X0304 4 2012-03-05 0 0000920522 ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST INC ESS 0001492460 Burkart John F. C/O ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST INC. 925 EAST MEADOW DRIVE PALO ALTO CA 94303 0 1 0 0 Executive Vice President Common Stock 2012-03-05 4 S 0 2132 143.26 D 10 D The reporting person exchanged 2,132 units of Essex Portfolio, L.P. (EPLP) into 2,132 shares of the issuers common stock which were subsequently sold. /s/ Michael T. Dance (Attorney-in-Fact) 2012-03-07