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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 XQoiEbAdLEa0YIY1CVXDXw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001216955-05-000001.txt : 20050103
<SEC-HEADER>0001216955-05-000001.hdr.sgml : 20041231
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050103205229
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001216955-05-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050103
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050103

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MARCUS JOEL S
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001216955

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12993
		FILM NUMBER:		05503799

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ALEXANDRIA REAL ESTATE EQUITIES INC
		STREET 2:		135 N LOS ROBLES AVE SUITE 250
		CITY:			PASADENA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91101
		BUSINESS PHONE:		626 578 0777

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ALEXANDRIA REAL ESTATE EQUITIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001035443
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				954502084
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		135 NORTH LOS ROBLES AVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 250
		CITY:			PASADENA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91101
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6265780777

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		135 N LOS ROBLES AVE
		STREET 2:		STE 250
		CITY:			PASADENA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91101
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001035443</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ALEXANDRIA REAL ESTATE EQUITIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>are</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001216955</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MARCUS JOEL S</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ALEXANDRIA REAL ESTATE EQUITIES</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>135 N. LOS ROBLES AVE. SUITE 250</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PASADENA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>91101</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chief Executive Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-08-25</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>G</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>232676</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Joel S. Marcus</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-01-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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