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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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 a8A/9h2aoFqFbky5BLGzFA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001216955-08-000001.txt : 20080117
<SEC-HEADER>0001216955-08-000001.hdr.sgml : 20080117
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080117135303
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001216955-08-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080115
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080117
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080117

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:		385 E. COLORADO BLVD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 299
		CITY:			PASADENA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91101
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6265780777

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		385 E. COLORADO BLVD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 299
		CITY:			PASADENA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91101

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			JENNINGS RICHARD B
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001135997

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12993
		FILM NUMBER:		08535578

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		450 SOUTH ORANGE AVENUE
		CITY:			ORLANDO
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			32801
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4076503679

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		CNL REALTY INC
		STREET 2:		450 SOUTH ORANGE AVENUE
		CITY:			ORLANDO
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			32801
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-01-15</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001135997</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>JENNINGS RICHARD B</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ALEXANDRIA REAL ESTATE EQUITIES INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>385 E. COLORADO SUITE 299</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PASADENA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>91101</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-01-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>925</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>19338</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Eric Steiner (Attorney-in-fact)</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-01-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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