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Organization (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands |  | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Apr. 01, 2014 USD ($) $ / shares shares | Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) community building apartment project shares | Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) shares | Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] |  |  |  |
General partner ownership interest (in hundredths) |  | 96.70% | 96.70% |
Limited partner - ownership percentage |  | 3.30% | 3.30% |
Operating Partnership units outstanding (in shares) | shares |  | 2,237,290 | 2,214,545 |
Redemption value of Operating Partnership units outstanding | $ |  | $ 520,200 | $ 530,200 |
Number of apartment communities owned | community |  | 245 |  |
Apartment units owned | apartment |  | 59,645 |  |
Ownership interests, number of commercial buildings | building |  | 2 |  |
Ownership interests, number of active development projects | project |  | 6 |  |
Business Acquisition [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Acquisition and investment related costs | $ |  | $ 1,841 | $ 2,414 | $ 1,878
Share price | $ 174 |  |  |
Share price after deducting special dividend and cash consideration | $ 164 |  |  |
BRE Properties, Inc. [Member] |  |  |  |
Business Acquisition [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Common shares conversion ratio in connection with merger | shares | 0.2971 |  |  |
Share price (in dollars per share) | $ 7.18 |  |  |
Acquisition and investment related costs | $ | $ 4,300,000 |  |  |
Special dividend declared per share | $ 5.15 |  |  |
Cash consideration per share before special dividend | $ 12.33 |  |  |
Common stock issued as consideration by general partner in merger (in shares) | shares | 23,100,000 |  |  |
Share price | $ 61 |  |  |
Share price after deducting special dividend and cash consideration | $ 48.67 |  |  |

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