costs	0	0	(725)	0	0	1,598	873
Issuance of Series H Preferred	73,750	0	(2,541)	0	0	0	71,209
Issuance of Series H Preferred (in shares)	2,950,000
Redemptions of Series F Preferred	(25,000)	0	0	0	0	0	(25,000)
Redemptions of Series F Preferred (in shares)	(1,000,000)
Redemptions of Series B Preferred	0	0	1,200	0	0	(80,000)	(78,800)
Redemptions of noncontrolling interest	0	0	(1,134)	0	0	(4,253)	(5,387)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0	0	(16,963)	(16,963)
Common and preferred stock dividends declared	0	0	0	(141,828)	0	0	(141,828)
Balances at Dec. 31, 2011	73,750	3	1,844,611	(408,066)	(72,771)	116,201	1,553,728
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	2,950,000	33,888,000
Net income	0	0	0	125,284	0	14,306	139,590
Reversal of unrealized gains upon the sale of marketable securities	0	0	0	0	(1,018)	(64)	(1,082)
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges and amortization of settlement swaps	0	0	0	0	3,183	219	3,402
Changes in fair value of marketable securities	0	0	0	0	1,345	66	1,411
Issuance of common stock under:
Stock option plans	0	0	4,675	0	0	0	4,675
Stock option plans (in shares)		151,000
Sale of common stock	0	0	357,720	0	0	0	357,720
Sale of common stock (in shares)		2,404,000
Equity based compensation costs	0	0	(430)	0	0	2,231	1,801
Contributions of noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0	0	4,232	4,232
Redemptions of noncontrolling interest	0	0	(1,798)	0	0	(5,188)	(6,986)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0	0	(16,691)	(16,691)
Common and preferred stock dividends declared	0	0	0	(161,684)	0	0	(161,684)
Balances at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 73,750	$ 3	$ 2,204,778	$ (444,466)	$ (69,261)	$ 115,312	$ 1,880,116
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	2,950,000	36,443,000

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Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Information [Abstract]
Number of reportable operating segments defined by geographical regions									3
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Property revenues	$ 141,628	$ 135,070	$ 129,764	$ 125,474	$ 122,373	$ 117,226	$ 114,906	$ 111,208	$ 531,936	$ 465,713	$ 405,728
Net operating income									357,848	306,479	262,564
Depreciation									(170,592)	(151,428)	(128,221)
Interest expense before amortization									(100,244)	(91,694)	(82,756)
Amortization expense									(11,644)	(11,474)	(4,828)
Management and other fees from affiliates									11,489	6,780	4,551
General and administrative									(23,307)	(20,694)	(23,255)
Cost of management and other fees									(6,513)	(4,610)	(2,707)
Impairment and other charges									0	0	(2,302)
Interest and other income									13,833	17,139	27,841
Loss on early retirement of debt									(5,009)	(1,163)	(10)
Equity (loss) income from co-investments									41,745	(467)	(1,715)
Gain on remeasurement of co-investment									21,947	0	0
Income before discontinued operations									129,553	48,868	49,162
Net reportable operating segment - real estate assets	3,952,155				3,393,038				3,952,155	3,393,038
Real estate under development	66,851				44,280				66,851	44,280
Co-investments	571,345		21,900		383,412				571,345	383,412
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash	42,126				35,463				42,126	35,463
Marketable securities	92,713				74,275				92,713	74,275
Notes and other receivables	66,163				66,369				66,163	66,369
Other non-segment assets	55,870				40,127				55,870	40,127
Total assets	4,847,223				4,036,964				4,847,223	4,036,964
Southern California [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Property revenues									249,524	223,304	200,541
Net operating income									166,162	146,519	132,150
Net reportable operating segment - real estate assets	1,675,265				1,478,018				1,675,265	1,478,018
Northern California [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Property revenues									175,325	149,457	127,302
Net operating income									120,540	99,047	82,288
Net reportable operating segment - real estate assets	1,489,095				1,241,320				1,489,095	1,241,320
Seattle Metro [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Property revenues									94,708	81,967	70,348
Net operating income									62,076	52,173	43,006
Net reportable operating segment - real estate assets	699,465				579,612				699,465	579,612
Other Real Estate Assets [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Property revenues									12,379	10,985	7,537
Net operating income									9,070	8,740	5,120
Net reportable operating segment - real estate assets	$ 88,330				$ 94,088				$ 88,330	$ 94,088

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Lease Agreements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Lease Agreements [Abstract]

Future minimum non-cancelable base rent to be received

As of December 31, 2012 the Company is a lessor for four commercial buildings and the commercial portions of 20 mixed use communities. The tenants' lease terms expire at various times through 2028.  The future minimum non-cancelable base rent to be received under these operating leases for each of the years ending after December 31 is summarized as follows ($ in thousands):

	Future
	Minimum
	Rent
2013	$	8,592
2014		8,395
2015		6,933
2016		4,512
2017		2,781
Thereafter		14,562
	$	45,775

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Segment Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Segment Information [Abstract]

Segment Information

(14) Segment Information

The Company defines its reportable operating segments as the three geographical regions in which its communities are located: Southern California, Northern California and Seattle Metro.  Excluded from segment revenues are communities classified in discontinued operations, management and other fees from affiliates, and interest and other income.  Non-segment revenues and net operating income included in the following schedule also consist of revenue generated from commercial properties.  Other non-segment assets include real estate under development, co-investments, cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, notes and other receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets and deferred charges.

The revenues and net operating income for each of the reportable operating segments are summarized as follows for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 ($ in thousands):

	Years Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010
Revenues:
Southern California	$	249,524		$	223,304		$	200,541
Northern California		175,325			149,457			127,302
Seattle Metro		94,708			81,967			70,348
Other real estate assets		12,379			10,985			7,537
Total property revenues	$	531,936		$	465,713		$	405,728
Net operating income:
Southern California	$	166,162		$	146,519		$	132,150
Northern California		120,540			99,047			82,288
Seattle Metro		62,076			52,173			43,006
Other real estate assets		9,070			8,740			5,120
Total net operating income		357,848			306,479			262,564
Depreciation		(170,592	)		(151,428	)		(128,221	)
Interest expense before amortization		(100,244	)		(91,694	)		(82,756	)
Amortization expense		(11,644	)		(11,474	)		(4,828	)
Management and other fees from affiliates		11,489			6,780			4,551
General and administrative		(23,307	)		(20,694	)		(23,255	)
Cost of management and other fees		(6,513	)		(4,610	)		(2,707	)
Impairment and other charges		-			-			(2,302	)
Interest and other income		13,833			17,139			27,841
Loss on early retirement of debt		(5,009	)		(1,163	)		(10	)
Equity income (loss) income from co-investments		41,745			(467	)		(1,715	)
Gain on remeasurement of co-investment		21,947			-			-
Income before discontinued operations	$	129,553		$	48,868		$	49,162

Total assets for each of the reportable operating segments are summarized as follows as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 ($ in thousands):

	As of December 31,
Assets:	2012		2011
Southern California	$	1,675,265	$	1,478,018
Northern California		1,489,095		1,241,320
Seattle Metro		699,465		579,612
Other real estate assets		88,330		94,088
Net reportable operating segments - real estate assets		3,952,155		3,393,038
Real estate under development		66,851		44,280
Co-investments		571,345		383,412
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash		42,126		35,463
Marketable securities		92,713		74,275
Notes and other receivables		66,163		66,369
Other non-segment assets		55,870		40,127
Total assets	$	4,847,223	$	4,036,964

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Equity Transactions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Equity Transactions [Abstract]

Cumulative preferred securities outstanding

As of December 31, 2012, the Company has the following cumulative preferred securities outstanding:

		Shares	Shares	Liquidation
Description	Issue Date	Authorized	Outstanding	Preference
7.125% Series H	April 2011	8,000,000	2,950,000	$	73,750
4.875% Series G	July 2006	5,980,000	178,249	$	4,456

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Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

(16) Commitments and Contingencies

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had six non-cancelable land leases for certain apartment communities and buildings that expire between 2027 and 2080.  Land lease payments are typically the greater of a stated minimum or a percentage of gross rents generated by these apartment communities.  Total minimum lease commitments, under land leases and operating leases, are approximately $1.7 million per year for the next five years.

To the extent that an environmental matter arises or is identified in the future that has other than a remote risk of having a material impact on the financial statements, the Company will disclose the estimated range of possible outcomes, and, if an outcome is probable, accrue an appropriate liability for remediation and other potential liability. The Company will consider whether such occurrence results in an impairment of value on the affected property and, if so, impairment will be recognized.

Except with respect to three communities, the Company has no indemnification agreements from third parties for potential environmental clean-up costs at its communities.  The Company has no way of determining at this time the magnitude of any potential liability to which it may be subject arising out of unknown environmental conditions or violations with respect to the communities formerly owned by the Company.  No assurance can be given that existing environmental studies with respect to any of the communities reveal all environmental liabilities, that any prior owner or operator of a Property did not create any material environmental condition not known to the Company, or that a material environmental condition does not otherwise exist as to any one or more of the communities.  The Company has limited insurance coverage for the types of environmental liabilities described above.

The Company has entered into transactions that may require the Company to pay the tax liabilities of the partners in the Operating Partnership or in the DownREIT entities.  These transactions are within the Company's control. Although the Company plans to hold the contributed assets or defer recognition of gain on their sale pursuant to like-kind exchange rules under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code the Company can provide no assurance that it will be able to do so and if such tax liabilities were incurred they may to have a material impact on the Company's financial position.

There have been an increasing number of lawsuits against owners and managers of apartment communities alleging personal injury and property damage caused by the presence of mold in residential real estate. Some of these lawsuits have resulted in substantial monetary judgments or settlements.  The Company has been sued for mold related matters and has settled some, but not all, of such matters.   Insurance carriers have reacted to mold related liability awards by excluding mold related claims from standard policies and pricing mold endorsements at prohibitively high rates.  The Company has, however, purchased pollution liability insurance, which includes some coverage for mold.  The Company has adopted policies to promptly address and resolve reports of mold when it is detected, and to minimize any impact mold might have on residents of the property.  The Company believes its mold policies and proactive response to address any known existence, reduces its risk of loss from these cases.  There can be no assurances that the Company has identified and responded to all mold occurrences, but the company promptly addresses all known reports of mold.  Liabilities resulting from such mold related matters are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.  As of December 31, 2012, potential liabilities for mold and other environmental liabilities are not quantifiable and an estimate of possible loss cannot be made.

The Company carries comprehensive liability, fire, extended coverage and rental loss insurance for each of the communities.  Under comprehensive liability claims, the Company has insurance to cover claims in excess of $100,000 per incident.  Under property casualty claims, the Company reinsures the primary carrier for losses up to $5.0 million deductible per incident.  There are, however, certain types of extraordinary losses, such as, for example, losses from terrorism and earthquake, for which the Company does not have insurance. Substantially all of the communities are located in areas that are subject to earthquakes.

The Company provided a loan and construction completion guarantee to the lender in order to fulfill the lender's standard financing requirements related to the construction of the Expo community.  The outstanding balance for the construction loan is included in the debt line item in the balance sheet of the co-investments included in Note 3.  The construction completion guarantee is for the life of the loan, which is scheduled to mature on July 1, 2014, with two, one-year extension options at the Expo joint venture's option.  As of December 31, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all terms of the construction loan and the construction of the community is expected to be completed on time and within budget.  The maximum exposure of the guarantee as of December 31, 2012 was $70.0 million based on the construction costs that were budgeted to be incurred to complete the construction.

The Company provided a payment guarantee to the counterparties in relation to the total return swaps entered into by the joint venture responsible for the development of The Huxley (formerly Fountain at La Brea) and The Dylan (formerly Santa Monica at La Brea) communities.  Further the Company has guaranteed completion of development and made certain debt service guarantees for The Huxley and The Dylan.  The outstanding balance for the loans is included in the debt line item in the balance sheet of the co-investments included in Note 3.  The payment guarantee is for the payment of the amounts due to the counterparty related total return swaps which are scheduled to mature in September and December 2016.  The maximum exposure of the guarantee as of December 31, 2012 was $55.7 million based on the aggregate outstanding debt amount.

The Company is subject to various other lawsuits in the normal course of its business operations.  Such lawsuits are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 139,590	$ 57,516	$ 50,782
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gain on sale of marketable securities	(819)	(4,956)	(12,491)
Gain on remeasurement of co-investment	(21,947)	0	0
Entity's share of gain on the sales of co-investment	(29,112)	(919)	0
Gain on the sales of real estate	(10,870)	(8,562)	0
Loss on early retirement of debt	5,009	1,163	10
Co-investments	1,626	7,929	1,715
Amortization expense	11,644	11,474	4,828
Amortization of discount on notes receivables	(1,832)	(1,757)	(4,806)
Amortization of discount on marketable securities	(5,127)	(4,794)	(3,714)
Loss on derivative instruments - ineffectiveness	0	0	2,301
Depreciation	170,686	152,542	129,711
Equity-based compensation	4,141	2,927	3,251
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(9,488)	(1,172)	(2,771)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	12,360	3,620	4,302
Other liabilities	1,638	1,560	2,412
Net cash provided by operating activities	267,499	216,571	175,530
Additions to real estate:
Acquisitions of real estate	(393,771)	(57,478)	(279,607)
Improvements to recent acquisitions	(13,704)	(16,446)	(6,388)
Redevelopment	(40,200)	(45,130)	(14,096)
Revenue generating capital expenditures	(7,620)	(7,616)	(1,584)
Non-revenue generating capital expenditures	(30,491)	(26,090)	(29,278)
Acquisition of and additions to real estate under development	(29,196)	(79,194)	(155,267)
Acquisition of membership interest in co-investment	(85,000)	0	0
Dispositions of real estate	27,800	23,003	0
Changes in restricted cash and refundable deposits	(6,069)	(1,376)	(4,414)
Purchases of marketable securities	(73,735)	(8,048)	(49,974)
Sales and maturities marketable securities	61,703	32,998	102,039
Proceeds from tax investor	0	0	1,223
Purchases of and advances under notes and other receivables	(26,000)	(12,325)	(37,627)
Collections of notes and other receivables	14,525	884	1,855
Contributions to co-investments	(260,153)	(246,106)	(79,450)
Non-operating distributions from co-investments	49,773	17,141	41,700
Net cash used in investing activities	(812,138)	(425,783)	(510,868)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under debt agreements	1,745,853	1,514,684	1,214,216
Repayment of debt	(1,371,317)	(1,435,135)	(882,646)
Additions to deferred charges	(6,707)	(5,533)	(4,109)
Payments to settle derivative instruments	0	(2,395)	(81,282)
Retirement of exchangeable bonds	0	0	(5,396)
Net proceeds from issuance of Preferred stock, Series H	0	71,209	0
Retirement of Series B preferred units and Series F Preferred stock	0	(103,800)	0
Equity related issuance cost	(309)	(627)	0
Net proceeds from stock options exercised	2,643	6,986	4,765
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	357,720	323,931	251,455
Contributions from noncontrolling interest	2,400	0	4,038
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(16,691)	(16,963)	(24,795)
Redemption of noncontrolling interest	(6,986)	(5,387)	(24,186)
Common and preferred stock dividends paid	(156,250)	(138,622)	(123,629)
Net cash provided by financing activities	550,356	208,348	328,431
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	5,717	(864)	(6,907)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	12,889	13,753	20,660
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	18,606	12,889	13,753
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest, net of $10,346, $8,240, and $9,486 capitalized in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively	95,597	89,691	83,497
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:
Transfer from real estate under development to rental properties	6,632	165,214	170,940
Transfer from co investments to rental properties	148,053	0	0
Mortgage notes assumed in connection with purchases of real estate including the loan premiums recorded	82,133	20,927	87,336
Transfer from real estate under development to co investments	0	54,472	0
Note receivable settled when the company purchased the property securing the note receivable	0	0	25,750
Contribution of note receivable to co-investment	12,325	0	0
Change in accrual of dividends	5,441	3,206	2,655
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities	4,461	230	1,907
Change in fair value of marketable securities	459	2,836	6,670
Change in construction payable	$ 1,113	$ 2,518	$ 1,304

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
Cumulative convertible preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Cumulative convertible preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	5,890,000	5,890,000
Cumulative convertible preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	178,249	178,249
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Common stock, shares authorized ( in shares)	656,020,000	656,020,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	36,442,994	36,442,994
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	33,888,082	33,888,082
Excess stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Excess stock, shares authorized (in shares)	330,000,000	330,000,000

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Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

(9) Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company uses interest rate swaps and interest rate cap contracts to manage certain interest rate risks. The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves. The fair values of interest rate swaps are determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts (or payments) and the discounted expected variable cash payments (or receipts). The variable cash payments (or receipts) are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves. The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty's nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements.

The Company has entered into interest rate swap contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $300 million that effectively fixed the interest rate on $300 million of the $350 million unsecured term loan at 2.7% through November 2016.  These derivatives qualify for hedge accounting.

As of December 31, 2012 the Company also had twelve interest rate cap contracts totaling a notional amount of $187.8 million that qualify for hedge accounting as they effectively limit the Company's exposure to interest rate risk by providing a ceiling on the underlying variable interest rate for $201.9 million of the Company's tax exempt variable rate debt.

As of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 the aggregate carrying value of the interest rate swap contracts was a liability of $6.6 million and $1.4 million, respectively. The aggregate carrying value of the interest rate cap contracts was zero on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2012, and was an asset of $0.2 million as of December 31, 2011.

During the third quarter 2012, the Company terminated a swap transaction with respect to the $38.0 million of tax-exempt bonds for the 101 San Fernando apartment community with Citibank because the bonds were repurchased by the Company at par.

During 2011, the Company settled its remaining $20.0 million forward starting swap contract for $2.3 million which was applied to the $32.0 million mortgage obtained in February 2011, increasing the effective borrowing rate from 5.4% to 6.2%.

During 2010, the Company settled $355 million in forward-starting swap contracts for $81.3 million, which was applied to 10-year mortgage loans obtained in 2010.  The settlement of the forward-starting swaps increased the average effective interest rate on the 2010 mortgage loans from 4.5% to 6.8%.   During 2010, the Company incurred $2.3 million in expense related to the ineffectiveness of certain of the settled forward-starting swap hedges, which is included in impairment and other charges in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2010.  No hedge ineffectiveness on cash flow hedges was incurred during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

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Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 20, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
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 Public Float			$ 5,325,843,948
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		37,907,305
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012

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Lease Agreements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Lease Agreements [Abstract]

Lease Agreements

(10) Lease Agreements

As of December 31, 2012 the Company is a lessor for four commercial buildings and the commercial portions of 20 mixed use communities. The tenants' lease terms expire at various times through 2028.  The future minimum non-cancelable base rent to be received under these operating leases for each of the years ending after December 31 is summarized as follows ($ in thousands):

	Future
	Minimum
	Rent
2013	$	8,592
2014		8,395
2015		6,933
2016		4,512
2017		2,781
Thereafter		14,562
	$	45,775

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Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenues:
Rental and other property	$ 531,936	$ 465,713	$ 405,728
Management and other fees from affiliates	11,489	6,780	4,551
Total revenues	543,425	472,493	410,279
Expenses:
Property operating, excluding real estate taxes	125,437	115,528	104,049
Real estate taxes	48,651	43,706	39,115
Depreciation	170,592	151,428	128,221
General and administrative	23,307	20,694	23,255
Cost of management and other fees	6,513	4,610	2,707
Impairment and other charges	0	0	2,302
Total expenses	374,500	335,966	299,649
Earnings from operations	168,925	136,527	110,630
Interest expense before amortization	(100,244)	(91,694)	(82,756)
Amortization expense	(11,644)	(11,474)	(4,828)
Interest and other income	13,833	17,139	27,841
Equity income (loss) from co-investments	41,745	(467)	(1,715)
Gain on remeasurement of co-investment	21,947	0	0
Loss on early retirement of debt	(5,009)	(1,163)	(10)
Income before discontinued operations	129,553	48,868	49,162
Income from discontinued operations	10,037	8,648	1,620
Net income	139,590	57,516	50,782
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(14,306)	(10,446)	(14,848)
Net income attributable to controlling interest	125,284	47,070	35,934
Dividends to preferred stockholders	(5,472)	(4,753)	(2,170)
Excess of cash paid to redeem preferred stock and units over the carrying value	0	(1,949)	0
Net income available to common stockholders	$ 119,812	$ 40,368	$ 33,764
Basic:
Income before discontinued operations available to common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 3.15	$ 0.99	$ 1.09
Income from discontinued operations available to common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.27	$ 0.25	$ 0.05
Net income available to common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 3.42	$ 1.24	$ 1.14
Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year (in shares)	35,032,491	32,541,792	29,667,064
Diluted:
Income before discontinued operations available to common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 3.14	$ 0.99	$ 1.09
Income from discontinued operations available to common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.27	$ 0.25	$ 0.05
Net income available to common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 3.41	$ 1.24	$ 1.14
Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year (in shares)	35,124,921	32,628,714	29,734,383

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Notes and Other Receivables

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Notes and Other Receivables [Abstract]

Notes and Other Receivables

(4) Notes and Other Receivables

Notes receivables, secured by real estate, and other receivables consist of the following as December 31, 2012 and 2011 ($ in thousands):

	2012		2011
Note receivable, secured, bearing interest at 9.8%, paid in full January 2012	$	-	$	7,331
Note receivable, secured, bearing interest at 5.0%, due November 2012 (1)		-		12,428
Note receivable, secured, bearing interest at LIBOR + 8.0%, paid in full December 2012		-		6,422
Note receivable, secured, bearing interest at 8.8%, due February 2014 (2)		10,800		10,928
Note receivable, secured, bearing interest at 8.0%, due November 2013		971		971
Note receivable, secured, effective interest at 9.6%, due February 2014		18,499		17,646
Note receivable, secured, bearing interest at 4.0%, due December 2014 (3)		3,212		3,221
Notes and other receivables from affiliates (4)		28,896		2,734
Other receivables		3,785		4,688
	$	66,163	$	66,369

(1) $12.4 million note receivable was contributed to the Elkhorn co-investment during the first quarter of 2012.

(2) During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company amended the loan to extend the maturity date to February 2014.

(3) During the first quarter 2012, the Company amended the loan secured by Vacationer RV Park to extend the maturity date to December 2014.  Beginning January 1, 2012 the note which has a carrying value of $3.2 million, bears interest at a rate of 4%, and the borrower funds an impound account for capital replacement.

(4) The Company provided a $26.0 million short-term bridge loan to Wesco III at a rate of LIBOR + 2.5%.

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Real Estate Investments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Real Estate Investments [Abstract]

Real Estate Investments

(3) Real Estate Investments

(a) Acquisitions of Real Estate

For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company purchased eleven communities consisting of 2,052 units for $551.1 million.

During the first quarter of 2012, the Company acquired Bon Terra, a 60 unit community located adjacent to Delano in Redmond, Washington for $16.0 million.  The Company also acquired Reed Square, a 100 unit community located in Sunnyvale, California for $23.0 million.

During the second quarter of 2012, the Company purchased the joint venture partner's membership interest in the co-investment Essex Skyline at MacArthur Place, a 349 unit premier high-rise apartment community located in Santa Ana, California, for a total purchase price of $85.0 million.  The Company recorded promote income of $2.3 million included in interest and other income on the consolidated statements of operations, earned as a result of achieving certain performance hurdles as defined in the joint venture agreement.  Upon the acquisition of partner's membership interest, the property was consolidated and a gain on remeasurement of the Company's co-investment interest of $21.9 million was recorded equal to the amount by which the fair value of the Company's previously owned noncontrolling interest exceeded its carrying value.  The secured $80.0 million loan was repaid early as part of this transaction.

Also during the second quarter 2012, the Company purchased Park Catalina, a 90 unit property located in the Koreatown submarket of Los Angeles, California for a total purchase price of $23.7 million. In addition, the Company purchased The Huntington, a 276 unit property located in Huntington Beach, California for a purchase price of $48.3 million.  The Company assumed a $30.3 million loan secured by the property at a fixed rate of 5.7% for seven years.  The interest rate on the loan was unfavorable compared to currently available market rates for mortgage loans, and thus in conjunction with the purchase price allocation, the Company recorded a $4.3 million loan premium to reflect the debt at fair value.  This results in an effective interest rate for this loan of 3.3%.

During the third quarter of 2012, the Company purchased Montebello, a 248 unit property located in Kirkland, Washington, for a purchase price of $52.0 million from a related party entity.  The Company assumed a $26.5 million mortgage loan secured by the property at a fixed rate of 5.6% for eight years.  The interest rate on the loan was unfavorable compared to currently available market rates for mortgage loans, and thus in conjunction with the purchase price allocation, the Company recorded a $4.1 million loan premium to reflect the debt at fair value.  This results in an effective interest rate for this loan of 3.1%.

Also during the third quarter 2012, the Company acquired Park West, a 126 unit apartment community located in San Francisco, California, for $31.6 million. The Company intends to renovate the exterior of the community for $8 million.  In addition, the Company acquired Domaine, a 92 unit property located in Seattle, Washington for $34.0 million.  In connection with the purchase, the Company assumed a $14.6 million loan at a fixed rate of 5.7% for an 8 year term. The interest rate on the loan was unfavorable compared to currently available market rates for mortgage loans, and thus in conjunction with the purchase price allocation, the Company recorded a $2.4 million loan premium to reflect the debt at fair value.  This results in an effective interest rate for this loan of 3.0%.

During the fourth quarter 2012, the Company acquired Ascent, a 90 unit community located in Kirkland, Washington, for $15.9 million and Willow Lake Apartments, a 508 unit property located in San Jose, California for $148.0 million.  Also during the fourth quarter 2012, the Company purchased Bennett Lofts (formerly Q Lofts), a 147 unit apartment community located in San Francisco, California, for a total purchase price of $96.0 million.  Approximately 75% of the property was acquired in December for $73.8 million, and the remainder was purchased in January 2013 for $22.2 million.

For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company purchased five communities for approximately $103.3 million, consisting of the following communities ($ in thousands):

Communities	Location	Purchase Price		Units
Delano	Redmond, WA	$	14,100		66
Bernard	Seattle, WA		13,800		63
Bellerive	Los Angeles, CA		27,000		63
Santee Village	Los Angeles, CA		17,000		73
1000 Kiely	Santa Clara, CA		31,400		121
Total 2011 purchases		$	103,300		386

(b) Sales of Real Estate investments

For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company sold $28.3 million of real estate which resulted in a gain of $10.9 million.

During the first quarter of 2012, the Company sold Tierra Del Sol/Norte, a 156 unit community located in San Diego, California for $17.2 million for a gain of $7.0 million.  The Company also sold Alpine Country, a 108 unit community located in San Diego metropolitan area, for $11.1 million for a gain of $3.9 million.

During the second quarter of 2011, the Company disposed of Woodlawn Colonial, a 159-unit community located in Chula Vista, California for $16.0 million which resulted in a gain of $5.2 million.  The property was purchased in 2002 as part of the John M. Sachs, Inc. merger.

During the third quarter 2011, the Company sold the View Pointe land parcel located in Newcastle, Washington for net proceeds of $1.4 million and a gain of $0.2 million.

During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company sold the Clarendon office building in Woodland Hills, California for $7.4 million which resulted in a gain of $3.2 million on the sale.

No communities were held for sale as of December 31, 2012 or 2011.

(c) Co-investments

The Company has joint venture investments in co-investments which are accounted for under the equity method.  The co-investments' accounting policies are similar to the Company's accounting policies.  The joint ventures own, operate, and develop apartment communities.

Wesco I, LLC

Wesco, I LLC ("Wesco I") is a 50/50 programmatic joint venture with an institutional partner for a total equity commitment of $300.0 million.  Each partner's equity commitment is $150.0 million. Wesco I will utilize debt as leverage equal to approximately 50% of the underlying real estate.  The Company has contributed $150.0 million to Wesco I, and as of December 31, 2012, Wesco I owned nine apartment communities with 2,713 units with an aggregate carrying value of $660.5 million.

During the third quarter 2012, Wesco I acquired Riley Square (formerly Waterstone Santa Clara) for $38.3 million from a related party entity.  The property contains 156 units and is located in Santa Clara, California.  Wesco I assumed a $17.5 million mortgage loan secured by the property at a fixed rate of 5.2% for a term of 8 years.  The interest rate on the loan was unfavorable compared to currently available market rates for mortgage loans, and thus in conjunction with the purchase price allocation, Wesco I recorded a $2.3 million loan premium to reflect the debt at fair value.  This results in an effective interest rate for this loan of 3.1%.

During the fourth quarter 2012, Wesco I acquired Madrid, a 230 unit community located in Mission Viejo, California for an undisclosed price (per an agreement with the seller).  Also during the quarter, Wesco I acquired Pacific Electric Lofts for an undisclosed amount (per an agreement with the seller).  The property contains 314 units along with 22,100 square feet of retail.

For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company purchased five communities under the Wesco I joint venture for approximately $429.2 million, consisting of the following communities ($ in thousands):

Communities	Location	Purchase Price		Units
Arbors Parc Rose	Oxnard, CA	$	92,000		373
Redmond Hill	Redmond, WA		151,300		882
Reveal	Woodland Hills, CA		132,900		438
Briarwood	Fremont, CA		27,800		160
The Woods	Fremont, CA		25,200		160
Total 2011 purchases		$	429,200		2,013

Wesco III, LLC

During 2012, the Company entered into a 50/50 programmatic joint venture, Wesco III LLC ("Wesco III"), with an institutional partner for a total equity commitment from the parties of $120.0 million. Each partner's equity commitment is $60.0 million.  Wesco III will utilize debt as leverage equal to approximately 50% of the underlying real estate.  The Company has contributed $10.0 million to Wesco III, and provided a $26.0 million short term bridge loan to Wesco III at a rate of LIBOR + 2.5%.

During the fourth quarter 2012, Wesco III acquired Haver Hill, a 264 unit community located in Fullerton, California for $45.6 million.

Essex Apartment Value Fund II, L.P.

Essex Apartment Value Fund II, L.P. ("Fund II"), has eight institutional investors with combined partner equity contributions of $265.9 million.  The Company contributed $75.0 million to Fund II, which represents a 28.2% interest as general partner and limited partner.  Fund II utilized debt as leverage equal to approximately 55% upon the initial acquisition of the underlying real estate.  Fund II invested in apartment communities in the Company's targeted West Coast markets with an emphasis on investment opportunities in the Seattle metropolitan area and the San Francisco Bay Area.  As of October 2006, Fund II was fully invested and closed for any future acquisitions or development.  As of December 31, 2012, Fund II owned seven apartment communities.

During the fourth quarter 2012, Fund II sold seven communities for gross proceeds of $413.0 million, consisting of the following communities ($ in thousands):

Communities	Location	Purchase Price		Units
Parcwood	Corona, CA	$	42,200		312
Regency Tower	Oakland, CA		31,000		178
Studio 40-41	Studio City, CA		56,300		149
Tower @ 801	Seattle, WA		50,100		173
Cielo	Chatsworth, CA		33,100		119
Echo Ridge	Snoqualmie, WA		26,500		120
The Enclave	San Jose, CA		173,750		637
Total 2012 sales		$	412,950		1,688

In conjunction with the sale of the assets, the Company incurred a prepayment penalty on debt obligations of $2.3 million during the fourth quarter 2012 for its pro-rata share of Fund II's debt.  The total gain on the transaction was $106 million, of which the Company's pro rata share was $29.1 million.

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board – Joint Venture Developments

The Company has entered into four development joint ventures with the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board ("CPPIB") to develop four apartment communities.  For each joint venture the Company holds a 55% non controlling interest in the venture and will earn customary management fees and may earn development, asset, and property management fees.  The Company may also earn a promote interest. These co-investments are not variable interest entities since they have sufficient equity without additional subordinated support, and the Company and CPPIB jointly have the power to direct activities that most significantly impact the co-investments' economic performance.  Each of the co-investments between the Company and CPPIB has a single general partner, which is subsidiary consolidated by the Company.  However, the Company, as general partner of the co-investments, does not control the co-investments because the limited partners have substantive participating rights.  Therefore, the presumption of control by the Company as general partner is overcome by the rights held by CPPIB, and the Company records the co-investments with CPPIB on the equity method of accounting.

The following are the CPPIB development joint ventures:

		Ownership			Estimated		Construction
Development Projects - CPPIB Joint Venture	Location	%	Units		Total Cost		Start
Epic -  Phase I and II	San Jose, CA	55%		569	$	191.6	Aug-11
Connolly Station (fka Linc)	Dublin, CA	55%		309		94.5	Aug-11
Folsom and Fifth	San Francisco, CA	55%		463		250.0	Jun-12
Elkhorn	San Mateo, CA	55%		197		76.1	Aug-12
Total - CPPIB Joint Venture Development Projects				1,538	$	612.2

The Huxley and The Dylan (formerly Fountain and Santa Monica at La Brea) – Joint Venture Developments

During the third quarter 2011, the Company entered into a development joint venture with a regional developer for the construction of The Huxley, a 187 unit community with approximately 18,200 square feet of retail located in West Hollywood, California.  The regional developer contributed the land and the Company contributed approximately $9.0 million in cash for a 50% interest in the venture.  The joint venture obtained bond financing for the project in the amount of $54.5 million with a maturity date of October 2046 and entered into an interest rate swap transaction with respect to the bonds that terminates in September 2016 that effectively converts the interest rate to the Securities Industry and Financial Market Association index ("SIFMA") plus 150 basis points through December 2016.

In the fourth quarter 2011, the Company entered into another development joint venture with the same regional developer for the construction of The Dylan, a 184 unit apartment community with approximately 12,750 square feet of retail located in West Hollywood, California.  The 50/50 joint venture was created with the contribution of $5.8 million by the Company and the contribution of entitled land by the regional developer.  The joint venture secured bond financing in the amount of $59.9 million, maturing in December 2046.  The joint venture entered into a total return swap agreement that effectively converts the interest rate to SIFMA plus 150 basis points through December 2016.

The bond financing for these two development projects have joint and several liability for the joint venture partners.  Additionally, if either partner fails to make capital contributions to one of these joint ventures in certain instances, then the ownership interest of the defaulting partner in the other joint venture may be reduced.

Expo (formerly Queen Anne) – Joint Venture Development

During December 2010, the Company entered into a development joint venture with a partner who contributed a land parcel during the first quarter of 2011 in return for a 50% interest in the venture and the Company contributed cash equal to the value of the land in return for a 50% interest in the joint venture. The 275-unit community is under development in Seattle, Washington.  The Expo joint venture obtained a $45.0 million construction loan at a rate of LIBOR plus 195 basis points, due July 2014, with two one-year extension options exercisable at the joint venture's option.

Preferred Equity Investments

During the second quarter 2012, the Company made a $14 million preferred equity investment in an apartment community located in Cupertino, California to a related party entity.  The investment has a preferred return of 9.5% and matures in May 2016.  The preferred equity agreement provides for up to $4 million of additional funding for renovation costs.

During the first quarter 2011, the Company invested $9.7 million as preferred equity investments in two apartment communities located in downtown Los Angeles.  The investments are for ten years with a preferred return of 9% for five years, increasing to a minimum of 10% and a maximum of 12.5% thereafter.

During the second quarter of 2011, the Company completed a $13.0 million preferred equity investment in an entity owning an apartment community located in downtown Los Angeles.  The Company's preferred return is 10% and the Company's investment has a five-year term.

During the third quarter of 2011, the Company sold its preferred stock investments in MyNewPlace.com, a real estate technology company for net proceeds of $1.6 million and a gain of $0.9 million.

During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company entered into a 50/50 joint venture with an institutional partner, Wesco II, LLC ("Wesco II"), which in turn closed a $175 million preferred equity investment in Park Merced, a 3,221-unit apartment community located in San Francisco, California.  The preferred equity investment has a stated term of 7 years and a preferred return of 10.1%.  The investment cannot be repaid during the first two years, and there is a prepayment penalty in the third through the fifth year of the investment.  The community is encumbered with a $450 million senior mortgage loan with a fixed interest rate of 3.83% due in 2018.  The senior loan represents roughly a 60% loan to value, and the projected debt service coverage is approximately 110% including Wesco II's preferred equity investment (unaudited).

The carrying values of the Company's co-investments as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows ($ in thousands):

	2012		2011
Investments in joint ventures accounted for under the equity method of accounting:
Membership interest in Wesco I	$	143,874	$	75,588
Partnership interest in Fund II		53,601		64,294
Membership interest in Wesco III		9,941		-
Membership interest in a limited liability company that owns Essex Skyline at MacArthur Place		-		24,063
Total operating co-investments		207,416		163,945
Membership interests in limited liability companies that own and are developing Epic, Connolly Station, Folsom and Fifth, and Elkhorn		186,362		62,897
Membership interest in a limited liability company that owns and is developing Expo		18,752		17,981
Membership interests in limited liability companies that own and are developing The Huxley and The Dylan		16,552		15,194
Total development co-investments		221,666		96,072
Membership interest in Wesco II that owns a preferred equity interest in Parkmerced with a perferred return of 10.1%		91,843		88,075
Preferred interests in limited liability companies that own apartment communities in downtown Los Angeles with preferred returns of 9% and 10%		22,807		22,792
Preferred interests in related party limited liability company that owns Sage at Cupertino with a preferred return of  9.5%		14,438		-
Preferred interest in a related party limited liability company that owns Madison Park at Anaheim with a preferred return of 13%		13,175		12,528
Total preferred interest investments		142,263		123,395
Total co-investments	$	571,345	$	383,412

The combined summarized financial information of co-investments, which are accounted for under the equity method, is as follows ($ in thousands):

	December 31,
	2012		2011
Balance sheets:
Rental properties and real estate under development	$	1,745,147	$	1,659,078
Other assets		168,061		63,847
Total assets	$	1,913,208	$	1,722,925
Debt	$	820,895	$	900,095
Other liabilities		91,922		48,518
Equity		1,000,391		774,312
Total liabilities and partners' equity	$	1,913,208	$	1,722,925
Company's share of equity	$	571,345	$	383,412

	Years ended
	December 31,
	2012			2011			2010
Statements of operations:
Property revenues	$	130,128		$	106,386		$	54,699
Property operating expenses		(55,990	)		(43,066	)		(24,098	)
Net operating income		74,138			63,320			30,601
Gain on sale of real estate		106,016			-			-
Interest expense		(34,959	)		(27,843	)		(13,619	)
General and administrative		(3,697	)		(1,748	)		(709	)
Depreciation and amortization		(47,917	)		(44,412	)		(20,850	)
Net income (loss)	$	93,581		$	(10,683	)	$	(4,577	)
Company's share of net income (loss)	$	41,745		$	(467	)	$	(1,715	)

(d) Real Estate for Development

The Company defines development activities as new properties that are being constructed, or are newly constructed and, in the case of development communities, are in a phase of lease-up and have not yet reached stabilized operations.  As of December 31, 2012, the Company had two consolidated development projects, and seven unconsolidated joint venture development projects aggregating 2,495 units for an estimated total cost of $928.4 million, of which $463.9 million remains to be expended.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had two consolidated predevelopment projects and one unconsolidated predevelopment joint venture project consisting of 449 units for a total cost of $59.6 million.  In addition, the Company owned one land parcel held for future development or sale as of December 31, 2012.  The Company expects to fund the development and predevelopment pipeline by using a combination of some or all of the following sources: its working capital, amounts available on its lines of credit, net proceeds from public and private equity and debt issuances, and proceeds from the disposition of properties, if any.

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401(k) Plan

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

401(k) Plan [Abstract]

401(k) Plan

(15) 401(k) Plan

The Company has a 401(k) benefit plan (the "Plan") for all full-time employees who have completed six months of service. Employee contributions are limited by the maximum allowed under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code.  The Company matches the employee contributions for non-highly compensated personnel, up to 50% of their contribution up to a specified maximum.  Company contributions to the Plan were approximately $0.2 million, $0.3 million, and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.

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Equity Transactions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Equity Transactions [Abstract]

Equity Transactions

(11) Equity Transactions

Preferred Securities Offerings

As of December 31, 2012, the Company has the following cumulative preferred securities outstanding:

		Shares	Shares	Liquidation
Description	Issue Date	Authorized	Outstanding	Preference
7.125% Series H	April 2011	8,000,000	2,950,000	$	73,750
4.875% Series G	July 2006	5,980,000	178,249	$	4,456

During the second quarter of 2011, the Company issued 2,950,000 shares of 7.125% Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock ("Series H") at a price of $25.00 per share for net proceeds of $71.2 million, net of costs and original issuance discounts.  The Series H has no maturity date and generally may not be called by the Company before April 13, 2016.  Net proceeds from the Series H offering were used to redeem all of the 7.875% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units of Essex Portfolio, L.P. ("Series B") with a liquidation value of $80.0 million, which resulted in excess of cash paid of $1.0 million over the carrying value of Series B due to deferred offering costs and original issuance discounts.

Also during the second quarter of 2011, the Company redeemed its 7.8125% Series F Preferred Stock ("Series F") at liquidation value for $25.0 million which resulted in excess of cash paid of $0.9 million over the carrying value of Series F due to deferred offering costs and original issuance discounts.

During the third quarter of 2006, the Company sold 5,980,000 shares of 4.875% Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series G") for gross proceeds of $149.5 million.  Holders may convert Series G into shares of the Company's common stock subject to certain conditions.  The conversion rate was initially .1830 shares of common stock per the $25 share liquidation preference, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $136.62 per share of common stock (the conversion rate will be subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of specified events).  The Company may, under certain circumstances, cause some or all of the Series G to be converted into that number of shares of common stock at the then prevailing conversion rate.  As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, shares of Series G with an aggregate liquidation value of $4.5 million were outstanding.

Common Stock Offerings

During 2012, the Company sold 2.4 million shares of common stock for $357.7 million, net of fees and commissions, at an average price of $150.26.  During the first quarter of 2013, through February 21, 2013, the Company sold 758,644 shares of common stock for $114.0 million, net of fees and commissions at an average price of $151.70.

During 2011 and 2010, the Company issued 2.5 million and 2.4 million shares of common stock for $323.9 million and $251.4 million, net of fees and commissions, respectively. The Company used the net proceeds from such sales to pay down debt, repurchase preferred stock, fund redevelopment and development pipelines, fund acquisitions, and for general corporate purposes.

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Mortgage Notes Payable

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Mortgage Notes Payable [Abstract]

Mortgage Notes Payable

(7) Mortgage Notes Payable

Mortgage notes payable consist of the following as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 ($ in thousands):

	2012			2011
Fixed rate mortgage notes payable	$	1,363,731		$	1,502,208
Variable rate mortgage notes payable(1)		201,868			243,650
	$	1,565,599		$	1,745,858
Number of properties securing mortgage notes		55			68
Remaining terms	1-27 years			1-28 years
Weighted average interest rate		5.4	%		5.4	%

The aggregate scheduled principal payments of mortgage notes payable are as follows ($ in thousands):

2013	$	57,621
2014		47,994
2015		68,926
2016		12,656
2017		185,301
Thereafter		1,193,101
	$	1,565,599

(1) Variable rate mortgage notes payable consists of multifamily housing mortgage revenue bonds secured by deeds of trust on rental properties and guaranteed by collateral pledge agreements, payable monthly at a variable rate as defined in the Loan Agreement (approximately 1.9% at December 2012 and 2.0% at December 2011) plus credit enhancement and underwriting fees ranging from approximately 1.2% to 1.9%.  Among the terms imposed on the properties, which are security for the bonds, is a requirement that 20% of the units are subject to tenant income criteria. Principal balances are due in full at various maturity dates from September 2013 through December 2039.  Of these bonds $187.8 million are subject to various interest rate cap agreements which limit the maximum interest rate to such bonds.

For the Company's mortgage notes payable as of December 31, 2012, monthly interest expense and principal amortization, excluding balloon payments, totaled approximately $7.0 million and $2.0 million, respectively.  Second deeds of trust accounted for $87.3 million of the $1.6 billion in mortgage notes payable as of December 31, 2012.  Repayment of debt before the scheduled maturity date could result in prepayment penalties.  The prepayment penalty on the majority of the Company's mortgage notes payable are computed by the greater of (a) 1% of the amount of the principal being prepaid or (b) the present value of the mortgage note payable which is calculated by multiplying the principal being prepaid by the difference between the interest rate of the mortgage note and the stated yield rate on a specified U.S. treasury security as defined in the mortgage note agreement.  (See Schedule III for a list of mortgage loans related to each community in the Company's Portfolio.)

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401(k) Plan (Details) (401(k) Benefit Plan [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
401(k) Benefit Plan [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]
Eligibility of benefit plan, minimum period of service (in months)	6 months
Maximum employer matching contribution percentage for non-highly compensated personnel (in hundredths)	50.00%
Company contributions to benefit plan	$ 0.2	$ 0.3	$ 0.3

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Related Party Transactions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Related Party Transactions

(5) Related Party Transactions

Management and other fees from affiliates is comprised primarily of asset management, property management, development and redevelopment fees from co-investments.  These fees from affiliates total $10.9 million, $6.1 million, and $4.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively, and a property acquisition fee of $0.5 million from the limited liability company that owns Skyline at MacArthur Place for the year ended December 31, 2010.  All of these fees are net of intercompany amounts eliminated by the Company.

The Company provided a $26.0 million short-term bridge loan to Wesco III at a rate of LIBOR + 2.5%, to assist with the purchase of Haver Hill.

The Company's Chairman and founder, Mr. George Marcus, is the Chairman of The Marcus & Millichap Company ("TMMC"), which is a holding company for certain real estate brokerage services and other subsidiary companies.  For further discussion of the Company's policies and procedures with respect to related party transactions see the caption, "Certain Relationships and Related Persons Transactions" in the Company's 2013 Definitive Proxy Statement which is incorporated by reference in Item 13 of the Company's December 31, 2012 Form 10-K.  Fund II paid a brokerage commission totaling $0.4 million to an affiliate of TMMC related to the sale of a property in 2012 and no brokerage commissions during 2011 or 2010, and no brokerage commissions were paid by the Company to TMMC or its affiliates during 2012, 2011, and 2010.

In January 2013, the Company invested $8.6 million as a preferred equity interest investment in an entity affiliated with TMMC that owns an apartment development in Redwood City, California.  The investment has a preferred return of 9.5% and matures in January 2016.  Independent members of the Company's Board of Directors that serve on the Nominating and Audit Committees approved the investment in this entity.

During the third quarter of 2012, the Company invested $14.0 million as a preferred equity interest investment in an entity affiliated with TMMC that owns an apartment community in Cupertino, California.  The investment has a preferred return of 9.5% and matures in May 2016.  The Company will invest an additional $4.0 million in preferred equity to fund renovation costs.  Independent directors (other than Mr. Marcus) on the Company's Board of Directors approved the investment in this entity.

Also during the third quarter of 2012, the Company acquired Montebello, a 248 unit apartment community in Kirkland, Washington for $52.0 million from an entity affiliated with TMMC, and Wesco I acquired Riley Square (formerly Waterstone Santa Clara), a 156 unit apartment community in Santa Clara, California for $38.3 million from an entity affiliated with TMMC.  Independent directors (other than Mr. Marcus) on the Company's Board of Directors approved the acquisitions of Montebello and Riley Square.

During the third quarter of 2010, the Company invested $12.0 million as a preferred equity interest investment in a related party entity that owns a 768-unit apartment community in Anaheim, California.  The entity that owns the property is an affiliate of TMMC.  The Company's independent directors (other than Mr. Marcus) approved the investment in this entity.  The preferred return for this investment during the first five years is 13% per annum, and the preferred return increases to 15% thereafter.

During the second quarter of 2010, the independent directors (other than Mr. Marcus)  approved the partial redemption for cash by the Operating Partnership of limited Operating Partnership units that were held by Mr. Marcus, at $106.76 per unit representing a 2% discount from the closing price of the Company's common stock on May 17, 2010.  The Operating Partnership purchased 187,334 units from Mr. Marcus.  Under the Operating Partnership's partnership agreement, limited partnership units are exchangeable on a one-for-one basis into shares of the Company's common stock.

An Executive Vice President of the Company has invested $4.0 million for a 3% limited partnership interest in a partnership with the Company that owns Essex Skyline at MacArthur Place.  The Executive Vice President's investment is equal to a pro-rata share of the contributions to the limited partnership.  The Executive Vice President's investment also receives pro-rata distributions resulting from distributable cash generated by the property if and when distributions are made.  The Executive Vice President does not participate in fees paid to the Company by the property.

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Discontinued Operations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Discontinued Operations [Abstract]

Discontinued Operations

(6) Discontinued Operations

During 2012, the Company sold Tierra Del Sol/Norte, a 156 unit community located in the San Diego, California for $17.2 million for a gain of $7.0 million.  Also during 2012, the Company sold Alpine Country, a 108 unit community located in San Diego metropolitan area, for $11.1 million for a gain of $3.9 million. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011 no communities were held for sale.

During 2011, the Company sold one apartment community, Woodlawn Colonial, and one office building, Clarendon, for a total of $23.4 million resulting in gains totaling $8.4 million.

The Company has recorded the gains and operations for these various assets sold described above as part of discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.  The components of discontinued operations are outlined below and include the results of operations for the respective periods that the Company owned such assets, as described above ($ in thousands):

	2012			2011			2010
Revenues	$	608		$	4,081		$	5,453
Property operating expenses		(260	)		(1,861	)		(2,342	)
Depreciation and amortization		(94	)		(1,115	)		(1,491	)
Expenses		(354	)		(2,976	)		(3,833	)
Operating income from real estate sold		254			1,105			1,620
Gain on sale of real estate		10,870			8,382			-
Internal disposition costs		(1,087	)		(839	)		-
Income from discontinued operations	$	10,037		$	8,648		$	1,620

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Unsecured Debt and Lines of Credit

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Unsecured Debt and Lines of Credit [Abstract]

Unsecured Debt Lines of Credit

(8) Unsecured Debt and Lines of Credit

Unsecured debt and lines of credit consist of the following as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 ($ in thousands):

							Weighted Average
							Maturity
	2012			2011			In Years
Bonds private placement - fixed rate	$	465,000		$	265,000			6.2
Term loan - variable rate		350,000			200,000			4.2
Bonds public offering - fixed rate		297,084			-			9.6
Unsecured debt		1,112,084			465,000
Lines of credit		141,000			150,000			3.0
Total unsecured debt	$	1,253,084		$	615,000
Weighted average interest rate on fixed rate unsecured bonds		4.2	%		4.5	%
Weighted average interest rate on variable rate term loan		2.7	%		2.7	%
Weighted average interest rate on line of credit		2.3	%		2.5	%

The following is a summary of the Company's unsecured private placement bonds as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 ($ in thousands):

						Coupon
	Maturity	2012		2011		Rate
Senior unsecured private placement notes	March 2016	$	150,000	$	150,000		4.36	%
Senior unsecured private placement notes	September 2017		40,000		40,000		4.50	%
Senior unsecured private placement notes	December 2019		75,000		75,000		4.92	%
Senior unsecured private placement notes	April 2021		100,000		-		4.27	%
Senior unsecured private placement notes	June 2021		50,000		-		4.30	%
Senior unsecured private placement notes	August 2021		50,000		-		4.37	%
		$	465,000	$	265,000

The Company has two lines of credit aggregating $525.0 million as of December 31, 2012.  The Company had a $500.0 million unsecured line of credit that was increased to $600.0 million in January 2013.  As of December 31, 2012 there was a $141.0 million balance on this unsecured line.  The underlying interest rate on the $500.0 million facility is based on a tiered rate structure tied to Fitch and S&P ratings on the credit facility and the rate was LIBOR plus 1.075% as of December 31, 2012.  This facility matures in December 2015 with two one-year extensions, exercisable by the Company.  The Company has a working capital unsecured line of credit agreement for $25.0 million.  This facility matures in January 2014, with a one year extension option.  As of December 31, 2012 there was no balance outstanding on this unsecured line.  The underlying interest rate on the $25.0 million line is based on a tiered rate structure tied to Fitch and S&P ratings on the credit facility of LIBOR plus 1.075%.

As of December 31 2012, the Company had $465 million of unsecured bonds outstanding at an average effective interest rate of 4.5%.  During the second quarter of 2012, the Company issued through private placements, $100 million of bonds and $50 million of bonds at 4.27% and 4.30%, respectively, due in 2021, and during the third quarter of 2012, $50 million of bonds at 4.37% due in 2021.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had a $350 million unsecured term loan outstanding at an average interest rate of 2.7%.  The term loan has a variable interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.2%. During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company increased the size of the term loan from $200 million to $350 million.  The Company entered into interest rate swap contracts for a term of five years with a notional amount totaling $300 million, which effectively converted the interest rate on the $300 million of the term loan to a fixed rate.

During the third quarter 2012, the Company issued $300.0 million of senior unsecured notes due August 2022 with a coupon rate of 3.625% per annum and are payable on February 15th and August 15th of each year, beginning February 15, 2013 (the 2022 Notes). The 2022 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 98.99% of par value. The 2022 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.

On August 15th, 2012, in connection with the 2022 Notes issuance, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement whereby the Operating Partnership agreed to conduct an offer to exchange the 2022 Notes for a new series of publicly registered notes with substantially identical terms.  If the Operating Partnership does not fulfill certain of its obligation under the registration rights agreement, it will be required to pay registration default damages to the holders of the 2022 Notes. No separate contingent obligation was recorded as no registration default damages became probable as of December 31, 2012.

The Company's unsecured line 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, 2012 and 2011.

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Schedule III Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	$ 1,001,525
Buildings and improvements	3,304,983
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	794,015
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	1,070,022
Buildings and improvements	4,030,501
Total	5,100,523	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(1,081,517)
Reconciliation of Carrying Amount of Real Estate Investments [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	4,313,064		3,964,561	3,310,152
Improvements	97,947		219,692	51,101
Acquisition of real estate	619,743		103,300	387,300
Development of real estate	25,545		44,280	216,008
Disposition of real estate	(22,627)		(18,769)	0
Balance at the end of year	5,033,672		4,313,064	3,964,561
Reconciliation of Real Estate Accumulated Depreciation [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	920,026		775,553	646,686
Depreciation expense - Acquisitions	3,744		1,279	2,505
Depreciation expense - Discontinued operations	2,108		315	700
Depreciation and amortization expense - Rental properties	161,492		148,337	125,662
Dispositions	(5,853)		(5,458)	0
Balance at the end of year	1,081,517		920,026	775,553
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrance	1,565,599
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	424,411
Buildings and improvements	1,295,274
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	366,352
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	439,119
Buildings and improvements	1,646,917
Total	2,086,036	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(541,466)
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Canyon Oaks [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Canyon Oaks
Units	250
Location	San Ramon, CA
Encumbrance	28,989
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	19,088
Buildings and improvements	44,473
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	1,338
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	19,088
Buildings and improvements	45,811
Total	64,899	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(8,857)
Date of construction	2005
Date acquired	05/07
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Sunnyvale [Member] | Brookside Oaks [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Brookside Oaks
Units	170
Location	Sunnyvale, CA
Encumbrance	19,974
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	7,301
Buildings and improvements	16,310
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	19,923
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	10,328
Buildings and improvements	33,206
Total	43,534	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(11,170)
Date of construction	1973
Date acquired	06/00
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Sunnyvale [Member] | Montclaire, The [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Montclaire, The
Units	390
Location	Sunnyvale, CA
Encumbrance	47,283
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	4,842
Buildings and improvements	19,776
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	19,907
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	4,997
Buildings and improvements	39,528
Total	44,525	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(27,380)
Date of construction	1973
Date acquired	12/88
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Sunnyvale [Member] | Summerhill Park [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Summerhill Park
Units	100
Location	Sunnyvale, CA
Encumbrance	13,769
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	2,654
Buildings and improvements	4,918
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	1,069
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	2,656
Buildings and improvements	5,985
Total	8,641	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(4,530)
Date of construction	1988
Date acquired	09/88
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Sunnyvale [Member] | Magnolia Square [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Magnolia Square
Units	156
Location	Sunnyvale, CA
Encumbrance	18,314
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	8,190
Buildings and improvements	24,736
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	5,097
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	8,191
Buildings and improvements	29,832
Total	38,023	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(5,069)
Date of construction	1969
Date acquired	09/07
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Los Angeles [Member] | Belmont Station [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Belmont Station
Units	275
Location	Los Angeles, CA
Encumbrance	30,045
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	8,100
Buildings and improvements	66,666
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	2,765
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	8,267
Buildings and improvements	69,264
Total	77,531	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(13,106)
Date of construction	2008
Date acquired	12/08
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Simi Valley [Member] | Hidden Valley [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Hidden Valley
Units	324
Location	Simi Valley, CA
Encumbrance	30,603
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	14,174
Buildings and improvements	34,065
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	1,404
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	9,725
Buildings and improvements	39,918
Total	49,643	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(11,368)
Date of construction	2004
Date acquired	12/04
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | San Jose [Member] | Carlyle, The [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Carlyle, The
Units	132
Location	San Jose, CA
Encumbrance	18,613
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	3,954
Buildings and improvements	15,277
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	9,847
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	5,801
Buildings and improvements	23,277
Total	29,078	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(9,265)
Date of construction	2000
Date acquired	04/00
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | San Jose [Member] | Bella Villagio [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Bella Villagio
Units	231
Location	San Jose, CA
Encumbrance	38,088
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	17,247
Buildings and improvements	40,343
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	1,515
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	17,247
Buildings and improvements	41,858
Total	59,105	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(3,304)
Date of construction	2004
Date acquired	09/10
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | San Jose [Member] | Esplanade [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Esplanade
Units	278
Location	San Jose, CA
Encumbrance	44,928
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	18,170
Buildings and improvements	40,086
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	5,765
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	18,429
Buildings and improvements	45,592
Total	64,021	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(13,226)
Date of construction	2002
Date acquired	11/04
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | San Jose [Member] | Waterford, The [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Waterford, The
Units	238
Location	San Jose, CA
Encumbrance	31,975
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	11,808
Buildings and improvements	24,500
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	12,418
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	15,165
Buildings and improvements	33,561
Total	48,726	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(13,735)
Date of construction	2000
Date acquired	06/00
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Hayward [Member] | City View [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	City View
Units	572
Location	Hayward, CA
Encumbrance	63,159
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	9,883
Buildings and improvements	37,670
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	20,699
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	10,350
Buildings and improvements	57,902
Total	68,252	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(29,059)
Date of construction	1975
Date acquired	03/98
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | La Habra [Member] | Hillsborough Park [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Hillsborough Park
Units	235
Location	La Habra, CA
Encumbrance	37,909
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	6,291
Buildings and improvements	15,455
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	1,414
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	6,272
Buildings and improvements	16,888
Total	23,160	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(7,487)
Date of construction	1999
Date acquired	09/99
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Garden Grove [Member] | Montejo [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Montejo
Units	124
Location	Garden Grove, CA
Encumbrance	13,307
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	1,925
Buildings and improvements	7,685
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	2,264
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	2,194
Buildings and improvements	9,680
Total	11,874	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(3,760)
Date of construction	1974
Date acquired	11/01
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Santa Ana [Member] | Fairhaven Treehouse [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Fairhaven(Treehouse)
Units	164
Location	Santa Ana, CA
Encumbrance	17,269
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	2,626
Buildings and improvements	10,485
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	4,806
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	2,957
Buildings and improvements	14,960
Total	17,917	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(5,128)
Date of construction	1970
Date acquired	11/01
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Santa Ana [Member] | Brentwood [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Brentwood
Units	140
Location	Santa Ana, CA
Encumbrance	19,283
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	2,833
Buildings and improvements	11,303
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	5,482
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	3,502
Buildings and improvements	16,116
Total	19,618	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(5,786)
Date of construction	1970
Date acquired	11/01
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Fountain Valley [Member] | Valley Park [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Valley Park
Units	160
Location	Fountain Valley, CA
Encumbrance	22,592
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	3,361
Buildings and improvements	13,420
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	3,210
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	3,761
Buildings and improvements	16,230
Total	19,991	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(6,161)
Date of construction	1969
Date acquired	11/01
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Placentia [Member] | Villa Angelina [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Villa Angelina
Units	256
Location	Placentia, CA
Encumbrance	27,542
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	4,498
Buildings and improvements	17,962
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	4,726
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	4,962
Buildings and improvements	22,224
Total	27,186	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(7,778)
Date of construction	1970
Date acquired	11/01
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Woodland Hills [Member] | Avondale at Warner Center [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Avondale at Warner Center
Units	446
Location	Woodland Hills, CA
Encumbrance	46,761
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	10,536
Buildings and improvements	24,522
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	14,571
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	10,601
Buildings and improvements	39,028
Total	49,629	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(19,625)
Date of construction	1970
Date acquired	01/97
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Newark [Member] | Bridgeport [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Bridgeport
Units	184
Location	Newark, CA
Encumbrance	21,724
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	1,608
Buildings and improvements	7,582
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	6,107
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	1,525
Buildings and improvements	13,772
Total	15,297	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(9,783)
Date of construction	1987
Date acquired	07/87
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Anaheim [Member] | Barkley, The [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Barkley, The(2)	[2]
Units	161	[2]
Location	Anaheim, CA	[2]
Encumbrance	16,784	[2]
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	0	[2]
Buildings and improvements	8,520	[2]
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	4,533	[2]
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	2,353	[2]
Buildings and improvements	10,700	[2]
Total	13,053	[1],[2]
Accumulated depreciation	(4,485)	[2]
Date of construction	1984	[2]
Date acquired	04/00	[2]
Lives, minimum (in years)	3	[2]
Lives , maximum (in years)	30	[2]
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | San Ramon [Member] | Bel Air [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Bel Air
Units	462
Location	San Ramon, CA
Encumbrance	55,835
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	12,105
Buildings and improvements	18,252
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	22,959
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	12,682
Buildings and improvements	40,634
Total	53,316	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(18,970)
Date of construction	1988
Date acquired	01/97
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | San Ramon [Member] | Mill Creek at Windermere [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Mill Creek at Windermere
Units	400
Location	San Ramon, CA
Encumbrance	50,027
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	29,551
Buildings and improvements	69,032
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	1,594
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	29,551
Buildings and improvements	70,626
Total	100,177	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(12,721)
Date of construction	2005
Date acquired	09/07
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Seattle [Member] | The Bernard [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	The Bernard
Units	63
Location	Seattle, CA
Encumbrance	10,064
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	3,699
Buildings and improvements	11,345
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	43
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	3,689
Buildings and improvements	11,398
Total	15,087	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(490)
Date of construction	2008
Date acquired	09/11
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Camarillo [Member] | Camarillo Oaks [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Camarillo Oaks
Units	564
Location	Camarillo, CA
Encumbrance	47,350
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	10,953
Buildings and improvements	25,254
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	2,634
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	11,075
Buildings and improvements	27,766
Total	38,841	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(15,403)
Date of construction	1985
Date acquired	07/96
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Camarillo [Member] | Camino Ruiz Square [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Camino Ruiz Square
Units	160
Location	Camarillo, CA
Encumbrance	21,110
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	6,871
Buildings and improvements	26,119
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	831
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	6,931
Buildings and improvements	26,890
Total	33,821	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(5,525)
Date of construction	1990
Date acquired	12/06
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Fullerton [Member] | Wilshire Promenade [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Wilshire Promenade
Units	149
Location	Fullerton, CA
Encumbrance	18,276
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	3,118
Buildings and improvements	7,385
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	6,683
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	3,797
Buildings and improvements	13,389
Total	17,186	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(6,013)
Date of construction	1992
Date acquired	01/97
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Studio City [Member] | Coldwater Canyon [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Coldwater Canyon
Units	39
Location	Studio City, CA
Encumbrance	5,538
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	1,674
Buildings and improvements	6,640
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	1,178
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	1,676
Buildings and improvements	7,816
Total	9,492	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(1,972)
Date of construction	1979
Date acquired	05/07
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Playa Vista [Member] | Fountain Park [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Fountain Park
Units	705
Location	Playa Vista, CA
Encumbrance	97,450
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	25,073
Buildings and improvements	94,980
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	21,849
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	25,203
Buildings and improvements	116,699
Total	141,902	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(36,486)
Date of construction	2002
Date acquired	02/04
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Santa Rosa [Member] | Harvest Park [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Harvest Park
Units	104
Location	Santa Rosa, CA
Encumbrance	10,691
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	6,700
Buildings and improvements	15,479
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	888
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	6,690
Buildings and improvements	16,377
Total	23,067	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(3,401)
Date of construction	2004
Date acquired	03/07
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Glendale [Member] | Hampton Place Hampton Court [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Hampton Place /Hampton Court
Units	215
Location	Glendale, CA
Encumbrance	21,296
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	6,695
Buildings and improvements	16,753
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	5,266
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	6,733
Buildings and improvements	21,981
Total	28,714	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(9,914)
Date of construction	1970
Date acquired	06/99
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Rancho Palos Verdes [Member] | Highridge [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Highridge
Units	255
Location	Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Encumbrance	44,807
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	5,419
Buildings and improvements	18,347
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	23,194
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	6,073
Buildings and improvements	40,887
Total	46,960	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(17,025)
Date of construction	1972
Date acquired	05/97
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Issaquah [Member] | Park Hill at Issaquah [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Park Hill at Issaquah
Units	245
Location	Issaquah, CA
Encumbrance	29,477
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	7,284
Buildings and improvements	21,937
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	1,905
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	7,284
Buildings and improvements	23,842
Total	31,126	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(6,882)
Date of construction	1999
Date acquired	02/99
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Newbury Park [Member] | Hillcrest Park [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Hillcrest Park
Units	608
Location	Newbury Park, CA
Encumbrance	69,555
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	15,318
Buildings and improvements	40,601
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	14,623
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	15,755
Buildings and improvements	54,787
Total	70,542	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(25,168)
Date of construction	1973
Date acquired	03/98
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Huntington Beach [Member] | Huntington Breakers [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Huntington Breakers
Units	342
Location	Huntington Beach, CA
Encumbrance	38,734
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	9,306
Buildings and improvements	22,720
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	5,399
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	9,315
Buildings and improvements	28,110
Total	37,425	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(13,781)
Date of construction	1984
Date acquired	10/97
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Huntington Beach [Member] | The Huntington [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Huntington, The
Units	276
Location	Huntington Beach, CA
Encumbrance	34,121
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	10,374
Buildings and improvements	41,495
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	646
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	10,374
Buildings and improvements	42,141
Total	52,515	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(757)
Date of construction	1975
Date acquired	06/12
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Long Beach [Member] | Marbrisa [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Marbrisa
Units	202
Location	Long Beach, CA
Encumbrance	18,959
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	4,700
Buildings and improvements	18,605
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	3,082
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	4,760
Buildings and improvements	21,627
Total	26,387	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(7,385)
Date of construction	1987
Date acquired	09/02
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Long Beach [Member] | Pathways [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Pathways
Units	296
Location	Long Beach, CA
Encumbrance	38,219
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	4,083
Buildings and improvements	16,757
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	18,076
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	6,239
Buildings and improvements	32,677
Total	38,916	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(20,789)
Date of construction	1975
Date acquired	02/91
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Marina Del Rey [Member] | Mirabella [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Mirabella
Units	188
Location	Marina Del Rey, CA
Encumbrance	46,338
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	6,180
Buildings and improvements	26,673
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	12,934
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	6,270
Buildings and improvements	39,517
Total	45,787	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(14,326)
Date of construction	2000
Date acquired	05/00
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Oxnard [Member] | Tierra Vista [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Tierra Vista
Units	404
Location	Oxnard, CA
Encumbrance	57,444
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	13,652
Buildings and improvements	53,336
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	3,030
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	13,661
Buildings and improvements	56,357
Total	70,018	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(16,376)
Date of construction	2001
Date acquired	01/01
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Fremont [Member] | Stevenson Place [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Stevenson Place
Units	200
Location	Fremont, CA
Encumbrance	22,034
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	996
Buildings and improvements	5,582
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	6,974
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	1,001
Buildings and improvements	12,551
Total	13,552	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(8,698)
Date of construction	1971
Date acquired	04/83
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Tiburon [Member] | Vista Belvedere [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Vista Belvedere
Units	76
Location	Tiburon, CA
Encumbrance	10,272
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	5,573
Buildings and improvements	11,901
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	4,180
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	5,573
Buildings and improvements	16,081
Total	21,654	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(5,201)
Date of construction	1963
Date acquired	08/04
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Renton [Member] | Brighton Ridge [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Brighton Ridge
Units	264
Location	Renton, WA
Encumbrance	14,644
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	2,623
Buildings and improvements	10,800
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	2,779
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	2,656
Buildings and improvements	13,546
Total	16,202	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(7,375)
Date of construction	1986
Date acquired	12/96
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Renton [Member] | Fairwood Pond [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Fairwood Pond
Units	194
Location	Renton, WA
Encumbrance	13,307
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	5,296
Buildings and improvements	15,564
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	2,054
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	5,297
Buildings and improvements	17,617
Total	22,914	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(5,257)
Date of construction	1997
Date acquired	10/04
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Mukilteo [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Anchor Village(The Elliot at Mukilteo)
Units	301
Location	Mukilteo, WA
Encumbrance	10,750
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	2,498
Buildings and improvements	10,595
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	11,861
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	2,824
Buildings and improvements	22,130
Total	24,954	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(9,585)
Date of construction	1981
Date acquired	01/97
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Seattle [Member] | Domaine [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Domaine
Units	92
Location	Seattle, WA
Encumbrance	16,866
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	9,059
Buildings and improvements	27,177
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	167
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	9,059
Buildings and improvements	27,344
Total	36,403	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(266)
Date of construction	2009
Date acquired	09/12
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Bothell [Member] | Canyon Pointe [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Canyon Pointe
Units	250
Location	Bothell, WA
Encumbrance	14,391
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	4,692
Buildings and improvements	18,288
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	3,507
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	4,693
Buildings and improvements	21,794
Total	26,487	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(7,095)
Date of construction	1990
Date acquired	10/03
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Bothell [Member] | Inglenook Court [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Inglenook Court
Units	224
Location	Bothell, WA
Encumbrance	8,300
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	3,467
Buildings and improvements	7,881
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	5,494
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	3,474
Buildings and improvements	13,368
Total	16,842	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(8,091)
Date of construction	1985
Date acquired	10/94
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Bothell [Member] | Stonehedge Village [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Stonehedge Village
Units	196
Location	Bothell, WA
Encumbrance	12,657
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	3,167
Buildings and improvements	12,603
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	4,531
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	3,201
Buildings and improvements	17,100
Total	20,301	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(8,471)
Date of construction	1986
Date acquired	10/97
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Bellevue [Member] | Courtyard off Main [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Courtyard off Main
Units	109
Location	Bellevue, WA
Encumbrance	16,261
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	7,465
Buildings and improvements	21,405
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	2,627
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	7,465
Buildings and improvements	24,032
Total	31,497	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(1,806)
Date of construction	2000
Date acquired	10/10
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Bellevue [Member] | Palisades, The [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Palisades, The
Units	192
Location	Bellevue, WA
Encumbrance	21,277
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	1,560
Buildings and improvements	6,242
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	10,331
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	1,565
Buildings and improvements	16,568
Total	18,133	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(10,156)
Date of construction	1977
Date acquired	05/90
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Redmond [Member] | Elevation [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Elevation
Units	157
Location	Redmond, WA
Encumbrance	11,839
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	4,758
Buildings and improvements	14,285
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	4,666
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	4,757
Buildings and improvements	18,951
Total	23,708	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(2,019)
Date of construction	1986
Date acquired	06/10
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Kirkland [Member] | Montebello [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Montebello
Units	248
Location	Kirkland, WA
Encumbrance	30,158
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	13,857
Buildings and improvements	41,575
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	3,810
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	13,858
Buildings and improvements	45,384
Total	59,242	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(684)
Date of construction	1996
Date acquired	07/12
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Issaquah [Member] | Highlands at Wynhaven [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Highlands at Wynhaven
Units	333
Location	Issaquah, WA
Encumbrance	33,343
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	16,271
Buildings and improvements	48,932
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	4,331
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	16,271
Buildings and improvements	53,263
Total	69,534	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(8,371)
Date of construction	2000
Date acquired	08/08
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Encumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Kent [Member] | Wandering Creek [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Wandering Creek
Units	156
Location	Kent, WA
Encumbrance	5,300
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	1,285
Buildings and improvements	4,980
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	3,366
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	1,296
Buildings and improvements	8,335
Total	9,631	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(4,945)
Date of construction	1986
Date acquired	11/95
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Units	29,207
Encumbrance	1,565,599
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	948,416
Buildings and improvements	3,263,992
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	740,286
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	980,247
Buildings and improvements	3,972,447
Total	4,952,694	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(1,062,438)
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | Seattle [Member] | Wharfside Pointe [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Wharfside Pointe
Units	142
Location	Seattle, WA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	2,245
Buildings and improvements	7,020
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	6,010
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	2,258
Buildings and improvements	13,017
Total	15,275	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(6,954)
Date of construction	1990
Date acquired	06/94
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Bonita [Member] | Bonita Cedars [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Bonita Cedars
Units	120
Location	Bonita, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	2,496
Buildings and improvements	9,913
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	1,584
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	2,503
Buildings and improvements	11,490
Total	13,993	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(4,124)
Date of construction	1983
Date acquired	12/02
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Sunnyvale [Member] | Reed Square [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Reed Square
Units	100
Location	Sunnyvale, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	6,873
Buildings and improvements	16,037
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	1,897
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	6,873
Buildings and improvements	17,934
Total	24,807	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(550)
Date of construction	1970
Date acquired	01/12
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Sunnyvale [Member] | Bristol Commons [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Bristol Commons
Units	188
Location	Sunnyvale, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	5,278
Buildings and improvements	11,853
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	2,033
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	5,293
Buildings and improvements	13,871
Total	19,164	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(7,384)
Date of construction	1989
Date acquired	01/97
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Sunnyvale [Member] | Windsor Ridge [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Windsor Ridge
Units	216
Location	Sunnyvale, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	4,017
Buildings and improvements	10,315
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	6,281
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	4,021
Buildings and improvements	16,592
Total	20,613	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(11,252)
Date of construction	1989
Date acquired	03/89
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Sunnyvale [Member] | Magnolia Lane [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Magnolia Lane(4)	[3]
Units	32	[3]
Location	Sunnyvale, CA	[3]
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	0	[3]
Buildings and improvements	5,430	[3]
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	210	[3]
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	0	[3]
Buildings and improvements	5,640	[3]
Total	5,640	[1],[3]
Accumulated depreciation	(1,080)	[3]
Date of construction	2001	[3]
Date acquired	06/07	[3]
Lives, minimum (in years)	3	[3]
Lives , maximum (in years)	30	[3]
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Sunnyvale [Member] | Via [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Via
Units	284
Location	Sunnyvale, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	22,000
Buildings and improvements	82,270
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	169
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	22,016
Buildings and improvements	82,423
Total	104,439	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(4,617)
Date of construction	2011
Date acquired	07/11
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Los Angeles [Member] | Park Catalina [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Park Catalina
Units	90
Location	Los Angeles, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	4,710
Buildings and improvements	18,839
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	293
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	4,710
Buildings and improvements	19,132
Total	23,842	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(346)
Date of construction	2002
Date acquired	06/12
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Los Angeles [Member] | Miracle Mile Marbella [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Miracle Mile/Marbella
Units	236
Location	Los Angeles, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	7,791
Buildings and improvements	23,075
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	10,885
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	7,886
Buildings and improvements	33,865
Total	41,751	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(15,215)
Date of construction	1988
Date acquired	08/97
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Los Angeles [Member] | Bunker Hill [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Bunker Hill
Units	456
Location	Los Angeles, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	11,498
Buildings and improvements	27,871
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	7,472
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	11,639
Buildings and improvements	35,202
Total	46,841	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(15,732)
Date of construction	1968
Date acquired	03/98
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Los Angeles [Member] | Kings Road [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Kings Road
Units	196
Location	Los Angeles, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	4,023
Buildings and improvements	9,527
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	7,646
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	4,031
Buildings and improvements	17,165
Total	21,196	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(7,801)
Date of construction	1979
Date acquired	06/97
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Los Angeles [Member] | Santee Court [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Santee Court
Units	165
Location	Los Angeles, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	6,177
Buildings and improvements	24,716
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	956
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	6,177
Buildings and improvements	25,672
Total	31,849	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(1,992)
Date of construction	2004
Date acquired	10/10
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Los Angeles [Member] | Bellerive [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Bellerive
Units	63
Location	Los Angeles, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	5,401
Buildings and improvements	21,803
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	517
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	5,401
Buildings and improvements	22,320
Total	27,721	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(1,347)
Date of construction	2011
Date acquired	08/11
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Los Angeles [Member] | Santee Village [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Santee Village
Units	73
Location	Los Angeles, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	3,404
Buildings and improvements	15,601
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	1,391
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	3,404
Buildings and improvements	16,992
Total	20,396	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(997)
Date of construction	2011
Date acquired	07/11
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Simi Valley [Member] | Meadoweood [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Meadoweood
Units	320
Location	Simi Valley, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	7,852
Buildings and improvements	18,592
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	5,498
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	7,898
Buildings and improvements	24,044
Total	31,942	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(12,206)
Date of construction	1986
Date acquired	11/96
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Mira Mesa [Member] | Mira Monte [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Mira Monte
Units	355
Location	Mira Mesa, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	7,165
Buildings and improvements	28,459
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	7,652
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	7,186
Buildings and improvements	36,090
Total	43,276	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(14,088)
Date of construction	1982
Date acquired	12/02
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Oceanside [Member] | Mission Hills [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Mission Hills
Units	282
Location	Oceanside, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	10,099
Buildings and improvements	38,778
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	3,677
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	10,167
Buildings and improvements	42,387
Total	52,554	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(11,755)
Date of construction	1984
Date acquired	07/05
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Oceanside [Member] | Country Villas [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Country Villas
Units	180
Location	Oceanside, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	4,174
Buildings and improvements	16,583
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	2,443
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	4,187
Buildings and improvements	19,013
Total	23,200	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(6,884)
Date of construction	1976
Date acquired	12/02
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Lake Forest [Member] | Trabucco Villas [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Trabucco Villas
Units	132
Location	Lake Forest, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	3,638
Buildings and improvements	8,640
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	2,035
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	3,890
Buildings and improvements	10,423
Total	14,313	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(4,949)
Date of construction	1985
Date acquired	10/97
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Walnut [Member] | Walnut Heights [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Walnut Heights
Units	163
Location	Walnut, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	4,858
Buildings and improvements	19,168
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	2,212
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	4,887
Buildings and improvements	21,351
Total	26,238	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(6,775)
Date of construction	1964
Date acquired	10/03
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | San Jose [Member] | Willow Lake [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Willow Lake
Units	508
Location	San Jose, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	43,194
Buildings and improvements	101,030
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	857
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	43,194
Buildings and improvements	101,887
Total	145,081	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(707)
Date of construction	1989
Date acquired	10/12
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | San Jose [Member] | 101 San Fernando [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	101 San Fernando
Units	323
Location	San Jose, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	4,173
Buildings and improvements	58,961
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	3,678
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	4,173
Buildings and improvements	62,639
Total	66,812	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(5,392)
Date of construction	2001
Date acquired	07/10
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Santa Ana [Member] | Essex Skyline at MacAuthur Place [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Essex Skyline at MacAuthur Place
Units	349
Location	Santa Ana, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	21,537
Buildings and improvements	146,099
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	463
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	21,537
Buildings and improvements	146,562
Total	168,099	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(3,536)
Date of construction	2008
Date acquired	04/12
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Alpine [Member] | Alpine Village [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Alpine Village
Units	301
Location	Alpine, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	4,967
Buildings and improvements	19,728
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	3,690
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	4,982
Buildings and improvements	23,403
Total	28,385	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(8,158)
Date of construction	1971
Date acquired	12/02
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Anaheim [Member] | Anavia [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Anavia
Units	250
Location	Anaheim, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	15,925
Buildings and improvements	63,712
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	5,469
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	15,925
Buildings and improvements	69,181
Total	85,106	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(4,704)
Date of construction	2009
Date acquired	12/10
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | San Ramon [Member] | Foothill Gardens/Twin Creeks [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Foothill Gardens/Twin Creeks
Units	176
Location	San Ramon, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	5,875
Buildings and improvements	13,992
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	4,360
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	5,964
Buildings and improvements	18,263
Total	24,227	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(9,093)
Date of construction	1985
Date acquired	02/97
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Fullerton [Member] | Capri at Sunny Hills [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Capri at Sunny Hills
Units	100
Location	Fullerton, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	3,337
Buildings and improvements	13,320
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	6,230
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	4,048
Buildings and improvements	18,839
Total	22,887	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(6,863)
Date of construction	1961
Date acquired	09/01
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Hemet [Member] | Devonshire [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Devonshire
Units	276
Location	Hemet, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	3,470
Buildings and improvements	13,786
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	2,282
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	3,482
Buildings and improvements	16,056
Total	19,538	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(5,780)
Date of construction	1988
Date acquired	12/02
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Kirkland [Member] | Ascent [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Ascent
Units	90
Location	Kirkland, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	3,924
Buildings and improvements	11,862
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	271
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	3,924
Buildings and improvements	12,133
Total	16,057	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(86)
Date of construction	1988
Date acquired	10/12
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Glendale [Member] | 416 on Broadway [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	416 on Broadway
Units	115
Location	Glendale, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	8,557
Buildings and improvements	34,235
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	756
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	8,557
Buildings and improvements	34,991
Total	43,548	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(2,448)
Date of construction	2009
Date acquired	12/10
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Santa Clara [Member] | Le Parc Luxury Apartments [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Le Parc Luxury Apartments
Units	140
Location	Santa Clara, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	3,090
Buildings and improvements	7,421
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	10,766
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	3,092
Buildings and improvements	18,185
Total	21,277	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(9,041)
Date of construction	1975
Date acquired	02/94
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Santa Clara [Member] | Marina Cove [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Marina Cove(6)	[4]
Units	292	[4]
Location	Santa Clara, CA	[4]
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	5,320	[4]
Buildings and improvements	16,431	[4]
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	8,311	[4]
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	5,324	[4]
Buildings and improvements	24,738	[4]
Total	30,062	[1],[4]
Accumulated depreciation	(13,558)	[4]
Date of construction	1974	[4]
Date acquired	06/94	[4]
Lives, minimum (in years)	3	[4]
Lives , maximum (in years)	30	[4]
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Santa Clara [Member] | 1000 Kiely
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	1000 Kiely
Units	121
Location	Santa Clara, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	9,359
Buildings and improvements	21,845
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	3,675
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	9,359
Buildings and improvements	25,520
Total	34,879	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(1,590)
Date of construction	1971
Date acquired	03/11
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Marina Del Rey [Member] | Marina City Club [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Marina City Club(5)	[5]
Units	101	[5]
Location	Marina Del Rey, CA	[5]
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	0	[5]
Buildings and improvements	28,167	[5]
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	6,696	[5]
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	0	[5]
Buildings and improvements	34,863	[5]
Total	34,863	[1],[5]
Accumulated depreciation	(10,453)	[5]
Date of construction	1971	[5]
Date acquired	01/04	[5]
Lives, minimum (in years)	3	[5]
Lives , maximum (in years)	30	[5]
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Oxnard [Member] | Monterey Villas [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Monterey Villas
Units	122
Location	Oxnard, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	2,349
Buildings and improvements	5,579
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	5,217
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	2,424
Buildings and improvements	10,721
Total	13,145	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(4,670)
Date of construction	1974
Date acquired	07/97
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Oxnard [Member] | Mariners Place [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Mariners Place
Units	105
Location	Oxnard, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	1,555
Buildings and improvements	6,103
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	1,748
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	1,562
Buildings and improvements	7,844
Total	9,406	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(3,476)
Date of construction	1987
Date acquired	05/00
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Cupertino [Member] | Pointe at Cupertino, The [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Pointe at Cupertino, The
Units	116
Location	Cupertino, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	4,505
Buildings and improvements	17,605
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	8,388
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	4,505
Buildings and improvements	25,993
Total	30,498	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(6,545)
Date of construction	1963
Date acquired	08/98
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Richmond [Member] | San Marcos [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	San Marcos
Units	432
Location	Richmond, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	15,563
Buildings and improvements	36,204
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	26,282
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	22,866
Buildings and improvements	55,183
Total	78,049	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(17,358)
Date of construction	2003
Date acquired	11/03
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Fremont [Member] | Boulevard [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Boulevard
Units	172
Location	Fremont, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	3,520
Buildings and improvements	8,182
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	10,469
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	3,580
Buildings and improvements	18,591
Total	22,171	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(9,989)
Date of construction	1978
Date acquired	01/96
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | San Diego [Member] | CentrePointe The Bluffs II [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	CentrePointe (The Bluffs II)
Units	224
Location	San Diego, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	3,405
Buildings and improvements	7,743
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	14,218
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	3,442
Buildings and improvements	21,924
Total	25,366	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(5,977)
Date of construction	1974
Date acquired	06/97
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | San Diego [Member] | Summit Park [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Summit Park
Units	300
Location	San Diego, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	5,959
Buildings and improvements	23,670
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	3,273
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	5,977
Buildings and improvements	26,925
Total	32,902	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(9,704)
Date of construction	1972
Date acquired	12/02
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | San Diego [Member] | Vista Capri - North [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Vista Capri - North
Units	106
Location	San Diego, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	1,663
Buildings and improvements	6,609
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	830
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	1,668
Buildings and improvements	7,434
Total	9,102	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(2,526)
Date of construction	1975
Date acquired	12/02
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Valley Village [Member] | Allegro [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Allegro
Units	97
Location	Valley Village, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	5,869
Buildings and improvements	23,977
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	949
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	5,869
Buildings and improvements	24,926
Total	30,795	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(2,624)
Date of construction	2010
Date acquired	10/10
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Irvine [Member] | Axis 2300 [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Axis 2300
Units	115
Location	Irvine, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	5,405
Buildings and improvements	33,585
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	518
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	5,405
Buildings and improvements	34,103
Total	39,508	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(3,659)
Date of construction	2010
Date acquired	08/10
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Belmont [Member] | Belmont Terrace [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Belmont Terrace
Units	71
Location	Belmont, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	4,446
Buildings and improvements	10,290
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	2,250
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	4,473
Buildings and improvements	12,513
Total	16,986	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(3,635)
Date of construction	1974
Date acquired	10/06
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Chula Vista [Member] | Cambridge [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Cambridge
Units	40
Location	Chula Vista, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	497
Buildings and improvements	1,973
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	324
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	498
Buildings and improvements	2,296
Total	2,794	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(831)
Date of construction	1965
Date acquired	12/02
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Goleta [Member] | The Sweep Apartments [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	The Sweep Apartments
Units	91
Location	Goleta, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	5,558
Buildings and improvements	21,320
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	1,866
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	5,618
Buildings and improvements	23,126
Total	28,744	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(6,481)
Date of construction	1967
Date acquired	01/06
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Goleta [Member] | CBC Apartments [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	CBC Apartments
Units	148
Location	Goleta, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	6,283
Buildings and improvements	24,000
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	2,418
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	6,288
Buildings and improvements	26,413
Total	32,701	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(6,800)
Date of construction	1962
Date acquired	01/06
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Santa Cruz [Member] | Chestnut Street [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Chestnut Street
Units	96
Location	Santa Cruz, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	6,582
Buildings and improvements	15,689
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	955
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	6,582
Buildings and improvements	16,644
Total	23,226	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(2,602)
Date of construction	2002
Date acquired	07/08
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Campbell [Member] | The Commons [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Commons, The
Units	264
Location	Campbell, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	12,555
Buildings and improvements	29,307
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	3,566
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	12,556
Buildings and improvements	32,872
Total	45,428	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(3,067)
Date of construction	1973
Date acquired	07/10
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Pasadena [Member] | Monterra del Mar/Rey/Sol [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Monterra del Mar/Rey/Sol
Units	292
Location	Pasadena, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	2,202
Buildings and improvements	4,794
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	28,101
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	8,385
Buildings and improvements	26,712
Total	35,097	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(12,072)
Date of construction	1972
Date acquired	04/99
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Newport Beach [Member] | Fairways [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Fairways(3)	[6]
Units	74	[6]
Location	Newport Beach, CA	[6]
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	0	[6]
Buildings and improvements	7,850	[6]
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	4,218	[6]
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	9	[6]
Buildings and improvements	12,059	[6]
Total	12,068	[1],[6]
Accumulated depreciation	(4,634)	[6]
Date of construction	1972	[6]
Date acquired	06/99	[6]
Lives, minimum (in years)	3	[6]
Lives , maximum (in years)	30	[6]
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Berkeley [Member] | Fourth & U [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Fourth & U
Units	171
Location	Berkeley, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	8,879
Buildings and improvements	52,351
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	1,821
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	8,879
Buildings and improvements	54,172
Total	63,051	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(5,429)
Date of construction	2010
Date acquired	04/10
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | San Mateo [Member] | Hillsdale Garden Apartments [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Hillsdale Garden Apartments
Units	697
Location	San Mateo, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	22,000
Buildings and improvements	94,681
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	17,407
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	22,244
Buildings and improvements	111,844
Total	134,088	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(23,317)
Date of construction	1948
Date acquired	09/06
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Santa Barbara [Member] | Hope Ranch Collection [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Hope Ranch Collection
Units	108
Location	Santa Barbara, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	4,078
Buildings and improvements	16,877
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	2,291
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	4,208
Buildings and improvements	19,038
Total	23,246	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(3,366)
Date of construction	1965
Date acquired	03/07
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Ventura [Member] | Lofts at Pinehurst, The [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Lofts at Pinehurst, The
Units	118
Location	Ventura, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	1,570
Buildings and improvements	3,912
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	4,197
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	1,618
Buildings and improvements	8,061
Total	9,679	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(3,461)
Date of construction	1971
Date acquired	06/97
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Ventura [Member] | Pinehurst [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Pinehurst(7)	[7]
Units	28	[7]
Location	Ventura, CA	[7]
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	355	[7]
Buildings and improvements	1,356	[7]
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	377	[7]
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	6	[7]
Buildings and improvements	2,082	[7]
Total	2,088	[1],[7]
Accumulated depreciation	(733)	[7]
Date of construction	1973	[7]
Date acquired	12/04	[7]
Lives, minimum (in years)	3	[7]
Lives , maximum (in years)	30	[7]
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Ventura [Member] | Woodside Village [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Woodside Village
Units	145
Location	Ventura, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	5,331
Buildings and improvements	21,036
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	2,828
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	5,341
Buildings and improvements	23,854
Total	29,195	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(6,678)
Date of construction	1987
Date acquired	12/04
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Clairemont [Member] | Mesa Village [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Mesa Village
Units	133
Location	Clairemont, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	1,888
Buildings and improvements	7,498
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	1,001
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	1,894
Buildings and improvements	8,493
Total	10,387	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(2,890)
Date of construction	1963
Date acquired	12/02
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | San Francisco [Member] | Park West [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Park West
Units	126
Location	San Francisco, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	9,424
Buildings and improvements	21,988
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	659
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	9,424
Buildings and improvements	22,647
Total	32,071	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(215)
Date of construction	1958
Date acquired	09/12
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | San Francisco [Member] | Bennett Lofts [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Bennett Lofts
Units	113
Location	San Francisco, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	21,771
Buildings and improvements	50,800
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	80
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	21,771
Buildings and improvements	50,880
Total	72,651	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(212)
Date of construction	2004
Date acquired	12/12
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | San Francisco [Member] | Mt. Sutro [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Mt. Sutro
Units	99
Location	San Francisco, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	2,334
Buildings and improvements	8,507
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	2,988
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	2,809
Buildings and improvements	11,020
Total	13,829	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(4,924)
Date of construction	1973
Date acquired	06/01
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Encino [Member] | Regency at Encino [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Regency at Encino
Units	75
Location	Encino, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	3,184
Buildings and improvements	12,737
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	1,348
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	3,184
Buildings and improvements	14,084
Total	17,268	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(1,730)
Date of construction	1989
Date acquired	12/09
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Spring Valley [Member] | Shadow Point [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Shadow Point
Units	172
Location	Spring Valley, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	2,812
Buildings and improvements	11,170
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	1,747
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	2,820
Buildings and improvements	12,909
Total	15,729	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(4,606)
Date of construction	1983
Date acquired	12/02
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Oakland [Member] | The Grand [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	The Grand
Units	243
Location	Oakland, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	4,531
Buildings and improvements	89,208
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	3,969
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	4,531
Buildings and improvements	93,177
Total	97,708	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(13,803)
Date of construction	2009
Date acquired	01/09
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Tracy [Member] | Tuscana [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Tuscana
Units	30
Location	Tracy, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	2,828
Buildings and improvements	6,599
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	154
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	2,870
Buildings and improvements	6,711
Total	9,581	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(1,260)
Date of construction	2007
Date acquired	02/07
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | CA [Member] | Hollywood [Member] | Muse [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Muse
Units	152
Location	Hollywood, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	7,822
Buildings and improvements	33,436
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	1,136
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	7,823
Buildings and improvements	34,571
Total	42,394	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(3,117)
Date of construction	2011
Date acquired	02/11
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Newcastle [Member] | Castle Creek [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Castle Creek
Units	216
Location	Newcastle, WA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	4,149
Buildings and improvements	16,028
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	2,097
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	4,833
Buildings and improvements	17,441
Total	22,274	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(9,292)
Date of construction	1997
Date acquired	12/97
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Renton [Member] | Forest View [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Forest View
Units	192
Location	Renton, WA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	3,731
Buildings and improvements	14,530
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	1,212
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	3,731
Buildings and improvements	15,742
Total	19,473	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(5,132)
Date of construction	1998
Date acquired	10/03
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Seattle [Member] | Cairns, The [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Cairns, The
Units	100
Location	Seattle, WA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	6,937
Buildings and improvements	20,679
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	364
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	6,939
Buildings and improvements	21,041
Total	27,980	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(3,941)
Date of construction	2006
Date acquired	06/07
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Seattle [Member] | Joule [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Joule
Units	295
Location	Seattle, WA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	14,558
Buildings and improvements	69,417
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	2,473
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	14,558
Buildings and improvements	71,890
Total	86,448	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(7,421)
Date of construction	2010
Date acquired	03/10
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Seattle [Member] | Fountain Court [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Fountain Court
Units	320
Location	Seattle, WA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	6,702
Buildings and improvements	27,306
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	4,214
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	6,985
Buildings and improvements	31,237
Total	38,222	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(13,626)
Date of construction	2000
Date acquired	03/00
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Seattle [Member] | Linden Square [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Linden Square
Units	183
Location	Seattle, WA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	4,374
Buildings and improvements	11,588
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	1,886
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	4,202
Buildings and improvements	13,646
Total	17,848	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(5,673)
Date of construction	1994
Date acquired	06/00
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Bothell [Member] | Salmon Run at Perry Creek [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Salmon Run at Perry Creek
Units	132
Location	Bothell, WA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	3,717
Buildings and improvements	11,483
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	1,119
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	3,801
Buildings and improvements	12,518
Total	16,319	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(5,024)
Date of construction	2000
Date acquired	10/00
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Bellevue [Member] | Emerald Ridge - North [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Emerald Ridge - North
Units	180
Location	Bellevue, WA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	3,449
Buildings and improvements	7,801
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	2,828
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	3,449
Buildings and improvements	10,629
Total	14,078	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(6,697)
Date of construction	1987
Date acquired	11/94
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Bellevue [Member] | Sammamish View [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Sammamish View
Units	153
Location	Bellevue, WA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	3,324
Buildings and improvements	7,501
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	5,677
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	3,331
Buildings and improvements	13,171
Total	16,502	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(8,094)
Date of construction	1986
Date acquired	11/94
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Bellevue [Member] | Cedar Terrace [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Cedar Terrace
Units	180
Location	Bellevue, WA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	5,543
Buildings and improvements	16,442
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	3,572
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	5,652
Buildings and improvements	19,905
Total	25,557	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(6,150)
Date of construction	1984
Date acquired	01/05
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Bellevue [Member] | Foothill Commons [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Foothill Commons
Units	388
Location	Bellevue, WA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	2,435
Buildings and improvements	9,821
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	30,872
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	2,440
Buildings and improvements	40,688
Total	43,128	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(18,651)
Date of construction	1978
Date acquired	03/90
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Bellevue [Member] | Woodland Commons [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Woodland Commons
Units	236
Location	Bellevue, WA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	2,040
Buildings and improvements	8,727
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	16,655
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	2,044
Buildings and improvements	25,378
Total	27,422	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(10,043)
Date of construction	1978
Date acquired	03/90
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Redmond [Member] | Delano/Bon Terra [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Delano/Bon Terra
Units	126
Location	Redmond, WA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	7,470
Buildings and improvements	22,511
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	561
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	7,470
Buildings and improvements	23,072
Total	30,542	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(773)
Date of construction	2005/2011
Date acquired	12/11
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Kirkland [Member] | Evergreen Heights [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Evergreen Heights
Units	200
Location	Kirkland, WA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	3,566
Buildings and improvements	13,395
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	3,346
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	3,649
Buildings and improvements	16,658
Total	20,307	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(8,384)
Date of construction	1990
Date acquired	06/97
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Kirkland [Member] | Bridle Trails [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Bridle Trails
Units	108
Location	Kirkland, WA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	1,500
Buildings and improvements	5,930
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	5,304
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	1,531
Buildings and improvements	11,203
Total	12,734	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(5,243)
Date of construction	1986
Date acquired	10/97
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Kirkland [Member] | Corbella at Juanita Bay [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Corbella at Juanita Bay
Units	169
Location	Kirkland, WA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	5,801
Buildings and improvements	17,415
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	852
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	5,801
Buildings and improvements	18,267
Total	24,068	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(1,373)
Date of construction	1978
Date acquired	11/10
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Unencumbered Apartment Communities [Member] | WA [Member] | Mill Creek [Member] | The Laurels at Mill Creek [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	The Laurels at Mill Creek
Units	164
Location	Mill Creek, WA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	1,559
Buildings and improvements	6,430
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	4,945
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	1,595
Buildings and improvements	11,339
Total	12,934	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(5,607)
Date of construction	1981
Date acquired	12/96
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Office Buildings [Member] | CA [Member] | Los Angeles [Member] | Essex Hollywood [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Essex Hollywood
Units	35,000
Location	Los Angeles, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	10,200
Buildings and improvements	13,800
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	2,177
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	10,200
Buildings and improvements	15,977
Total	26,177	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(4,243)
Date of construction	1938
Date acquired	07/06
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Office Buildings [Member] | CA [Member] | Santa Clara [Member] | Santa Clara Square retail [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	Santa Clara Square retail
Units	139,000
Location	Santa Clara, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	6,472
Buildings and improvements	11,704
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	2,636
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	6,472
Buildings and improvements	14,340
Total	20,812	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(1,711)
Date of construction	1970
Date acquired	09/11
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Office Buildings [Member] | CA [Member] | Irvine [Member] | 17461 Derian [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	17461 Derian
Units	110,000
Location	Irvine, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	3,079
Buildings and improvements	12,315
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	6,037
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	3,105
Buildings and improvements	18,326
Total	21,431	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(9,259)
Date of construction	1983
Date acquired	07/00
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Office Buildings [Member] | CA [Member] | Palo Alto [Member] | 925/935 East Meadow [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Property	925/935 East Meadow
Units	31,900
Location	Palo Alto, CA
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	1,401
Buildings and improvements	3,172
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	7,985
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	3,147
Buildings and improvements	9,411
Total	12,558	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	(3,866)
Date of construction	1988
Date acquired	11/97
Lives, minimum (in years)	3
Lives , maximum (in years)	30
Consolidated Development Pipeline [Member]
Initial cost [Abstract]
Land	31,957
Buildings and improvements	0
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition	34,894
Gross amount carried at close of period [Abstract]
Land and improvements	66,851
Buildings and improvements	0
Total	66,851	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	$ 0

[1] The aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $4.0 billion (unaudited).

[2] The land is leased pursuant to a ground lease expiring 2082.

[3] The land is leased pursuant to a ground lease expiring 2070.

[4] A portion of land is leased pursuant to a ground lease expiring in 2028.

[5] The land is leased pursuant to a ground lease expiring 2067.

[6] The land is leased pursuant to a ground lease expiring 2027.

[7] The land is leased pursuant to a ground lease expiring in 2028.

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Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Total property revenues	$ 141,628	$ 135,070	$ 129,764	$ 125,474	$ 122,373	$ 117,226	$ 114,906	$ 111,208	$ 531,936	$ 465,713	$ 405,728
Income before discontinued operations	49,640	20,221	42,490	17,202	14,493	11,767	10,502	12,106	129,553	48,868	49,162
Net income	49,640	20,221	42,490	27,239	17,868	11,085	16,052	12,511	139,590	57,516	50,782
Net income available to common stockholders	$ 43,793	$ 16,219	$ 37,078	$ 22,722	$ 13,937	$ 7,687	$ 10,326	$ 8,418	$ 119,812	$ 40,368	$ 33,764
Net income:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.22	$ 0.46	$ 1.07	$ 0.67	$ 0.42	$ 0.23	$ 0.32	$ 0.27	$ 3.42	$ 1.24	$ 1.14
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.22	$ 0.45	$ 1.07	$ 0.67	$ 0.42	$ 0.23	$ 0.32	$ 0.27	$ 3.41	$ 1.24	$ 1.14
Market price:
High (in dollars per share)	$ 150.71	$ 160.64	$ 161.53	$ 151.54	$ 148.44	$ 145.40	$ 138.31	$ 124.41
Low (in dollars per share)	$ 136.38	$ 147.38	$ 146.05	$ 136.43	$ 111.25	$ 119.15	$ 122.67	$ 109.98
Close (in dollars per share)	$ 146.65	$ 148.24	$ 153.92	$ 151.51	$ 140.51	$ 120.04	$ 135.29	$ 124.00
Dividends declared (in dollars per share)	$ 1.10	$ 1.10	$ 1.10	$ 1.10	$ 1.04	$ 1.04	$ 1.04	$ 1.04

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Unsecured Debt and Lines of Credit (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Unsecured Debt and Lines of Credit [Abstract]

Schedule of unsecured debt and lines of credit

Unsecured debt and lines of credit consist of the following as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 ($ in thousands):

							Weighted Average
							Maturity
	2012			2011			In Years
Bonds private placement - fixed rate	$	465,000		$	265,000			6.2
Term loan - variable rate		350,000			200,000			4.2
Bonds public offering - fixed rate		297,084			-			9.6
Unsecured debt		1,112,084			465,000
Lines of credit		141,000			150,000			3.0
Total unsecured debt	$	1,253,084		$	615,000
Weighted average interest rate on fixed rate unsecured bonds		4.2	%		4.5	%
Weighted average interest rate on variable rate term loan		2.7	%		2.7	%
Weighted average interest rate on line of credit		2.3	%		2.5	%

Summary of unsecured private placement bonds

The following is a summary of the Company's unsecured private placement bonds as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 ($ in thousands):

						Coupon
	Maturity	2012		2011		Rate
Senior unsecured private placement notes	March 2016	$	150,000	$	150,000		4.36	%
Senior unsecured private placement notes	September 2017		40,000		40,000		4.50	%
Senior unsecured private placement notes	December 2019		75,000		75,000		4.92	%
Senior unsecured private placement notes	April 2021		100,000		-		4.27	%
Senior unsecured private placement notes	June 2021		50,000		-		4.30	%
Senior unsecured private placement notes	August 2021		50,000		-		4.37	%
		$	465,000	$	265,000

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Equity Transactions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011 7.125% Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 7.125% Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2006 4.875% Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 4.875% Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 4.875% Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 7.875% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 7.8125% Series F Preferred Stock [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Common Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Common Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Common Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Cumulative dividend rate (in hundredths)		7.125%		4.875%		7.875%	7.8125%
Issue date		April 2011		July 2006
Authorized (in shares)		8,000,000		5,980,000
Outstanding (in shares)		2,950,000		178,249
Liquidation preference		$ 73,750,000		$ 4,456,000	$ 4,500,000
Shares issued (in shares)	2,950,000							758,644	2,400,000	2,500,000	2,400,000
Issue price (in dollars per share)	$ 25.00							$ 151.7	$ 150.26
Net proceeds	71,200,000							114,000,000	357,700,000	323,900,000	251,400,000
Beginning date of called period	Apr. 13, 2016
Liquidation value						80,000,000	25,000,000
Excess of cash paid over carrying value						1,000,000	900,000
Number of shares sold (in shares)			5,980,000
Gross proceeds from sale of shares			$ 149,500,000
Conversion rate into shares of common stock (in shares)			0.1830
Liquidation preference per share (in dollars per share)			$ 25
Initial conversion price per share of common stock (in dollars per share)			$ 136.62
Beginning date that Company may cause conversion into common stock.			Jul. 31, 2011

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Equity Based Compensation Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Equity Based Compensation Plans [Abstract]

Equity Based Compensation Plans

(13) Equity Based Compensation Plans

Stock Options and Restricted Stock

The Essex Property Trust, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan provides incentives to attract and retain officers, directors and key employees.  The Stock Incentive Plan provides for the grants of options to purchase a specified number of shares of common stock or grants of restricted shares of common stock.  Under the Stock Incentive Plan, the total number of shares available for grant is approximately 1,200,000.  The 2004 Stock Incentive Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.  The Compensation Committee is comprised of independent directors.   The Compensation Committee is authorized to establish the exercise price; however, the exercise price cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock on the grant date.  The Company's options have a life of seven to ten years.  Option grants for officers and employees fully vest between one year and five years after the grant date.

Stock-based compensation expense for options and restricted stock under the fair value method totaled $2.0 million, $1.5 million, and $1.0 million for years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 respectively.  Stock-based compensation capitalized for options and restricted stock totaled $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, and $0.2 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.  The intrinsic value of the options exercised totaled $2.9 million, $3.8 million, and $2.9 million, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 respectively.  The intrinsic value of the options outstanding and fully vested totaled $9.9 million, $10.6 million, and $7.7 million, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based compensation granted for stock options totaled $3.2 million as of December 31, 2012.  The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a period of 1 to 5 years for the stock option plans.

The average fair value of stock options granted for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $12.64, $14.49 and $18.39, respectively.  The stock options granted during the fourth quarter of 2012 included a $75 cap on the appreciation of the market price over the exercise price.  The stock options granted during 2011 and through the third quarter of 2012 included a $100 cap on the appreciation of the market price over the exercise price.  The fair value of stock options was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions used for grants:

	2012	2011	2010
Stock price	$143.95	$131.87	$107.21
Risk-free interest rates	1.16%	2.23%	3.50%
Expected lives	5 - 10 years	10 years	10 years
Volatility	20.05%	19.63%	22.00%
Dividend yield	3.26%	3.29%	3.85%

A summary of the status of the Company's stock option plans as of December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 and changes during the years ended on those dates is presented below:

	2012					2011					2010
				Weighted-					Weighted-					Weighted-
				average					average					average
				exercise					exercise					exercise
	Shares			price		Shares			price		Shares			price
Outstanding at beginning of year		415,020		$	109.71		300,642		$	88.11		378,542		$	82.08
Granted		263,113			143.95		197,500			131.87		18,214			107.21
Exercised		(41,603	)		77.21		(83,122	)		84.24		(78,381	)		63.97
Forfeited and canceled		(13,096	)		128.36		-			0.00		(17,733	)		105.40
Outstanding at end of year		623,434			125.96		415,020			109.71		300,642			88.11
Options exercisable at year end		250,620			107.12		219,820			92.31		265,770			86.28

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2012:

	Options outstanding					Options exercisable
	Number		Weighted-			Number
	outstanding		average	Weighted-		exercisable		Weighted-
	as of		remaining	average		as of		average
Range of	December 31,		contractual	exercise		December 31,		exercise
exercise prices	2012		life	price		2012		price
$51.01 - 79.05		34,973	3.0 years	$	69.97		34,973	$	69.97
79.25 - 125.84		144,498	3.9 years		99.10		130,498		98.69
126.73 - 155.34		443,963	7.9 years		139.10		85,149		135.31
		623,434	6.7 years		125.96		250,620		107.12

During 2012, 2011, and 2010 the Company issued 1,614, 1,540, and 14,415 shares of restricted stock, respectively.  The unrecognized compensation cost granted under the restricted stock program of $1.9 million as of December 31, 2012 will be recognized straight-line over a period of 1 to 7 years.

The following table summarizes information about restricted stock outstanding as of December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 and changes during the years ended:

	2012					2011					2010
				Weighted-					Weighted-					Weighted-
				average					average					average
				grant					grant					grant
	Shares			price		Shares			price		Shares			price
Unvested at beginning of year		35,219		$	98.57		44,877		$	102.46		37,727		$	99.43
Granted		1,614			149.68		1,540			134.44		14,415			109.62
Vested		(8,641	)		106.69		(9,532	)		104.91		(6,126	)		102.27
Forfeited and canceled		(3,270	)		102.00		(1,666	)		94.35		(1,139	)		93.92
Unvested at end of year		24,922			104.52		35,219			98.57		44,877			102.46

Long Term Incentive Plan – Z Units

The Company has adopted an incentive program involving the issuance of Series Z Incentive Units and Series Z-1 Incentive Units (collectively referred to as "Z Units") of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership.  Vesting in the Z Units is based on performance criteria established in the plan.  The criteria can be revised at the beginning of the year by the Board's Compensation Committee if the Committee deems that the plan's criterion is unachievable for any given year.   The sale of Z Units is contractually prohibited.  Z Units are convertible into Operating Partnership units which are exchangeable for shares of the Company's common stock that have marketability restrictions.  The estimated fair value of a Z Unit is determined on the grant date and considers the company's current stock price, the dividends that are not paid on unvested units and a marketability discount for the 8 to 15 years of illiquidity.  Compensation expense is calculated by multiplying estimated vesting increases for the period by the estimated fair value as of the grant date less its $1.00 per unit purchase price.

Stock-based compensation expense for Z Units under the fair value method totaled approximately $2.1 million, $1.5 million and $2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Stock-based compensation capitalized for Z Units totaled approximately $0.5 million, $0.3 million, and $0.6 million, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.  The intrinsic value of the unvested Z Units totaled $20.8 million as of December 31, 2012.  Total unrecognized compensation cost related to the unvested Z Units under the Z Units plans totaled $7.3 million as of December 31, 2012.  The unamortized cost is recognized up to 14 years subject to the achievement of the stated performance criteria.

The issuance of Z Units is administered by the Compensation Committee which has the authority to select participants and determine the awards to be made up to a maximum of 600,000 Z Units.  Effective January 1 of each year for each participating executive who remains employed by the Company if the Company has met a specified "funds from operations" per share target, or such other target as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate, for the prior year, up to a maximum conversion ratchet of 100%.  Z units issued in 2011 and 2010 are discussed below.

During 2010, the Operating Partnership issued 108,000 Series Z-1 Incentive Units (the "2010 Z-1 Units") of limited partner interest to twenty executives of the Company. The conversion ratchet (accounted for as vesting) of the 2010 Z-1 Units into common units, increased to 20 percent effective January 1, 2011 because the Company achieved the FFO minimum target of $4.75 per diluted share in 2010.  Once the units are vested, Z-1 Unit holders receive quarterly distributions of approximately the dividend rate paid on common shares.  Each year thereafter, vesting of the 2010 Z-1 Units will be consistent with the Company's annual FFO growth, but is not to be less than zero or greater than 14 percent.

During 2011, the Operating Partnership issued 46,500 Series Z-1 Incentive Units (the "2011 Z-1 Units") of limited partner interest to fourteen executives of the Company in exchange for cash from eight executive officers of the Company, and a capital commitment from the remaining six executives of $1.00 per 2011 Z-1 Unit.  The 2011 Z-1 Units are convertible one-for-one into common units of the Operating Partnership (which, in turn, are convertible into common stock of the Company) upon the earlier to occur of 100 percent vesting of the units or the year 2026.  The conversion ratchet (accounted for as vesting) of the 2011 Z-1 Units into common units, increased to 10 percent effective January 1, 2012 because the Company achieved the FFO minimum target of $5.65 per diluted share in 2011.  Each year thereafter, vesting of the 2011 Z-1 Units will be consistent with the Company's annual FFO growth, but is not to be less than zero or greater than 14 percent.  The 2011 Z-1 Unit holders are entitled to receive approximately the same as dividends distributed to common stockholders on vested units.

The following table summarizes information about the Z Units outstanding as of December 31, 2012 ($ in thousands):

	Long Term Incentive Plan - Z Units
							Aggregate							Weighted-
							Intrinsic					Weighted-		average
	Total			Total			Value		Total			average		Remaining
	Vested			Unvested			of Unvested		Outstanding			Grant-date		Contractual
	Units			Units			Units		Units			Fair Value		Life
Balance, December 2009		288,651			105,881		$	8,751		394,532		$	39.36	8.2 years
Granted		-			108,000					108,000
Vested		37,629			(37,629	)				-
Cancelled					(4,350	)				(4,350	)
Balance, December 2010		326,280			171,902			19,463		498,182			54.15	11.2 years
Granted		-			46,500					46,500
Vested		44,520			(44,520	)				-
Converted		(191,718	)		-					(191,718	)
Cancelled		-			(3,863	)				(3,863	)
Balance, December 2011		179,082			170,019			23,719		349,101			58.17	12.3 years
Granted		-			-					-
Vested		28,163			(28,163	)				-
Converted		(16,541	)		-					(16,541	)
Cancelled		-			(1,813	)				(1,813	)
Balance, December 2012		190,704			140,043		$	20,800		330,747		$	58.44	11.3 years

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Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) [Abstract]

Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

(18) Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

The following is a summary of quarterly results of operations for 2012 and 2011 ($ in thousands, except per share and dividend amounts):

	Quarter ended		Quarter ended		Quarter ended		Quarter ended
	December 31		September 30		June 30		March 31
2012:
Total property revenues	$	141,628	$	135,070	$	129,764	$	125,474
Income before discontinued operations	$	49,640	$	20,221	$	42,490	$	17,202
Net income	$	49,640	$	20,221	$	42,490	$	27,239
Net income available to common stockholders	$	43,793	$	16,219	$	37,078	$	22,722
Per share data:
Net income:
Basic	$	1.22	$	0.46	$	1.07	$	0.67
Diluted	$	1.22	$	0.45	$	1.07	$	0.67
Market price:
High	$	150.71	$	160.64	$	161.53	$	151.54
Low	$	136.38	$	147.38	$	146.05	$	136.43
Close	$	146.65	$	148.24	$	153.92	$	151.51
Dividends declared	$	1.10	$	1.10	$	1.10	$	1.10
2011:
Total property revenues	$	122,373	$	117,226	$	114,906	$	111,208
Income before discontinued operations	$	14,493	$	11,767	$	10,502	$	12,106
Net income	$	17,868	$	11,085	$	16,052	$	12,511
Net income available to common stockholders	$	13,937	$	7,687	$	10,326	$	8,418
Per share data:
Net income:
Basic	$	0.42	$	0.23	$	0.32	$	0.27
Diluted	$	0.42	$	0.23	$	0.32	$	0.27
Market price:
High	$	148.44	$	145.40	$	138.31	$	124.41
Low	$	111.25	$	119.15	$	122.67	$	109.98
Close	$	140.51	$	120.04	$	135.29	$	124.00
Dividends declared	$	1.04	$	1.04	$	1.04	$	1.04

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Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended					3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012 Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Interest Rate Cap [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Interest Rate Cap [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Swap [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Swap [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Swap [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of interest rate contracts				$ 187.8					$ 300.0
Amount of unsecured loan that is effectively fixed with the interest rate swap									300
Total amount of unsecured loan									350
Interest rate (in hundredths)									2.70%
Number of derivative instruments held				12
Tax exempt variable rate debt			201.9
Aggregate carrying value of the interest rate swap contracts									6.6
Aggregate carrying value of the interest rate cap contracts				0	0.2
Derivative swap transaction terminated						38.0
Derivative instruments settled							20.0	355.0
Proceeds from derivatives contracts settlement							2.3	81.3
Mortgage obtained during 2011							32.0
Effective interest rate on mortgage loans, maximum (in hundredths)	6.20%	6.80%
Effective interest rate on mortgage loans, minimum (in hundredths)	5.40%	4.50%
Term of mortgage loan paid from derivatives proceeds		10 years
Expense related to the ineffectiveness included in impairment and other charges		$ 2.3

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Organization (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Organization [Abstract]
General partner ownership interest (in hundredths)	94.50%
Limited partners ownership interest (in hundredths)	5.50%
Operating Partnership units outstanding (in shares)	2,122,381	2,229,230
Redemption value of Operating Partnership units outstanding	$ 311.2	$ 313.2
Number of apartment communities owned	163
Apartment units owned (in units)	33,468
Ownership interests, number of commercial buildings	5
Ownership interests, number of active development projects	9

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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Net income	$ 139,590	$ 57,516	$ 50,782
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges and amortization of settlement swaps	3,402	7,707	(50,437)
Changes in fair value of marketable securities	1,411	1,330	5,357
Reversal of unrealized gains upon the sale of marketable securities	(1,082)	(4,286)	(12,027)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	3,731	4,751	(57,107)
Comprehensive income (loss)	143,321	62,267	(6,325)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(14,527)	(10,751)	(10,752)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the Company	$ 128,794	$ 51,516	$ (17,077)

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Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies

(2) Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies

(a) Principles of Consolidation

The accounts of the Company, its controlled subsidiaries and the variable interest entities ("VIEs") in which it is the primary beneficiary are consolidated in the accompanying financial statements. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Noncontrolling interest includes the 5.5% and 6.2% limited partner interests in the Operating Partnership not held by the Company at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These percentages include the Operating Partnership's vested long term incentive plan units (see Note 13).

The Company consolidates 19 DownREIT limited partnerships (comprising twelve communities), since the Company is the primary beneficiary of these variable interest entities ("VIEs").  The consolidated total assets and liabilities related to these VIEs, net of intercompany eliminations, were approximately $201.1 million and $178.6 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2012, and $199.8 million and $171.5million, respectively, as of December 31, 2011.

The DownREIT VIEs collectively own twelve apartment communities in which Essex Management Company ("EMC") is the general partner, the Operating Partnership is a special limited partner, and the other limited partners were granted rights of redemption for their interests.  Such limited partners can request to be redeemed and the Company can elect to redeem their rights for cash or by issuing shares of its common stock on a one share per unit basis.  Conversion values will be based on the market value of the Company's common stock at the time of redemption multiplied by the number of units stipulated under the above arrangements.  The other limited partners receive distributions based on the Company's current dividend rate times the number of units held.  Total DownREIT units outstanding were 1,039,431 and 1,063,848 as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 respectively, and the redemption value of the units, based on the closing price of the Company's common stock totaled $152.4 million and $149.5 million, as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the carrying value of the other limited partners' interests is presented at their historical cost and is classified within noncontrolling interest in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Interest holders in VIEs consolidated by the Company are allocated a priority of net income equal to the cash payments made to those interest holders or distributions from cash flow.  The remaining results of operations are generally allocated to the Company.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company did not have any VIE's of which it was not deemed to be the primary beneficiary.

(b) Real Estate Rental Properties

Significant expenditures, which improve or extend the life of an asset and have a useful life of greater than one year, are capitalized.  Operating real estate assets are stated at cost and consist of land, buildings and improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment, and other costs incurred during their development, redevelopment and acquisition.  Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.

The depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets is as follows:

Computer software and equipment	3 - 5 years
Interior unit improvements	5 years
Land improvements and certain exterior components of real property	10 years
Real estate structures	30 years

The Company capitalizes all costs incurred with the predevelopment, development or redevelopment of real estate assets or are associated with the construction or expansion of real property.  Such capitalized costs include land, land improvements, allocated costs of the Company's project management staff, construction costs, as well as interest and related loan fees, property taxes and insurance.  Capitalization begins for predevelopment, development, and redevelopment projects when activity commences.  Capitalization ends when the apartment home is completed and the property is available for a new resident or if the development activities are put on hold.  The Company ceases to capitalize costs such as property taxes, insurance, and interest expenses once the development activities are put on hold.

The Company allocates the purchase price of real estate to land and building, and identifiable intangible assets, such as the value of above, below and in-place leases. The values of the above and below market leases are amortized and recorded as either a decrease (in the case of above market leases) or an increase (in the case of below market leases) to rental revenue over the remaining term of the associated leases acquired, which in the case of below market leases the Company assumes lessees will elect to renew their leases.  The value of acquired in-place leases are amortized to expense over the term the Company expects to retain the acquired tenant, which is generally 20 months.

The Company performs the following evaluation for communities acquired:

(1) Adjust the purchase price for any fair value adjustments resulting from such things as assumed debt or contingencies.

(2) estimate the value of the real estate "as if vacant" as of the acquisition date;

(3) allocate that value among land and building;

(4) compute the value of the difference between the "as if vacant" value and the adjusted purchase price, which will represent the total intangible assets;

(5) compute the value of the above and below market leases and determine the associated life of the above market/ below market leases;

(6) compute the value of the in-place leases and customer relationships, if any, and the associated lives of these assets.

Whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a property held for investment or held for sale may not be fully recoverable, the carrying amount will be evaluated for impairment. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount (including intangible assets) of a property held for investment, then the Company will recognize an impairment loss equal to the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the property.  Fair value of a property is determined using conventional real estate valuation methods, such as discounted cash flow, the property's unleveraged yield in comparison to the unleveraged yields and sales prices of similar communities that have been recently sold, and other third party information, if available.  Communities held for sale are carried at the lower of cost and fair value less estimated costs to sell.  As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, no communities were classified as held for sale and no impairment charges were recorded in 2012, 2011 or 2010.

In the normal course of business, the Company will receive purchase offers for its communities, either solicited or unsolicited. For those offers that are accepted, the prospective buyer will usually require a due diligence period before consummation of the transaction.  It is not unusual for matters to arise that result in the withdrawal or rejection of the offer during this process.  The Company classifies real estate as "held for sale" when all criteria under the accounting standard for the disposals of long-lived assets have been met.  In accordance with the standard, the Company presents income and gains/losses on communities sold or held for sale as discontinued operations.  The Company's equity in income or loss from real estate investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting remain classified in continuing operations upon disposition.  (See Note 6 for a description of the Company's discontinued operations for 2012, 2011, and 2010).

(c) Co-investments

The Company owns investments in joint ventures ("co-investments") in which it has significant influence, but its ownership interest does not meet the criteria for consolidation in accordance with the accounting standards.  Therefore, the Company accounts for these investments using the equity method of accounting.  Under the equity method of accounting, the investment is carried at the cost of assets contributed, plus the Company's equity in earnings less distributions received and the Company's share of losses.  For preferred equity investments the Company recognizes its preferred interest as its equity in earnings.

A majority of the co-investments, excluding the preferred equity investments, compensate the Company for its asset management services and some of these investments may provide promote distributions if certain financial return benchmarks are achieved.  Asset management fees are recognized when earned, and promote fees are recognized when the earnings events have occurred and the amount is determinable and collectible.  Any promote distributions are reflected in equity (loss) income in co-investments. In 2012, the Company recorded a $2.3 million promote fee in connection with acquisition of our joint venture partner's remaining membership interest in the co-investment Essex Skyline at MacArthur Place for a purchase price of $85 million.  The property is now consolidated.  There were no promote fees recognized in 2011 and 2010 in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

(d) Revenues and Gains on Sale of Real Estate

Revenues from tenants renting or leasing apartment units are recorded when due from tenants and are recognized monthly as they are earned, which is not materially different than on a straight-line basis.  Units are rented under short-term leases (generally, lease terms of 6 to 12 months) and may provide no rent for one or two months, depending on the market conditions and leasing practices of the Company's competitors in each sub-market at the time the leases are executed.   Revenues from tenants leasing commercial space are recorded on a straight-line basis over the life of the respective lease.

The Company recognizes gains on sales of real estate when a contract is in place, a closing has taken place, the buyer's initial and continuing investment is adequate to demonstrate a commitment to pay for the property and the Company does not have a substantial continuing involvement in the property.

(e) Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased are classified as cash equivalents.  Restricted cash balances relate primarily to reserve requirements for capital replacement at certain communities in connection with the Company's mortgage debt.

(f)  Marketable Securities

The Company reports its available for sale securities at fair value, based on quoted market prices (Level 2 for the unsecured bonds and Level 1 for the common stock and investment funds, as defined by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") standard for fair value measurements as discussed later in Note 2), and any unrealized gain or loss is recorded as other comprehensive income (loss).  There were no other than temporary impairment charges for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.  Realized gains and losses, interest income, and amortization of purchase discounts are included in interest and other income on the consolidated statement of operations.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, marketable securities consisted primarily of investment-grade unsecured bonds, common stock, investments in mortgage backed securities and investment funds that invest in U.S. treasury or agency securities.  As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company classified its investments in mortgage backed securities, which mature in November 2019 and September 2020, as held to maturity, and accordingly, these securities are stated at their amortized cost.  The estimated fair values of the mortgage backed securities (Level 2 securities) are approximately equal to the carrying values.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011 marketable securities consist of the following ($ in thousands):

	December 31, 2012
			Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Carrying
	Cost		Gain		Value
Available for sale:
Investment-grade unsecured bonds	$	5,143	$	98	$	5,241
Investment funds - US treasuries		14,120		729		14,849
Common stock		18,917		1,704		20,621
Held to maturity:
Mortgage backed securities		52,002		-		52,002
Total	$	90,182	$	2,531	$	92,713
	December 31, 2011
			Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Carrying
	Cost		Gain		Value
Available for sale:
Investment-grade unsecured bonds	$	3,615	$	399	$	4,014
Investment funds - US treasuries		11,783		121		11,904
Common stock		10,067		1,552		11,619
Held to maturity:
Mortgage backed securities		46,738		-		46,738
Total	$	72,203	$	2,072	$	74,275

The Company uses the specific identification method to determine the cost basis of a security sold and to reclassify amounts from accumulated other comprehensive income for securities sold.  For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the proceeds from sales of available for sale securities totaled $61.7 million, $33.0 million and $102.0 million, respectively.  These sales all resulted in gains, which totaled $0.8 million, $5.0 million and $12.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

(g) Notes Receivable

Notes receivable relate to real estate financing arrangements including mezzanine and bridge loans and are secured by real estate.  Interest is recognized over the life of the note.

Each note is analyzed to determine if it is impaired.  A note is impaired if it is probable that the Company will not collect all principal and interest contractually due.  The Company does not accrue interest when a note is considered impaired and a loan allowance is recorded for any principal and previously accrued interest that are not believed to be collectable. All cash receipts on impaired notes are applied to reduce the principal amount of such notes until the principal has been recovered and, thereafter, are recognized as interest income.   As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, no notes were impaired.

(h) Capitalization Policy

The Company capitalizes all direct and certain indirect costs, including interest and real estate taxes, incurred during development and redevelopment activities. Interest is capitalized on real estate assets that require a period of time to get them ready for their intended use.  The amount of interest capitalized is based upon the average amount of accumulated development expenditures during the reporting period.  Included in capitalized costs are management's accounting estimates of the direct and incremental personnel costs and indirect project costs associated with the Company's development and redevelopment activities.  Indirect project costs consist primarily of personnel costs associated with construction administration and development, including accounting, legal fees, and various office costs that clearly relate to projects under development.  The Company's capitalized internal costs related to development and redevelopment projects totaled $4.4 million, $4.3 million and $4.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively,  most of which relates to development projects.  These totals include capitalized salaries of $2.4 million, $2.2 million and $2.1 million, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

(i) Interest and Other Income

Interest income is generated primarily from cash balances and marketable securities as well as notes receivables.  Other income primarily consists of gains on sales of marketable securities.  Total interest and other income is comprised of the following for the years ended December 31 ($ in thousands):

	2012		2011		2010
Interest income	$	10,715	$	10,501	$	15,350
Co-investment promote fee		2,299		-		-
Gains on sales of marketable securities		819		4,956		12,491
Tax benefit - taxable REIT subsidiary		-		1,682		-
	$	13,833	$	17,139	$	27,841

(j) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company values its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy of valuation techniques described in the FASB's accounting standard for fair value measurements.  Level 1 inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.  Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and inputs other than quoted prices observable for the asset or liability.   Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.  The Company uses Level 1 inputs for the fair values of its cash equivalents and its marketable securities except for unsecured bonds and mortgage backed securities.  The Company uses Level 2 inputs for its investments in unsecured bonds, mortgage backed securities, notes receivable, notes payable, and derivative liabilities.  These inputs include interest rates for similar financial instruments.  The Company's valuation methodology for derivatives is described in more detail in Note 9.  The Company's valuation methodology for the swap related to the multifamily revenue refunding bonds for the 101 San Fernando community, which the Company terminated in 2012, is described in detail in Note 9.  The Company does not use Level 3 inputs to estimate fair values of any of its financial instruments.  The Company's assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

Management believes that the carrying amounts of its amounts outstanding under lines of credit, notes receivable and other receivables approximate fair value as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, because interest rates, yields and other terms for these instruments are consistent with yields and other terms currently available for similar instruments.  Management has estimated that the fair value of the Company's $2.13 billion and $1.77 billion of fixed rate debt at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, to be $2.24 billion and $1.88 billion.  Management has estimated the fair value of the Company's $692.9 million and $593.7 million of variable rate debt at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, is $671.7 million and $572.3 million based on the terms of the Company's existing variable rate debt compared to those available in the marketplace.  Management believes that the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, construction payables, other liabilities and dividends payable approximate fair value as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.  The fair values of the Company's investments in mortgage backed securities are approximately equal to the amortized cost carrying value of these securities.  Marketable securities and derivative liabilities are carried at fair value as of December 31, 2012.

(k) Interest Rate Protection, Swap, and Forward Contracts

The Company uses interest rate swaps, interest rate cap contracts, and forward starting swaps to manage interest rate risks.  As of December 31, 2012, there were no outstanding forward starting swaps.  The valuation of these derivative instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves. The fair values of  forward starting interest rate swaps were determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts (or payments) and the discounted expected variable cash payments (or receipts). The variable cash payments (or receipts) were based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves. The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty's nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements.  The Company records all derivatives on its consolidated balance sheet at fair value.  The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation.   Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges.  Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges.

For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged item related to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings.  For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is initially reported in other comprehensive income (outside of earnings) and subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings, and the ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recognized directly in earnings.  The Company assesses the initial and ongoing effectiveness of each hedging relationship by comparing the changes in fair value or cash flows of the derivative hedging instrument with the changes in fair value or cash flows of the designated hedged item or transaction.

For derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges, changes in fair value are recognized in earnings.  All of the Company's interest rate swaps and interest rate caps are considered cash flow hedges except for the swap related to the multifamily revenue refunding bonds for the 101 San Fernando community that was terminated in 2012 as described in detail in Note 9.  The Company did not have any fair value hedges during the years end December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

The Company's objective in using derivatives is to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements or other identified risks.  To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily used interest rate swaps and interest rate forward-starting swaps as part of its cash flow hedging strategy.  The Company was hedging its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for a portion of its forecasted transactions.

(l) Deferred Charges

Deferred charges are principally comprised of loan fees and related costs which are amortized over the terms of the related borrowing in a manner which approximates the effective interest method.

(m) Income Taxes

Generally in any year in which the Company qualifies as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") under the Internal Revenue Code (the "IRC"), it is not subject to federal income tax on that portion of its income that it distributes to stockholders. No provision for federal income taxes, other than the taxable REIT subsidiaries discussed below, has been made in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012 as the Company has elected to be and believes it qualifies under the IRC as a REIT and has made distributions during the periods in amounts to preclude the Company from paying federal income tax.

In order to maintain compliance with REIT tax rules, the Company utilizes taxable REIT subsidiariesfor various revenue generating or investment activities. The taxable REIT subsidiaries are consolidated by the Company. The activities and tax related provisions, assets and liabilities are not material.

The status of cash dividends distributed for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 related to common stock, Series F, Series G, and Series H preferred stock are classified for tax purposes as follows:

	2012			2011			2010
Common Stock
Ordinary income		70.58	%		63.68	%		82.46	%
Capital gain		8.75	%		11.16	%		5.61	%
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain		7.97	%		0.74	%		0.00	%
Return of capital		12.70	%		24.42	%		11.93	%
		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%
		2012			2011			2010
Series F, G, and H Preferred stock
Ordinary income		80.85	%		100.00	%		93.63	%
Capital gains		10.02	%		0.00	%		6.37	%
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain		9.13	%		0.00	%		0.00	%
		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%

(n) Preferred Stock

The Company's Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series G Preferred Stock") contains fundamental change provisions that allow the holder to redeem the preferred stock for cash if certain events occur.  The redemption under these provisions is not solely within the Company's control, thus the Company has classified the Series G Preferred Stock as temporary equity in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

The Company's Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock ("Series H Preferred Stock"), issued during 2011, contains fundamental change provisions that allow the holder to redeem the preferred stock for cash if certain events occur.  The redemption under these provisions is within the Company's control, and thus the Company has classified the Series H Preferred Stock as permanent equity in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.

(o) Equity-based Compensation

The cost of share and unit based compensation awards is measured at the grant date based on the estimated fair value of the awards.  The estimated fair value of stock options and restricted stock granted by the Company are being amortized over the vesting period.  The estimated grant date fair values of the long term incentive plan units (discussed in Note 13) are being amortized over the expected service periods.

(p) Accounting Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to acquiring, developing and assessing the carrying values of its real estate portfolio, its investments in and advances to joint ventures and affiliates, its notes receivable and its qualification as a REIT.  The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, current market conditions, and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may vary from those estimates and those estimates could be different under different assumptions or conditions.

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Equity Based Compensation Plans, Long term incentive plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted (in shares)	1,614	1,540	14,415
Series Z Incentive Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Basis for estimating fair value of a unit	The estimated fair value of a Z Unit is determined on the grant date and considers the company's current stock price, the dividends that are not paid on unvested units and a marketability discount for the 8 to 15 years of illiquidity.
Basis for calculating compensation expense	Compensation expense is calculated by multiplying estimated vesting increases for the period by the estimated fair value as of the grant date less its $1.00 per unit purchase price.
Maximum number of shares (units) authorized for issuance (in shares)	600,000
Conversion ratchet increase for shares issued prior to 2010	Effective January 1 of each year for each participating executive who remains employed by the Company if the Company has met a specified "funds from operations" per share target, or such other target as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate, for the prior year, up to a maximum conversion ratchet of 100%.
Granted (in shares)	0	46,500	108,000
Number of senior executives receiving partnership units in exchange for capital committment		6
Capital commitment per series of each incentive Unit received (in dollars per share)		1.00
Number of senior executives receiving partnership units		14
Number of senior executives receiving partnership units in exchange for cash		8
Incentive units conversion ratio		one-for-one
Incentive units conversion threshold		Convertible into common stock of the Company upon the earlier to occur of 100 percent vesting of the units or the year 2026.
Conversion ratchet increase for shares issued in 2010		The conversion ratchet (accounted for as vesting) of the 2011 Z-1 Units into common units, increased to 10 percent effective January 1, 2012 because the Company achieved the FFO minimum target of $5.65 per diluted share in 2011. Each year thereafter, vesting of the 2011 Z-1 Units will be consistent with the Company's annual FFO growth, but is not to be less than zero or greater than 14 percent.
Percentage unit holders entitlement to dividends distributed to common stockholders (in hundredths)		10.00%
Funds from operations (FFO) target per diluted share (in dollars per share)		5.65
2010 Series Z-1 Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Funds from operations (FFO) target per diluted share (in dollars per share)			4.75

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Schedule III Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Schedule III - Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Abstract]

Schedule III - Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

						Costs
				Initial cost		capitalized	Gross amount carried at close of period
					Buildings and	subsequent to	Land and	Buildings and		Accumulated	Date of	Date	Lives
Property	Units	Location	Encumbrance	Land	improvements	acquisition	improvements	improvements	Total(1)	depreciation	construction	acquired	(years)
Encumbered communities
Anchor Village(The Elliot at Mukilteo)	301	Mukilteo, WA	10,750	2,498	10,595	11,861	2,824	22,130	24,954	(9,585)	1981	01/97	3-30
Avondale at Warner Center	446	Woodland Hills, CA	46,761	10,536	24,522	14,571	10,601	39,028	49,629	(19,625)	1970	01/97	3-30
Bridgeport	184	Newark, CA	21,724	1,608	7,582	6,107	1,525	13,772	15,297	(9,783)	1987	07/87	3-30
Barkley, The(2)	161	Anaheim, CA	16,784	-	8,520	4,533	2,353	10,700	13,053	(4,485)	1984	04/00	3-30
Bel Air	462	San Ramon, CA	55,835	12,105	18,252	22,959	12,682	40,634	53,316	(18,970)	1988	01/97	3-30
Belmont Station	275	Los Angeles, CA	30,045	8,100	66,666	2,765	8,267	69,264	77,531	(13,106)	2008	12/08	3-30
Bella Villagio	231	San Jose, CA	38,088	17,247	40,343	1,515	17,247	41,858	59,105	(3,304)	2004	09/10	3-30
Brentwood	140	Santa Ana, CA	19,283	2,833	11,303	5,482	3,502	16,116	19,618	(5,786)	1970	11/01	3-30
Brighton Ridge	264	Renton, WA	14,644	2,623	10,800	2,779	2,656	13,546	16,202	(7,375)	1986	12/96	3-30
Brookside Oaks	170	Sunnyvale, CA	19,974	7,301	16,310	19,923	10,328	33,206	43,534	(11,170)	1973	06/00	3-30
Camarillo Oaks	564	Camarillo, CA	47,350	10,953	25,254	2,634	11,075	27,766	38,841	(15,403)	1985	07/96	3-30
Camino Ruiz Square	160	Camarillo, CA	21,110	6,871	26,119	831	6,931	26,890	33,821	(5,525)	1990	12/06	3-30
Canyon Oaks	250	San Ramon, CA	28,989	19,088	44,473	1,338	19,088	45,811	64,899	(8,857)	2005	05/07	3-30
Canyon Pointe	250	Bothell, WA	14,391	4,692	18,288	3,507	4,693	21,794	26,487	(7,095)	1990	10/03	3-30
Carlyle, The	132	San Jose, CA	18,613	3,954	15,277	9,847	5,801	23,277	29,078	(9,265)	2000	04/00	3-30
City View	572	Hayward, CA	63,159	9,883	37,670	20,699	10,350	57,902	68,252	(29,059)	1975	03/98	3-30
Coldwater Canyon	39	Studio City, CA	5,538	1,674	6,640	1,178	1,676	7,816	9,492	(1,972)	1979	05/07	3-30
Courtyard off Main	109	Bellevue, WA	16,261	7,465	21,405	2,627	7,465	24,032	31,497	(1,806)	2000	10/10	3-30
Domaine	92	Seattle, WA	16,866	9,059	27,177	167	9,059	27,344	36,403	(266)	2009	09/12	3-30
Elevation	157	Redmond, WA	11,839	4,758	14,285	4,666	4,757	18,951	23,708	(2,019)	1986	06/10	3-30
Esplanade	278	San Jose, CA	44,928	18,170	40,086	5,765	18,429	45,592	64,021	(13,226)	2002	11/04	3-30
Fairhaven(Treehouse)	164	Santa Ana, CA	17,269	2,626	10,485	4,806	2,957	14,960	17,917	(5,128)	1970	11/01	3-30
Fairwood Pond	194	Renton, WA	13,307	5,296	15,564	2,054	5,297	17,617	22,914	(5,257)	1997	10/04	3-30
Fountain Park	705	Playa Vista, CA	97,450	25,073	94,980	21,849	25,203	116,699	141,902	(36,486)	2002	02/04	3-30
Harvest Park	104	Santa Rosa, CA	10,691	6,700	15,479	888	6,690	16,377	23,067	(3,401)	2004	03/07	3-30
Hampton Place /Hampton Court	215	Glendale, CA	21,296	6,695	16,753	5,266	6,733	21,981	28,714	(9,914)	1970	06/99	3-30
Hidden Valley	324	Simi Valley, CA	30,603	14,174	34,065	1,404	9,725	39,918	49,643	(11,368)	2004	12/04	3-30
Highridge	255	Rancho Palos Verdes, CA	44,807	5,419	18,347	23,194	6,073	40,887	46,960	(17,025)	1972	05/97	3-30
Highlands at Wynhaven	333	Issaquah, WA	33,343	16,271	48,932	4,331	16,271	53,263	69,534	(8,371)	2000	08/08	3-30
Hillcrest Park	608	Newbury Park, CA	69,555	15,318	40,601	14,623	15,755	54,787	70,542	(25,168)	1973	03/98	3-30
Hillsborough Park	235	La Habra, CA	37,909	6,291	15,455	1,414	6,272	16,888	23,160	(7,487)	1999	09/99	3-30
Huntington, The	276	Huntington Beach, CA	34,121	10,374	41,495	646	10,374	42,141	52,515	(757)	1975	06/12	3-30
Huntington Breakers	342	Huntington Beach, CA	38,734	9,306	22,720	5,399	9,315	28,110	37,425	(13,781)	1984	10/97	3-30
Inglenook Court	224	Bothell, WA	8,300	3,467	7,881	5,494	3,474	13,368	16,842	(8,091)	1985	10/94	3-30
Magnolia Square	156	Sunnyvale, CA	18,314	8,190	24,736	5,097	8,191	29,832	38,023	(5,069)	1969	09/07	3-30
Marbrisa	202	Long Beach, CA	18,959	4,700	18,605	3,082	4,760	21,627	26,387	(7,385)	1987	09/02	3-30
Mirabella	188	Marina Del Rey, CA	46,338	6,180	26,673	12,934	6,270	39,517	45,787	(14,326)	2000	05/00	3-30
Mill Creek at Windermere	400	San Ramon, CA	50,027	29,551	69,032	1,594	29,551	70,626	100,177	(12,721)	2005	09/07	3-30
Montclaire, The	390	Sunnyvale, CA	47,283	4,842	19,776	19,907	4,997	39,528	44,525	(27,380)	1973	12/88	3-30
Montebello	248	Kirkland, WA	30,158	13,857	41,575	3,810	13,858	45,384	59,242	(684)	1996	07/12	3-30
Montejo	124	Garden Grove, CA	13,307	1,925	7,685	2,264	2,194	9,680	11,874	(3,760)	1974	11/01	3-30
Park Hill at Issaquah	245	Issaquah, CA	29,477	7,284	21,937	1,905	7,284	23,842	31,126	(6,882)	1999	02/99	3-30
Palisades, The	192	Bellevue, WA	21,277	1,560	6,242	10,331	1,565	16,568	18,133	(10,156)	1977	05/90	3-30
Pathways	296	Long Beach, CA	38,219	4,083	16,757	18,076	6,239	32,677	38,916	(20,789)	1975	02/91	3-30
Stevenson Place	200	Fremont, CA	22,034	996	5,582	6,974	1,001	12,551	13,552	(8,698)	1971	04/83	3-30

(Continued)

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

						Costs
				Initial cost		capitalized	Gross amount carried at close of period
					Buildings and	subsequent to	Land and	Buildings and		Accumulated	Date of	Date	Lives
Property	Units	Location	Encumbrance	Land	improvements	acquisition	improvements	improvements	Total(1)	depreciation	construction	acquired	(years)
Encumbered communities (continued)
Stonehedge Village	196	Bothell, WA	12,657	3,167	12,603	4,531	3,201	17,100	20,301	(8,471)	1986	10/97	3-30
Summerhill Park	100	Sunnyvale, CA	13,769	2,654	4,918	1,069	2,656	5,985	8,641	(4,530)	1988	09/88	3-30
The Bernard	63	Seattle, CA	10,064	3,699	11,345	43	3,689	11,398	15,087	(490)	2008	09/11	3-30
Tierra Vista	404	Oxnard, CA	57,444	13,652	53,336	3,030	13,661	56,357	70,018	(16,376)	2001	01/01	3-30
Valley Park	160	Fountain Valley, CA	22,592	3,361	13,420	3,210	3,761	16,230	19,991	(6,161)	1969	11/01	3-30
Villa Angelina	256	Placentia, CA	27,542	4,498	17,962	4,726	4,962	22,224	27,186	(7,778)	1970	11/01	3-30
Vista Belvedere	76	Tiburon, CA	10,272	5,573	11,901	4,180	5,573	16,081	21,654	(5,201)	1963	08/04	3-30
Wandering Creek	156	Kent, WA	5,300	1,285	4,980	3,366	1,296	8,335	9,631	(4,945)	1986	11/95	3-30
Waterford, The	238	San Jose, CA	31,975	11,808	24,500	12,418	15,165	33,561	48,726	(13,735)	2000	06/00	3-30
Wilshire Promenade	149	Fullerton, CA	18,276	3,118	7,385	6,683	3,797	13,389	17,186	(6,013)	1992	01/97	3-30
			1,565,599	424,411	1,295,274	366,352	439,119	1,646,917	2,086,036	(541,466)
Unencumbered communities
Allegro	97	Valley Village, CA		5,869	23,977	949	5,869	24,926	30,795	(2,624)	2010	10/10	3-30
Alpine Village	301	Alpine, CA		4,967	19,728	3,690	4,982	23,403	28,385	(8,158)	1971	12/02	3-30
Anavia	250	Anaheim, CA		15,925	63,712	5,469	15,925	69,181	85,106	(4,704)	2009	12/10	3-30
Ascent	90	Kirkland, CA		3,924	11,862	271	3,924	12,133	16,057	(86)	1988	10/12	3-30
Axis 2300	115	Irvine, CA		5,405	33,585	518	5,405	34,103	39,508	(3,659)	2010	08/10	3-30
Bellerive	63	Los Angeles, CA		5,401	21,803	517	5,401	22,320	27,721	(1,347)	2011	08/11	3-30
Belmont Terrace	71	Belmont, CA		4,446	10,290	2,250	4,473	12,513	16,986	(3,635)	1974	10/06	3-30
Bennett Lofts	113	San Francisco, CA		21,771	50,800	80	21,771	50,880	72,651	(212)	2004	12/12	3-30
Bonita Cedars	120	Bonita, CA		2,496	9,913	1,584	2,503	11,490	13,993	(4,124)	1983	12/02	3-30
Boulevard	172	Fremont, CA		3,520	8,182	10,469	3,580	18,591	22,171	(9,989)	1978	01/96	3-30
Bridle Trails	108	Kirkland, WA		1,500	5,930	5,304	1,531	11,203	12,734	(5,243)	1986	10/97	3-30
Bristol Commons	188	Sunnyvale, CA		5,278	11,853	2,033	5,293	13,871	19,164	(7,384)	1989	01/97	3-30
416 on Broadway	115	Glendale, CA		8,557	34,235	756	8,557	34,991	43,548	(2,448)	2009	12/10	3-30
Bunker Hill	456	Los Angeles, CA		11,498	27,871	7,472	11,639	35,202	46,841	(15,732)	1968	03/98	3-30
Cairns, The	100	Seattle, WA		6,937	20,679	364	6,939	21,041	27,980	(3,941)	2006	06/07	3-30
Cambridge	40	Chula Vista, CA		497	1,973	324	498	2,296	2,794	(831)	1965	12/02	3-30
Capri at Sunny Hills	100	Fullerton, CA		3,337	13,320	6,230	4,048	18,839	22,887	(6,863)	1961	09/01	3-30
Castle Creek	216	Newcastle, WA		4,149	16,028	2,097	4,833	17,441	22,274	(9,292)	1997	12/97	3-30
CBC Apartments	148	Goleta, CA		6,283	24,000	2,418	6,288	26,413	32,701	(6,800)	1962	01/06	3-30
CentrePointe (The Bluffs II)	224	San Diego, CA		3,405	7,743	14,218	3,442	21,924	25,366	(5,977)	1974	06/97	3-30
Cedar Terrace	180	Bellevue, WA		5,543	16,442	3,572	5,652	19,905	25,557	(6,150)	1984	01/05	3-30
Chestnut Street	96	Santa Cruz, CA		6,582	15,689	955	6,582	16,644	23,226	(2,602)	2002	07/08	3-30
Commons, The	264	Campbell, CA		12,555	29,307	3,566	12,556	32,872	45,428	(3,067)	1973	07/10	3-30
Corbella at Juanita Bay	169	Kirkland, WA		5,801	17,415	852	5,801	18,267	24,068	(1,373)	1978	11/10	3-30
Country Villas	180	Oceanside, CA		4,174	16,583	2,443	4,187	19,013	23,200	(6,884)	1976	12/02	3-30
Delano/Bon Terra	126	Redmond, WA		7,470	22,511	561	7,470	23,072	30,542	(773)	2005/2011	12/11	3-30
Devonshire	276	Hemet, CA		3,470	13,786	2,282	3,482	16,056	19,538	(5,780)	1988	12/02	3-30
Emerald Ridge - North	180	Bellevue, WA		3,449	7,801	2,828	3,449	10,629	14,078	(6,697)	1987	11/94	3-30
Essex Skyline at MacAuthur Place	349	Santa Ana, CA		21,537	146,099	463	21,537	146,562	168,099	(3,536)	2008	04/12	3-30
Evergreen Heights	200	Kirkland, WA		3,566	13,395	3,346	3,649	16,658	20,307	(8,384)	1990	06/97	3-30
Fairways(3)	74	Newport Beach, CA		-	7,850	4,218	9	12,059	12,068	(4,634)	1972	06/99	3-30
Foothill Commons	388	Bellevue, WA		2,435	9,821	30,872	2,440	40,688	43,128	(18,651)	1978	03/90	3-30
Foothill Gardens/Twin Creeks	176	San Ramon, CA		5,875	13,992	4,360	5,964	18,263	24,227	(9,093)	1985	02/97	3-30
Forest View	192	Renton, WA		3,731	14,530	1,212	3,731	15,742	19,473	(5,132)	1998	10/03	3-30

(Continued)

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

						Costs
				Initial cost		capitalized	Gross amount carried at close of period
					Buildings and	subsequent to	Land and	Buildings and		Accumulated	Date of	Date	Lives
Property	Units	Location	Encumbrance	Land	improvements	acquisition	improvements	improvements	Total(1)	depreciation	construction	acquired	(years)
Unencumbered communities (continued)
Fountain Court	320	Seattle, WA		6,702	27,306	4,214	6,985	31,237	38,222	(13,626)	2000	03/00	3-30
Fourth & U	171	Berkeley, CA		8,879	52,351	1,821	8,879	54,172	63,051	(5,429)	2010	04/10	3-30
Hillsdale Garden Apartments	697	San Mateo, CA		22,000	94,681	17,407	22,244	111,844	134,088	(23,317)	1948	09/06	3-30
Hope Ranch Collection	108	Santa Barbara, CA		4,078	16,877	2,291	4,208	19,038	23,246	(3,366)	1965	03/07	3-30
Joule	295	Seattle, WA		14,558	69,417	2,473	14,558	71,890	86,448	(7,421)	2010	03/10	3-30
1000 Kiely	121	Santa Clara, CA		9,359	21,845	3,675	9,359	25,520	34,879	(1,590)	1971	03/11	3-30
Kings Road	196	Los Angeles, CA		4,023	9,527	7,646	4,031	17,165	21,196	(7,801)	1979	06/97	3-30
Le Parc Luxury Apartments	140	Santa Clara, CA		3,090	7,421	10,766	3,092	18,185	21,277	(9,041)	1975	02/94	3-30
Linden Square	183	Seattle, WA		4,374	11,588	1,886	4,202	13,646	17,848	(5,673)	1994	06/00	3-30
Lofts at Pinehurst, The	118	Ventura, CA		1,570	3,912	4,197	1,618	8,061	9,679	(3,461)	1971	06/97	3-30
Magnolia Lane(4)	32	Sunnyvale, CA		-	5,430	210	-	5,640	5,640	(1,080)	2001	06/07	3-30
Marina City Club(5)	101	Marina Del Rey, CA		-	28,167	6,696	-	34,863	34,863	(10,453)	1971	01/04	3-30
Marina Cove(6)	292	Santa Clara, CA		5,320	16,431	8,311	5,324	24,738	30,062	(13,558)	1974	06/94	3-30
Mariners Place	105	Oxnard, CA		1,555	6,103	1,748	1,562	7,844	9,406	(3,476)	1987	05/00	3-30
Meadoweood	320	Simi Valley, CA		7,852	18,592	5,498	7,898	24,044	31,942	(12,206)	1986	11/96	3-30
Mesa Village	133	Clairemont, CA		1,888	7,498	1,001	1,894	8,493	10,387	(2,890)	1963	12/02	3-30
Mira Monte	355	Mira Mesa, CA		7,165	28,459	7,652	7,186	36,090	43,276	(14,088)	1982	12/02	3-30
Miracle Mile/Marbella	236	Los Angeles, CA		7,791	23,075	10,885	7,886	33,865	41,751	(15,215)	1988	08/97	3-30
Mission Hills	282	Oceanside, CA		10,099	38,778	3,677	10,167	42,387	52,554	(11,755)	1984	07/05	3-30
Monterra del Mar/Rey/Sol	292	Pasadena, CA		2,202	4,794	28,101	8,385	26,712	35,097	(12,072)	1972	04/99	3-30
Monterey Villas	122	Oxnard, CA		2,349	5,579	5,217	2,424	10,721	13,145	(4,670)	1974	07/97	3-30
Mt. Sutro	99	San Francisco, CA		2,334	8,507	2,988	2,809	11,020	13,829	(4,924)	1973	06/01	3-30
Muse	152	Hollywood, CA		7,822	33,436	1,136	7,823	34,571	42,394	(3,117)	2011	02/11	3-30
Park Catalina	90	Los Angeles, CA		4,710	18,839	293	4,710	19,132	23,842	(346)	2002	06/12	3-30
Park West	126	San Francisco, CA		9,424	21,988	659	9,424	22,647	32,071	(215)	1958	09/12	3-30
Pinehurst(7)	28	Ventura, CA		355	1,356	377	6	2,082	2,088	(733)	1973	12/04	3-30
Pointe at Cupertino, The	116	Cupertino, CA		4,505	17,605	8,388	4,505	25,993	30,498	(6,545)	1963	08/98	3-30
Reed Square	100	Sunnyvale, CA		6,873	16,037	1,897	6,873	17,934	24,807	(550)	1970	01/12	3-30
Regency at Encino	75	Encino, CA		3,184	12,737	1,348	3,184	14,084	17,268	(1,730)	1989	12/09	3-30
Salmon Run at Perry Creek	132	Bothell, WA		3,717	11,483	1,119	3,801	12,518	16,319	(5,024)	2000	10/00	3-30
101 San Fernando	323	San Jose, CA		4,173	58,961	3,678	4,173	62,639	66,812	(5,392)	2001	07/10	3-30
Sammamish View	153	Bellevue, WA		3,324	7,501	5,677	3,331	13,171	16,502	(8,094)	1986	11/94	3-30
San Marcos	432	Richmond, CA		15,563	36,204	26,282	22,866	55,183	78,049	(17,358)	2003	11/03	3-30
Santee Court	165	Los Angeles, CA		6,177	24,716	956	6,177	25,672	31,849	(1,992)	2004	10/10	3-30
Santee Village	73	Los Angeles, CA		3,404	15,601	1,391	3,404	16,992	20,396	(997)	2011	07/11	3-30
Shadow Point	172	Spring Valley, CA		2,812	11,170	1,747	2,820	12,909	15,729	(4,606)	1983	12/02	3-30
Summit Park	300	San Diego, CA		5,959	23,670	3,273	5,977	26,925	32,902	(9,704)	1972	12/02	3-30
The Laurels at Mill Creek	164	Mill Creek, WA		1,559	6,430	4,945	1,595	11,339	12,934	(5,607)	1981	12/96	3-30
The Grand	243	Oakland, CA		4,531	89,208	3,969	4,531	93,177	97,708	(13,803)	2009	01/09	3-30
The Sweep Apartments	91	Goleta, CA		5,558	21,320	1,866	5,618	23,126	28,744	(6,481)	1967	01/06	3-30
Trabucco Villas	132	Lake Forest, CA		3,638	8,640	2,035	3,890	10,423	14,313	(4,949)	1985	10/97	3-30
Tuscana	30	Tracy, CA		2,828	6,599	154	2,870	6,711	9,581	(1,260)	2007	02/07	3-30
Via	284	Sunnyvale, CA		22,000	82,270	169	22,016	82,423	104,439	(4,617)	2011	07/11	3-30
Vista Capri - North	106	San Diego, CA		1,663	6,609	830	1,668	7,434	9,102	(2,526)	1975	12/02	3-30
Walnut Heights	163	Walnut, CA		4,858	19,168	2,212	4,887	21,351	26,238	(6,775)	1964	10/03	3-30
Wharfside Pointe	142	Seattle, WA		2,245	7,020	6,010	2,258	13,017	15,275	(6,954)	1990	06/94	3-30
Willow Lake	508	San Jose, CA		43,194	101,030	857	43,194	101,887	145,081	(707)	1989	10/12	3-30
Windsor Ridge	216	Sunnyvale, CA		4,017	10,315	6,281	4,021	16,592	20,613	(11,252)	1989	03/89	3-30
Woodland Commons	236	Bellevue, WA		2,040	8,727	16,655	2,044	25,378	27,422	(10,043)	1978	03/90	3-30
Woodside Village	145	Ventura, CA		5,331	21,036	2,828	5,341	23,854	29,195	(6,678)	1987	12/04	3-30
	29,207		1,565,599	948,416	3,263,992	740,286	980,247	3,972,447	4,952,694	(1,062,438)

(Continued)

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

									Costs
	Rentable				Initial cost				capitalized		Gross amount carried at close of period
	Square						Buildings and		subsequent to		Land and		Buildings and				Accumulated		Date of	Date	Lives
Property	Footage	Location		Encumbrance	Land		improvements		acquisition		improvements		improvements		Total(1)		depreciation		construction	acquired	(years)
Other real estate assets
Office Buildings
Essex Hollywood	35,000	Los Angeles, CA				10,200		13,800		2,177		10,200		15,977		26,177		(4,243)	1938	07/06	3-30
Santa Clara Square retail	139,000	Santa Clara, CA				6,472		11,704		2,636		6,472		14,340		20,812		(1,711)	1970	09/11	3-30
925/935 East Meadow	31,900	Palo Alto, CA				1,401		3,172		7,985		3,147		9,411		12,558		(3,866)	1988	11/97	3-30
17461 Derian	110,000	Irvine, CA				3,079		12,315		6,037		3,105		18,326		21,431		(9,259)	1983	07/00	3-30
Consolidated Development Pipeline						31,957		-		34,894		66,851		-		66,851		-
Total apartment communities and other real estate assets			$	1,565,599	$	1,001,525	$	3,304,983	$	794,015	$	1,070,022	$	4,030,501	$	5,100,523	$	(1,081,517)

(1) The aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $4.0 billion (unaudited).

(2) The land is leased pursuant to a ground lease expiring 2082.

(3) The land is leased pursuant to a ground lease expiring 2027.

(4) The land is leased pursuant to a ground lease expiring 2070.

(5)  The land is leased pursuant to a ground lease expiring 2067.

(6)  A portion of land is leased pursuant to a ground lease expiring in 2028.

(7) The land is leased pursuant to a ground lease expiring in 2028.

	2012			2011			2010			2012			2011			2010
Rental properties:									Accumulated depreciation:
Balance at beginning of year	$	4,313,064		$	3,964,561		$	3,310,152	Balance at beginning of year	$	920,026		$	775,553		$	646,686
Improvements		97,947			219,692			51,101	Depreciation expense - Acquisitions		3,744			1,279			2,505
Acquisition of real estate		619,743			103,300			387,300	Depreciation expense - Discontinued operations		2,108			315			700
Development of real estate		25,545			44,280			216,008	Depreciation expense - Rental properties		161,492			148,337			125,662
Disposition of real estate		(22,627	)		(18,769	)		-	Dispositions		(5,853	)		(5,458	)		-
Balance at the end of year	$	5,033,672		$	4,313,064		$	3,964,561	Balance at the end of year	$	1,081,517		$	920,026		$	775,553

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Equity Based Compensation Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Equity Based Compensation Plans [Abstract]

Weighted average assumptions used to estimate fair value of stock options

The average fair value of stock options granted for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $12.64, $14.49 and $18.39, respectively.  The stock options granted during the fourth quarter of 2012 included a $75 cap on the appreciation of the market price over the exercise price.  The stock options granted during 2011 and through the third quarter of 2012 included a $100 cap on the appreciation of the market price over the exercise price.  The fair value of stock options was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions used for grants:

	2012	2011	2010
Stock price	$143.95	$131.87	$107.21
Risk-free interest rates	1.16%	2.23%	3.50%
Expected lives	5 - 10 years	10 years	10 years
Volatility	20.05%	19.63%	22.00%
Dividend yield	3.26%	3.29%	3.85%

Summary of stock options activity

A summary of the status of the Company's stock option plans as of December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 and changes during the years ended on those dates is presented below:

	2012					2011					2010
				Weighted-					Weighted-					Weighted-
				average					average					average
				exercise					exercise					exercise
	Shares			price		Shares			price		Shares			price
Outstanding at beginning of year		415,020		$	109.71		300,642		$	88.11		378,542		$	82.08
Granted		263,113			143.95		197,500			131.87		18,214			107.21
Exercised		(41,603	)		77.21		(83,122	)		84.24		(78,381	)		63.97
Forfeited and canceled		(13,096	)		128.36		-			0.00		(17,733	)		105.40
Outstanding at end of year		623,434			125.96		415,020			109.71		300,642			88.11
Options exercisable at year end		250,620			107.12		219,820			92.31		265,770			86.28

Summary information of stock options outstanding

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2012:

	Options outstanding					Options exercisable
	Number		Weighted-			Number
	outstanding		average	Weighted-		exercisable		Weighted-
	as of		remaining	average		as of		average
Range of	December 31,		contractual	exercise		December 31,		exercise
exercise prices	2012		life	price		2012		price
$51.01 - 79.05		34,973	3.0 years	$	69.97		34,973	$	69.97
79.25 - 125.84		144,498	3.9 years		99.10		130,498		98.69
126.73 - 155.34		443,963	7.9 years		139.10		85,149		135.31
		623,434	6.7 years		125.96		250,620		107.12

Restricted stock activity

The following table summarizes information about restricted stock outstanding as of December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 and changes during the years ended:

	2012					2011					2010
				Weighted-					Weighted-					Weighted-
				average					average					average
				grant					grant					grant
	Shares			price		Shares			price		Shares			price
Unvested at beginning of year		35,219		$	98.57		44,877		$	102.46		37,727		$	99.43
Granted		1,614			149.68		1,540			134.44		14,415			109.62
Vested		(8,641	)		106.69		(9,532	)		104.91		(6,126	)		102.27
Forfeited and canceled		(3,270	)		102.00		(1,666	)		94.35		(1,139	)		93.92
Unvested at end of year		24,922			104.52		35,219			98.57		44,877			102.46

Summary of long term incentive plan - Z Units

The following table summarizes information about the Z Units outstanding as of December 31, 2012 ($ in thousands):

	Long Term Incentive Plan - Z Units
							Aggregate							Weighted-
							Intrinsic					Weighted-		average
	Total			Total			Value		Total			average		Remaining
	Vested			Unvested			of Unvested		Outstanding			Grant-date		Contractual
	Units			Units			Units		Units			Fair Value		Life
Balance, December 2009		288,651			105,881		$	8,751		394,532		$	39.36	8.2 years
Granted		-			108,000					108,000
Vested		37,629			(37,629	)				-
Cancelled					(4,350	)				(4,350	)
Balance, December 2010		326,280			171,902			19,463		498,182			54.15	11.2 years
Granted		-			46,500					46,500
Vested		44,520			(44,520	)				-
Converted		(191,718	)		-					(191,718	)
Cancelled		-			(3,863	)				(3,863	)
Balance, December 2011		179,082			170,019			23,719		349,101			58.17	12.3 years
Granted		-			-					-
Vested		28,163			(28,163	)				-
Converted		(16,541	)		-					(16,541	)
Cancelled		-			(1,813	)				(1,813	)
Balance, December 2012		190,704			140,043		$	20,800		330,747		$	58.44	11.3 years

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Net Income Per Common Share

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Net Income Per Common Share [Abstract]

Net Income Per Common Share

(12) Net Income Per Common Share

Basic and diluted income from continuing operations per share are calculated as follows for the years ended December 31 ($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

	2012						2011						2010
			Weighted-		Per				Weighted-		Per				Weighted-		Per
			average		Common				average		Common				average		Common
			Common		Share				Common		Share				Common		Share
	Income		Shares		Amount		Income		Shares		Amount		Income		Shares		Amount
Basic:
Income from continuing operations available to common stockholders	$	110,373		35,032,491	$	3.15	$	32,256		32,541,792	$	0.99	$	32,251		29,667,064	$	1.09
Income from discontinued operations available to common stockholders		9,439		35,032,491		0.27		8,112		32,541,792		0.25		1,513		29,667,064		0.05
		119,812				3.42		40,368				1.24		33,764				1.14
Effect of Dilutive Securities (1)		-		92,430				-		86,922				-		67,319
Diluted:
Income from continuing operations available to common stockholders (1)	$	110,373		35,124,921	$	3.14	$	32,256		32,628,714	$	0.99	$	32,251		29,734,383	$	1.09
Income from discontinued operations available to common stockholders		9,439		35,124,921		0.27		8,112		32,628,714		0.25		1,513		29,734,383		0.05
	$	119,812			$	3.41	$	40,368			$	1.24	$	33,764			$	1.14

(1) Weighted convertible limited partnership units of 2,219,046, 2,231,807 and 2,293,886, which include vested Series Z incentive units, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, were not included in the determination of diluted EPS because they were anti-dilutive. The Company has the ability to redeem DownREIT limited partnership units for cash and does not consider them to be potentially dilutive securities.

Stock options of 263,613; 175,500; and 123,164; for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively, were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because the exercise price of these options were greater than the average market price of the common shares for the years ended and, therefore, were anti-dilutive.

All shares of cumulative convertible preferred stock Series G have been excluded from diluted earnings per share for the years ended 2012, 2011, and 2010 respectively, as the effect was anti-dilutive.