ESS-3.31.15-10Q
                                            

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
 
ý QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015

OR

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ________to _________

Commission file number 001-13106

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P.
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Maryland (Essex Property Trust, Inc.)
California (Essex Portfolio, L.P.)
 
77-0369576 (Essex Property Trust, Inc.)
77-0369575 (Essex Portfolio, L.P.)
 
 
 
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
925 East Meadow Drive
Palo Alto, California    94303
(Address of Principal Executive Offices including Zip Code)

(650) 494-3700
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Essex Property Trust, Inc.    Yes x   No o
Essex Portfolio, L.P.     Yes x   No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Essex Property Trust, Inc.    Yes x   No o
Essex Portfolio, L.P.     Yes x   No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” ”accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):




Essex Property Trust, Inc.:
Large accelerated filer x
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o

Essex Portfolio, L.P.:
Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer x   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o
 
 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Essex Property Trust, Inc.    Yes o   No x
Essex Portfolio, L.P.     Yes o   No x
 
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:  65,352,146 shares of Common Stock ($0.0001 par value) of Essex Property Trust, Inc. were outstanding as of May 5, 2015.
 


ii


EXPLANATORY NOTE

This report combines the reports on Form 10-Q for the three month period ended March 31, 2015 of Essex Property Trust, Inc. and Essex Portfolio, L.P. Unless stated otherwise or the context otherwise requires, references to “Essex” mean Essex Property Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation that operates as a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”), and references to “EPLP” mean Essex Portfolio, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”). References to the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” mean collectively Essex, EPLP and those entities/subsidiaries owned or controlled by Essex and/or EPLP.  References to the “Operating Partnership” mean collectively EPLP and those entities/subsidiaries owned or controlled by EPLP.

Essex is the general partner of  EPLP and as the sole general partner of EPLP, Essex has exclusive control of EPLP's day-to-day management.

The Company is structured as an umbrella partnership REIT (“UPREIT”) and Essex contributes all net proceeds from its various equity offerings to the Operating Partnership. In return for those contributions, Essex receives a number of OP Units (see definition below) in the Operating Partnership equal to the number of shares of common stock it has issued in the equity offering.  Contributions of properties to the Company can be structured as tax-deferred transactions through the issuance of OP Units in the Operating Partnership, which is one of the reasons why the Company is structured in the manner outlined above. Based on the terms of EPLP's partnership agreement, OP Units can be exchanged with Essex common stock on a one-for-one basis. The Company maintains a one-for-one relationship between the OP Units of the Operating Partnership issued to Essex and shares of common stock.

The Company believes that combining the reports on Form 10-Q of Essex and EPLP into this single report provides the following benefits:

enhances investors' understanding of the Company and the Operating Partnership by enabling investors to view the business as a whole in the same manner as management views and operates the business;
eliminates duplicative disclosure and provides a more streamlined and readable presentation since a substantial portion of the disclosure applies to both the Company and the Operating Partnership; and
creates time and cost efficiencies through the preparation of one combined report instead of two separate reports

Management operates the Company and the Operating Partnership as one business. The management of Essex consists of the same members as the management of EPLP.

All of the Company's property ownership, development and related business operations are conducted through the Operating Partnership and Essex has no material assets, other than its investment in EPLP. Essex's primary function is acting as the general partner of EPLP.  As general partner with control of the Operating Partnership, the Company consolidates the Operating Partnership for financial reporting purposes. Therefore, the assets and liabilities of the Company and the Operating Partnership are the same on their respective financial statements.  Essex also issues equity from time to time and guarantees certain debt of EPLP, as disclosed in this report. The Operating Partnership holds substantially all of the assets of the Company, including the Company's ownership interests in its joint ventures. The Operating Partnership conducts the operations of the business and is structured as a partnership with no publicly traded equity.  Except for the net proceeds from equity offerings by the Company, which are contributed to the capital of the Operating Partnership in exchange for additional limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership (“OP Units”) (on a one-for-one share of common stock per OP Unit basis), the Operating Partnership generates all remaining capital required by the Company's business. These sources include the Operating Partnership's working capital, net cash provided by operating activities, borrowings under its revolving credit facilities, the issuance of secured and unsecured debt and equity securities and proceeds received from disposition of certain properties and joint ventures.

The Company believes it is important to understand the few differences between Essex and EPLP in the context of how Essex and EPLP operate as a consolidated company.  Stockholders' equity, partners' capital and noncontrolling interest are the main areas of difference between the consolidated financial statements of the Company and those of the Operating Partnership. The limited partners of the Operating Partnership are accounted for as partners' capital in the Operating Partnership's consolidated financial statements and as noncontrolling interest in Essex’s consolidated financial statements. The noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership's consolidated financial statements include the interest of unaffiliated partners in various consolidated partnerships and joint venture partners. The noncontrolling interest in the Company's  consolidated financial statements include (i) the same noncontrolling interest as presented in the Operating Partnership’s consolidated financial statements and (ii) limited partner OP Unitholders of the Operating Partnership. The differences between stockholders' equity and partners' capital result from differences in the equity issued at the Company and Operating Partnership levels.
 

iii


To help investors understand the significant differences between the Company and the Operating Partnership, this report provides separate consolidated financial statements for the Company and the Operating Partnership; a single set of consolidated notes to such financial statements that includes separate discussions of stockholders' equity or partners' capital, and earnings per share/unit, as applicable; and a combined Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

This report also includes separate Part I, Item 4. Controls and Procedures sections and separate Exhibits 31 and 32 certifications for each of the Company and the Operating Partnership in order to establish that the requisite certifications have been made and that the Company and the Operating Partnership are compliant with Rule 13a-15 or Rule 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. §1350.

In order to highlight the differences between the Company and the Operating Partnership, the separate sections in this report for the Company and the Operating Partnership specifically refer to the Company and the Operating Partnership. In the sections that combine disclosure of the Company and the Operating Partnership, this report refers to actions or holdings as being actions or holdings of the Company. Although the Operating Partnership is generally the entity that directly or indirectly enters into contracts and joint ventures and holds assets and debt, reference to the Company is appropriate because the Company is one business and the Company operates that business through the Operating Partnership. The separate discussions of the Company and the Operating Partnership in this report should be read in conjunction with each other to understand the results of the Company on a consolidated basis and how management operates the Company.

The information furnished in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets, statements of income and comprehensive income, equity, capital, and cash flows of the Company and the Operating Partnership reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the aforementioned condensed consolidated financial statements for the interim periods and are normal and recurring in nature, except as otherwise noted.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes to such unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations herein.  Additionally, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

iv


ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P.
FORM 10-Q
INDEX

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Page No.
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
Condensed Financial Statements of Essex Property Trust, Inc. (Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed Financial Statements of Essex Portfolio L.P. (Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
Item 1A.
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 5.
 
 
 
Item 6.
 
 
 

1


Part I – Financial Information

Item 1. Condensed Financial Statements

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share amounts)
ASSETS
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Real estate:
 
 
 
Rental properties:
 
 
 
Land and land improvements
$
2,505,257

 
$
2,424,930

Buildings and improvements
9,332,472

 
8,819,751

 
11,837,729

 
11,244,681

Less accumulated depreciation
(1,658,692
)
 
(1,564,806
)
 
10,179,037

 
9,679,875

Real estate under development
339,386

 
429,096

Co-investments
1,057,298

 
1,042,423

Real estate held for sale, net

 
56,300

 
11,575,721

 
11,207,694

Cash and cash equivalents-unrestricted
219,200

 
25,610

Cash and cash equivalents-restricted
36,030

 
70,139

Marketable securities and other investments
128,502

 
117,240

Notes and other receivables
28,954

 
24,923

Prepaid expenses and other assets
25,836

 
33,378

Acquired in place lease value
37,967

 
47,748

Deferred charges, net
32,949

 
29,439

Total assets
$
12,085,159

 
$
11,556,171

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 

 
 

Mortgage notes payable
$
2,322,837

 
$
2,246,255

Unsecured debt
3,113,216

 
2,617,482

Lines of credit

 
246,391

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
162,100

 
135,162

Construction payable
28,753

 
30,892

Dividends payable
98,874

 
88,221

Other liabilities
33,607

 
32,444

Total liabilities
5,759,387

 
5,396,847

Commitments and contingencies


 


Redeemable noncontrolling interest
24,916

 
23,256

Equity:
 

 
 

Common stock; $0.0001 par value, 656,020,000 shares authorized; 64,620,378 and 63,682,646 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
6

 
6

   Cumulative redeemable 7.125% Series H preferred stock at liquidation value
73,750

 
73,750

Additional paid-in capital
6,848,255

 
6,651,165

Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings
(684,436
)
 
(650,797
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net
(50,868
)
 
(51,452
)
Total stockholders' equity
6,186,707

 
6,022,672

Noncontrolling interest
114,149

 
113,396

Total equity
6,300,856

 
6,136,068

Total liabilities and equity
$
12,085,159

 
$
11,556,171


See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

2


ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues:
 
 
 
Rental and other property
$
280,229

 
$
159,349

Management and other fees from affiliates
2,644

 
1,660

 
282,873

 
161,009

Expenses:
 

 
 

Property operating, excluding real estate taxes
55,618

 
36,967

Real estate taxes
31,553

 
15,339

Depreciation and amortization
106,907

 
50,312

General and administrative
10,545

 
7,583

Merger and integration expenses
2,388

 
16,059

Acquisition costs
547

 
188

 
207,558

 
126,448

Earnings from operations
75,315

 
34,561

Interest expense
(47,546
)
 
(29,041
)
Interest and other income
4,199

 
2,879

Equity income in co-investments
4,311

 
10,526

Gains on sale of real estate and land
7,112

 
7,481

Gain on remeasurement of co-investment
21,362

 

Net income
64,753

 
26,406

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
(4,076
)
 
(3,126
)
Net income attributable to controlling interest
60,677

 
23,280

Dividends to preferred stockholders
(1,314
)
 
(1,368
)
Net income available to common stockholders
$
59,363

 
$
21,912

Comprehensive income
$
65,352

 
$
30,729

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest
(4,091
)
 
(3,372
)
Comprehensive income attributable to controlling interest
$
61,261

 
$
27,357

Per share data:
 

 
 

Basic:
 

 
 

Net income available to common stockholders
$
0.92

 
$
0.58

Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period
64,185,455

 
37,685,073

Diluted:
 

 
 

Net income available to common stockholders
$
0.92

 
$
0.58

Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period
64,394,680

 
37,931,454

Dividend per common share
$
1.44

 
$
1.21


See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

3


ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2015
(Unaudited)
(Dollars and shares in thousands)
 
Series H
Preferred stock
 
Common stock
 
Additional
paid-in
 
Distributions
in excess of
accumulated
 
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
 
Noncontrolling
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
capital
 
earnings
 
loss, net
 
Interest
 
Total
Balances at December 31, 2014
2,950

 
$
73,750

 
63,683

 
$
6

 
$
6,651,165

 
$
(650,797
)
 
$
(51,452
)
 
$
113,396

 
$
6,136,068

Net income

 

 

 

 

 
60,677

 

 
4,076

 
64,753

Change in fair value of derivatives and amortization of swap settlements

 

 

 

 

 

 
(1,289
)
 
(46
)
 
(1,335
)
Change in fair value of marketable securities

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,873

 
61

 
1,934

Issuance of common stock under:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Stock option and restricted stock plans

 

 
115

 

 
15,613

 

 

 

 
15,613

Sale of common stock

 

 
822

 

 
184,158

 

 

 

 
184,158

Equity based compensation costs

 

 

 

 
613

 

 

 
757

 
1,370

Reclassification of noncontrolling interest to redeemable noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(144
)
 
(144
)
Changes in the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 
(1,517
)
 

 

 

 
(1,517
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(3,574
)
 
(3,574
)
Redemptions of noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 
(1,777
)
 

 

 
(377
)
 
(2,154
)
Common and preferred stock dividends

 

 

 

 

 
(94,316
)
 

 

 
(94,316
)
Balances at March 31, 2015
2,950

 
$
73,750

 
64,620

 
$
6

 
$
6,848,255

 
$
(684,436
)
 
$
(50,868
)
 
$
114,149

 
$
6,300,856


See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

4


ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(In thousands) 
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
64,753

 
$
26,406

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization
106,907

 
50,312

Amortization of discount on marketable securities
(2,856
)
 
(1,938
)
Amortization of (premium) discount and debt financing costs, net
(6,530
)
 
2,986

Gain on sale of marketable securities

 
(427
)
Company's share of gain on the sales of co-investment
(469
)
 
(3,211
)
Earnings from co-investments
(3,842
)
 
(7,315
)
Operating distributions from co-investments
6,055

 
9,569

Gains on the sales of real estate and land
(7,112
)
 
(7,481
)
Non cash merger and integration expenses

 
3,750

Equity-based compensation
1,370

 
1,233

Gain on remeasurement of co-investment
(21,362
)
 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
   Prepaid expense, receivables and other assets
3,548

 
2,787

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
21,741

 
15,131

Other liabilities
346

 
92

Net cash provided by operating activities
162,549

 
91,894

Cash flows from investing activities:
 

 
 

Additions to real estate:
 

 
 

Acquisitions of real estate
(199,190
)
 
(33,825
)
Redevelopment
(19,140
)
 
(10,281
)
Acquisitions of and additions to real estate under development
(90,925
)
 
(11,919
)
Capital expenditures on rental properties
(16,196
)
 
(10,697
)
Acquisition of membership interest in co-investment

(41,513
)
 

Proceeds from insurance for property losses
4,589

 

Proceeds from dispositions of real estate
74,485

 
14,123

Proceeds from dispositions of co-investments
11,072

 

Contributions to co-investments
(48,650
)
 
(39,679
)
Changes in restricted cash and refundable deposits
45,145

 
2,512

Purchases of marketable securities
(7,250
)
 
(10,340
)
Sales and maturities of marketable securities
717

 
4,016

Collections of notes and other receivables

 
35,500

Net cash used in investing activities
(286,856
)
 
(60,590
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 

 
 

Borrowings under debt agreements
756,562

 
233,780

Repayment of debt
(536,830
)
 
(312,585
)
Additions to deferred charges
(4,456
)
 
(9,294
)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
174,592

 
157,596

Equity related issuance cost

 
(92
)
Net proceeds from stock options exercises
15,613

 
1,176

Distributions to noncontrolling interest
(3,574
)
 
(3,969
)
Redemption of noncontrolling interest
(2,154
)
 
(101
)
Common and preferred stock dividends paid
(83,663
)
 
(96,388
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
316,090

 
(29,877
)
Cash acquired in consolidation of co-investment
1,807

 


5


 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
193,590

 
1,427

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
25,610

 
18,491

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
219,200

 
$
19,918

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest, net of $4.3 million and $3.1 million capitalized in 2015 and 2014, respectively
$
50,343

 
$
26,447

Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:
 

 
 

Issuance of Operating Partnership units for contributed properties
$

 
$
1,419,816

Transfer from real estate under development to rental properties
$
162,345

 
$
3,070

Transfer from real estate under development to co-investments
$
1,562

 
$
3,125

Change in accrual of dividends
$
10,653

 
$

Change in fair value of marketable securities
$
1,934

 
$
1,575

Change in construction payable
$
2,139

 
$
376

Reclassifications of and changes in redeemable noncontrolling interest from additional paid in capital and noncontrolling interest
$
1,660

 
$

Debt assumed in connection with acquisition of co-investment
$
114,435

 
$

Receivable for sales of common stock
$
9,566

 
$
440


See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements


6


ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P.  AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except unit amounts)
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
Real estate:
 
 
 
Rental properties:
 
 
 
Land and land improvements
$
2,505,257

 
$
2,424,930

Buildings and improvements
9,332,472

 
8,819,751

 
11,837,729

 
11,244,681

Less accumulated depreciation
(1,658,692
)
 
(1,564,806
)
 
10,179,037

 
9,679,875

Real estate under development
339,386

 
429,096

Co-investments
1,057,298

 
1,042,423

Real estate held for sale, net

 
56,300

 
11,575,721

 
11,207,694

Cash and cash equivalents-unrestricted
219,200

 
25,610

Cash and cash equivalents-restricted
36,030

 
70,139

Marketable securities and other investments
128,502

 
117,240

Notes and other receivables
28,954

 
24,923

Prepaid expenses and other asset
25,836

 
33,378

Acquired in place lease value
37,967

 
47,748

Deferred charges, net
32,949

 
29,439

Total assets
$
12,085,159

 
$
11,556,171

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL
 

 
 

Mortgage notes payable
$
2,322,837

 
$
2,246,255

Unsecured debt
3,113,216

 
2,617,482

Lines of credit

 
246,391

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
162,100

 
135,162

Construction payable
28,753

 
30,892

Dividends payable
98,874

 
88,221

Other liabilities
33,607

 
32,444

Total liabilities
5,759,387

 
5,396,847

Commitments and contingencies


 


Redeemable noncontrolling interest
24,916

 
23,256

Capital:
 

 
 

General Partner:
 
 
 
   Common equity(64,620,378 and 63,682,646 units issued and outstanding, respectively)
6,166,366

 
6,002,915

   Series H 7.125% Preferred interest (liquidation value of $73,750)
71,209

 
71,209

 
6,237,575

 
6,074,124

Limited Partners:


 


   Common equity(2,182,676 and 2,168,158 units issued and outstanding, respectively)
47,803

 
48,665

    Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(48,757
)
 
(49,356
)
Total partners' capital
6,236,621

 
6,073,433

Noncontrolling interest
64,235

 
62,635

Total capital
6,300,856

 
6,136,068

Total liabilities and capital
$
12,085,159

 
$
11,556,171

 
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

7


ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except unit and per unit amounts)
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues:
 
 
 
Rental and other property
$
280,229

 
$
159,349

Management and other fees from affiliates
2,644

 
1,660

 
282,873

 
161,009

Expenses:
 

 
 

Property operating, excluding real estate taxes
55,618

 
36,967

Real estate taxes
31,553

 
15,339

Depreciation and amortization
106,907

 
50,312

General and administrative
10,545

 
7,583

Merger and integration expenses
2,388

 
16,059

Acquisition costs
547

 
188

 
207,558

 
126,448

Earnings from operations
75,315

 
34,561

Interest expense
(47,546
)
 
(29,041
)
Interest and other income
4,199

 
2,879

Equity income in co-investments
4,311

 
10,526

Gains on sale of real estate and land
7,112

 
7,481

Gain on remeasurement of co-investment
21,362

 

Net income
64,753

 
26,406

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
(1,965
)
 
(1,709
)
Net income attributable to controlling interest
62,788

 
24,697

Preferred interest distributions
(1,314
)
 
(1,368
)
Net income available to common unitholders
$
61,474

 
$
23,329

Comprehensive income
$
65,352

 
$
30,729

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest
(1,965
)
 
(1,709
)
Comprehensive income attributable to controlling interest
$
63,387

 
$
29,020

Per unit data:
 

 
 

Basic:
 

 
 

Net income available to common unitholders
$
0.93

 
$
0.58

Weighted average number of common units outstanding during the period
66,369,769

 
39,957,252

Diluted:
 

 
 

Net income available to common unitholders
$
0.92

 
$
0.58

Weighted average number of common units outstanding during the period
66,578,994

 
40,203,633

Distribution per common unit
$
1.44

 
$
1.21


See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

8


ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Capital for the three months ended March 31, 2015
(Dollars and units in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
General Partner
 
Limited Partners
 
Accumulated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred
 
 
 
 
 
Other
 
 
 
 
 
Common Equity
 
Equity
 
Common Equity
 
Comprehensive
 
Noncontrolling
 
 
 
Units
 
Amount
 
Amount
 
Units
 
Amount
 
(Loss) Income
 
Interest
 
Total
Balances at December 31, 2014
63,683

 
$
6,002,915

 
$
71,209

 
2,168

 
$
48,665

 
$
(49,356
)
 
$
62,635

 
$
6,136,068

Net income

 
59,363

 
1,314

 

 
2,111

 

 
1,965

 
64,753

Change in fair value of derivatives and amortization of swap settlements

 

 

 

 

 
(1,335
)
 

 
(1,335
)
Change in fair value of marketable securities

 

 

 

 

 
1,934

 

 
1,934

Issuance of common units under:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

General partner's stock based compensation
115

 
15,613

 

 
17

 
757

 

 

 
16,370

Sale of common stock by general partner
822

 
184,158

 

 

 

 

 

 
184,158

Equity based compensation costs

 
613

 

 

 

 

 

 
613

Reclassification of noncontrolling interest to redeemable noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 
(144
)
 
(144
)
Changes in the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest

 
(1,517
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(1,517
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 
(221
)
 
(221
)
Redemptions

 
(1,777
)
 

 
(2
)
 
(377
)
 

 

 
(2,154
)
Distributions declared

 
(93,002
)
 
(1,314
)
 

 
(3,353
)
 

 

 
(97,669
)
Balances at March 31, 2015
64,620

 
$
6,166,366

 
$
71,209

 
2,183

 
$
47,803

 
$
(48,757
)
 
$
64,235

 
$
6,300,856



See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

9


ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
64,753

 
$
26,406

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization
106,907

 
50,312

Amortization of discount on marketable securities
(2,856
)
 
(1,938
)
Amortization of (premium) discount and debt financing costs, net
(6,530
)
 
2,986

Gain on sale of marketable securities

 
(427
)
Company's share of gain on the sales of co-investment
(469
)
 
(3,211
)
Earnings from co-investments
(3,842
)
 
(7,315
)
Operating distributions from co-investments
6,055

 
9,569

Gains on the sales of real estate and land
(7,112
)
 
(7,481
)
Non cash merger and integration expenses

 
3,750

Equity-based compensation
1,370

 
1,233

Gain on remeasurement of co-investment
(21,362
)
 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 

 
 

Prepaid expenses, receivables and other assets
3,548

 
2,787

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
21,741

 
15,131

Other liabilities
346

 
92

Net cash provided by operating activities
162,549

 
91,894

Cash flows from investing activities:
 

 
 

Additions to real estate:
 

 
 

Acquisitions of real estate
(199,190
)
 
(33,825
)
Redevelopment
(19,140
)
 
(10,281
)
       Acquisitions of and additions to real estate under development
(90,925
)
 
(11,919
)
Capital expenditures on rental properties
(16,196
)
 
(10,697
)
Acquisition of membership interest in co-investment
(41,513
)
 

Proceeds from insurance for property losses
4,589

 

Proceeds from dispositions of real estate
74,485

 
14,123

Proceeds from dispositions of co-investments
11,072

 

Contributions to co-investments
(48,650
)
 
(39,679
)
Changes in restricted cash and refundable deposits
45,145

 
2,512

Purchases of marketable securities
(7,250
)
 
(10,340
)
Sales and maturities of marketable securities
717

 
4,016

Collections of notes and other receivables

 
35,500

Net cash used in investing activities
(286,856
)
 
(60,590
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 

 
 

Borrowings under debt agreements
756,562

 
233,780

Repayment of debt
(536,830
)
 
(312,585
)
Additions to deferred charges
(4,456
)
 
(9,294
)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
174,592

 
157,596

Equity related issuance cost

 
(92
)
Net proceeds from stock options exercised
15,613

 
1,176

Distributions to noncontrolling interest
(221
)
 
(1,335
)
Redemption of limited partners units
(2,154
)
 
(101
)
Common units and preferred units and preferred interests distributions paid
(87,016
)
 
(99,022
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
316,090

 
(29,877
)
Cash acquired in consolidation of co-investment
1,807

 


10


 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents-unrestricted
193,590

 
1,427

Cash and cash equivalents-unrestricted at beginning of period
25,610

 
18,491

Cash and cash equivalents-unrestricted at end of period
$
219,200

 
$
19,918

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest, net of $4.3 million and $3.1 million capitalized in 2015 and 2014, respectively
$
50,343

 
$
26,447

Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:
 

 
 

Issuance of Operating Partnership units for contributed properties
$

 
$
1,419,816

Transfer from real estate under development to rental properties
$
162,345

 
$
3,070

Transfer from real estate under development to co-investments
$
1,562

 
$
3,125

Change in accrual of distributions
$
10,653

 
$

Change in fair value of marketable securities
$
1,934

 
$
1,575

Change in construction payable
$
2,139

 
$
376

Reclassifications of and changes in redeemable noncontrolling interest from general partner and limited partners common units
$
1,660

 
$

  Debt assumed in connection with acquisition of co-investment
$
114,435

 
$

Receivable for sales of common stock
$
9,566

 
$
440


See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

11


ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2015 and 2014
(Unaudited)

(1) Organization and Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements present the accounts of Essex Property Trust, Inc. (“Essex” or the “Company”), which include the accounts of the Company and Essex Portfolio, L.P. and subsidiaries (the “Operating Partnership,” which holds the operating assets of the Company), prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented have been included and are normal and recurring in nature.  These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company's  annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the condensed consolidated financial statements.  Certain reclassifications have been made to conform to the current year’s presentation. Such reclassification had no effect on previously reported net income.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2015 include the accounts of the Company and the Operating Partnership.  Essex is the sole general partner in the Operating Partnership, with a 96.7% general partnership interest as of March 31, 2015.  Total Operating Partnership limited partnership units outstanding were 2,182,676 and 2,168,158 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and the redemption value of the units, based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock totaled $501.8 million and $447.9 million, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

As of March 31, 2015, the Company owned or had ownership interests in 240 apartment communities, aggregating 57,203 units, excluding the Company’s ownership in preferred interest co-investments,  (collectively, the “Communities”, and individually, a “Community”), four commercial buildings and twelve active developments (collectively, the “Portfolio”).  The Communities are located in Southern California (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties), Northern California (the San Francisco Bay Area) and the Seattle metropolitan areas.

Marketable Securities

The Company reports its available for sale securities at fair value, based on quoted market prices (Level 2 for the unsecured bonds and Level 1 for the common stock and investment funds, as defined by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) standard for fair value measurements), and any unrealized gain or loss is recorded as other comprehensive income (loss).  Realized gains and losses, interest and dividend income, and amortization of purchase discounts are included in interest and other income on the condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, marketable securities consisted primarily of investment-grade unsecured bonds, common stock, investments in mortgage backed securities and investment funds that invest in US treasury or agency securities.  As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company classified its investments in mortgage backed securities, which mature through November 2019 and September 2020, as held to maturity, and accordingly, these securities are stated at their amortized cost.  As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, marketable securities consist of the following ($ in thousands):


12


ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2015 and 2014
(Unaudited)

 
March 31, 2015
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gain
 
Carrying Value
Available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
Investment-grade unsecured bonds
$
8,762

 
$
176

 
$
8,938

Investment funds - US treasuries
5,019

 
7

 
5,026

Common stock and stock funds
31,753

 
6,975

 
38,728

Held to maturity:
 

 
 

 
 

Mortgage backed securities
70,810

 

 
70,810

Total - Marketable securities
$
116,344

 
$
7,158

 
$
123,502

  Other investments (1)
5,000

 

 
5,000

Total - Marketable securities and other investments
$
121,344

 
$
7,158

 
$
128,502

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gain
 
Carrying Value
Available for sale:
 

 
 

 
 

Investment-grade unsecured bonds
$
9,435

 
$
145

 
$
9,580

Investment funds - US treasuries
3,769

 
3

 
3,772

Common stock and stock funds
25,755

 
5,137

 
30,892

Held to maturity:
 

 
 

 
 

Mortgage backed securities
67,996

 

 
67,996

Total - marketable securities
$
106,955

 
$
5,285

 
$
112,240

  Other investments (1)
5,000

 

 
5,000

Total - Marketable securities and other investments
$
111,955

 
$
5,285

 
$
117,240

(1) Limited partnership interests

The Company uses the specific identification method to determine the cost basis of a security sold and to reclassify amounts from accumulated other comprehensive income for securities sold.  For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014,  the proceeds from sales of available for sale securities totaled $0.7 million and $4.0 million, respectively, which resulted in no realized gains or losses and gains of $0.4 million, respectively.

Variable Interest Entities

The Company consolidates 19 DownREIT limited partnerships (comprising twelve communities) since the Company is the primary beneficiary of these variable interest entities (“VIEs”).  Total DownREIT units outstanding were 965,289 and 974,790 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 respectively, and the redemption value of the units, based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock totaled $221.9 million and $201.4 million, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.  The consolidated total assets and liabilities related to these VIEs, net of intercompany eliminations, were approximately $235.6 million and $209.3 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2015 and $235.1 million and $209.1 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2014.  Interest holders in VIEs consolidated by the Company are allocated income equal to the cash distributions made to those interest holders.  The remaining results of operations are allocated to the Company.  As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company did not have any other VIEs of which it was deemed to be the primary beneficiary.



13


ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2015 and 2014
(Unaudited)

Equity Based Compensation

The Company accounts for equity based compensation using the fair value method of accounting.  The estimated fair value of stock options granted by the Company is being amortized over the vesting period of the stock options.  The estimated grant date fair values of the long term incentive plan units (discussed in Note 13, “Equity Based Compensation Plans,” in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014) are being amortized over the expected service periods.

Stock-based compensation expense for options and restricted stock totaled $0.6 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.  Stock options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were 114,833 and 11,242, respectively and the intrinsic value of the stock options exercised during these periods totaled $10.3 million and $0.6 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2015, the intrinsic value of the stock options outstanding and fully vested totaled $27.2 million.  As of March 31, 2015, total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based compensation granted under the stock option and restricted stock plans totaled $6.4 million.  The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1 to 5 years for the stock option plans and is expected to be recognized straight-line over a period of 1 to 7 years for the restricted stock awards.

Stock-based compensation expense for Z-1 and Long-Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP") Units totaled $0.8 million and $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The intrinsic value of the vested and unvested Z-1 and LTIP Units totaled $59.9 million as of March 31, 2015. Total unrecognized compensation cost related to Z-1 Units and LTIP Units subject to future vesting totaled $10.2 million as of March 31, 2015. On a weighted average basis, the unamortized cost for the Z-1 and LTIP Units is expected to be recognized over the next 10.3 years and 4.0 years, respectively.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Management believes that the carrying amounts of outstanding lines of credit, and notes and other receivables approximate fair value as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, because interest rates, yields and other terms for these instruments are consistent with yields and other terms currently available for similar instruments.  Management has estimated that the fair value of the Company’s $4.8 billion of fixed rate debt, including unsecured bonds, at March 31, 2015 is approximately $5.1 billion and the Company’s variable rate debt, excluding borrowings under the lines of credit, at March 31, 2015 approximates its fair value based on the terms of existing mortgage notes payable, unsecured bonds and variable rate demand notes compared to those available in the marketplace.  Management believes that the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, construction payables, other liabilities and dividends payable approximate fair value as of March 31, 2015 due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.  Marketable securities, except mortgage backed securities that are held to maturity, and derivatives are carried at fair value as of March 31, 2015.

At March 31, 2015, the Company’s investments in mortgage backed securities had a carrying value of $70.8 million and the Company estimated the fair value to be approximately $99.0 million.  At December 31, 2014, the Company’s investments in mortgage backed securities had a carrying value of $68.0 million and the Company estimated the fair value to be approximately $96.0 million.  The Company determines the fair value of the mortgage backed securities based on unobservable inputs (level 3 of the fair value hierarchy) considering the assumptions that market participants would make in valuing these securities.  Assumptions such as estimated default rates and discount rates are used to determine expected discounted cash flows to estimate the fair value.
 
Capitalization of Costs

The Company’s capitalized internal costs related to development and redevelopment projects were comprised primarily of employee compensation and totaled $2.0 million and $1.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company capitalizes leasing commissions associated with the lease-up of a development community and amortizes the costs over the life of the leases.  The amounts capitalized for leasing commissions are immaterial for all periods presented.






14


ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2015 and 2014
(Unaudited)

Co-investments

The Company owns investments in joint ventures (“co-investments”) in which it has significant influence, but its ownership interest does not meet the criteria for consolidation in accordance with U.S. GAAP.  Therefore, the Company accounts for co-investments using the equity method of accounting.  The equity method employs the accrual basis for recognizing the investor’s share of investee income or losses. In addition, distributions received from the investee are treated as a reduction in the investment account, not as income.  The significant accounting policies of the Company’s co-investment entities are consistent with those of the Company in all material respects.

Upon the acquisition of a controlling interest of a co-investment, the co-investment entity is consolidated and a gain or loss is recognized upon the remeasurement of co-investments in the condensed consolidated statement of income equal to the amount by which the fair value of the co-investment interest the Company previously owned exceeds its carrying value.  A majority of the co-investments, excluding the preferred equity investments, compensate the Company for its asset management services and may provide promote income if certain financial return benchmarks are achieved.  Asset management fees are recognized when earned, and promote fees are recognized when the earnings events have occurred and the amount is determinable and collectible. Any promote fees are reflected in equity income in co-investments.

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net by Component

Essex Property Trust, Inc.
(in thousands):
 
Change in fair
value and amortization
of derivatives
 
Unrealized
gains on
available for sale
securities
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2014
$
(56,003
)
 
$
4,551

 
$
(51,452
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification
(3,211
)
 
1,873

 
(1,338
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
1,922

 

 
1,922

Net other comprehensive income
(1,289
)
 
1,873

 
584

Balance at March 31, 2015
$
(57,292
)
 
$
6,424

 
$
(50,868
)

Essex Portfolio, L.P.
(in thousands):
 
Change in fair
value and amortization
of derivatives
 
Unrealized
gains on
available for sale
securities
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2014
$
(53,980
)
 
$
4,624

 
$
(49,356
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification
(3,257
)
 
1,934

 
(1,323
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
1,922

 

 
1,922

Net other comprehensive income
(1,335
)
 
1,934

 
599

Balance at March 31, 2015
$
(55,315
)
 
$
6,558

 
$
(48,757
)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss in connection with derivatives are recorded in interest expense on the condensed consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income.  Realized gains and losses on available for sale securities are included in interest and other income on the condensed consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income.

15


ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2015 and 2014
(Unaudited)

Accounting Estimates

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements, in accordance with GAAP, requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to acquiring, developing and assessing the carrying values of its real estate portfolio, its investments in and advances to joint ventures and affiliates, its notes receivables and its qualification as a Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”). The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, current market conditions, and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may vary from those estimates and those estimates could be different under different assumptions or conditions.

BRE Merger

The merger with BRE Properties, Inc. ("BRE") was a two step process. First, 14 of the BRE properties were acquired on March 31, 2014  in exchange for $1.4 billion of OP units.  The fair value of these properties was substantially all attributable to rental properties which included land, buildings and improvements, and real estate under development and approximately $19 million was attributable to acquired in-place lease value.  Second,  the BRE merger was closed on April 1, 2014 in exchange for the total consideration of approximately $4.3 billion. A summary of the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired on April 1, 2014 was as follows (includes the 14 properties acquired on March 31, 2014 as the OP units issued were retired on April 1, 2014) (in millions):

Cash assumed
$
140

Rental properties and real estate under development
5,605

Real estate held for sale, net
108

Co-investments
224

Acquired in-place lease value
77

Other assets
16

Mortgage notes payable and unsecured debt
(1,747
)
Other liabilities
(87
)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
(5
)
 
$
4,331

 
 

Cash consideration for BRE merger
$
556

Equity consideration for BRE merger
3,775

Total consideration for BRE merger
$
4,331


During the quarter ended March 31, 2015, the Company recorded adjustments to decrease the preliminary fair value of real property by $13.1 million, to increase the preliminary fair value of co-investments by $6.0 million and to decrease its preliminary estimate for liabilities assumed by $7.1 million. The changes in estimates were the result of subsequent additional information pertaining to the opening balance sheet identified by management. The Company believes that the information gathered to date provides a reasonable basis for estimating the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
(2)  Significant Transactions During the First Quarter of 2015 and Subsequent Events

Significant Transactions

Acquisitions

In February 2015, the Company formed a joint venture, Block 9 Residential, LLC ("500 Folsom"), to purchase a land parcel located at the intersection of Folsom and First Streets in downtown San Francisco, CA for a contract price of $43.6 million. The site is located near the Transbay Terminal transportation hub, which is currently under construction. 500 Folsom plans to

16


ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2015 and 2014
(Unaudited)

develop a forty-two story apartment community comprising 545 homes and 5,900 square feet of ground floor retail space. The Company has an approximately 50% interest in the joint venture.

In February 2015, the Company acquired 8th and Hope, a 290 unit community in Los Angeles, CA for $200 million. The property was completed in 2014 and has approximately 4,000 square feet of ground floor retail space.

In March 2015, the Company acquired Station Park Green, a parcel of land located in San Mateo, CA for a contract price of $67.0 million. The Company plans to develop an apartment community comprising 599 homes and approximately 35,000 square feet of office and retail space.

In March 2015, the Company acquired an additional 50% interest in The Huxley and The Dylan communities, located in Los Angeles, CA, for a contract price of $100.1 million. As a result of the acquisition, the properties and related debt are now consolidated and the Company recorded a $21.4 million gain to remeasure the Company’s investment in the co-investments to fair value.

Dispositions

In January 2015, the Company sold Pinnacle South Mountain, a 552 unit community located in Phoenix, AZ for gross proceeds of $63.8 million and a net gain of $4.7 million.

Issuance of Unsecured Debt

In March 2015, the Company issued $500.0 million of 3.50% senior unsecured notes that mature in April 1 2025.  The interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing October 1, 2015 until the maturity date in April 2025.  The Company used the net proceeds of this offering to repay indebtedness under the Company’s $1.0 billion unsecured line of credit facility, its $25.0 million unsecured working capital line and for other general corporate purposes.

Common Stock

During the first quarter, the Company issued 822,071 shares of common stock, through our equity distribution program, at an average price of $225.51 for net proceeds of $184.2 million.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent to quarter end, the Company purchased the joint venture partners 49.5% interest in Reveal, from the Wesco I, LLC co-investment, for a contract price of $73.0 million. Reveal has 438 apartment homes located in Woodland Hills, CA.  Starting in the second quarter of 2015, the property will be consolidated.    

During the second quarter through May 4, 2015, the Company sold 34,125 shares of common stock for $7.8 million, net of fees and commissions, at an average price of $229.50.


17


ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2015 and 2014
(Unaudited)

(3) Co-investments

The Company has co-investments, which are accounted for under the equity method.  The co-investments own, operate and develop apartment communities.  The following table details the carrying value of Company's co-investments (in thousands):
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Membership interest/Partnership interest in:
 
 
 
Wesco I and III
$
186,667

 
$
188,853

Fund II
232

 
696

Expo
6,877

 
7,352

The Huxley

 
11,471

CPPIB
170,501

 
169,621

Wesco IV
67,904

 
67,937

BEXAEW
93,842

 
97,686

Palm Valley
69,817

 
70,186

Total operating co-investments
595,840

 
613,802

Membership interest in:
 

 
 

Limited liability companies with CPPIB that own and are developing Epic Phase III, Mosso I and II, Park 20, The Emme, Moorpark, The Village, The Owens, and Hacienda
283,785

 
268,016

One South Market
31,300

 
30,919

The Dylan

 
7,874

Century Towers
13,475

 
13,121

500 Folsom
25,824

 

Total development co-investments
354,384

 
319,930

Preferred interest in related party limited liability company that owns Sage at Cupertino with a preferred return of  9.5% (matures in May 2016)
16,675

 
16,571

Preferred interest in a related party limited liability company that owned Madison Park at Anaheim with a preferred return of 9% (matures in September 2020) (1)
13,824

 
13,824

Preferred interest in related party limited liability company that owns an apartment development in Redwood City with a preferred return of 12% (redeemed for $11.1 million in March 2015)

 
10,396

Preferred interest in a limited liability company that owns an apartment development in San Jose with a preferred return of 12% (matures in August 2016 with one one-year extension option)
10,314

 
10,011

Preferred interest in a limited liability company that owns 8th & Thomas with a preferred return of  10.0% (matures in June 2018 with one one-year extension option)
13,477

 
13,145

Preferred interest in a limited liability company that owns Newbury Park with a preferred return of  12.0% (matures in January 2019)
13,548

 
13,150

Preferred interest in a limited liability company that owns Century Towers (matures in August 2019) (2)
19,528

 
12,357

Preferred interest in a limited liability company that owns an apartment development in San Jose with a preferred return of 9% (matures in January 2023)
19,708

 
19,237

Total preferred interest co-investments
107,074

 
108,691

Total co-investments
$
1,057,298

 
$
1,042,423

 
(1) The Madison Park at Anaheim property was sold during the quarter ended March 31, 2015 and the Company's investment is now collateralized by cash.

18


ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2015 and 2014
(Unaudited)

(2) The Company has committed to a total preferred equity investment in the project of $27.0 million at an effective preferred return rate of 8.1%. As of March 31, 2015 the Company has made a preferred equity investment of $19.0 million.

The combined summarized financial information of co-investments are as follows (in thousands).
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Combined balance sheets:
 
 
 
Rental properties and real estate under development
$
3,425,781

 
$
3,426,574

Other assets
181,856

 
107,902

Total assets
$
3,607,637

 
$
3,534,476

Debt
$
1,450,210

 
$
1,568,398

Other liabilities
158,909

 
91,579

Equity (1)
1,998,518

 
1,874,499

Total liabilities and equity
$
3,607,637

 
$
3,534,476

Company's share of equity
$
1,057,298

 
$
1,042,423


 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Combined statements of income:
 
 
 
Property revenues
$
63,498

 
$
27,960

Property operating expenses
(22,954
)
 
(11,560
)
Net operating income
40,544

 
16,400

Gain on sale of real estate
14

 
11,369

Interest expense
(11,316
)
 
(6,023
)
General and administrative
(1,606
)
 
(1,388
)
Equity income from co-investments (2)

 
4,759

Depreciation and amortization
(25,381
)
 
(10,693
)
Net income
$
2,255

 
$
14,424

Company's share of net income (3)
$
4,311

 
$
10,526

 
(1) Includes preferred equity investments held by the Company.
(2) Represents income from Wesco II's preferred equity investment in Park Merced.
(3) Includes the Company's share of equity income from preferred equity investments, gain on sales of co-investments, co-investment promote income and income from early redemption of preferred equity investments.

(4) Notes and Other Receivables
 
Notes receivable secured by real estate and other receivables consist of the following as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Notes receivable, secured, bearing interest at 6.0%, due December 2016
$
3,219

 
$
3,212

Notes and other receivables from affiliates
4,177

 
8,105

Other receivables (1)
21,558

 
13,606

 
$
28,954

 
$
24,923



19


ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2015 and 2014
(Unaudited)

(1)
Amount includes $9.6 million for the sale of the Company's common stock which was settled in April 2015 and $12.0 million for utilities, rents and other receivables.

(5) Related Party Transactions

The Company charges certain fees to its co-investments for asset management, property management, development and redevelopment services. These fees from affiliates totaled $5.7 million and $2.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  All of these fees are net of intercompany amounts eliminated by the Company. The Company netted development and redevelopment fees of $3.1 million and $0.9 million against general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The Company’s Chairman and founder, Mr. George Marcus, is the Chairman of the Marcus & Millichap Company (“MMC”), which is a parent company of a diversified group of real estate service, investment, and development firms. Mr. Marcus is also the Co-Chairman of Marcus & Millichap, Inc. (“MMI”), and Mr. Marcus owns a controlling interest in MMI, a national brokerage firm listed on the NYSE. In July 2014, the Company acquired Paragon Apartments, a 301 apartment community located in Fremont, CA for $111.0 million from an entity that was partially owned by an affiliate of MMC.  Independent members of the Company’s Board of Directors that serve on the Nominating and Corporate Governance and Audit Committees approved the acquisition of Paragon Apartments.

In January 2013, the Company invested $8.6 million as a preferred equity interest investment in an entity affiliated with MMC that owns an apartment development in Redwood City, California.  Independent members of the Company’s Board of Directors that serve on the Nominating and Corporate Governance and Audit Committees approved the investment in this entity. In March 2015 the Company's preferred interest investment was prepaid and the Company recognized a gain of $0.5 million as a result of the prepayment.

As described in Note 4, the Company has provided short-term bridge loans to affiliates.  As of March 31, 2015, $4.2 million of short-term loans remained outstanding due from joint venture affiliates.

(6) Debt
 
The Company does not have indebtedness as debt is incurred by the Operating Partnership.  The Company guarantees the Operating Partnership’s unsecured debt including the revolving credit facilities for the full term of such debt.

In March 2015, in connection with the purchase of a controlling interest in The Huxley and The Dylan, the Operating Partnership now consolidates the related entities. The Operating Partnership assumed mortgage loans with a principal balance of $114.4 million outstanding, with a remaining term to maturity of thirty-two years with a variable interest rate based on the Municipal Market Data rate plus 345 basis points.

Debt consists of the following (in thousands):

20


ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2015 and 2014
(Unaudited)

 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Weighted Average
Maturity
In Years
Bonds private placement - fixed rate
$
465,000

 
$
465,000

 
4.0
Term loan - variable rate
225,000

 
225,000

 
1.6
Unsecured Bonds - fixed rate
2,423,216

 
1,927,482

 
7.5
Unsecured debt (1)
3,113,216

 
2,617,482

 
 
Lines of credit

 
246,391

 

Mortgage notes payable (2)
$
2,322,837

 
$
2,246,255

 
6.6
Total debt
$
5,436,053

 
$
5,110,128

 
 
Weighted average interest rate on fixed rate unsecured bonds
3.6
%
 
3.6
%
 
 
Weighted average interest rate on variable rate term loan
2.4
%
 
2.4
%
 
 
Weighted average interest rate on lines of credit
%
 
1.8
%
 
 
Weighted average interest rate on mortgage notes payable
4.5
%
 
4.6
%
 
 
(1) Includes unamortized premium of $23.2 million and $27.5 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
(2) Includes unamortized premium of $78.2 million and $83.8 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

The aggregate scheduled principal payments of the Company’s outstanding debt as of March 31, 2015 are as follows (excluding lines of credit):
Remaining in 2015
$
74,177

2016
391,519

2017
564,178

2018
320,621

2019
641,393

Thereafter
3,342,728

 
$
5,334,616


(7) Segment Information

The Company defines its reportable operating segments as the three geographical regions in which its communities are located: Southern California, Northern California and Seattle Metro.  Excluded from segment revenues and net operating income are management and other fees from affiliates, and interest and other income.  Non-segment revenues and net operating income included in the following schedule also consist of revenue generated from commercial properties.  Other non-segment assets include real estate under development, co-investments, cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, notes and other receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets and deferred charges.

The revenues and net operating income for each of the reportable operating segments are summarized as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 ($ in thousands):

21


ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2015 and 2014
(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues:
 
 
 
Southern California
$
123,455

 
$
69,611

Northern California
102,427

 
56,488

Seattle Metro
48,654

 
28,705

Other real estate assets
5,693

 
4,545

Total property revenues
$
280,229

 
$
159,349

Net operating income:
 

 
 

Southern California
$
83,088

 
$
46,939

Northern California
72,516

 
39,923

Seattle Metro
33,129

 
19,046

Other real estate assets
4,325

 
1,135

Total net operating income
193,058

 
107,043

Management and other fees from affiliates
2,644

 
1,660

Depreciation and amortization
(106,907
)
 
(50,312
)
General and administrative
(10,545
)
 
(7,583
)
Merger and integration expenses
(2,388
)
 
(16,059
)
Acquisition costs
(547
)
 
(188
)
Interest expense
(47,546
)
 
(29,041
)
Interest and other income
4,199

 
2,879

Equity income from co-investments
4,311

 
10,526

Gains on sale of real estate and land
7,112

 
7,481

Gain on remeasurement of co-investment
21,362

 

Net income
$
64,753

 
$
26,406


Total assets for each of the reportable operating segments are summarized as follows as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 ($ in thousands):
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Assets:
 
 
 
Southern California
$
4,612,162

 
$
4,241,277

Northern California
3,782,875

 
3,641,720

Seattle Metro
1,634,249

 
1,647,058

Other real estate assets
149,751

 
149,820

Net reportable operating segment - real estate assets
10,179,037

 
9,679,875

Real estate under development
339,386

 
429,096

Co-investments
1,057,298

 
1,042,423

Real estate held for sale, net

 
56,300

Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash
255,230

 
95,749

Marketable securities and other investments
128,502

 
117,240

Notes and other receivables
28,954

 
24,923

Other non-segment assets
96,752

 
110,565

Total assets
$
12,085,159

 
$
11,556,171

 

22


ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2015 and 2014
(Unaudited)

(8) Net Income Per Common Share
 
(Amounts in thousands, except per share and unit data)

Essex Property Trust, Inc.
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31, 2015
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31, 2014
 
Income
 
Weighted-
average
Common
Shares
 
Per
Common
Share
Amount
 
Income
 
Weighted-
average
Common
Shares
 
Per
Common
Share
Amount
Basic:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income available to common stockholders
$
59,363

 
64,185,455

 
$
0.92

 
$
21,912

 
37,685,073

 
$
0.58

Effect of Dilutive Securities (1)

 
209,225

 
 

 

 
246,381

 
 

Diluted:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net income available to common stockholders
$
59,363

 
64,394,680

 
$
0.92

 
$
21,912

 
37,931,454

 
$
0.58


(1)
Weighted average convertible limited partnership units of 2,184,314 and 2,272,179 which include vested Series Z-1 incentive units, for the three months ended March 31, 2015, and 2014, respectively, were not included in the determination of diluted EPS because they were anti-dilutive.  Income allocated to convertible limited partnership units, which includes vested Series Z-1 units, aggregating $2.1 million and $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively has been excluded from income available to common stockholders for the calculation of diluted income per common share since these units are excluded from the diluted weighted average common shares for the period as the effect was anti-dilutive.  The Company has the ability to redeem DownREIT limited partnership units for cash and does not consider them to be potentially dilutive securities.
 
Stock options of zero and 164,442 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because the effects on earnings per share were anti-dilutive.

Essex Portfolio, L.P.

 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31, 2015
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31, 2014
 
Income
 
Weighted-
average
Common Units
 
Per
Common
Unit
Amount
 
Income
 
Weighted-
average
Common Units
 
Per
Common
Unit
Amount
Basic:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income available to common unitholders
$
61,474

 
66,369,769

 
$
0.93

 
$
23,329

 
39,957,252

 
$
0.58

Effect of Dilutive Securities (1)

 
209,225

 
 

 

 
246,381

 
 

Diluted:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net income available to common unitholders
$
61,474

 
66,578,994

 
$
0.92

 
$
23,329

 
40,203,633

 
$
0.58

 
(1)
The Operating Partnership has the ability to redeem DownREIT limited partnership units for cash and does not consider them to be potentially dilutive securities.

Stock options of zero and 164,442 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, were not included in the diluted earnings per unit calculation because the effects on earnings per unit were anti-dilutive.  

23


ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2015 and 2014
(Unaudited)

(9) Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

As of March 31, 2015, the Company has entered into interest rate swap contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $225 million that effectively fixed the interest rate on $225 million of the $225 million unsecured term loan at 2.4%.  These derivatives qualify for hedge accounting.

As of March 31, 2015, the Company has interest rate cap contracts totaling a notional amount of $149.5 million that effectively limit the Company’s exposure to interest rate risk by providing a ceiling on the underlying variable interest rate for substantially all of the Company’s tax exempt variable rate debt.

The Company has total return swaps, with a notional amount of $114.4 million and a carrying value and fair value of $5 thousand at March 31, 2015.

As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the aggregate carrying value of the interest rate swap contracts was a liability of $2.2 million and  $1.8 million, respectively, which is classified in other liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

(10) Commitments and Contingencies

To the extent that an environmental matter arises or is identified in the future that has other than a remote risk of having a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company will disclose the estimated range of possible outcomes, and, if an outcome is probable, accrue an appropriate liability for remediation and other potential liability. The Company will consider whether such occurrence results in an impairment of value on the affected property and, if so, impairment will be recognized.

Item 2: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes thereto included elsewhere herein and with the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
 
On April 1, 2014, the Company completed the merger with BRE Properties, Inc. ("BRE"). For further details regarding the merger see the discussion set forth in note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which is incorporated herein by reference. The net assets and results of operations of BRE are included in our consolidated financial statements as of April 1, 2014.

In March 2015, the Company issued $500.0 million of 3.50% senior unsecured notes that mature in April 1, 2025.  The interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing October 1, 2015 until the maturity date in April 2025.  The Company used the net proceeds of this offering to repay indebtedness under the Company’s $1.0 billion unsecured line of credit facility, its $25.0 million unsecured working capital line and for other general corporate purposes.

In March 2015, the Company purchased a controlling interest in The Huxley and The Dylan, two properties with a total of 371 apartment units, located in West Hollywood, California, with cash and the assumption of the mortgage loans with a principal balance of $114.4 million with a remaining term to maturity of thirty-two years. As a result of the acquisition, the Company now consolidates these two properties and the related debt.

The Company is a self-administered and self-managed REIT that acquires, develops, redevelops and manages apartment communities in selected residential areas located primarily in the West Coast of the United States. Essex owns all of its interests in its real estate investments, directly or indirectly, through the Operating Partnership. Essex is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership and, as of March 31, 2015, had an approximately 96.7% general partner interest in the Operating Partnership.
The Company’s investment strategy has two components: constant monitoring of existing markets, and evaluation of new markets to identify areas with the characteristics that underlie rental growth. The Company’s strong financial condition supports its investment strategy by enhancing its ability to quickly shift acquisition, development, and disposition activities to markets that will optimize the performance of the portfolio.

24



As of March 31, 2015, the Company had ownership interests in 240 apartment communities, comprising 57,203 apartment units, excluding the Company’s ownership in preferred equity interest co-investments, and the Company also had ownership interests in four commercial buildings with approximately 320,235 square feet.  The Company’s apartment communities are located in the following major West Coast regions:

Southern California (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties)
Northern California (the San Francisco Bay Area)
Seattle Metro (Seattle metropolitan area)

As of March 31, 2015, the Company’s development pipeline was comprised of two consolidated projects under development and ten unconsolidated joint venture projects under development, all aggregating 3,616 apartment units, with total incurred costs of $1.0 billion, and estimated remaining project costs of $1.0 billion for total estimated project costs of $2.0 billion.

The Company’s consolidated apartment communities are as follows:
 
As of March 31, 2015
 
As of March 31, 2014
 
Apartment Units

 
%

 
Apartment Units

 
%

Southern California
22,829

 
48
%
 
13,870

 
46
%
Northern California
14,789

 
31
%
 
9,430

 
32
%
Seattle Metro
10,216

 
21
%
 
6,703

 
22
%
Total
47,834

 
100
%
 
30,003

 
100
%

Co-investments, including Wesco I, LLC ("Wesco I"), Wesco III, LLC ("Wesco III"), Wesco IV, LLC (“Wesco IV”), and BEXAEW, LLC (“BEXAEW”) communities, and preferred equity interest co-investment communities are not included in the table presented above for both periods.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014

The Company’s average financial occupancies for the Company’s stabilized apartment communities or “Quarterly Same-Property” (stabilized properties consolidated by the Company for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014) was 96.3% and 96.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  Financial occupancy is defined as the percentage resulting from dividing actual rental revenue by total possible rental revenue.  Actual rental revenue represents contractual rental revenue pursuant to leases without considering delinquency and concessions.  Total possible rental revenue represents the value of all apartment units, with occupied units valued at contractual rental rates pursuant to leases and vacant units valued at estimated market rents.  We believe that financial occupancy is a meaningful measure of occupancy because it considers the value of each vacant unit at its estimated market rate.

Market rates are determined using the recently signed effective rates on new leases at the property and are used as the starting point in the determination of the market rates of vacant units.  The Company may increase or decrease these rates based on the supply and demand in the apartment community’s market.  The Company will check the reasonableness of these rents based on its position within the market and compare the rents against the asking rents by comparable properties in the market.  Financial occupancy may not completely reflect short-term trends in physical occupancy and financial occupancy rates, as disclosed by other REITs, may not be comparable to the Company’s calculation of financial occupancy.

The Company does not take into account delinquency and concessions to calculate actual rent for occupied units and market rents for vacant units.  The calculation of financial occupancy compares contractual rates for occupied units to estimated market rents for unoccupied units, and thus the calculation compares the gross value of all apartment units excluding delinquency and concessions. For apartment communities that are development properties in lease-up without stabilized occupancy figures, the Company believes the physical occupancy rate is the appropriate performance metric.  While an apartment community is in the lease-up phase, the Company’s primary motivation is to stabilize the property which may entail the use of rent concessions and other incentives, and thus financial occupancy, which is based on contractual revenue is not considered the best metric to quantify occupancy.

The regional breakdown of the Company’s Quarterly Same-Property portfolio for financial occupancy for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

25


 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Southern California
96.4
%
 
96.4
%
Northern California
96.2
%
 
96.5
%
Seattle Metro
96.2
%
 
96.5
%

The following table provides a breakdown of revenue amounts, including revenues attributable to the Quarterly Same-Properties:
 
 
Number of
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
Dollar
 
Percentage
 
 
Properties
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
Change
Property Revenues ($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarterly Same-Property:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Southern California
 
58

 
$
69,356

 
$
65,390

 
$
3,966

 
6.1
%
Northern California
 
36

 
60,449

 
55,038

 
5,411

 
9.8

Seattle Metro
 
29

 
29,961

 
27,960

 
2,001

 
7.2

Total Quarterly Same-Property revenues
 
123

 
159,766

 
148,388

 
11,378

 
7.7

Quarterly Non-Same Property Revenues (1)
 
 

 
23,030

 
10,961

 
12,069

 
110.1

Legacy BRE Portfolio Property Revenues (2)
 
 

 
97,433

 

 
97,433

 

Total property revenues
 
 

 
$
280,229

 
$
159,349

 
$
120,880

 
75.9
%

(1)
Includes ten communities acquired or consolidated since January 1, 2014 (8th & Hope, Apex, Avery, Collins on Pine, Dylan, Ellington at Bellevue, Fox Plaza, Huxley, Paragon, and Piedmont) and four communities acquired during 2013 and 2012 (Bennett Lofts, Domain, Slater 116, and Vox) which stabilized in 2014.
(2)
Includes 54 properties acquired from BRE on April 1, 2014.

Quarterly Same-Property Revenues increased by $11.4 million or 7.7% to $159.8 million in the first quarter of 2015 from $148.4 million in the first quarter of 2014.  The increase was primarily attributable to an increase of 8.0% in average rental rates from $1,681 per unit in the first quarter of 2014 to $1,815 per unit in the first quarter of 2015.  On a sequential basis the Company experienced Quarterly Same-Property revenue growth from the fourth quarter of 2014 to the first quarter of 2015 of $2.6 million or 1.6%, resulting from sequential revenue growth in all three regions mainly driven by an increase in average rental rates of 1.6% with no change in occupancy compared to the fourth quarter of 2014.

Quarterly Non-Same Property Revenues increased by $12.1 million or 110.1% to $23.0 million in the first quarter of 2015 from $11.0 million in the first quarter of 2014.  The increase was primarily due to revenue generated from the BRE merger and ten other communities aggregating 2,584 units acquired or consolidated since January 1, 2014 and four communities acquired aggregating 710 units during 2013 and 2012, which stabilized in 2014.

Management and other fees from affiliates increased by $1.0 million in the first quarter of 2015 as compared to the first quarter of 2014.  The increase is primarily due to the asset and property management fees earned from co-investments formed or acquired during 2014.

Property operating expenses, excluding real estate taxes increased $18.6 million to $55.6 million in the first quarter of 2015 from $37.0 million in the first quarter of 2014, primarily due to the BRE merger and the acquisition of or consolidation of ten communities since January 1, 2014.  Quarterly Same-Property operating expenses, excluding real estate taxes, increased by $0.2 million or 0.6% for the first quarter of 2015 compared to the first quarter of 2014, primarily due to a $0.1 million increase in administrative and insurance expenses.

Real estate taxes increased by $16.2 million for the first quarter of 2015 compared to the first quarter of 2014 due primarily to the BRE merger and the acquisition or consolidation of ten communities since January 1, 2014.  Quarterly Same-Property real estate taxes increased by $0.3 million or 1.8% for first quarter of 2015 compared to the first quarter of 2014 primarily due to a 2.1% increase in property taxes for Southern California and a 2.3% increase for Northern California.


26


Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $56.6 million for the first quarter of 2015 compared to the first quarter of 2014, due to the BRE merger and the acquisition or consolidation of ten communities since January 1, 2014. 
 
General and administrative expense increased $3.0 million or 39.1% for the first quarter of 2015 compared to the first quarter of 2014 primarily due to additional corporate employees from the BRE merger.

Merger and integration expenses include, but are not limited to, advisor fees, legal, and accounting fees related to the merger with BRE.  Merger and integration expenses were $2.4 million for the first quarter of 2015 and $16.1 million for the first quarter of 2014. 

Interest expense increased $18.5 million for the first quarter of 2015 compared to the first quarter of 2014, due to an increase in average outstanding debt primarily due to assumed debt in connection with the BRE merger offset by an increase in capitalized interest related to development and redevelopment activity.

Interest and other income increased by $1.3 million for the first quarter of 2015 compared to the first quarter of 2014 primarily due to an increase in interest income attributable to an increase in the estimated yield on mortgage backed securities.

Equity income in co-investments decreased $6.2 million for the first quarter of 2015 compared to the first quarter of 2014 primarily due to the events in 2014 which did not recur, including the Company's share of the gain on the sale of a Fund II community for $3.2 million, a promote income allocation of $3.8 million during the first quarter of 2014 and the repayment of the Wesco II preferred equity investment.

Gains on sale of real estate and land decreased by $0.4 million for the first quarter of 2015 compared to the first quarter of 2014 primarily due to $7.1 million in gains on the sales of Pinnacle South Mountain and two commercial buildings during the first quarter of 2015 as compared to a $7.5 million gain on the sale of Vista Capri North during the first quarter of 2014.

Gain on remeasurement of co-investment increased by $21.4 million for the first quarter of 2015 compared to the first quarter of 2014 due to the remeasurement of the Company's investment in The Huxley and The Dylan properties due to the acquisition of a controlling interest in the properties.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of March 31, 2015, the Company had $219.2 million of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and $128.5 million in marketable securities, of which $52.7 million were available for sale.  We believe that cash flows generated by our operations, existing cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities balances, availability under existing lines of credit, access to capital markets and the ability to generate cash from the disposition of real estate are sufficient to meet all of our reasonably anticipated cash needs during the next twelve months.  The timing, source and amounts of cash flows provided by financing activities and used in investing activities are sensitive to changes in interest rates and other fluctuations in the capital markets environment, which can affect our plans for acquisitions, dispositions, development and redevelopment activities.

Fitch Ratings ("Fitch"), Moody’s Investor Service, and Standard and Poor's (“S&P”) credit agencies rate Essex Property Trust, Inc. and Essex Portfolio, L.P. BBB+/Stable, Baa2/Positive, and BBB/Stable, respectively.

The Company has two lines of unsecured credit aggregating $1.03 billion.  The Company has a $1.0 billion unsecured line of credit, and as of March 31, 2015, there were no amounts outstanding on it. The underlying interest rate is based on a tiered rate structure tied to the Company's credit ratings on the credit facility and the rate was LIBOR plus 0.95% as of March 31, 2015.  This facility matures in December 2018 with one 18-month extension, exercisable at the Company’s option.  The Company has a working capital unsecured line of credit agreement for $25.0 million.  This facility matures in January 2016.  As of March 31, 2015, there were no amounts outstanding on the $25.0 million unsecured line.  The underlying interest rate on the $25.0 million line is based on a tiered rate structure tied to Fitch and S&P ratings on the credit facility of LIBOR plus 0.95%.

In March 2015, the Company issued $500 million of 3.50% senior unsecured notes that mature in April 1, 2025.  The interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing October 1, 2015 until the maturity date in April 2025.  The Company used the net proceeds of this offering to repay indebtedness under the Company’s $1.0 billion unsecured line of credit facility, its $25.0 million unsecured working capital line and for other general corporate purposes.

The Company has entered into equity distribution agreements with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co, Barclays Capital Inc., BMO Capital Markets Corp., BNB Paribas Securities Corp., Citigroup Global Capital Inc., Jefferies, LLC ("Jefferies"), J.P. Morgan Securities LLC ("JP Morgan"), Liquidnet, Inc., Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc., and UBS Securities LLC ("UBS").

27


Pursuant to its equity distribution program, during the first quarter of 2015 through May 4, 2015, the Company has issued 856,196 shares of common stock at an average price of $225.67 per share, for proceeds of $192.0 million, net of fees and commissions. Under this program, the Company may from time to time sell shares of common stock into the existing trading market at current market prices, and the Company anticipates using the net proceeds, which are contributed to the Operating Partnership, to pay down debt, acquire apartment communities and fund the development pipeline. As of May 4, 2015, the Company may sell an additional 2,344,650 shares under the current equity distribution program.

Essex pays quarterly dividends from cash available for distribution.  Until it is distributed, cash available for distribution is invested by the Company primarily in investment grade securities held available for sale or is used by the Company to reduce balances outstanding under its line of credit. 

Development and Predevelopment Pipeline

The Company defines development activities as new properties that are being constructed, or are newly constructed and, in the case of development communities, are in a phase of lease-up and have not yet reached stabilized operations.  As of March 31, 2015, the Company’s development pipeline was comprised of two consolidated projects under development and ten unconsolidated joint venture projects under development, all aggregating 3,616 units, with total incurred costs of $1.0 billion, and estimated remaining project costs of approximately $1.0 billion for total estimated project costs of $2.0 billion.

The Company expects to fund the development and predevelopment pipeline by using a combination of some or all of the following sources: its working capital, amounts available on its lines of credit, net proceeds from public and private equity and debt issuances, and proceeds from the disposition of assets, if any.

Redevelopment Pipeline

The Company defines redevelopment communities as existing properties owned or recently acquired, which have been targeted for additional investment by the Company with the expectation of increased financial returns through property improvement. During redevelopment, apartment units may not be available for rent and, as a result, may have less than stabilized operations. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had ownership interests in four major redevelopment communities aggregating 1,063 apartment units with estimated redevelopment costs of $131.9 million, of which approximately $96.0 million remains to be expended. The Company has the ability to cease funding of the redevelopment pipeline as needed.

Derivative Activity

The Company uses interest rate swaps, interest rate cap, and total return swap contracts to manage certain interest rate risks. The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves. The fair values of interest rate swaps are determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts (or payments) and the discounted expected variable cash payments (or receipts). The variable cash payments (or receipts) are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves. The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements.

As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 the aggregate carrying value of the interest rate swap contracts was a liability of $2.2 million and $1.8 million, respectively. The aggregate carrying value of the interest rate cap contracts was zero on the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The aggregate carrying value of the total return swaps was $5 thousand on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2015. The Company did not hold any total return swaps as of December 31, 2014.

Alternative Capital Sources

The Company utilizes co-investments as an alternative source of capital for acquisitions of both operating and development communities. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had an interest in 2,657 units of communities actively under development with joint ventures for total estimated costs of $1.3 billion. Total estimated remaining costs total approximately $636 million, of which the Company estimates that our remaining investment in these development joint ventures will be approximately $328 million. In addition, the Company had an interest in 9,796 units of operating communities with joint ventures for a total investment of $595.8 million as of March 31, 2015.
 

28


Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements, in accordance with GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. The Company defines critical accounting policies as those accounting policies that require the Company’s management to exercise their most difficult, subjective and complex judgments. The Company’s critical accounting policies and estimates relate principally to the following key areas: (i) accounting for business combinations (ii) consolidation under applicable accounting standards for entities that are not wholly owned; (iii) assessing the carrying values of our real estate properties and investments in and advances to joint ventures and affiliates; and (iv) internal cost capitalization. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, current market conditions, and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.  Actual results may differ from those estimates made by management.

The Company’s critical accounting policies and estimates have not changed materially from information reported in Note 2, “Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies,” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
  
Forward Looking Statements
 
Certain statements in this "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q which are not historical facts may be considered forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding the Company's expectations, hopes, intentions, beliefs and strategies regarding the future. Forward looking statements include statements regarding the Company’s expectations as to the total projected costs of predevelopment, development and redevelopment projects, beliefs as to our ability to meet our cash needs during the next twelve months and the Company’s development and redevelopment pipeline, and statements regarding the Company's financing activities.

Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors including, but not limited to, that the Company will fail to achieve its business objectives, that the total projected costs of current predevelopment, development and redevelopment projects exceed expectations, that such development and redevelopment projects will not be completed, that development and redevelopment projects and acquisitions will fail to meet expectations, that estimates of future income from an acquired property may prove to be inaccurate, that future cash flows will be inadequate to meet operating requirements, that there may be a downturn in the markets in which the Company's properties are located, that the terms of any refinancing may not be as favorable as the terms of existing indebtedness, and that lawsuits will be more costly than anticipated, as well as those risks, special considerations, and other factors referred to in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, and those risk factors and special considerations set forth in the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  All forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update this information.

Funds from Operations (“FFO”)
 
FFO is a financial measure that is commonly used in the REIT industry.  The Company presents funds from operations as a supplemental operating performance measure.  FFO is not used by the Company as, nor should it be considered to be, an alternative to net earnings computed under GAAP as an indicator of the Company’s operating performance or as an alternative to cash from operating activities computed under GAAP as an indicator of the Company’s ability to fund its cash needs.
 
FFO is not meant to represent a comprehensive system of financial reporting and does not present, nor does it intend to present, a complete picture of the Company's financial condition and operating performance.  The Company believes that net earnings computed under GAAP is the primary measure of performance and that FFO is only meaningful when it is used in conjunction with net earnings.  The Company considers FFO and FFO excluding non-recurring items and acquisition costs (referred to as “Core FFO”) to be useful financial performance measurements of an equity REIT because, together with net income and cash flows, FFO provides investors with an additional basis to evaluate operating performance and ability of a REIT to incur and service debt and to fund acquisitions and other capital expenditures and ability to pay dividends.  Further, the Company believes that its consolidated financial statements, prepared in accordance with GAAP, provide the most meaningful picture of its financial condition and its operating performance.
 

29


In calculating FFO, the Company follows the definition for this measure published by the National Association of REITs (“NAREIT”), which is a REIT trade association.  The Company believes that, under the NAREIT FFO definition, the two most significant adjustments made to net income are (i) the exclusion of historical cost depreciation and (ii) the exclusion of gains and losses (including impairment charges on depreciable real estate) from the sale of previously depreciated properties.  The Company agrees that these two NAREIT adjustments are useful to investors for the following reason:
 
(a)
historical cost accounting for real estate assets in accordance with GAAP assumes, through depreciation charges, that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. NAREIT stated in its White Paper on Funds from Operations “since real estate asset values have historically risen or fallen with market conditions, many industry investors have considered presentations of operating results for real estate companies that use historical cost accounting to be insufficient by themselves.” Consequently, NAREIT’s definition of FFO reflects the fact that real estate, as an asset class, generally appreciates over time and depreciation charges required by GAAP do not reflect the underlying economic realities.

(b)
REITs were created as a legal form of organization in order to encourage public ownership of real estate as an asset class through investment in firms that were in the business of long-term ownership and management of real estate.  The exclusion, in NAREIT’s definition of FFO, of gains and losses (including impairment charges on depreciable real estate) from the sales of previously depreciated operating real estate assets allows investors and analysts to readily identify the operating results of the long-term assets that form the core of a REIT’s activity and assists in comparing those operating results between periods.

Management believes that it has consistently applied the NAREIT definition of FFO to all periods presented.  However, there is judgment involved and other REITs’ calculation of FFO may vary from the NAREIT definition for this measure, and thus their disclosure of FFO may not be comparable to the Company’s calculation.

The following table sets forth the Company’s calculation of FFO and Core FFO for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands except for share and per share data):













30


Essex Property Trust, Inc.
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Net income available to common stockholders
$
59,363

 
$
21,912

Adjustments:
 

 
 

Depreciation
106,907

 
50,312

Gains not included in FFO
(28,474
)
 
(10,292
)
Depreciation add back from unconsolidated co-investments
11,917

 
4,760

Noncontrolling interest related to Operating Partnership units
2,063

 
1,417

Depreciation attributable to third party ownership and other
(249
)
 
(329
)
Funds from operations
$
151,527

 
$
67,780

Funds from operations per share - diluted
$
2.27

 
$
1.68

Non-core items:
 

 
 

Merger and integration expenses
2,388

 
16,059

Acquisition costs
547

 
188

Gain on sales of marketable securities and note prepayment

 
(427
)
Co-investment promote income

 
(3,848
)
Gain on sale of land

 
(400
)
Income from early redemption of preferred equity investments
(469
)
 

Other non-core adjustments
(1,375
)
 
1,768

Core FFO
$
152,618

 
$
81,120

Core FFO per share-diluted
$
2.29

 
$
2.02

Weighted average number
 

 
 

shares outstanding diluted (1)
66,641,225

 
40,238,064


(1)
Assumes conversion of all dilutive outstanding operating partnership interests in the Operating Partnership and excludes 904,785 DownREIT units.

Net Operating Income (“NOI”)

Same-property net operating income (“NOI”) is considered by management to be an important supplemental performance measure to earnings from operations included in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. The presentation of same-property NOI assists with the presentation of the Company’s operations prior to the allocation of depreciation and any corporate-level or financing-related costs.  NOI reflects the operating performance of a community and allows for an easy comparison of the operating performance of individual communities or groups of communities.  In addition, because prospective buyers of real estate have different financing and overhead structures, with varying marginal impacts to overhead by acquiring real estate, NOI is considered by many in the real estate industry to be a useful measure for determining the value of a real estate asset or group of assets.  The Company defines same-property NOI as same-property revenue less same-property operating expenses, including property taxes.  Please see the reconciliation of earnings from operations to same-property NOI, which in the table below is the NOI for stabilized properties consolidated by the Company for the periods presented (in thousands):


31


 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Earnings from operations
$
75,315

 
$
34,561

Adjustments:
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization
106,907

 
50,312

Management and other fees from affiliates
(2,644
)
 
(1,660
)
General and administrative
10,545

 
7,583

Merger and integration expenses
2,388

 
16,059

Acquisition costs
547

 
188

NOI
193,058

 
107,043

Less: Non same-property NOI
(15,554
)
 
(5,007
)
Less: Legacy BRE Portfolio NOI
(64,528
)
 

Same-property NOI
$
112,976

 
$
102,036


Item 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks

Interest Rate Hedging Activities

The Company’s objective in using derivatives is to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements or other identified risks.  To accomplish this objective, the Company uses interest rate swaps as part of its cash flow hedging strategy.  As of March 31, 2015, the Company has entered into seven interest rate swap contracts to mitigate the risk of changes in the interest-related cash outflows on $225.0 million of the variable rate five-year unsecured term debt.  As of March 31, 2015, the Company also had $292.1 million of variable rate indebtedness, of which $149.5 million is subject to interest rate cap protection.  The Company holds derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges as of March 31, 2015.  The following table summarizes the notional amount, carrying value, and estimated fair value of the Company’s cash flow hedge derivative instruments used to hedge interest rates as of March 31, 2015.  The notional amount represents the aggregate amount of a particular security that is currently hedged at one time, but does not represent exposure to credit, interest rates or market risks.  The table also includes a sensitivity analysis to demonstrate the impact on the Company’s derivative instruments from an increase or decrease in 10-year Treasury bill interest rates by 50 basis points, as of March 31, 2015.

 
 
 
 
 
Carrying and
 
Estimated Carrying Value
 
Notional
 
Maturity
 
Estimated
 
50
 
-50
(in thousands)
Amount
 
Date Range
 
Fair Value
 
Basis Points
 
Basis Points
Cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Interest rate swaps
$
225,000

 
2016-2017
 
$
(2,169
)
 
$
(433
)
 
$
(3,187
)
Interest rate caps
149,475

 
2015-2020
 

 
73

 

Total cash flow hedges
$
374,475

 
2015-2020
 
$
(2,169
)
 
$
(360
)
 
$
(3,187
)

Additionally, the Company has a total return swap, which does not qualify for hedge accounting, with a notional amount of $114.4 million and a carrying value and fair value of $5 thousand at March 31, 2015.

Interest Rate Sensitive Liabilities

The Company is exposed to interest rate changes primarily as a result of its lines of credit and long-term tax exempt variable rate debt and unsecured term debt.  The Company’s interest rate risk management objective is to limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and to lower its overall borrowing costs. To achieve its objectives the Company borrows primarily at fixed rates and may enter into derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps, caps and treasury locks in order to mitigate its interest rate risk on a related financial instrument. The Company does not enter into derivative or interest rate transactions for speculative purposes.



32


The Company’s interest rate risk is monitored using a variety of techniques. The table below presents the principal amounts and weighted average interest rates by year of expected maturity to evaluate the expected cash flows.
 
For the Years Ended
2015
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
Fair value
(in thousands, except for interest rates)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed rate debt
$
74,177

 
191,481

 
538,683

 
320,080

 
630,801

 
3,062,325

 
$
4,817,547

 
$
5,093,756

Average interest rate
5.1
%
 
4.6
%
 
3.3
%
 
5.5
%
 
4.3
%
 
4.1
%
 
4.2
%
 
 

Variable rate debt
$

 
200,038

(1) 
25,495

(1) 
541

 
10,592

 
280,403

(2) (3) 
$
517,069

 
$
513,016

Average interest rate

 
2.1
%
 
2.1
%
 
2.5

 
1.8
%
 
1.7
%
 
1.9
%
 
 

 
(1)
$225.0 million subject to interest rate swap agreements.
(2)
$149.5 million subject to interest rate caps.
(3)
$114.4 million subject to total return swap.

The table incorporates only those exposures that exist as of March 31, 2015; it does not consider those exposures or positions that could arise after that date. As a result, our ultimate realized gain or loss, with respect to interest rate fluctuations and hedging strategies would depend on the exposures that arise prior to settlement.

Item 4: Controls and Procedures

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

As of March 31, 2015, Essex carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including Essex’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)).  Based upon that evaluation, Essex’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of March 31, 2015, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by Essex in the reports that Essex files or submit under the Exchange Act was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms and that such disclosure controls and procedures were also effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to Essex’s management, including Essex’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There were no changes in Essex’s internal control over financial reporting, that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2015, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Essex’s internal control over financial reporting.

Essex Portfolio, L.P.

As of March 31, 2015, the Operating Partnership carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)).  Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of March 31, 2015, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Operating Partnership in the reports that the Operating Partnership files or submit under the Exchange Act was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms and that such disclosure controls and procedures were also effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Operating Partnership’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There were no changes in the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting, that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2015, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.
 

33


Part II -- Other Information

Item 1: Legal Proceedings

The Company is subject to various lawsuits in the normal course of its business operations.  Such lawsuits could, but are not expected to, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

The Company purchases general liability and all risk property, including loss of rent, insurance coverage for each of its communities. The Company also purchases limited earthquake, terrorism, environmental and flood insurance. There are certain types of losses which may not be covered or could exceed coverage limits. The insurance are subject to deductibles and self-insured retentions in varying amounts. The Company utilizes a wholly owned insurance subsidiary, Pacific Western Insurance LLC (“PWI”) to self-insure certain earthquake and all risk losses. As of March 31, 2015, PWI has cash and marketable securities of approximately $59.6 million, and is consolidated in the Company's financial statements.

Item 1A: Risk Factors

There were no material changes to the Risk Factors disclosed in Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as filed with the SEC and available at www.sec.gov.
Item 2: Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities; Essex Portfolio, L.P.

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Operating Partnership issued partnership units in private placements in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, in the amounts and for the consideration set forth below:

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, Essex Property Trust, Inc. issued an aggregate of 936,904 of its common stock upon the exercise of stock options, the vesting of restricted stock awards and the issuances of common stock into the public market pursuant to its equity distribution program.  Essex Property Trust, Inc. contributed the proceeds from the option exercises and issuances of common stock pursuant to its equity distribution of $199.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 to our Operating Partnership in exchange for an aggregate of 936,904 common operating partnership units ("common units"), as required by the Operating Partnership’s partnership agreement.


34


Item 5: Other Information

None.


35


Item 6: Exhibits
 
A. Exhibits
 
3.2
Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of Essex Property Trust, Inc. (as of February 24, 2015), attached as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 2, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference.


 
 
4.1
Indenture, dated March 17, 2015, among Essex Portfolio, L.P., Essex Property Trust, Inc., and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, including the form of 3.500% Senior Notes due 2025 and the guarantee thereof, attached as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 17, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference.


 
 
10.1
Fifth Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of January 22, 2015, by and among Essex Portfolio, L.P., PNC Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent and L/C Issuer and other lenders party thereto, attached as Exhibit 10.27 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed March 2, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference.

 
 
12.1
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
 
 
31.1
Certification of Michael J. Schall, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
31.2
Certification of Michael T. Dance, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
31.3
Certification of Michael J. Schall,  Principal Executive Officer of General Partner, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
31.4
Certification of Michael T. Dance, Principal Financial Officer of General Partner, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
32.1
Certification of Michael J. Schall, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
32.2
Certification of Michael T. Dance, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
32.3
Certification of Michael J. Schall, Principal Executive Officer of General Partner, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
32.4
Certification of Michael T. Dance, Principal Financial Officer of General Partner, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

36


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
                    
 
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
Date: May 8, 2015
 
 
 
By:  /S/ MICHAEL T. DANCE
 
 
 
Michael T. Dance
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
(Authorized Officer, Principal Financial Officer)

 
Date: May 8, 2015
 
 
 
By:  /S/ JOHN FARIAS
 
 
 
John Farias
 
Group Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer

 
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P.
By Essex Property Trust, Inc., its general partner
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
Date: May 8, 2015
 
 
 
By:  /S/ MICHAEL T. DANCE
 
 
 
Michael T. Dance
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
(Authorized Officer, Principal Financial Officer)

 
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P.
By Essex Property Trust, Inc., its general partner
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
Date: May 8, 2015
 
 
 
By:  /S/ JOHN FARIAS
 
 
 
John Farias
 
Group Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer


37