-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001216955-08-000005.txt : 20080516
<SEC-HEADER>0001216955-08-000005.hdr.sgml : 20080516
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080516201137
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001216955-08-000005
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080515
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080516
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080516

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:			RICHARDSON JAMES H
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001216956

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12993
		FILM NUMBER:		08843759

	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
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
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<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-05-15</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

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            <rptOwnerName>RICHARDSON JAMES H</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>385 E. COLORADO BLVD.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 299</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PASADENA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>91101</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
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        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

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            <transactionTimeliness>
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            <transactionAmounts>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <transactionDate>
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    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Eric Steiner (attorney-in-fact)</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-05-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----