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Co-investments - Summary of Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 9 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |
Co-investments | $ 1,088,332 | $ 1,161,275
Total operating and other co-investments, net [Member] |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |
Co-investments | 777,209 | 781,905
Membership Interest In CPPIB [Member] |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |
Co-investments | $ 502,419 | 422,068
Weighted Average Essex Ownership Percentage | 54.00% |
Membership interest in Wesco I, III, IV, and V [Member] |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |
Co-investments | $ 225,041 | 180,687
Weighted Average Essex Ownership Percentage | 50.00% |
Membership Interest In Palm Valley [Member] |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |
Co-investments | $ 0 | 68,396
Weighted Average Essex Ownership Percentage | 50.00% |
Membership interest in BEXAEW [Member] |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |
Co-investments | $ 45,523 | 47,963
Weighted Average Essex Ownership Percentage | 50.00% |
BEX II [Member] |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |
Co-investments | $ (36,245) | 19,078
Weighted Average Essex Ownership Percentage | 50.00% |
Membership In Other [Member] |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |
Co-investments | $ 40,471 | 43,713
Weighted Average Essex Ownership Percentage | 53.00% |
Total development co-investments, net [Member] |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |
Co-investments | $ 85,670 | 157,317
Weighted Average Essex Ownership Percentage | 50.00% |
Total preferred interest co-investments [Member] |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |
Co-investments | $ 225,453 | 222,053
Total preferred interest co-investments [Member] | Investments in Majority-owned Subsidiaries [Member] |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |
Co-investments | $ 20,700 | $ 35,900

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