EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF KPMG LLP

The Board of Directors
Essex Property Trust, Inc.:

We consent to the use of our report dated February 5, 2003, relating to the consolidated balance sheets of Essex Property Trust, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2002 and 2001 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows of Essex Property Trust, Inc. and subsidiaries for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2002 and the related financial statement schedule, incorporated herein by reference and to the reference of our firm under the heading "Experts" in the registration statement.

/s/ KPMG LLP                  

San Francisco, California
April 4, 2003