Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Rental properties:
Land and land improvements	$ 2,453,093	$ 1,083,552
Buildings and improvements	8,820,657	4,360,205
Total rental properties	11,273,750	5,443,757
Less accumulated depreciation	(1,469,991)	(1,254,886)
Net real estate	9,803,759	4,188,871
Real estate under development	363,193	50,430
Co-investments	1,043,277	677,133
Real estate held for sale, net	107,772	0
Total real estate	11,318,001	4,916,434
Cash and cash equivalents-unrestricted	17,877	18,491
Cash and cash equivalents-restricted	70,123	35,275
Marketable securities	108,147	90,084
Notes and other receivables	22,973	68,255
Acquired in place lease value and other assets	98,381	33,781
Deferred charges, net	31,060	24,519
Total assets	11,666,562	5,186,839
Liabilities and Equity
Mortgage notes payable	2,258,010	1,404,080
Unsecured debt	2,745,487	1,410,023
Lines of credit	222,628	219,421
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	167,160	67,183
Construction payable	38,453	8,047
Dividends payable	87,609	50,627
Other liabilities	32,330	24,871
Total liabilities	5,551,677	3,184,252
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	21,442	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 63,229,790 and 37,421,219 shares issued and outstanding	6	4
Additional paid-in capital	6,569,442	2,345,763
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(608,498)	(474,426)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(51,408)	(60,472)
Total stockholders' equity	5,983,292	1,884,619
Noncontrolling interest	110,151	113,619
Total equity	6,093,443	1,998,238
Total liabilities and equity	11,666,562	5,186,839
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member]
Rental properties:
Land and land improvements	2,453,093	1,083,552
Buildings and improvements	8,820,657	4,360,205
Total rental properties	11,273,750	5,443,757
Less accumulated depreciation	(1,469,991)	(1,254,886)
Net real estate	9,803,759	4,188,871
Real estate under development	363,193	50,430
Co-investments	1,043,277	677,133
Real estate held for sale, net	107,772	0
Total real estate	11,318,001	4,916,434
Cash and cash equivalents-unrestricted	17,877	18,491
Cash and cash equivalents-restricted	70,123	35,275
Marketable securities	108,147	90,084
Notes and other receivables	22,973	68,255
Acquired in place lease value and other assets	98,381	33,781
Deferred charges, net	31,060	24,519
Total assets	11,666,562	5,186,839
Liabilities and Equity
Mortgage notes payable	2,258,010	1,404,080
Unsecured debt	2,745,487	1,410,023
Lines of credit	222,628	219,421
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	167,160	67,183
Construction payable	38,453	8,047
Distributions payable	87,609	50,627
Other liabilities	32,330	24,871
Total liabilities	5,551,677	3,184,252
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	21,442	0
Cumulative convertible Series G preferred stock	0	4,349
Equity:
Limited Partners, Common equity	45,439	45,957
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(49,503)	(58,940)
Total partners' capital	6,030,638	1,932,108
Noncontrolling interest	62,805	66,130
Total capital	6,093,443	1,998,238
Total liabilities and equity	11,666,562	5,186,839
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member] | General Partner [Member]
Equity:
General Partner	6,034,702	1,945,091
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member] | General Partner [Member] | Common Capital [Member]
Equity:
General Partner	5,963,493	1,873,882
Total capital	5,963,493	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