Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Rental properties:
Land and land improvements	$ 2,354,585	$ 1,083,552
Buildings and improvements	8,517,728	4,360,205
Total rental properties	10,872,313	5,443,757
Less accumulated depreciation	(1,384,726)	(1,254,886)
Net real estate	9,487,587	4,188,871
Real estate under development	422,372	50,430
Co-investments	964,970	677,133
Real estate held for sale, net	107,772	0
Total real estate	10,982,701	4,916,434
Cash and cash equivalents-unrestricted	17,946	18,491
Cash and cash equivalents-restricted	29,592	35,275
Marketable securities	106,358	90,084
Notes and other receivables	66,522	68,255
Prepaid expenses and other assets	113,398	33,781
Deferred charges, net	31,846	24,519
Total assets	11,348,363	5,186,839
Liabilities and Equity
Mortgage notes payable	2,250,510	1,404,080
Unsecured debt	2,748,494	1,410,023
Lines of credit	66,975	219,421
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	132,424	67,183
Construction payable	34,701	8,047
Dividends payable	86,615	50,627
Other liabilities	32,896	24,871
Total liabilities	5,352,615	3,184,252
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	23,566	0
Cumulative convertible Series G preferred stock	0	4,349
Equity:
Cumulative redeemable Series H preferred stock at liquidation value	73,750	73,750
Common stock, $.0001 par value, 656,020,000 shares authorized 62,301,305 and 37,421,219 shares issued and outstanding	6	4
Additional paid-in capital	6,414,258	2,345,763
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(575,772)	(474,426)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(53,794)	(60,472)
Total stockholders' equity	5,858,448	1,884,619
Noncontrolling interest	113,734	113,619
Total equity	5,972,182	1,998,238
Total liabilities and equity	11,348,363	5,186,839
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member]
Rental properties:
Land and land improvements	2,354,585	1,083,552
Buildings and improvements	8,517,728	4,360,205
Total rental properties	10,872,313	5,443,757
Less accumulated depreciation	(1,384,726)	(1,254,886)
Net real estate	9,487,587	4,188,871
Real estate under development	422,372	50,430
Co-investments	964,970	677,133
Real estate held for sale, net	107,772	0
Total real estate	10,982,701	4,916,434
Cash and cash equivalents-unrestricted	17,946	18,491
Cash and cash equivalents-restricted	29,592	35,275
Marketable securities	106,358	90,084
Notes and other receivables	66,522	68,255
Prepaid expenses and other assets	113,398	33,781
Deferred charges, net	31,846	24,519
Total assets	11,348,363	5,186,839
Liabilities and Equity
Mortgage notes payable	2,250,510	1,404,080
Unsecured debt	2,748,494	1,410,023
Lines of credit	66,975	219,421
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	132,424	67,183
Construction payable	34,701	8,047
Distributions payable	86,615	50,627
Other liabilities	32,896	24,871
Total liabilities	5,352,615	3,184,252
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	23,566	0
Cumulative convertible Series G preferred stock	0	4,349
Equity:
Limited Partners, Common equity	49,633	45,957
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(51,957)	(58,940)
Total partners' capital	5,909,918	1,932,108
Noncontrolling interest	62,264	66,130
Total capital	5,972,182	1,998,238
Total liabilities and equity	11,348,363	5,186,839
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member] | General Partner [Member]
Equity:
General Partner	5,912,242	1,945,091
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member] | General Partner [Member] | Common Capital [Member]
Equity:
General Partner	5,841,033	1,873,882
Total capital	5,841,033	1,873,882
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member] | General Partner [Member] | Preferred Capital [Member]
Equity:
General Partner	71,209	71,209
Total capital	$ 71,209	$ 71,209