Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Liabilities and Equity
Cumulative convertible preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Cumulative convertible preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	5,980,000	5,980,000
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)	37,421,219	36,442,994
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	37,421,219	36,442,994
Excess stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Excess stock, shares authorized (in shares)	330,000,000	330,000,000
4.875% Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Liabilities and Equity
Cumulative dividend rate (in hundredths)	4.875%	4.875%
7.125% Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Liabilities and Equity
Cumulative dividend rate (in hundredths)	7.125%	7.125%
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member] | 4.875% Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Liabilities and Equity
Cumulative convertible preferred interest, liquidation value	$ 4,456	$ 4,456
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member] | General Partner [Member]
Liabilities and Equity
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	37,421,219	36,442,994
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	37,421,219	36,442,994
Preferred interest, liquidation value	$ 73,750	$ 73,750
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member] | Limited Partners [Member]
Liabilities and Equity
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	2,149,802	2,122,381
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	2,149,802	2,122,381