<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-09-09</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001011174</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BRE PROPERTIES INC /MD/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BRE</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000918509</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>STICHTING PENSIOENFONDS  ABP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>OUDE LINDESTRAAT 70</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>POSTBUS 2889, 6401 DL</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HEERLEN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>P7</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable>
<nonDerivativeHolding>
<securityTitle>
<value>BRE Properties Inc.</value>
</securityTitle>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>5272865</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeHolding>
</nonDerivativeTable>
<remarks></remarks>
<ownerSignature>
<signatureName>Leo Palmen</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-09-10</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

