Companies: 10,651     total market cap: โ‚ฌ118.054 T
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Essex Property Trust
ESS
#1293
Rank
โ‚ฌ14.67 B
Marketcap
๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ United States
Country
212,48ย โ‚ฌ
Share price
0.80%
Change (1 day)
-20.04%
Change (1 year)
๐Ÿ  Real estate๐Ÿ’ฐ Investment
Categories
Essex Property Trust is a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) that invests in apartments, primarily on the West Coast of the United States.
  1. Essex Property Trust
  2. Annual Reports (10-K)
  3. Financial Year 2020

Essex Property Trust - 10-K annual report 2020


Text size:
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-K

 
(MARK ONE)

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020

OR

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

For the transition period from ___________ to _____________

001-13106 (Essex Property Trust, Inc.)
333-44467-01 (Essex Portfolio, L.P.)
(Commission File Number)

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Maryland77-0369576
 (Essex Property Trust, Inc.)(Essex Property Trust, Inc.)
California77-0369575
(Essex Portfolio, L.P.)(Essex Portfolio, L.P.)
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

1100 Park Place, Suite 200
San Mateo, California 94403
(Address of Principal Executive Offices including Zip Code)
(650) 655-7800
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 
Title of each classTrading
Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.0001 par value (Essex Property Trust, Inc.)ESSNew York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Essex Property Trust, Inc.Yes☒No☐Essex Portfolio, L.P.Yes☐No☒
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Essex Property Trust, Inc.Yes☐No☒Essex Portfolio, L.P.Yes☐No☒

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 such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Essex Property Trust, Inc.Yes☒No☐Essex Portfolio, L.P.Yes☒No☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).
Essex Property Trust, Inc.Yes☒No☐Essex Portfolio, L.P.Yes☒No☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. 

Essex Property Trust, Inc.:
Large accelerated filer ☒Accelerated filer ☐Non-accelerated filer ☐Smaller reporting company☐
Emerging growth company☐

Essex Portfolio, L.P.:
Large accelerated filer ☐Accelerated filer ☐Non-accelerated filer ☒Smaller reporting company☐
Emerging growth company☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Essex Property Trust, Inc.☐Essex Portfolio, L.P.☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.
Essex Property Trust, Inc.☒Essex Portfolio, L.P.☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Essex Property Trust, Inc.Yes☐No☒Essex Portfolio, L.P.Yes☐No☒

As of June 30, 2020, the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of Essex Property Trust, Inc. was $14,874,979,309. The aggregate market value was computed with reference to the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange on the last trading day preceding such date. Shares of common stock held by executive officers, directors and holders of more than ten percent of the outstanding common stock have been excluded from this calculation because such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This exclusion does not reflect a determination that such persons are affiliates for any other purposes. There is no public trading market for the common units of Essex Portfolio, L.P. As a result, the aggregate market value of the common units held by non-affiliates of Essex Portfolio, L.P. cannot be determined.

As of February 17, 2021, 64,994,503 shares of common stock ($.0001 par value) of Essex Property Trust, Inc. were outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") pursuant to Regulation 14A in connection with the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders of Essex Property Trust, Inc. are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Such Proxy Statement will be filed with the SEC within 120 days of December 31, 2020.



EXPLANATORY NOTE

This report combines the annual reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 of Essex Property Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation, and Essex Portfolio, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership of which Essex Property Trust, Inc. is the sole general partner.

Unless stated otherwise or the context otherwise requires, references to the "Company," "we," "us," or "our" mean collectively Essex Property Trust, Inc. and those entities/subsidiaries owned or controlled by Essex Property Trust, Inc., including Essex Portfolio, L.P., and references to the "Operating Partnership," or "EPLP" mean Essex Portfolio, L.P. and those entities/subsidiaries owned or controlled by Essex Portfolio, L.P. Unless stated otherwise or the context otherwise requires, references to "Essex" mean Essex Property Trust, Inc., not including any of its subsidiaries.

Essex operates as a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust ("REIT"), and is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership. As of December 31, 2020, Essex owned approximately 96.6% of the ownership interest in the Operating Partnership with the remaining 3.4% interest owned by limited partners. As the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership, Essex has exclusive control of the Operating Partnership'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 Operating Partnership limited partnership units ("OP Units," and the holders of such OP Units, "Unitholders") equal to the number of shares of common stock it has issued in the equity offerings. Contributions of properties to the Company can be structured as tax-deferred transactions through the issuance of OP Units, which is one of the reasons why the Company is structured in the manner outlined above. Based on the terms of the Operating Partnership's partnership agreement, OP Units can be exchanged into Essex common stock on a one-for-one basis. The Company maintains a one-for-one relationship between the OP Units issued to Essex and shares of common stock.

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

•enhances investors' understanding of Essex 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 Essex and the Operating Partnership; and
•creates time and cost efficiencies through the preparation of one combined report instead of two separate reports.

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

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 the Operating Partnership. Essex's primary function is acting as the general partner of the Operating Partnership. As general partner with control of the Operating Partnership, Essex consolidates the Operating Partnership for financial reporting purposes. Therefore, the assets and liabilities of Essex 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 the Operating Partnership, 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 co-investments. 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 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 of capital 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 co-investments.

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

To help investors understand the significant differences between Essex and the Operating Partnership, this report provides separate consolidated financial statements for Essex 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 II, Item 9A. Controls and Procedures sections and separate Exhibits 31 and 32 certifications for each of Essex and the Operating Partnership in order to establish that the requisite certifications have been made and that Essex and the Operating Partnership are compliant with Rule 13a-15 or Rule 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and 18 U.S.C. §1350.

In order to highlight the differences between Essex and the Operating Partnership, the separate sections in this report for Essex and the Operating Partnership specifically refer to Essex and the Operating Partnership. In the sections that combine disclosure of Essex 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 co-investments 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 Essex 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 consolidated balance sheets, statements of income, 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 consolidated financial statements for the periods and are normal and recurring in nature, except as otherwise noted.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes to such consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations herein.
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ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P.
2020 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part I. Page
Item 1.
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Item 1A.
11
Item 1B.
32
Item 2.
33
Item 3.
40
Item 4.
40
Part II.  
Item 5.
41
Item 6.
45
Item 7.
46
Item 7A.
59
Item 8.
60
Item 9.
61
Item 9A.
61
Item 9B.
62
Part III.  
Item 10.
63
Item 11.
63
Item 12.
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Item 13.
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Item 14.
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Part IV. 
Item 15.
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Item 16.
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S-1

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PART I
Forward-Looking Statements
 
•This Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and Section 21E of the Exchange Act.  Such forward-looking statements are described in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, "Forward-Looking Statements."  Actual results could differ materially from those set forth in each forward-looking statement.  Certain factors that might cause such a difference are discussed in this report, including in Item 1A, Risk Factors of this Form 10-K.

Risk Factors Summary

The following is a summary of the principal risks that could adversely affect our business, operating results, cash flows and financial conditions.

Risks Related to Our Real Estate Investments and Operations
•General real estate investment risks may adversely affect property income and values.
•Short-term leases expose us to the effects of declining market rents, and the Company may be unable to renew leases or relet units as leases expire.
•National and regional economic environments can negatively impact the Company’s liquidity and operating results.
Rent control, or other changes in applicable laws, or noncompliance with applicable laws, could adversely affect the Company's operations or expose us to liability.
•The current COVID-19 pandemic, or the future outbreak of other highly infectious or contagious diseases, and the timing and effectiveness of vaccine distribution, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
•Acquisition of communities as well as development and redevelopment activities each involve various risks and may be delayed, not completed, and/or not achieve expected results.
•Our apartment communities may be subject to unknown or contingent liabilities which could cause us to incur substantial costs, including environmental liabilities or general uninsured losses.
•The geographic concentration of the Company’s communities and fluctuations in local markets may adversely impact the Company’s financial condition and operating results.
•The Company may experience various increased costs, including increased property taxes or costs associated with complying with legislation, to own and maintain its properties.
•Competition in the apartment community market and other housing alternatives may adversely affect operations and the rental demand for the Company’s communities.
•Investments in mortgages, mezzanine loans, subordinated debt, other real estate, and other marketable securities could adversely affect the Company’s cash flow from operations.
•The Company’s ownership of co-investments could limit the Company’s ability to control such communities and may restrict our ability to finance, sell or otherwise transfer our interests in these properties and expose us to loss of the properties if such agreements are breached by us or terminated.
•We may pursue acquisitions of other REITs and real estate companies, which may not yield anticipated results and could adversely affect our results of operations.
•Real estate investments are relatively illiquid and, therefore, the Company's ability to vary its portfolio promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions may be limited.
•The Company may not be able to lease its retail/commercial space consistent with its projections or at market rates.
•Climate change may adversely affect our business.
•Accidental death or severe injuries at our communities due to fires, floods, other natural disasters or hazards could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
•Adverse changes in laws may adversely affect the Company's liabilities and/or operating costs relating to its properties and its operations.
•Failure to succeed in new markets may limit the Company’s growth.
•Our business and reputation depend on our ability to continue providing high quality housing and consistent operation of our communities, the failure of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
•We rely on information technology in our operations, and any material failure, inadequacy, interruption or breach of the Company’s privacy or information security systems, or those of our vendors or other third parties, could materially adversely affect the Company’s business and financial condition.
•Reliance on third party software providers to host systems critical to our operations and to provide the Company with data.
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Risks Relating to Our Indebtedness and Financings
•Capital and credit market conditions may affect the Company’s access to sources of capital and/or the cost of capital, which could negatively affect the Company’s business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. Debt financing has inherent risks, and may result in insufficient cash flow to service debt and fund distributions.
•The indentures governing our notes and other financing arrangements contain restrictive covenants that limit our operating flexibility.
•A downgrade in the Company's investment grade credit rating could materially and adversely affect its business and financial condition.
•The Company could be negatively impacted by the condition of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and by changes in government support for multifamily housing.

Risks Related to Personnel
•The Company depends on its key personnel, whose continued service is not guaranteed.
•The Company’s Chairman is involved in other real estate activities and investments, which may lead to conflicts of interest.
•The influence of executive officers, directors and significant stockholders may be detrimental to holders of common stock.

Risks Related to Taxes and REIT Status
•Failure to generate sufficient revenue or other liquidity needs could limit cash flow available for distributions to Essex's stockholders or the Operating Partnership's unitholders.
•The Maryland Business Combination Act and the Company’s governing documents may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or change in control of the Company that might involve a premium price for the Company's stock or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders.
•Loss of the Company's REIT status would have significant adverse consequences to the Company and the value of the Company's common stock.
•The tax imposed on REITs engaging in "prohibited transactions" may limit the Company’s ability to engage in transactions which would be treated as sales for federal income tax purposes.
•Dividends payable by REITs may be taxed at higher rates than dividends of non-REIT corporations, which could reduce the net cash received by stockholders and may be detrimental to the Company’s ability to raise additional funds through any future sale of its stock.

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Item 1. Business

OVERVIEW

Essex Property Trust, Inc. ("Essex"), a Maryland corporation, is an S&P 500 company that operates as a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust ("REIT"). Essex owns all of its interest in its real estate and other investments directly or indirectly through Essex Portfolio, L.P. (the "Operating Partnership" or "EPLP"). Essex is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership and as of December 31, 2020, had an approximately 96.6% general partnership interest in the Operating Partnership. In this report, the terms the "Company," "we," "us," and "our" also refer to Essex Property Trust, Inc., the Operating Partnership and those entities/subsidiaries owned or controlled by Essex and/or the Operating Partnership.

Essex has elected to be treated as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, commencing with the year ended December 31, 1994. Essex completed its initial public offering on June 13, 1994. In order to maintain compliance with REIT tax rules, the Company utilizes taxable REIT subsidiaries for various revenue generating or investment activities. All taxable REIT subsidiaries are consolidated by the Company for financial reporting purposes.

The Company is engaged primarily in the ownership, operation, management, acquisition, development and redevelopment of predominantly apartment communities, located along the West Coast of the United States. As of December 31, 2020, the Company owned or had ownership interests in 246 operating apartment communities, aggregating 60,272 apartment homes, excluding the Company's ownership in preferred equity co-investments, loan investments, one operating commercial building, and a development pipeline comprised of three consolidated projects and three unconsolidated joint venture projects aggregating 1,853 apartment homes (collectively, the "Portfolio").

The Company’s website address is http://www.essex.com. The Company’s annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports, and the Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders are available, free of charge, on its website as soon as practicable after the Company files the reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The information contained on the Company's website shall not be deemed to be incorporated into this report.

BUSINESS STRATEGIES

The following is a discussion of the Company’s business strategies in regards to real estate investment and management.

Business Strategies

Research Driven Approach to Investments – The Company believes that successful real estate investment decisions and portfolio growth begin with extensive regional economic research and local market knowledge. The Company continually assesses markets where the Company operates, as well as markets where the Company considers future investment opportunities by evaluating markets and focusing on the following strategic criteria:

•Major metropolitan areas that have regional population in excess of one million;
•Constraints on new supply driven by: (i) low availability of developable land sites where competing housing could be economically built; (ii) political growth barriers, such as protected land, urban growth boundaries, and potential lengthy and expensive development permit processes; and (iii) natural limitations to development, such as mountains or waterways;
•Rental demand enhanced by affordability of rents relative to costs of for-sale housing; and
•Housing demand based on job growth, proximity to jobs, high median incomes and the quality of life including related commuting factors.

Recognizing that all real estate markets are cyclical, the Company regularly evaluates the results of its regional economic, and local market research, and adjusts the geographic focus of its portfolio accordingly. The Company seeks to increase its portfolio allocation in markets projected to have the strongest local economies and to decrease allocations in markets projected to have declining economic conditions. Likewise, the Company also seeks to increase its portfolio allocation in markets that have attractive property valuations and to decrease allocations in markets that have inflated valuations and low relative yields.

Property Operations – The Company manages its communities by focusing on activities that may generate above-average rental growth, tenant retention/satisfaction and long-term asset appreciation.  The Company intends to achieve this by utilizing the strategies set forth below:

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•Property Management – Oversee delivery and quality of the housing provided to our tenants and manage the properties financial performance.
•Capital Preservation – The Company's asset management services are responsible for the planning, budgeting and completion of major capital improvement projects at the Company’s communities.
•Business Planning and Control – Comprehensive business plans are implemented in conjunction with significant investment decisions. These plans include benchmarks for future financial performance based on collaborative discussions between on-site managers, the operations leadership team, and senior management.
•Development and Redevelopment – The Company focuses on acquiring and developing apartment communities in supply constrained markets, and redeveloping its existing communities to improve the financial and physical aspects of the Company’s communities.

CURRENT BUSINESS ACTIVITIES

Acquisitions of Real Estate Interests

Acquisitions are an important component of the Company’s business plan. The table below summarizes acquisition activity for the year ended December 31, 2020 ($ in millions):

Property NameLocationApartment HomesEssex Ownership PercentageOwnershipQuarter in 2020Purchase Price
CPPIB Portfolio(1)
Various2,020 100 %EPLPQ1$463.4 
Total 20202,020    $463.4 

(1)In January 2020, the Company purchased the joint venture partner's 45% membership interest in a land parcel and six communities representing 2,020 apartment homes based on a total valuation of approximately $1.0 billion.


Dispositions of Real Estate

As part of its strategic plan to own quality real estate in supply-constrained markets, the Company continually evaluates all of its communities and sells those which no longer meet its strategic criteria. The Company may use the capital generated from the dispositions to invest in higher-return communities or other real estate investments, or to repay debts. The Company believes that the sale of these communities will not have a material impact on its future results of operations or cash flows nor will their sale materially affect its ongoing operations. In general, the Company seeks to offset the dilutive impact on long-term earnings and funds from operations from these dispositions through the positive impact of reinvestment of proceeds.

In June 2020, the Company completed a portfolio sale which consisted of two apartment communities with 429 apartment homes, One South Market and Museum Park, both located in San Jose, CA, for a total contract price of $232.0 million, resulting in a gain of $16.6 million for the Company.

In July 2020, the Company sold Delano, a 126 apartment home community located in Redmond, WA, for a total contract price of $51.5 million. The Company recognized a $22.7 million gain on sale.

In October 2020, the Company sold 416 on Broadway, a 115 apartment home community located in Glendale, CA, for a total contract price of $60.0 million. The Company recognized a $25.7 million gain on sale.


Development Pipeline

The Company defines development projects as new communities that are being constructed, or are newly constructed and are in a phase of lease-up and have not yet reached stabilized operations. As of December 31, 2020, the Company's development pipeline was comprised of three consolidated projects under development and three unconsolidated joint venture projects under development aggregating 1,853 apartment homes, with total incurred costs of $948.0 million, and estimated remaining project costs of approximately $174.0 million, $118.0 million of which represents the Company's estimated remaining costs, for total estimated project costs of $1.1 billion.
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The Company defines predevelopment projects as proposed communities in negotiation or in the entitlement process with an expected high likelihood of becoming entitled development projects. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had various consolidated predevelopment projects. The Company may also acquire land for future development purposes or sale.

The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s development pipeline ($ in millions):

   As of
12/31/2020
   EssexEstimatedIncurredEstimated
Development PipelineLocationOwnership%Apartment Homes
Project Cost (1)
Project Cost(1)
Development Projects - Consolidated 
Station Park Green - Phase IVSan Mateo, CA100%107 66 94 
MyloSanta Clara, CA100%476 213 226 
Wallace on Sunset (2)
Hollywood, CA100%200 97 116 
Total Development Projects - Consolidated  783 376 436 
Development Projects - Joint Venture     
Patina at MidtownSan Jose, CA50%269 135 148 
500 Folsom (3)
San Francisco, CA50%537 400 415 
Scripps Mesa Apartments (3)
San Diego, CA51%264 16 102 
Total Development Projects - Joint Venture   1,070 551 665 
Predevelopment Projects - Consolidated     
Other ProjectsVarious100%— 21 21 
Total - Consolidated Predevelopment Projects  — 21 21 
Grand Total - Development and Predevelopment Pipeline  1,853 $948 $1,122 

(1)Includes costs related to the entire project, including both the Company's and joint venture partners' costs. Includes incurred costs and estimated costs to complete these development projects. For predevelopment projects, only incurred costs are included in estimated costs.
(2)Incurred and estimated project costs for this development is net of cost incurred on the adjacent theatre at the property.
(3)Estimated project cost for this development is net of a projected value for low-income housing tax credit proceeds and the value of the tax exempt bond structure.

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 homes may not be available for rent and, as a result, the related apartment community may have less than stabilized operations. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had ownership interests in three major redevelopment communities aggregating 1,112 apartment homes with estimated redevelopment costs of $109.1 million, of which approximately $4.5 million remains to be expended.

Long Term Debt

During 2020, the Company made regularly scheduled principal payments and loan payoffs of $316.2 million to its secured mortgage notes payable at an average interest rate of 4.4%.

In February 2020, the Operating Partnership issued $500.0 million of senior unsecured notes due on March 15, 2032, with a coupon rate of 2.650% (the "2032 Notes"), which are payable on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on September 15, 2020. The 2032 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 99.628% of par value. The 2032 Notes are general
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unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are unconditionally guaranteed by Essex. The Company used the net proceeds of this offering to repay indebtedness under its unsecured lines of credit, which had been used to fund the buyout of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board's ("CPPIB" or "CPP") 45.0% joint venture interests, as well as repay $100.3 million of secured debt during the quarter that ended March 31, 2020. In June 2020, the Operating Partnership issued an additional $150.0 million of the 2032 Notes at a price of 105.660% of par value, plus accrued interest from February 2020 up to, but not including, the date of delivery of the additional notes, with an effective yield of 2.093%. These additional notes have substantially identical terms as the 2032 Notes issued in February 2020. The proceeds were used to repay indebtedness under the Company's unsecured credit facilities and for other general corporate and working capital purposes.

In April 2020, the Company obtained a $200.0 million unsecured term loan with a one-year maturity and two 12-month extension options, exercisable at the Company’s option. The unsecured term loan bears a variable interest rate of the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus 1.20% and the proceeds were used to repay all remaining consolidated debt maturing in 2020.

In August 2020, the Operating Partnership issued $600.0 million of senior unsecured notes, consisting of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount due on January 15, 2031 with a coupon rate of 1.650% (the “2031 Notes”) and $300.0 million aggregate principal amount due on September 1, 2050 with a coupon rate of 2.650% (the “2050 Notes” and together with the 2031 Notes, the “Notes”). The 2031 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 99.035% of par value and the 2050 Notes at 99.691% of par value. Interest is payable on the 2031 Notes semiannually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on January 15, 2021. Interest is payable on the 2050 Notes semiannually on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning on March 1, 2021. The Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are unconditionally guaranteed by Essex. The Company used the net proceeds of this offering to repay debt maturities, including certain unsecured private placement notes, secured mortgage notes, and to fund the redemption of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of
its outstanding 3.625% senior unsecured notes due August 2022, and for other general corporate and working capital purposes.

Bank Debt

As of December 31, 2020, Moody’s Investor Service and Standard and Poor's ("S&P") credit agencies rated Essex Property Trust, Inc. and Essex Portfolio, L.P. Baa1/Stable and BBB+/Stable, respectively.

At December 31, 2020, the Company had two unsecured lines of credit aggregating $1.24 billion. The Company's $1.2 billion credit facility had an interest rate of LIBOR plus 0.825%, with a scheduled maturity date in December 2023 with one 18-month extension, exercisable at the Company's option. The Company's $35.0 million working capital unsecured line of credit had an interest rate of LIBOR plus 0.825%, with a scheduled maturity date in February 2023.

Equity Transactions

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company did not issue any shares of common stock through its equity distribution program. As of December 31, 2020, there were no outstanding forward sale agreements, and $826.6 million of shares remain available to be sold under this program.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company repurchased and retired 1,197,190 shares totaling $269.3 million, including commissions. In each of May and December 2020, the board of directors approved the replenishment of the stock repurchase plan such that, as of each of those dates, the Company had $250.0 million of purchase authority remaining under the replenished plan. As a result, as of December 31, 2020, the Company had $223.6 million of purchase authority remaining under its $250.0 million stock repurchase plan.

Co-investments

The Company has entered into, and may continue in the future to enter into, joint ventures or partnerships (including limited liability companies) through which we own an indirect economic interest in less than 100% of the community or land or other investments owned directly by the joint venture or partnership. For each joint venture the Company holds a non-controlling interest in the venture and earns customary management fees and may earn development fees, asset property management fees, and a promote interest.

The Company has also made, and may continue in the future to make, preferred equity investments in various multifamily development projects. The Company earns a preferred rate of return on these investments.
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HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

Company Overview and Values

The Company is headquartered in San Mateo, CA, and has regional offices in Woodland Hills, CA; Irvine, CA; San Diego, CA and Bellevue, WA. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had 1,799 employees, ninety-eight percent (98%) of which were full-time employees, and of which 1,483 employees worked in operations and 316 were employed in the corporate offices. The Company's mission is to create quality communities in premier locations and it is critical to the Company's mission that it attracts, trains and retains a talented and diverse team by providing a better place to work and significant opportunities for professional growth. The Company's culture supports its mission and is guided by its core values: to act with integrity, to care about what matters, to do right with urgency, to lead at every level and to seek fairness. The Company seeks to reinforce those values within its workforce.

Workplace Diversity

The Company undertakes a wide spectrum of initiatives to support a diverse workforce particularly in regards to ethnic, gender and age diversity as well as fair treatment of all our associates. The Company has one of the most diverse workforces among its peers in the real estate industry. As of December 31, 2020, the Company's workforce was approximately 44% Hispanic or Latino, 29% White, 12% Asian, 7% Black or African American, 1% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 1% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 6% two or more races. As of December 31, 2020, the Company's workforce was 42% female and 58% male, of which corporate associates were 54% female and on-site operational associates were 40% female. The Company had 365 females in positions of manager or higher, representing 67% of managerial positions. The tables below detail the gender representation by position in the Company and the age diversity of its workforce.

The Company recently implemented additional training programs as well as employee committees to strengthen and further promote diversity, equal opportunity, and fair treatment for all Company associates. In 2019, the Company formed the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, whose chairperson reports directly to the CEO on the Committee’s activities, and further expanded the initiatives and members in 2020. In 2020 the Company formed Women at Essex, an employee-led affinity group, fostering a sense of community and inclusion for a diverse mix of women and men at the Company through discussions and activities that are intended to engage, educate, enable, and empower the Company's employees. All associates are offered training aimed at preventing workplace harassment, including harassment based on age, gender or ethnicity. In 2020, the Company provided 2,850 hours of training covering the foundations of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and awareness of unconscious bias in the workplace. Additionally, the Company implemented Diversity, Equity & Inclusion listening sessions where associates were invited to engage with one another through sharing personal and professional experiences involving diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering a more positive and inclusive environment throughout the Company.

The Company is committed to pay equity and conducts a pay equity analysis on an annual basis. The Company's pay equity analysis for 2020 indicated a zero percent (0%) pay gap between men and women.

The Company was awarded the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts’ (“NAREIT"), which is the leading REIT industry association, Diversity and Inclusion Corporate Recognition Award for 2020. This annual recognition is designed to recognize strong commitments and outstanding contributions to the advancement of diversity and inclusion within our Company, our professional network, and in the REIT community

Gender Representation by Position2020
Male #Female #Male %Female %
Corporate - Top Executives, VPs, Assistant VPs, Directors, & Managers636549%51%
Corporate - Below manager position8210644%56%
Field - Regional Directors/Managers, Community Managers and Assistant Managers11429928%72%
Field - Leasing Specialists, Leasing Managers, Relationship Reps, Bookkeepers10919136%64%
Field - Maintenance Supervisors and Techs5621098%2%
Field - Porter, Landscaper, Painter, Security Guard, Amenities Attendant1108856%44%

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Total Workforce by
Age Group
2020
#
%
<= 25
180
10%
26-35
544
30%
36-45
426
24%
46-55
375
21%
56-65
232
13%
> 65
42
2%

Training and Development

The Company values leadership at every level and demonstrates such value with respect to its associates by providing opportunities for all associates to develop personal and professional skills and by offering programs to encourage employee retention and advancement. In 2020, over 50,000 hours of training and development programs were provided to associates, with our investment in training totaling almost $400,000. These programs include: leadership training, communication training, individual learning plans, Community Manager and Maintenance Manager training, The Berkeley Executive Leadership Program, and mentorship programs. Since its introduction in 2018, over 1,500 on-site associates have participated in our Steps to Success career development program, a learning program that supports associates with their career growth by providing the fundamental knowledge required for success in a particular specialty. Additionally, the Company provides its associates with outside educational benefits by offering an annual $3,000 tuition reimbursement to further support professional growth. To identify, retain and reward top performers, the Company offers a tenure program, which involves a cash gift for every five years of service, as well as excellence awards and a spot bonus recognition program to reward associates for good teamwork, good ideas and good service. The Company encourages internal promotions and hiring for open positions. In 2020, the Company promoted 10% of its employees to higher positions in the Company. Additionally, the Company engages in succession planning for its leadership and managerial positions and its executive team identifies and mentors the Company's top talent in order to ensure strong leadership at the Company for the future.

Employee Well-Being

The Company's compensation and benefits program and safety practices further reinforce its commitment to investing in the well-being of its associates while ensuring that its employees are fairly incentivized to ensure fulfillment of the Company’s mission. The Company offers competitive compensation and a standard suite of benefits, including health insurance, a retirement plan with a $6,000 annual matching benefit, life and disability coverage, and commuter benefits. Additionally, the Company offers a housing discount for associates that live at Company communities, and additionally offers retirement support, associate discount programs, and health benefit credits for participation in wellness programs. The Company engages in an annual compensation study to ensure that its compensation is aligned with market standards and that the Company is appropriately compensating its top performers. In 2019, the Company accomplished its goal of raising the minimum wage for all associates to $15 per hour.

Providing a safe working environment and ensuring employee safety is imperative to the Company. The Company has safety policies in place that coincide with an Injury & Illness Prevention Program, which seeks to prevent workplace accidents and protect the health and safety of the Company's associates. In 2020, the Company provided safety training to Community Managers, Maintenance Supervisors, and Maintenance Technicians on topics including Industrial Safety and Health, Confined Space Awareness, Electrical Safety and Protection, Active Shooter Event, Fire Extinguishing, Safety Data Sheets, Safe Lifting the E-Way, Ladder Safety, and Heat Stress in the Workplace.

As an essential business operating in 2020, the Company's on-site teams supported its residents by providing administrative, operational and maintenance assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to best protect and support the Company's associates working on-site, the Company spent over $4.1 million on new COVID-19 related protocols and other costs. The Company undertook various COVID-19 safety measures, including implementing work from home where possible, purchasing personal protective equipment and establishing physical distancing and other health safety procedures for its on-site employees, providing paid leave to employees affected by COVID-19, increasing cleaning protocols at its sites and offices, prohibiting all non-essential work-related travel, requiring masks to be worn at all offices and when entering resident homes, and providing regular communication about COVID-19 impacts and protocols to its associates. Keeping the Company's associates healthy and safe continues to be critical, and the Company hopes its actions contributed toward minimizing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Community and Social Impact
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The Company believes volunteering can create positive change in the communities where our associates live and work and that the Company's commitment to giving back helps it attract and retain associates. The Company's Essex Volunteer Program is aimed at supporting and encouraging eligible associates to become actively involved in their communities through the Company's support of charity initiatives and offering paid hours for volunteer time. Additionally, in 2020 the Company established the Essex Cares program for the purpose of supporting the Company’s residents and communities that are experiencing financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic

Essex raised over $400,000 through employee and director contributions and the Company committed $3,000,000, raising a total fund in 2020 of $3.4 million and began making donations to our residents in need. Additionally, in 2020, Essex established an Employee Emergency Relief Program, which is designed to provide contributions to employees and families experiencing hardships such as a death or disability.

Employee Engagement

In order to engage and promote communication with our associates and solicit meaningful feedback on our efforts to create a positive work environment, the Company has issued engagement surveys to all associates annually, and has begun transitioning to a shorter and more frequent pulse survey format in 2020. The results of the 2020 survey indicate that 93% of surveyed associates consider that their day-to-day work directly impacts the Company’s mission and vision, 91% believe that their opinions and ideas matter at Essex, and 93% feel that the Company supports diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.

INSURANCE

The Company purchases general liability and property insurance coverage, including loss of rent, 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 programs 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 property losses. As of December 31, 2020, PWI had cash and marketable securities of approximately $152.8 million, and is consolidated in the Company's financial statements.

All of the Company's communities are located in areas that are subject to earthquake activity. The Company evaluates its financial loss exposure to seismic events by using actuarial loss models developed by the insurance industry and in most cases property vulnerability analysis based on structural evaluations by seismic consultants. The Company manages this exposure, where considered appropriate, desirable, and cost-effective, by upgrading properties to increase their resistance to forces caused by seismic events, by considering available funds and coverages provided by PWI and/or by purchasing seismic insurance. In most cases the Company also purchases limited earthquake insurance for certain properties owned by the Company's co-investments.  
In addition, the Company carries other types of insurance coverage related to a variety of risks and exposures.  
Based on market conditions, the Company may change or potentially eliminate insurance coverages, or increase levels of self-insurance. Further, the Company may incur losses, which could be material, due to uninsured risks, deductibles and self-insured retentions, and/or losses in excess of coverage limits.
COMPETITION

There are numerous housing alternatives that compete with the Company’s communities in attracting tenants. These include other apartment communities, condominiums and single-family homes. If the demand for the Company’s communities is reduced or if competitors develop and/or acquire competing housing, rental rates and occupancy may drop which may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

The Company faces competition from other REITs, businesses and other entities in the acquisition, development and operation of apartment communities. Some competitors are larger and have greater financial resources than the Company. This competition may result in increased costs of apartment communities the Company acquires and/or develops.

WORKING CAPITAL

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The Company believes that cash flows generated by its operations, existing cash and cash equivalents, 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 its reasonably anticipated cash needs during 2021.

The timing, source and amounts of cash flows provided by financing activities and used in investing activities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, stock price, and other fluctuations in the capital markets environment, which can affect the Company’s plans for acquisitions, dispositions, development and redevelopment activities.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

See the discussion under the caption, "Risks Related to Real Estate Investments and Our Operations - The Company’s Portfolio may have environmental liabilities" in Item 1A, Risk Factors, for information concerning the potential effect of environmental regulations on its operations, which discussion is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.

OTHER MATTERS

Certain Policies of the Company

The Company intends to continue to operate in a manner that will not subject it to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Company may in the future (i) issue securities senior to its common stock, (ii) fund acquisition activities with borrowings under its line of credit and (iii) offer shares of common stock and/or units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership or affiliated partnerships as partial consideration for property acquisitions. The Company from time to time acquires partnership interests in partnerships and joint ventures, either directly or indirectly through subsidiaries of the Company, when such entities’ underlying assets are real estate.

The Company invests primarily in apartment communities that are located in predominantly coastal markets within Southern California, Northern California, and the Seattle metropolitan area. The Company currently intends to continue to invest in apartment communities in such regions. However, these practices may be reviewed and modified periodically by management.
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ITEM 1A: RISK FACTORS
For purposes of this section, the term "stockholders" means the holders of shares of Essex Property Trust, Inc.’s common stock. Set forth below are the risks that we believe are material to Essex Property Trust, Inc.’s stockholders and Essex Portfolio, L.P.’s unitholders. You should carefully consider the following factors in evaluating our Company, our properties and our business.
Our business, operating results, cash flows and financial condition are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, those set forth below, any one of which could cause our actual operating results to vary materially from recent results or from our anticipated future results.
Risks Related to Our Real Estate Investments and Operations

General real estate investment risks may adversely affect property income and values. Real estate investments are subject to a variety of risks. If the communities and other real estate investments do not generate sufficient income to meet operating expenses, including debt service and capital expenditures, cash flow and the ability to make distributions to Essex's stockholders or the Operating Partnership's unitholders will be adversely affected. Income from the communities may be further adversely affected by, among other things, the following factors:
•changes in the general or local economic climate, including layoffs, plant closings, industry slowdowns, relocations of significant local employers and other events negatively impacting local employment rates and wages and the local economy;
•local economic conditions in which the communities are located, such as oversupply of housing or a reduction in demand for rental housing;
•adverse economic or market conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic leading to a temporary or permanent move by tenants and/or prospective tenants from locations in which our communities are located;
•the attractiveness and desirability of our communities to tenants, including, without limitation, the size and amenity offerings of our units, our technology offerings and our ability to identify and cost effectively implement new, relevant technologies, and to keep up with constantly changing consumer demand for the latest innovations, including any increased requirements due to the significant increase in the number of people who continue to “work from home”;
•inflationary environments in which the costs to operate and maintain communities increase at a rate greater than our ability to increase rents, or deflationary environments where we may be exposed to declining rents more quickly under our short-term leases;
•competition from other available housing alternatives;
•changes in rent control or stabilization laws or other laws regulating housing and other increasing regulations on people and businesses in locations where our communicates are located;
•the Company’s ability to provide for adequate maintenance and insurance;
•declines in the financial condition of our tenants, which may make it more difficult for us to collect rents from some tenants;
•any decline in or tenants' perceptions of the safety, convenience and attractiveness of our communities and the neighborhoods where they are located; and
•changes in interest rates and availability of financing.

As leases at the communities expire, tenants may enter into new leases on terms that are less favorable to the Company. Income and real estate values also may be adversely affected by such factors as applicable laws, including, without limitation, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the "Disabilities Act"), Fair Housing Amendment Act of 1988 (the "FHAA"), permanent and temporary rent control laws, rent stabilization laws, other laws regulating housing that may prevent the Company from raising rents to offset increased operating expenses, and tax laws.
Short-term leases expose us to the effects of declining market rents, and the Company may be unable to renew leases or relet units as leases expire. Substantially all of our apartment leases are for a term of one year or less. If the Company is unable to promptly renew the leases or relet the units, or if the rental rates upon renewal or reletting are significantly lower than expected rates, then the Company’s results of operations and financial condition will be adversely affected. With these short term leases, our rental revenues are impacted by declines in market rents more quickly than if our leases were for longer terms.

National and regional economic environments can negatively impact the Company’s liquidity and operating results. The Company's forecast for the national economy assumes growth of the gross domestic product of the national economy and the economies of the west coast states. In the event of a recession or other negative economic effects, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company could incur reductions in rental rates, occupancy levels, property valuations and increases in operating costs such as advertising and turnover expenses. Any such recession or similar event may affect consumer confidence and spending and negatively impact the volume and pricing of real estate transactions, which could negatively affect
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the Company’s liquidity and its ability to vary its portfolio promptly in response to changes to the economy. Furthermore, if residents do not experience increases in their income, they may be unable or unwilling to pay rent increases, and delinquencies in rent payments and rent defaults may increase.

Rent control, or other changes in applicable laws, or noncompliance with applicable laws, could adversely affect the Company's operations or expose us to liability. The Company must own, operate, manage, acquire, develop and redevelop its properties in compliance with numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations, some of which may conflict with one another or be subject to limited judicial or regulatory interpretations. These laws and regulations may include zoning laws, building codes, rent control or stabilization laws, laws benefiting disabled persons, federal, state and local tax laws, landlord tenant laws, environmental laws, employment laws, immigration laws and other laws regulating housing or that are generally applicable to the Company's business and operations. Noncompliance with laws could expose the Company to liability. If the Company does not comply with any or all of these requirements, it may have to pay fines to government authorities or damage awards to private litigants, and/or may have to decrease rents in order to comply with such requirements. The Company does not know whether these requirements will change or whether new requirements will be imposed. Changes in, or noncompliance with, these regulatory requirements could require the Company to make significant unanticipated expenditures to address noncompliance, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In addition, rent control or rent stabilization laws and other regulatory restrictions may limit our ability to increase rents and pass through new or increased operating costs to our tenants. There has been a recent increase in municipalities, including those in which we own properties, considering or being urged by advocacy groups to consider rent control or rent stabilization laws and regulations or take other actions which could limit our ability to raise rents based solely on market conditions. These initiatives and any other future enactments of rent control or rent stabilization laws or other laws regulating multifamily housing, as well as any lawsuits against the Company arising from such rent control or other laws, may reduce rental revenues or increase operating costs. Such laws and regulations limit our ability to charge market rents, increase rents, evict tenants or recover increases in our operating expenses and could reduce the value of our communities or make it more difficult for us to dispose of properties in certain circumstances. Expenses associated with our investment in these communities, such as debt service, real estate taxes, insurance and maintenance costs, are generally not reduced when circumstances cause a reduction in rental income from the community. Furthermore, such regulations may negatively impact our ability to attract higher-paying tenants to such communities.

The current COVID-19 pandemic, or the future outbreak of other highly infectious or contagious diseases, and the timing and effectiveness of vaccine distribution, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. The outbreak of COVID-19, which is present in nearly all regions around the world, including the United States and the specific regions in which our apartment communities are located, has created considerable instability and disruption in the U.S. and world economies. Considerable uncertainty still surrounds COVID-19, including when the pandemic will conclude, how quickly vaccines can be safely and widely distributed, the effectiveness of such vaccines, and the potential short-term and long-term effects, including but not limited to shifts in consumer housing demand based on geography, affordability, housing type (e.g. multi-family vs. single-family) and unit type (e.g. studio vs. multi-bedroom), mainly resulting from the paradigm shift of work culture, the decentralization of corporate headquarters and the success of “work from home” models. Moreover, local, state and national measures taken to limit the spread of COVID-19, including “social distancing” and other restrictions on travel, congregation and business operations have already resulted in significant negative economic impacts. The prolonged impact of COVID-19 on the U.S. and world economies remains uncertain, but has resulted in increased health issues and mortality rates, increased unemployment, and a world-wide economic downturn, the duration and scope of which cannot currently be predicted. The extent to which the Company’s financial condition or operating results will continue to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic will largely depend on future demand and developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted.

The Company’s operating results depend, in large part, on revenues derived from leasing space in our apartment communities to residential tenants and the ability of tenants to generate sufficient income to pay their rents in a timely manner. The market and economic challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, and measures implemented to prevent its spread, have, and may continue to, adversely affect our returns and profitability. As a result, our ability to make distributions to Essex’s stockholders and the Operating Partnership’s unitholders may be compromised and we could experience volatility with respect to the market value of our properties and common stock and Operating Partnership units. The spread of COVID-19 has resulted in increases in unemployment and mass layoffs, and some tenants have experienced deteriorating financial conditions and are unwilling or unable to pay all or part of their rent on a timely basis, or at all, and, the continued spread of COVID-19 as well as a sustained economic downturn may result in further increases or sustainment of these situations. In some cases, we may be legally required to or otherwise agree to restructure tenants’ rent obligations, and may not be able to do so on terms as favorable to us as those currently in place. Furthermore, various city, county and state laws restricting rent increases in times of emergency
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have come into effect in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, and numerous state, local, federal and industry-initiated efforts have and may continue to affect our ability to collect rent or enforce remedies for the failure to pay rent, including, among others, limitations or prohibitions on evicting tenants unwilling or unable to pay rent and prohibitions on the ability to collect unpaid rent during certain timeframes. Additionally, eviction moratoriums have passed in various formats at every level of government and while the Company strives to comply, given some of the conflicting standards and unclear requirements, strict compliance might be difficult. Some residents’ views about their obligations to pay rent, even when financially capable of meeting their rent obligation, have shifted away from viewing rent as a primary and necessary financial obligation, and this shift may continue or worsen as a result of the eviction moratoriums and the various laws affecting our abilities to collect rent. In the event of tenant nonpayment, default or bankruptcy, we may incur costs in protecting our investment and re-leasing our property, and have limited ability to renew existing leases or sign new leases at projected rents.

Our properties may also incur significant costs or losses related to legislative mandates, including shelter-in-place orders, business shut-downs, quarantines, infection or other related factors, which may result in a negative impact on our occupancy levels. For example, many companies initially required, and now are continuing to allow or require, employees to “work from home” for an extended period of time, causing some tenants to move away from the urban centers temporarily or permanently. Some businesses have been ordered to temporarily shut down, such as indoor dining, and many have permanently closed due to deteriorating economic conditions, which has contributed to the shuttering of some commercial spaces in downtown areas, and the temporary, or possibly permanent, deterioration of neighborhoods in and around some of our urban communities, which may be further worsened by increases in homelessness and crime as a result of the effects of the pandemic on some individuals and communities. Moreover, we typically conduct aspects of our leasing activity on-site at our apartment communities. Reductions in the ability and willingness of prospective residents to visit our communities due to the COVID-19 pandemic could reduce rental revenue and ancillary operating revenue produced by our properties. Additionally, in connection with an outbreak that directly impacts one or more of our corporate offices or apartment communities, we may experience negative publicity and/or an unwillingness of prospective residents to visit or ultimately choose to live in our communities, which could directly affect our rental revenue. In addition, we have incurred costs associated with protecting our employees and residents, including the purchase of personal protective equipment and disinfecting our properties, and those costs may continue to increase. There may also be an increased risk of material litigation due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including litigation brought by our residents or employees. To the extent our management or personnel are impacted in significant numbers by the COVID-19 pandemic and are not available or allowed to conduct work, our business and operating results may be negatively impacted. Additionally, our corporate offices remain closed as we have instituted “work from home” measures for our corporate associates, which may impact productivity and our employees’ overall mental health.

Additionally, market fluctuations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic may affect our ability to obtain necessary funds for our operations from current lenders or new borrowings. We may be unable to obtain financing for the acquisition of investments or re-financing for existing assets on satisfactory terms, or at all. In addition, moratoriums on construction and macro-economic factors have caused some construction delays and may cause construction contractors to be unable to perform and governmental inspections and approvals to be delayed or postponed, which may cause the delivery date of certain development projects or investments in third-party development projects to be materially extended. Market fluctuations and construction delays experienced by the Company’s third-party mezzanine loan borrowers and preferred equity investment sponsors may also negatively impact their ability to repay the Company. Further, while the Company carries general liability, pollution, and property insurance along with other insurance policies that may provide some coverage for any losses or costs incurred in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, given the novelty of the issue and the scale of losses incurred throughout the world, there is no guarantee that we will be able to recover all or any portion of our losses and costs under these policies. We may be additionally impacted by changes in legislation relating to insurance coverages with respect to the pandemic, including, but not limited to, workers’ compensation. The occurrence of any of the foregoing events or any other related matters could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve rapidly, and the extent of its effect on our operational and financial performance will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the duration, scope and severity of the pandemic, the actions taken to contain or mitigate its impact, the timing of distribution and effectiveness of vaccines and the willingness and ability of the public to get vaccinated in a timely manner, and the direct and indirect economic effects of the pandemic and related containment measures, among others. However, the COVID-19 pandemic presents material uncertainty and risk with respect to our business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, to the extent any of these risks and uncertainties adversely impact us in the ways described above or otherwise, they may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition, if in the future there is a further outbreak of COVID-19 or a variation thereof, an outbreak of another highly infectious or contagious disease or other health concern, the Company and our properties may be subject to similar risks as posed by COVID-19.

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Acquisitions of communities involve various risks and uncertainties and may fail to meet expectations. The Company intends to continue to acquire apartment communities. However, there are risks that acquisitions will fail to meet the Company’s expectations. The Company’s estimates of future income, expenses and the costs of improvements or redevelopment that are necessary to allow the Company to market an acquired apartment community as originally intended may prove to be inaccurate. Uncertainty related to the unknown short- and long-term economic and behavioral impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic make forecasting rental rates and occupancies more difficult, and assets the Company acquires may not perform as expected. In addition, following an acquisition, the value and operational performance of an apartment community may be diminished if obsolescence or neighborhood changes occur before we are able to redevelop or sell the community. Also, in connection with such acquisitions, we may assume unknown liabilities, which could ultimately lead to material costs for us that we did not expect to incur. The Company expects to finance future acquisitions, in whole or in part, under various forms of secured or unsecured financing or through the issuance of partnership units by the Operating Partnership or related partnerships or joint ventures or additional equity by the Company. The use of equity financing, rather than debt, for future developments or acquisitions could dilute the interest of the Company’s existing stockholders. If the Company finances new acquisitions under existing lines of credit, there is a risk that, unless the Company obtains substitute financing, the Company may not be able to undertake additional borrowing for further acquisitions or developments or such borrowing may be not available on advantageous terms.

Development and redevelopment activities may be delayed, not completed, and/or not achieve expected results. The Company pursues development and redevelopment projects and these projects generally require various governmental and other approvals, which have no assurance of being received and/or the timing of which may be delayed from the Company’s expectations. The Company defines development projects as new communities that are being constructed or are newly constructed and are in a phase of lease-up and have not yet reached stabilized operations, and redevelopment projects as existing properties owned or recently acquired that have been targeted for additional investment by the Company with the expectation of increased financial returns through property improvement. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had three consolidated development projects and three unconsolidated joint venture development projects comprised of 1,853 apartment homes for an estimated cost of $1.1 billion, of which $174.0 million remains to be expended, and $118.0 million is the Company's share. In addition, at December 31, 2020, the Company had ownership interests in three major redevelopment projects aggregating 1,112 apartment homes with estimated redevelopment costs of $109.1 million, of which approximately $4.5 million remains to be expended.
The Company’s development and redevelopment activities generally entail certain risks, including, among others:
•funds may be expended and management's time devoted to projects that may not be completed on time or at all;
•construction costs of a project may exceed original estimates possibly making the project economically unfeasible;
•projects may be delayed due to, without limitation, adverse weather conditions, labor or material shortage, municipal office closures and staff shortages, government recommended or mandated work stoppages due to health concerns, or environmental remediation;
•occupancy rates and rents at a completed project may be less than anticipated;
•expenses at completed development or redevelopment projects may be higher than anticipated, including, without limitation, due to costs of litigation over construction contracts by general contractors, environmental remediation or increased costs for labor, materials and leasing;
•we may be unable to obtain, or experience a delay in obtaining, necessary zoning, occupancy, or other required governmental or third party permits and authorizations, which could result in increased costs or delay or abandonment of opportunities;
•we may be unable to obtain financing with favorable terms, or at all, for the proposed development or redevelopment of a community, which may cause us to delay or abandon an opportunity; and
•we may incur liabilities to third parties during the development process, for example, in connection with managing existing improvements on the site prior to tenant terminations and demolition (such as commercial space) or in connection with providing services to third parties (such as the construction of shared infrastructure or other improvements.)

These risks may reduce the funds available for distribution to Essex’s stockholders and the Operating Partnership's unitholders. Further, the development and redevelopment of communities is also subject to the general risks associated with real estate investments. For further information regarding these risks, please see the risk factor above titled "General real estate investment risks may adversely affect property income and values."
Our apartment communities may be subject to unknown or contingent liabilities which could cause us to incur substantial costs. The properties that the Company owns or may acquire are or may be subject to unknown or contingent liabilities for which the Company may have no recourse, or only limited recourse, against the sellers. In general, the representations and
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warranties provided under the transaction agreements related to the sales of the properties may not survive the closing of the transactions. While the Company seeks to require the sellers to indemnify us with respect to breaches of representations and warranties that survive, such indemnification may be limited and subject to various materiality thresholds, a significant deductible or an aggregate cap on losses. As a result, there is no guarantee that we will recover any amounts with respect to losses due to breaches by the sellers of their representations and warranties. In addition, the total amount of costs and expenses that may be incurred with respect to liabilities associated with apartment communities may exceed our expectations, and we may experience other unanticipated adverse effects, all of which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The geographic concentration of the Company’s communities and fluctuations in local markets may adversely impact the Company’s financial condition and operating results. The Company generated significant amounts of rental revenues for the year ended December 31, 2020, from the Company’s communities concentrated in Southern California (primarily Los Angeles, Orange, Santa Barbara, San Diego, and Ventura counties), Northern California (the San Francisco Bay Area), and the Seattle metropolitan area. For the year ended December 31, 2020, 81% of the Company’s rental revenues were generated from communities located in California. This geographic concentration could present risks if local property market performance falls below expectations. In general, factors that may adversely affect local market and economic conditions include, among others, the following:

•the economic climate, which may be adversely impacted by a reduction in job growth or income levels, industry slowdowns, changing demographics and other factors;
•local conditions, such as oversupply of, or reduced demand for, apartment homes;
•rent control or stabilization laws, or other laws regulating rental housing, which could prevent the Company from raising rents to offset increases in operating costs, or the inability or unwillingness of tenants to pay rent increases;
•competition from other available apartments and other housing alternatives and changes in market rental rates;
•economic conditions that could cause an increase in our operating expenses, including increases in property taxes, utilities and routine maintenance; and
•regional specific acts of nature (e.g., earthquakes, fires, floods, etc.).

Because the Company’s communities are primarily located in Southern California, Northern California and the Seattle metropolitan area, the Company is exposed to greater economic concentration risks than if it owned a more geographically diverse portfolio. The Company is susceptible to adverse developments in California and Washington economic and regulatory environments, such as increases in real estate and other taxes, and increased costs of complying with governmental regulations. In addition, the State of California is generally regarded as more litigious and more highly regulated and taxed than many states, which may reduce demand for the Company’s communities. Recently, California has also experienced increased relocation out of the state, including as a result of the regulatory landscape and the COVID-19 pandemic. Any adverse developments in the economy or real estate markets in California or Washington, or any decrease in demand for the Company’s communities resulting from the California or Washington regulatory or business environments, could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations.

The Company may experience various increased costs, including increased property taxes, to own and maintain its properties. Real property taxes on our properties may increase as our properties are reassessed by taxing authorities or as property tax rates change. Our real estate taxes in Washington could increase as a result of property value reassessments or increased property tax rates in that state. A current California law commonly referred to as Proposition 13 generally limits annual real estate tax increases on California properties to 2% of assessed value. However, under Proposition 13, property tax reassessment generally occurs as a result of a "change in ownership" of a property, as specially defined for purposes of those rules. Because the property taxing authorities may not determine whether there has been a "change in ownership" or the actual reassessed value of a property for a period of time after a transaction has occurred, we may not know the impact of a potential reassessment for a considerable amount of time following a particular transaction. Therefore, the amount of property taxes we are required to pay could increase substantially from the property taxes we currently pay or have paid in the past, including on a retroactive basis. In addition, from time to time voters and lawmakers have announced initiatives to repeal or amend Proposition 13 to eliminate its application to commercial and industrial property and/or introduce split tax roll legislation. Such initiatives, if successful, could increase the assessed value and/or tax rates applicable to commercial property in California, including our apartment communities. Further, changes in U.S. federal tax law could cause state and local governments to alter their taxation of real property.

The Company may experience increased costs associated with capital improvements and routine property maintenance, such as repairs to the foundation, exterior walls, and rooftops of its properties, as its properties advance through their life-cycles. In some cases, we may spend more than budgeted amounts to make necessary improvements or maintenance. Increases in the
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Company’s expenses to own and maintain its properties could adversely impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Competition in the apartment community market and other housing alternatives may adversely affect operations and the rental demand for the Company’s communities. There are numerous housing alternatives that compete with the Company’s communities in attracting tenants. These include other apartment communities, condominiums and single-family homes that are available for rent or for sale in the markets in which our communities are located. Competitive housing in a particular area and fluctuations in cost of owner-occupied single- and multifamily homes caused by a decrease in housing prices, mortgage interest rates and/or government programs to promote home ownership or create additional rental and/or other types of housing, or an increase in desire for more space due to work from home needs or increased time spent at home due to COVID-19, could adversely affect the Company’s ability to retain its tenants, lease apartment homes and increase or maintain rents. If the demand for the Company’s communities is reduced or if competitors develop and/or acquire competing apartment communities, rental rates may drop, which may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. The Company also faces competition from other companies, REITs, businesses and other entities in the acquisition, development and operation of apartment communities. This competition may result in an increase in prices and costs of apartment communities that the Company acquires and/or develops.

Investments in mortgages, mezzanine loans, subordinated debt, other real estate, and other marketable securities could adversely affect the Company’s cash flow from operations. The Company may purchase or otherwise invest in securities issued by entities which own real estate and/or invest in mortgages or unsecured debt obligations. Such mortgages may be first, second or third mortgages, and these mortgages and/or other investments may not be insured or otherwise guaranteed. The Company may make or acquire mezzanine loans, which take the form of subordinated loans secured by second mortgages on the underlying property or loans secured by a pledge of the ownership interests of either the entity owning the property or a pledge of the ownership interests of the entity or entities that owns the interest in the entity owning the property. In general, investments in mortgages include the following risks:
•that the value of mortgaged property may be less than the amounts owed, causing realized or unrealized losses;
•the borrower may not pay indebtedness under the mortgage when due, requiring the Company to foreclose, and the amount recovered in connection with the foreclosure may be less than the amount owed;
•that interest rates payable on the mortgages may be lower than the Company’s cost of funds;
•in the case of junior mortgages, that foreclosure of a senior mortgage could eliminate the junior mortgage;
•delays in the collection of principal and interest if a borrower claims bankruptcy; and
•unanticipated early prepayments may limit the Company’s expected return on its investment.

If any of the above were to occur, it could adversely affect the Company’s cash flows from operations.

The Company’s ownership of co-investments, including joint ventures and joint ownership of communities, its ownership of properties with shared facilities with a homeowners' association or other entity, its ownership of properties subject to a ground lease and its preferred equity investments and its other partial interests in entities that own communities, could limit the Company’s ability to control such communities and may restrict our ability to finance, sell or otherwise transfer our interests in these properties and expose us to loss of the properties if such agreements are breached by us or terminated.
The Company has entered into, and may continue in the future to enter into, certain co-investments, including joint ventures or partnerships through which it owns an indirect economic interest in less than 100% of the community or land or other investments owned directly by the joint venture or partnership. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had, through several joint ventures, an interest in 8,652 apartment homes in stabilized operating communities for a total book value of $358.3 million.

Joint venture partners often have shared control over the development and operation of the joint venture assets. Therefore, it is possible that a joint venture partner in an investment might become bankrupt, or have economic or business interests or goals that are inconsistent with the Company’s business interests or goals, or be in a position to take action contrary to the Company’s instructions or requests, or its policies or objectives. Consequently, a joint venture partner's actions might subject property owned by the joint venture to additional risk. Although the Company seeks to maintain sufficient influence over any joint venture to achieve its objectives, the Company may be unable to take action without its joint venture partners’ approval. A joint venture partner might fail to approve decisions that are in the Company’s best interests. Should a joint venture partner become bankrupt, the Company could become liable for such partner’s share of joint venture liabilities. In some instances, the Company and the joint venture partner may each have the right to trigger a buy-sell arrangement, which could cause the Company to sell its interest, or acquire a partner’s interest, at a time when the Company otherwise would not have initiated such a transaction.

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From time to time, the Company, through the Operating Partnership, invests in corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability companies or other entities that have been formed for the purpose of acquiring, developing, financing, or managing real property. The Company makes certain co-investments in the form of preferred equity investments in third party entities that own real estate. With preferred equity investments and certain other co-investments, the Operating Partnership’s interest in a particular entity is typically less than a majority of the outstanding voting interests of that entity. Therefore, the Operating Partnership’s ability to control the daily operations of such co-investment may be limited. Furthermore, the Operating Partnership may not have the power to remove a majority of the board of directors (in the case of a corporation) or the general partner or partners (in the case of a limited partnership) of such co-investment in the event that its operations conflict with the Operating Partnership’s objectives. The Operating Partnership may not be able to dispose of its interests in such co-investment. In the event that such co-investment or the partners in such co-investment become insolvent or bankrupt or fail to develop or operate the property in the manner anticipated and expected, the Operating Partnership may not receive the expected return in its expected timeframe or at all and may lose up to its entire investment in, and any advances to, the co-investment. Additionally, the preferred return negotiated on these co-investments may be lower than the Company's cost of funds. The Company may also incur losses if any guarantees or indemnifications were made by the Company.

The Company also owns properties indirectly under "DownREIT" structures. The Company has entered into, and in the future may enter into, transactions that could require the Company to pay the tax liabilities of partners that contribute assets into DownREITs, joint ventures or the Operating Partnership, in the event that certain taxable events, which are within the Company’s control, occur. Although the Company plans to hold the contributed assets or, if such assets consist of real property, defer recognition of gain on sale of such assets pursuant to the like-kind exchange rules under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), the Company can provide no assurance that the Company will be able to do so and if such tax liabilities were incurred they could have a material impact on its financial position.

Also, from time to time, the Company invests in properties which may be subject to certain shared facilities agreements with homeowners' associations and other entities and/or invests in properties subject to ground leases where a subtenant may have certain similar rights to that of a party under such a shared facilities agreement. For such properties, the Company's ability to control the expenditure of capital improvements and its allocation with such other parties may adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may pursue acquisitions of other REITs and real estate companies, which may not yield anticipated results and could adversely affect our results of operations. We may make acquisitions of and/or investments in other REITs and real estate companies that offer properties and communities to augment our market coverage or enhance our property offerings. We may also enter into strategic alliances or joint ventures to achieve these goals. There can be no assurance that we will be able to identify suitable acquisition, investment, alliance or joint venture opportunities, that we will be able to consummate any such transactions or relationships on terms and conditions acceptable to us, or that such transactions or relationships will be successful. In addition, our original estimates and assumptions used in assessing any acquisition may be inaccurate, and we may not realize the expected financial or strategic benefits of any such acquisition.
These transactions or any other acquisitions involve risks and uncertainties. For example, as a consequence of such transactions, we may assume unknown liabilities, which could ultimately lead to material costs for us. In addition, the integration of acquired businesses or other acquisitions may not be successful and could result in disruption to other parts of our business. To integrate acquired businesses or other acquisitions, we must implement our management information systems, operating systems and internal controls, and assimilate and manage the personnel of the acquired operations. The expected synergies from acquisitions may not be fully realized, which could result in increased costs or other issues and have an adverse effect on our business. There can be no assurance that all pre-acquisition property due diligence will have identified all material issues that might arise with respect to such acquired business and its properties or as to any such other acquisitions. Any future acquisitions we make may also require significant additional debt or equity financing, which, in the case of debt financing, would increase our leverage and potentially affect our credit ratings and, in the case of equity or equity-linked financing, could be dilutive to Essex's stockholders and the Operating Partnership's unitholders. Additionally, the value of these investments could decline for a variety of reasons. These and other factors could affect our ability to achieve anticipated levels of profitability at acquired operations or realize other anticipated benefits of an acquisition, and could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Real estate investments are relatively illiquid and, therefore, the Company's ability to vary its portfolio promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions may be limited. Real estate investments are illiquid and, in our markets, can at times be difficult to sell at prices we find acceptable. We may be unable to consummate dispositions of properties or interests in properties in a timely manner, on attractive terms, or at all. These potential difficulties in selling real estate in our markets may limit our ability to change or reduce the apartment communities in our portfolio promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if
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we are found to have held, acquired or developed a community as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, federal tax laws may limit our ability to sell the community without incurring a 100% tax on the gain on the sale of the community and potentially adversely impacting our status as a REIT unless we own the community through one of our taxable REIT subsidiaries ("TRSs").

The Company may not be able to lease its retail/commercial space consistent with its projections or at market rates. The Company has retail/commercial space in its portfolio, which represents approximately 1% of our total revenue. The retail/commercial space at our properties, among other things, serves as an additional amenity for our tenants. The long term nature of our retail/commercial leases, and the characteristics of many of our retail/commercial tenants (small, local businesses), may subject us to certain risks. We may not be able to lease new space for rents that are consistent with our projections or at market rates, and the longer term leases for existing space could result in below market rents over time. Also, when leases for our existing retail/commercial space expire, the space may not be relet on a timely basis, or at all, or the terms of reletting, including the cost of allowances and concessions to tenants, may be less favorable than the current lease terms. Our properties compete with other properties with retail/commercial space. The presence of competitive alternatives may affect our ability to lease space and the level of rents we can obtain. If our retail/commercial tenants experience long term government-mandated closures of their businesses or other substantial restrictions on their operations due to the impact of COVID-19 or otherwise, financial distress or bankruptcy, they may fail to comply with their contractual obligations, seek concessions in order to continue operations or cease their operations, which could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
The Company’s portfolio may have environmental liabilities. Under various federal, state and local environmental and public health laws, regulations and ordinances, we have been required, and may be required in the future, regardless of our knowledge or responsibility, to investigate and remediate the effects of hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum product releases at our properties (including in some cases naturally occurring substances such as methane and radon gas). We may be held liable under these laws or common law to a governmental entity or to third parties for response costs, property damage, personal injury or natural resources damages and for investigation and remediation costs incurred as a result of the impacts resulting from such releases. While the Company is unaware of any such response action required or damage claims associated with its existing properties which individually or in aggregate would have a material adverse effect on our business, assets, financial condition or results of operations, potential future costs and damage claims may be substantial and could exceed any insurance coverage we may have for such events or such coverage may not exist. Further, the presence of such substances, or the failure to properly remediate any such impacts, may adversely affect our ability to borrow against, develop, sell or rent the affected property. In addition, some environmental laws create or allow a government agency to impose a lien on the impacted property in favor of the government for damages and costs it incurs as a result of responding to hazardous or toxic substance or petroleum product releases.

Investments in real property create a potential for environmental liabilities on the part of the owner of such real property. The Company carries certain limited insurance coverage for this type of environmental risk as to its properties; however, such coverage is not fully available for all properties and, as to those properties for which limited coverage is fully available, it may not apply to certain claims arising from known conditions present on those properties. In general, in connection with the ownership (direct or indirect), operation, financing, management and development of its communities, the Company could be considered as the owner or operator of such properties or as having arranged for disposal or treatment of hazardous substances present there and therefore may be potentially liable for removal or clean-up costs, as well as certain other costs and environmental liabilities. The Company may also be subject to governmental fines, costs related to injuries to third parties and/or damage to a third party's property.

Properties which we plan to acquire undergo a pre-acquisition Phase I environmental site assessment, which is intended to afford the Company protection against so-called "owner liability" under the primary federal environmental law, as well as further environmental assessment, which may involve invasive techniques such as soil or ground water sampling where conditions warranting such further assessment are identified and seller’s consent is obtained. Despite these assessments, no assurance can be given that all environmental conditions present on or beneath or emanating from a given property will be discovered or that the full nature and extent of those conditions which are discovered will be adequately ascertained and quantified.

In connection with our ownership, operation and development of communities, from time to time we undertake remedial action in response to the presence of subsurface or other contaminants, including contaminants in soil, groundwater and soil vapor beneath or affecting our buildings. The Company does so pursuant to appropriate environmental regulatory requirements with the objective of obtaining regulatory closure or a no further action determination that will allow for future use, development and sale of any impacted community.

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Certain environmental laws impose liability for release of asbestos-containing materials ("ACMs") into the air or exposure to lead-based paint ("LBP"), and third parties may seek recovery from owners or operators of apartment communities for personal injury associated with ACMs or LBP.

Mold growth may occur when excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or is not addressed in a timely manner. Although the occurrence of mold at multifamily and other structures, and the need to remediate such mold, is not a new phenomenon, there has been increased awareness in recent years that certain molds may in some instances lead to adverse health effects, including allergic or other reactions. The Company has adopted policies for promptly addressing and resolving reports of mold when it is detected, and to minimize any impact mold might have on tenants of the affected property. The Company believes its mold policies and proactive response to address any known mold existence reduce its risk of loss from these cases; however, no assurance can be provided that the Company has identified and responded to all mold occurrences.

California has enacted legislation, commonly referred to as "Proposition 65," requiring that covered businesses provide "clear and reasonable" warnings before knowingly exposing persons to chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity, including tobacco smoke. The legislation allows private persons to sue to enforce this warning requirement and recover their legal fees and costs for doing so. Although the Company has sought to comply with Proposition 65 requirements where it appears applicable, we cannot assure you that the Company will not be adversely affected by private enforcement litigation relating to Proposition 65.
Methane gas is a naturally-occurring gas that is commonly found below the surface in several areas, particularly in the Southern California coastal areas. Methane is a non-toxic gas, but is flammable and can be explosive at sufficient concentrations when in confined spaces and exposed to an ignition source. Naturally-occurring methane gas is regulated at the state and federal level as a greenhouse gas but is not otherwise regulated as a hazardous substance; however, some local governments, such as Los Angeles County, require that new buildings constructed in areas designated methane gas zones install detection and/or venting systems. Radon is also a naturally-occurring gas that is found below the surface and can pose a threat to human health requiring abatement action if present in sufficient concentration within occupied areas. The Company cannot assure you that it will not be adversely affected by costs related to its compliance with methane or radon gas related requirements or litigation costs related to methane or radon gas.

We cannot assure you that costs or liabilities incurred as a result of environmental matters will not affect our ability to make distributions to Essex's stockholders or the Operating Partnership's unitholders, or that such costs or liabilities will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations; however, the Company is unaware of any pending or threatened alleged claim resulting from such matters which would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

The Company may incur general uninsured losses or may experience market conditions that impact the procurement of certain insurance policies. The Company purchases general liability and property, including loss of rent, insurance coverage for each of its communities. The Company may also purchase limited earthquake, terrorism, environmental and flood insurance for some of its communities. However, there are types of losses, generally catastrophic in nature, such as losses due to wars, acts of terrorism, earthquakes, pollution, environmental matters or extreme weather conditions such as hurricanes, fires and floods that are uninsurable or not economically insurable, or may be insured subject to limitations, such as large deductibles or co-payments. Insurance risks associated with potential terrorist acts could sharply increase the premiums the Company pays for coverage against property and casualty claims. The Company utilizes a wholly owned insurance subsidiary, Pacific Western Insurance LLC ("PWI"), to self-insure certain earthquake and property losses for some of the communities in its portfolio. As of December 31, 2020, PWI, which is consolidated in the Company's financial statements, had cash and marketable securities of approximately $152.8 million. The value of the marketable securities of PWI could decline, and if a decline in value were to occur, PWI's ability to cover all or any portion of the amount of any insured losses could be adversely affected.

All of our communities are located in areas that are subject to earthquake activity. The Company evaluates its financial loss exposure to seismic events by using actuarial loss models developed by the insurance industry and property vulnerability analyses based on structural evaluations by seismic consultants. The Company manages this exposure, where considered appropriate, desirable, and cost-effective, by upgrading properties to increase their resistance to forces caused by seismic events, by considering available funds and coverages provided by PWI and/or, in some cases, by purchasing seismic insurance. Purchasing seismic insurance coverage can be costly and such seismic insurance is in limited supply. As a result, the Company may experience a shortage in desired coverage levels if market conditions are such that insurance is not available, or the cost of the insurance makes it, in management's view, not economically practical. The Company may purchase limited earthquake insurance for certain high-density properties and, in most cases, properties owned by the Company's co-investments.

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The Company carries other types of insurance coverage related to a variety of risks and exposures, including cyber risk insurance. There has been a reduction in the number of insurance companies in the market offering certain types of insurance the Company has previously purchased and premiums have materially increased for certain types of insurance coverage. Based on market conditions, the Company may change or potentially eliminate insurance coverages, or increase levels of self-insurance. Further, we cannot assure you that the Company will not incur losses, which could be material, due to uninsured risks, deductibles and self-insured retentions, and/or losses in excess of coverage limits.

We have significant investments in large metropolitan markets, such as the metropolitan markets in Southern California, Northern California, and Seattle. These markets may in the future be the target of actual or threatened terrorist attacks. Future terrorist attacks in these markets could directly or indirectly damage our communities, both physically and financially, or cause losses that exceed our insurance coverage. Our communities could also directly or indirectly be the location or target of actual or threatened terrorist attacks, crimes, shootings, other acts of violence or other incidents beyond our control, the occurrence of which could directly impact the value of our communities through damage, destruction, loss or increased security costs, as well as operational losses due to reduction of traffic and rental demand for our communities, and the availability of insurance for such acts may be limited or may be subject to substantial costs. If such an incident were to occur at one of our communities, we may also be subject to significant liability claims. Such events and losses could significantly affect our ability to operate those communities and materially impair our ability to achieve our expected results. Additionally, we may be obligated to continue to pay any mortgage indebtedness and other obligations relating to affected properties.

Although the Company may carry insurance for potential losses associated with its communities, employees, tenants, and compliance with applicable laws, it may still incur losses due to uninsured risks, deductibles, copayments or losses in excess of applicable insurance coverage and those losses may be material. In the event of a substantial loss, insurance coverage may not be able to cover the full replacement cost of the Company’s lost investment, or the insurance carrier may become insolvent and not be able to cover the full amount of the insured losses. Changes in building codes and ordinances, environmental considerations and other factors might also affect the Company’s ability to replace or renovate an apartment community after it has been damaged or destroyed. In addition, certain causalities and/or losses incurred may expose the Company in the future to higher insurance premiums.

Climate change may adversely affect our business. To the extent that climate change does occur, we may experience extreme weather and changes in precipitation and temperature, all of which may result in physical damage or a decrease in demand for our communities located in these areas or affected by these conditions. Should the impact of climate change be material in nature or occur for lengthy periods of time, our financial condition or results of operations may be adversely affected, and may negatively impact the types and pricing of insurance the Company is able to procure.

Our properties are located along the West Coast of the United States. To the extent climate change causes changes in weather patterns, the regions where our communities are located could experience increases in storm intensity, rising sea levels and/or drought frequency. Over time, such conditions could result in reduced demand for housing in areas where our communities are located and increased costs related to further developing our communities to mitigate the effects of climate change or repairing damage related to the effects of climate change that may or may not be fully covered by insurance.

In addition, changes in federal, state and local legislation and regulation on climate change could result in increased operating costs (for example, increased utility costs) and/or increased capital expenditures to improve the energy efficiency of our existing communities and could also require us to spend more on our new development communities without a corresponding increase in revenue. For example, various federal, regional and state laws and regulations have been implemented or are under consideration to mitigate the effects of climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions, including the California energy efficiency standards, referred to as Title 24 or The Building Energy Efficiency Standards. Among other things, "green" building codes may seek to reduce emissions through the imposition of standards for design, construction materials, water and energy usage and efficiency and waste management. The imposition of such requirements in the future could increase the costs of maintaining or improving our existing properties or developing properties (for example, requiring retrofits of existing properties to improve their energy efficiency and/or resistance to inclement weather) without creating corresponding increase in revenue, resulting in adverse impacts to our operating results. Further, the impact of climate change may increase the cost of, or make unavailable, property insurance or other hazard insurance on terms we find acceptable or necessary to adequately protect our properties.

Accidental death or severe injuries at our communities due to fires, floods, other natural disasters or hazards could adversely affect our business and results of operations. The accidental death or severe injuries of persons living in our communities due to fires, floods, other natural disasters or hazards could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Our insurance coverage may not cover all losses associated with such events, and we may experience
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difficulty marketing communities where any such events have occurred, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Adverse changes in laws may adversely affect the Company's liabilities and/or operating costs relating to its properties and its operations. Increases in real estate taxes and income, service and transfer taxes cannot always be passed through to tenants or users in the form of higher rents, and may adversely affect the Company's cash available for distribution and its ability to make distributions to Essex's stockholders or the Operating Partnership's unitholders and pay amounts due on its debts. Similarly, changes in laws increasing the potential liability of the Company and/or its operating costs on a range of issues, including those regarding potential liability for other environmental conditions existing on properties or increasing the restrictions on discharges or other conditions, as well as changes in laws affecting development, construction and safety requirements, may result in significant unanticipated expenditures, including without limitation, those related to structural or seismic retrofit or more costly operational safety systems and programs, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company. For example, (1) the California statute, the "Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008," also known as "SB375," provides that, in order to reduce greenhouse emissions, there should be regional planning to coordinate housing needs with regional transportation and such planning could lead to restrictions on, or increases in, property development that adversely affect the Company and (2) the Environmental Protection Agency has implemented a program for long-term phase out of HCFC-22 coolant (freon) by 2030, which could lead to increased capital and/or operating costs.

Failure to succeed in new markets may limit the Company’s growth. The Company may make acquisitions or commence development activity outside of its existing market areas if appropriate opportunities arise. The Company’s historical experience in its existing markets does not ensure that it will be able to operate successfully in new markets. The Company may be exposed to a variety of risks if it chooses to enter new markets. These risks include, among others:

•an inability to evaluate accurately local apartment market conditions and local economies;
•an inability to identify appropriate acquisition opportunities or to obtain land for development;
•an inability to hire and retain key personnel; and
•lack of familiarity with local governmental and permitting procedures.

Current volatility in market and economic conditions may impact the accuracy of the various estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements and footnotes to the financial statements. Various estimates are used in the preparation of our financial statements, including estimates related to the fair value of tangible and intangible assets and the carrying value of our real estate investments. Often these estimates require the use of local market knowledge and data that is difficult to assess, as well as estimates of future cash flows associated with our real estate investments that can also be difficult to accurately predict. The uncertainty surrounding the short- and long-term impacts of COVID-19 have increased the difficulty in preparing these estimates. Although our management believes it has been prudent and used reasonable judgment in making these estimates, it is possible that actual results may differ materially from these estimates.

Our business and reputation depend on our ability to continue providing high quality housing and consistent operation of our communities, the failure of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our business and reputation depend on providing tenants with quality housing with highly reliable services, including with respect to water and electric power, along with the consistent operation of our communities, including a wide variety of amenities such as covered parking, swimming pools, clubhouses with fitness facilities, playground areas, tennis courts and similar features. Public utilities, especially those that provide water and electric power, are fundamental for the consistent operation of our communities. The delayed delivery or any material reduction or prolonged interruption of these services may cause tenants to terminate their leases, or may result in a reduction of rents and/or increase in our costs or other issues. In addition, we may fail to provide quality housing and continuous access to amenities as a result of other factors, including government mandated closures due to health concerns, mechanical failure, power outage, human error, vandalism, physical or electronic security breaches, war, terrorism or similar events. Additionally, residents may choose not to use such facilities or amenities as a matter of social distancing or for other reasons, which may cause our communities to become less appealing to such residents. Such service interruptions, closures or lack of use of facilities, mechanical failures or other events may also expose us to additional liability claims and damage our reputation and brand, and could cause tenants to terminate or not renew their leases, or prospective tenants to seek housing elsewhere. Any such failures could impair our ability to continue providing quality housing and consistent operation of our communities, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Company’s real estate assets may be subject to impairment charges. The Company continually evaluates the recoverability of the carrying value of its real estate assets under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP"). Factors considered in evaluating impairment of the Company’s existing multifamily real estate assets held for investment
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include significant declines in property operating profits, recurring property operating losses and other significant adverse changes in general market conditions that are considered permanent in nature. Generally, a multifamily real estate asset held for investment is not considered impaired if the undiscounted, estimated future cash flows of the asset over its estimated holding period are in excess of the asset’s net book value at the balance sheet date. Assumptions used to estimate annual and residual cash flow and the estimated holding period of such assets require the judgment of management. There can be no assurance that the Company will not take charges in the future related to the impairment of the Company’s assets. Any future impairment charges could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.

We face risks associated with land holdings and related activities. We hold land for future development and may in the future acquire additional land holdings. The risks inherent in purchasing, owning and developing land increase as demand for apartments, or rental rates, decrease. Real estate markets are highly uncertain and, as a result, the value of undeveloped land may fluctuate significantly. In addition, carrying costs can be significant and can result in losses or reduced profitability. As a result, we hold certain land, and may, in the future acquire additional land, in our development pipeline at a cost we may not be able to fully recover or at a cost which may preclude our developing a profitable multifamily community. If there are subsequent changes in the fair value of our land holdings which we determine is less that the carrying basis of our land holdings reflected in our financial statements plus estimated costs to sell, we may be required to take future impairment changes which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

We rely on information technology in our operations, and any material failure, inadequacy, interruption or breach of the Company’s privacy or information security systems, or those of our vendors or other third parties, could materially adversely affect the Company’s business and financial condition. The protection of tenant, employee, and company data is critically important to the Company. We rely on information technology networks and systems, including the Internet, to process, transmit and store electronic information, and to manage or support a variety of business processes, including financial transactions and records, personally identifiable information, and tenant and lease data. Our business requires us, including some of our vendors, to use and store personally identifiable and other sensitive information of our tenants and employees. The collection and use of personally identifiable information is governed by federal and state laws and regulations. Privacy and information security laws continue to evolve and may be inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another. The Company endeavors to ensure compliance with all such laws and regulations, including by providing required disclosures, promptly responding to consumer requests for data, and seeking vendor compliance with applicable privacy and information security laws. Compliance with all such laws and regulations may increase the Company’s operating costs and adversely impact the Company’s ability to market the Company’s properties and services.

Although we have taken steps to abide by privacy and security laws, and to protect the security of our information systems and maintain confidential tenant, prospective tenant and employee information, the compliance and security measures put in place by the Company, and such vendors, cannot guarantee perfect compliance or provide absolute security, and the Company and our vendors' compliance systems and/or information technology infrastructure may be vulnerable to criminal cyber-attacks or data security incidents, including, ransom of data, such as, without limitation, tenant and/or employee information, due to employee error, malfeasance, or other vulnerabilities. Any such incident could compromise the Company’s or such vendors' networks (or the networks or systems of third parties that facilitate the Company’s or such vendors’ business activities), and the information stored by the Company or such vendors could be accessed, misused, publicly disclosed, corrupted, lost, or stolen, resulting in fraud, including wire fraud related to Company assets, or other harm. Moreover, if there is a compliance failure, or if a data security incident or breach affects the Company’s systems or such vendors' systems, whether through a breach of the Company’s systems or a breach of the systems of third parties, or results in the unauthorized release of personally identifiable information, the Company’s reputation and brand could be materially damaged, which could increase our costs in attracting and retaining tenants, and other serious consequences may result. Such potential other consequences include, without limitation, that the Company and certain executive officers may be exposed to a risk of litigation and possible liability, including, without limitation, government enforcement actions and private litigation; and that the Company may be exposed to a risk of loss including, without limitation, loss related to the fact that agreements with such vendors, or such vendors' financial condition, may not allow the Company to recover all costs related to a cyber breach for which they alone or they and the Company should be jointly responsible for, which could result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Privacy and information security risks have generally increased in recent years because of the proliferation of new technologies, such as ransomware, and the increased sophistication and activities of perpetrators of cyber-attacks. In light of the increased risks, we have dedicated additional Company resources to strengthening the security of the Company’s computer systems, including maintaining cyber risk insurance which may provide some coverage for certain risks arising out of cyber breaches. However, there can be no assurance that our cyber risk insurance will be sufficient in the event of a cyber incident.
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In the future, the Company may expend additional resources to continue to enhance the Company’s information security measures to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities and/or to further ensure compliance with privacy and information security laws. Despite these steps, there can be no assurance that the Company will not suffer a significant data security incident in the future, that unauthorized parties will not gain access to sensitive data stored on the Company’s systems, or that any such incident will be discovered in a timely manner. Any failure in or breach of the Company's information security systems, those of third party service providers, or a breach of other third party systems that ultimately impacts the operational or information security systems of the Company as a result of cyber-attacks or information security breaches could result in a wide range of potentially serious harm to our business and results of operations. Additionally, government agencies involved in investigating any potential data security incidents may impose injunctive relief or other civil or criminal penalties on the Company and/or certain executives, which could, among other things, divert the attention of management, impact the Company's ability to collect and use tenant information, materially increase data security costs and/or otherwise require us to alter how we operate our business. Further, the techniques used by criminals to obtain unauthorized access to sensitive data, such as phishing and other forms of human engineering, are increasing in sophistication and are often novel or change frequently; accordingly, the Company may be unable to anticipate these techniques or implement adequate preventative measures.
Reliance on third party software providers to host systems critical to our operations and to provide the Company with data. We rely on certain key software vendors to support business practices critical to our operations, including the collection of rent and ancillary income and communication with our tenants, and to provide us with data, including data we use to set our rents and predict occupancies. The market is currently experiencing a consolidation of these software vendors particularly in the multi-family space, which may negatively impact the Company’s choice of vendor and pricing options. Moreover, if any of these key vendors were to terminate our relationship or access to data, or to fail, we could suffer losses while we sought to replace the services and information provided by the vendors.
Risks Related to Our Indebtedness and Financings

Capital and credit market conditions may affect the Company’s access to sources of capital and/or the cost of capital, which could negatively affect the Company’s business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. In periods when the capital and credit markets experience significant volatility, the amounts, sources and cost of capital available to the Company may be adversely affected. Our current balance sheet, the debt capacity available on the unsecured line of credit with a diversified bank group, access to the public and private placement debt markets and secured debt financing providers such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac provide some insulation from volatile capital markets. We primarily use external financing, including sales of debt and equity securities, to fund acquisitions, developments, and redevelopments and to refinance indebtedness as it matures. If sufficient sources of external financing are not available to us on cost effective terms, we could be forced to limit our acquisition, development and redevelopment activity and/or take other actions to fund our business activities and repayment of debt, such as selling assets, reducing our cash dividend or distributing less than 100% of our REIT taxable income. In general, to the extent that the Company’s access to capital and credit is at a higher cost than the Company has experienced in recent years (reflected in higher interest rates for debt financing or a lower stock price for equity financing without a corresponding change to investment cap rates) the Company’s ability to make acquisitions, develop or redevelop communities, obtain new financing, and refinance existing borrowing at competitive rates could be adversely affected, which would impact the Company's financial standing and related credit rating. In addition, if our ability to obtain financing is adversely affected, we may be unable to satisfy scheduled maturities on existing financing through other sources of our liquidity, which, in the case of secured financings, could result in lender foreclosure on the apartment communities securing such debt.

Debt financing has inherent risks. At December 31, 2020, the Company had approximately $6.3 billion of indebtedness (including $775.1 million of variable rate indebtedness, of which $175.0 million is subject to an interest rate swap effectively fixing the interest rate on $175.0 million in debt). The Company is subject to the risks normally associated with debt financing, including, among others, the following:
•cash flow may not be sufficient to meet required payments of principal and interest;
•inability to refinance maturing indebtedness on encumbered apartment communities;
•inability to comply with debt covenants could trigger cash management provisions limiting our ability to control cash flows, cause defaults, or an acceleration of maturity dates; and
•paying debt before the scheduled maturity date could result in prepayment penalties.

The Company may not be able to renew, repay or refinance its indebtedness when due or may be required to refinance its indebtedness at higher interest rates or on terms that may not be as favorable as the terms of existing indebtedness. If the
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Company is unable to refinance its indebtedness on acceptable terms, or at all, the Company might be forced to dispose of one or more of its properties on disadvantageous terms, which might result in losses. Such losses could have an adverse effect on the Company and its ability to make distributions to Essex's stockholders or the Operating Partnership's unitholders and pay amounts due on its debt.

Debt financing of communities may result in insufficient cash flow to service debt and fund distributions. Where appropriate, the Company intends to continue to use leverage to increase the rate of return on the Company’s investments and to provide for additional investments that the Company could not otherwise make. There is a risk that the cash flow from the communities will be insufficient to meet both debt payment obligations and the REIT distribution requirements of the Code. Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our indebtedness and to fund our operations, working capital and capital expenditures, depends on our ability to generate cash in the future. There is a risk that we may not be able to refinance existing indebtedness or that a refinancing will not be done on as favorable terms, which in either case could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company had 12 consolidated communities encumbered by debt. With respect to such communities, all of them are secured by deeds of trust relating solely to those communities. The holders of this indebtedness will have rights with respect to these communities and, if debt payment obligations are not met, lenders may seek foreclosure of communities, or may appoint a receiver and exercise rights under an assignment of rents and leases, or pursue other remedies which would reduce the Company’s income and net asset value, and its ability to service other debt. Foreclosures could also create taxable income without accompanying cash proceeds, thereby hindering our ability to meet REIT distribution requirements.

Compliance requirements of tax-exempt financing and below market rent requirements may limit income from certain communities. At December 31, 2020, the Company had approximately $225.1 million of variable rate tax-exempt financing. This tax-exempt financing provides for certain deed restrictions and restrictive covenants. The Company expects to engage in tax-exempt financings in the future. If the compliance requirements of the tax-exempt financing restrict our ability to increase our rental rates to low or moderate income tenants, or eligible/qualified tenants, then our income from these properties may be limited. While we generally believe that the interest rate benefit attendant to properties with tax-exempt bonds more than outweigh any loss of income due to restrictive covenants or deed restrictions, this may not always be the case. Some of these requirements are complex and our failure to comply with them may subject us to material fines or liabilities. Certain state and local authorities may impose additional rental restrictions. These restrictions may limit income from the tax-exempt financed communities if the Company is required to decrease its rental rates to attract tenants who satisfy the median income test. If the Company does not reserve the required number of apartment homes for tenants satisfying these income requirements, the tax-exempt status of the bonds may be terminated, the obligations under the bond documents may be accelerated and the Company may be subject to additional contractual liability. Notwithstanding the limitations due to tax-exempt financing requirements, the income from certain communities may be limited due to below market rent requirements imposed by local authorities in connection with the original development of the community.

The indentures governing our notes and other financing arrangements contain restrictive covenants that limit our operating flexibility. The indentures that govern our publicly registered notes contain financial and operating covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability to take specific actions, even if we believe them to be in our best interests, including restrictions on our ability to:
•consummate a merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets; and
•incur additional secured and unsecured indebtedness.

The instruments governing our other unsecured indebtedness require us to meet specified financial covenants, including covenants relating to net worth, fixed charge coverage, debt service coverage, the amounts of total indebtedness and secured indebtedness, leverage and certain investment limitations. These covenants may restrict our ability to expand or fully pursue our business strategies. Our ability to comply with these provisions and those contained in the indentures governing the notes, may be affected by changes in our operating and financial performance, changes in general business and economic conditions, adverse regulatory developments or other events adversely impacting us. The breach of any of these covenants, including those contained in our indentures, could result in a default under our indebtedness, which could cause those and other obligations to become due and payable. If any of our indebtedness is accelerated, we may not be able to repay it.

Uncertainty relating to the LIBOR calculation process and potential phasing out of LIBOR after 2021 may materially adversely affect us. The interest rate on certain of the Company’s secured and unsecured debt obligations, including the Company’s two unsecured lines of credit, is based on the LIBOR. In July 2017, the United Kingdom regulator that regulates
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LIBOR announced its intention to phase out LIBOR rates by the end of 2021. On November 30, 2020, the United Kingdom regulator announced its intentions, subject to confirmation following an early December consultation, to cease the publication of the one week and two month U.S. dollar LIBOR immediately following the December 31, 2021 publications, and the remaining U.S. dollar LIBOR tenors immediately following the June 30, 2023 publications. At this time, no consensus exists as to what rate or rates may become accepted alternatives to LIBOR, and it is impossible to predict whether and to what extent banks will continue to provide LIBOR submissions to the administrator of LIBOR or whether any additional reforms to LIBOR may be enacted in the United Kingdom, the United States or elsewhere. Any changes in the method used for determining LIBOR may result in a sudden or prolonged increase or decrease in LIBOR. If a published U.S. dollar LIBOR rate is unavailable after 2021, the interest rates on certain of the Company’s debt obligations could change. Uncertainty as to the nature of such potential changes, phase out, alternative reference rates or other reforms may materially adversely affect the trading market for LIBOR-based securities. Any of these proposals or consequences could have a material adverse effect on our financing costs, and as a result, our financial condition and results of operations.

Interest rate hedging arrangements may result in losses. The Company from time to time uses interest rate swaps and interest rate caps contracts to manage certain interest rate risks. Although these agreements may partially protect against rising interest rates, they also may reduce the benefits to the Company if interest rates decline. If a hedging arrangement is not indexed to the same rate as the indebtedness that is hedged, the Company may be exposed to losses to the extent that the rate governing the indebtedness and the rate governing the hedging arrangement change independently of each other. Finally, nonperformance by the other party to the hedging arrangement may subject the Company to increased credit risks. In order to minimize counterparty credit risk, the Company enters into hedging arrangements only with investment grade financial institutions.

A downgrade in the Company's investment grade credit rating could materially and adversely affect its business and financial condition. The Company plans to manage its operations to maintain its investment grade credit rating with a capital structure consistent with its current profile, but there can be no assurance that it will be able to maintain its current credit ratings. Any downgrades in terms of ratings or outlook by any of the rating agencies could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s cost and availability of capital, which could in turn have a material adverse impact on its financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

Changes in the Company’s financing policy may lead to higher levels of indebtedness. The Company’s organizational documents do not limit the amount or percentage of indebtedness that may be incurred. The Company has adopted a policy of maintaining a limit on debt financing consistent with the existing covenants required to maintain the Company’s unsecured line of credit bank facility, unsecured debt and senior unsecured bonds. Although pursuant to this policy the Company manages its debt to be in compliance with the debt covenants, the Company may increase the amount of outstanding debt at any time without a concurrent improvement in the Company’s ability to service the additional debt. Accordingly, the Company could become more leveraged, resulting in an increased risk of default on its debt covenants or on its debt obligations and in an increase in debt service requirements. Any covenant breach or significant increase in the Company’s leverage could materially adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and ability to access debt and equity capital markets in the future.

If the Company or any of its subsidiaries defaults on an obligation to repay outstanding indebtedness when due, the default could trigger a cross-default or cross-acceleration under other indebtedness. If the Company or any of its subsidiaries defaults on its obligations to repay outstanding indebtedness, the default could cause a cross-default or cross-acceleration under other indebtedness. A default under the agreements governing the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ indebtedness, including a default under mortgage indebtedness, lines of credit, bank term loan, or the indenture for the Company’s outstanding senior notes, that is not waived by the required lenders or holders of outstanding notes, could trigger cross-default or cross-acceleration provisions under one or more agreements governing the Company’s indebtedness, which could cause an immediate default or allow the lenders to declare all funds borrowed thereunder to be due and payable.

The Company could be negatively impacted by the condition of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and by changes in government support for multifamily housing. Historically, the Company has utilized borrowing from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. There are no assurances that these entities will lend to the Company in the future. The Company primarily utilizes unsecured debt and repays secured debt at or near its respective maturity and places less reliance on agency mortgage debt financing. Potential options have been proposed for the future of agency mortgage finance in the United States that could involve the phase out of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. While we believe Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will continue to provide liquidity to our sector, should they discontinue doing so, have their mandates changed or reduced or be disbanded or reorganized by the government or if there is reduced government support for multifamily housing more generally, it may adversely affect interest rates, capital availability, development of multifamily communities and the value of multifamily residential real estate and, as a result, may adversely affect the Company and its growth and operations.

Risks Related to Personnel
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The Company depends on its key personnel, whose continued service is not guaranteed. The Company’s success depends on its ability to attract, train and retain executive officers, senior officers and company managers. There is substantial competition for qualified personnel in the real estate industry and the departure of any of the Company’s key personnel could have an adverse effect on the Company. While the Company engages in regular succession planning for key positions, the Company’s plans may be impacted and therefore adjusted due to the departure of any key personnel.

The Company’s Chairman is involved in other real estate activities and investments, which may lead to conflicts of interest. The Company’s Chairman, George M. Marcus, is not an employee of the Company, and is involved in other real estate activities and investments, which may lead to conflicts of interest. Mr. Marcus owns interests in various other real estate-related businesses and investments. He 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. MMI is a national brokerage firm listed on the NYSE that underwent its initial public offering in 2013.

Mr. Marcus has agreed not to divulge any confidential or proprietary information that may be received by him in his capacity as Chairman of the Company to any of his affiliated companies and that he will absent himself from any and all discussions by Essex's Board of Directors regarding any proposed acquisition and/or development of an apartment community where it appears that there may be a conflict of interest with any of his affiliated companies. Notwithstanding this agreement, Mr. Marcus and his affiliated entities may potentially compete with the Company in acquiring and/or developing apartment communities, which competition may be detrimental to the Company. In addition, due to such potential competition for real estate investments, Mr. Marcus and his affiliated entities may have a conflict of interest with the Company, which may be detrimental to the interests of Essex's stockholders and the Operating Partnership's unitholders.

The influence of executive officers, directors, and significant stockholders may be detrimental to holders of common stock. As of December 31, 2020, Mr. Marcus wholly or partially owned approximately 1.9 million shares of common stock (including shares issuable upon exchange of limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership and certain other partnerships, indirectly held shares of common stock and assuming exercise of all vested options). Mr. Marcus currently does not have majority control over the Company. However, he currently has, and likely will continue to have, significant influence with respect to the election of directors and approval or disapproval of significant corporate actions. Consequently, his influence could result in decisions that do not reflect the interests of all the Company’s stockholders.
Under the partnership agreement of the Operating Partnership, the consent of the holders of limited partnership interests is generally required for certain amendments of the agreement and for certain extraordinary actions. Through their ownership of limited partnership interests and their positions with the Company, the Company’s directors and executive officers, including Mr. Marcus, have substantial influence on the Company. Consequently, their influence could result in decisions that do not reflect the interests of all stockholders.
Our related party guidelines may not adequately address all of the issues that may arise with respect to related party transactions. The Company has adopted "Related Party Transaction Approval Process Guidelines" that provide generally that any transaction in which a director or executive officer has an interest must have the prior approval of the Audit Committee of Essex's Board of Directors. The review and approval procedures in these guidelines are intended to determine whether a particular related party transaction is fair, reasonable and serves the interests of the Company's stockholders. Pursuant to these guidelines, related party transactions have been approved from time to time. There is no assurance that this policy will be adequate for determining whether a particular related party transaction is suitable and fair for the Company. Also, the policy's procedures may not identify and address all the potential issues and conflicts of interests with a related party transaction.

Employee theft or fraud could result in loss. Certain of our employees have access to, or signature authority with respect to, bank accounts or other Company assets, which exposes us to the risk of fraud or theft. In addition, certain employees have access to key information technology ("IT") infrastructure and to tenant and other information that is commercially valuable. Should any employee compromise our IT systems, or misappropriate tenant or other information, we could incur losses, including significant financial or reputational harm, from which full recovery cannot be assured. We also may not have insurance that covers any losses in full or that covers losses from particular criminal acts. Potential liabilities for theft or fraud are not quantifiable and an estimate of possible loss cannot be made.

Risks Related to Taxes and Status as a REIT

Failure to generate sufficient revenue or other liquidity needs and impacts of economic conditions could limit cash flow available for dividend distributions, as well as the form and timing of such distributions, to Essex's stockholders or the Operating Partnership's unitholders. A decrease in rental revenue, or liquidity needs such as the repayment of indebtedness or
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funding of our acquisition and development activities, could have an adverse effect on our ability to pay distributions to Essex's stockholders or the Operating Partnership's unitholders. Significant expenditures associated with each community such as debt service payments, if any, real estate taxes, insurance and maintenance costs are generally not reduced when circumstances cause a reduction in income from a community. The form, timing and/or amount of dividend distributions will be declared at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend on actual cash from operations, our financial condition, capital requirements, the annual distribution requirements under the REIT provisions of the Code and other factors as the Board of Directors may consider relevant. The Board of Directors may modify our dividend policy from time to time.

Essex may choose to pay dividends in its own stock, in which case stockholders may be required to pay tax in excess of the cash they receive. We may distribute taxable dividends that are payable in part in Essex's stock. Taxable stockholders receiving such dividends will be required to include the full amount of the dividend as income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits for federal income tax purposes. As a result, a U.S. stockholder may be required to pay tax with respect to such dividends in excess of the cash received. If a U.S. stockholder sells the stock it receives as a dividend in order to pay this tax, the sales proceeds may be less than the amount included in income with respect to the dividend, depending on the market price of our stock at the time of the sale. Furthermore, with respect to non-U.S. stockholders, we may be required to withhold U.S. tax with respect to such dividends, including in respect of all or a portion of such dividend that is payable in stock. In addition, the trading price of Essex's stock would experience downward pressure if a significant number of our stockholders sell shares of Essex's stock in order to pay taxes owed on dividends.

The Maryland Business Combination Act may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or change in control of the Company that might involve a premium price for the Company's stock or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders. Under the Maryland General Corporation Law, certain "business combinations" between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. An interested stockholder is defined as any person (and certain affiliates of such person) who beneficially owns ten percent or more of the voting power of the then-outstanding voting stock of the corporation. The law also requires a two supermajority stockholder votes for such transactions. This means that the transaction must be approved by at least:

•80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding voting shares; and
•two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding voting shares other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom the business combination is to be effected.

The statute permits various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations that are exempted by the board of directors prior to the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These voting provisions do not apply if the stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under the Maryland General Corporation Law. As permitted by the statute, the Board of Directors of Essex irrevocably has elected to exempt any business combination among the Company, George M. Marcus, who is the chairman of the Company, and MMC or any entity owned or controlled by Mr. Marcus and MMC. Consequently, the five-year prohibition and supermajority vote requirements described above will not apply to any business combination between the Company, Mr. Marcus, or MMC. As a result, the Company may in the future enter into business combinations with Mr. Marcus and MMC, without compliance with the supermajority vote requirements and other provisions of the Maryland Business Combination Act.

Certain provisions contained in the Operating Partnership agreement, Charter and Bylaws, and certain provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law could delay, defer or prevent a change in control. While the Company is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership, and generally has full and exclusive responsibility and discretion in the management and control of the Operating Partnership, certain provisions of the Operating Partnership agreement place limitations on the Company’s power to act with respect to the Operating Partnership. Such limitations could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for the Company’s stock or otherwise be in the best interests of its stockholders or that could otherwise adversely affect their interests. The partnership agreement provides that if the limited partners own at least 5% of the outstanding units of partnership interest in the Operating Partnership, the Company may not, without first obtaining the consent of a majority in interest of the limited partners in the Operating Partnership, transfer all or any portion of the Company’s general partner interest in the Operating Partnership to another entity. Such limitations on the Company’s power to act may result in the Company’s being precluded from taking action that the Board of Directors otherwise believes is in the best interests of the Company or its stockholders.

The Company’s Charter authorizes the issuance of additional shares of common stock or preferred stock and the setting of the preferences, rights and other terms of such stock without the approval of the holders of the common stock. The Company may establish one or more classes or series of stock that could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control. Such a
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transaction might involve a premium price for the Company’s stock or otherwise be in the best interests of the holders of common stock. Also, such a class or series of stock could have dividend, voting or other rights that could adversely affect the interests of holders of common stock.

The Company’s Charter contains provisions limiting the transferability and ownership of shares of capital stock, which may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control. For example, subject to receiving an exemption from the Board of Directors, potential acquirers may not purchase more than 6% in value of the stock (other than qualified pension trusts which can acquire 9.9%). This may discourage tender offers that may be attractive to the holders of common stock and limit the opportunity for stockholders to receive a premium for their shares of common stock.

The Maryland General Corporation Law restricts the voting rights of holders of shares deemed to be "control shares." Under the Maryland General Corporation Law, "control shares" are those which, when aggregated with any other shares held by the acquirer, entitle the acquirer to exercise voting power within specified ranges. Although the Bylaws exempt the Company from the control share provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law, the Board of Directors may amend or eliminate the provisions of the Bylaws at any time in the future. Moreover, any such amendment or elimination of such provision of the Bylaws may result in the application of the control share provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law not only to control shares which may be acquired in the future, but also to control shares previously acquired. If the provisions of the Bylaws are amended or eliminated, the control share provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or change in control that might involve a premium price for the stock or otherwise be in the best interests of the Company’s stockholders.

The Company’s Charter and Bylaws as well as Maryland General Corporation Law also contain other provisions that may impede various actions by stockholders without approval of Essex’s Board of Directors, and that in turn may delay, defer or prevent a transaction, including a change in control that might involve a premium price for the stock or otherwise be in the best interests of the Company's stockholders. Those provisions include, among others:
•directors may be removed by stockholders, without cause, only upon the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of the directors, and with cause, only upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of the directors;
•Essex’s Board of Directors can fix the number of directors and fill vacant directorships upon the vote of a majority of the directors and Essex's Board of Directors can classify the board such that the entire board is not up for re-election annually;
•stockholders must give advance notice to nominate directors or propose business for consideration at a stockholders’ meeting; and
•for stockholders to call a special meeting, the meeting must be requested by not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting.

Loss of the Company's REIT status would have significant adverse consequences to the Company and the value of the Company's common stock. The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code. The Company’s qualification as a REIT requires it to satisfy various annual and quarterly requirements, including income, asset and distribution tests, established under highly technical and complex Code provisions for which there are only limited judicial or administrative interpretations.

For example, in order to qualify as a REIT, at least 95% of our gross income in each year must be derived from qualifying sources, and we must pay distributions to stockholders aggregating annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (excluding net capital gains). Although the Company intends that its current organization and method of operation enable it to qualify as a REIT, it cannot assure you that it so qualifies or that it will be able to remain so qualified in the future. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, the Company would be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on the Company’s taxable income (and the Company could be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax for taxable years prior to 2018), and the Company would not be allowed to deduct dividends paid to its stockholders in computing its taxable income. The Company would also be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year in which the Company failed to qualify, unless we are entitled to relief under statutory provisions. The additional tax liability would reduce its net earnings available for investment or distribution to Essex stockholders and Operating Partnership unitholders, and the Company would no longer be required to make distributions to its stockholders for the purpose of maintaining REIT status. As a result of all these factors, the Company’s failure to qualify as a REIT also could impair its ability to expand its business and raise capital, and could adversely affect the value and market price of the Company’s common stock.

Complying with REIT requirements may affect our profitability and may force us to liquidate or forgo otherwise attractive investments. To qualify as a REIT, we must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, the nature and diversification of our assets, the sources of our income and the amounts we distribute to our stockholders. We may be required to liquidate or forgo otherwise attractive investments in order to satisfy the asset and income tests or to qualify under certain
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statutory relief provisions. We also may be required to make distributions to stockholders at disadvantageous times or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution. As a result, having to comply with the distribution requirement could cause us to: (1) sell assets in adverse market conditions; (2) borrow on unfavorable terms; or (3) distribute amounts that would otherwise be invested in future acquisitions, capital expenditures or repayment of debt. Accordingly, satisfying the REIT requirements could materially and adversely affect us. Moreover, if we are compelled to liquidate our investments to meet any of these asset, income or distribution tests, or to repay obligations to our lenders, we may be unable to comply with one or more of the requirements applicable to REITs or may be subject to a 100% tax on any resulting of debt. Accordingly, satisfying the REIT requirements could materially and adversely affect us. Moreover, if we are compelled to liquidate our investments to meet any of these asset, income or distribution tests, or to repay obligations to our lenders, we may be unable to comply with one or more of the requirements applicable to REITs or may be subject to a 100% tax on any resulting gain if such sales constitute prohibited transactions.

Legislative or other actions affecting REITs could have a negative effect on the Company or its stockholders. The rules dealing with federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Changes to the tax laws, with or without retroactive legislation, could adversely affect the Company or its stockholders. New legislation, Treasury Regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions could significantly and negatively affect the Company’s ability to qualify as a REIT, the federal income tax consequences of such qualification, or the federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Company. Also, the law relating to the tax treatment of other entities, or an investment in other entities, could change, making an investment in such other entities more attractive relative to an investment in a REIT.

The Company’s ownership of TRSs is subject to certain restrictions, and it will be required to pay a 100% penalty tax on certain income or deductions if transactions with the Company’s TRSs are not conducted on arm’s length terms. The Company has established several TRSs. The TRSs must pay U.S. federal income tax on their taxable income as a regular C corporation. While the Company will attempt to ensure that its dealings with its TRSs do not adversely affect its REIT qualification, it cannot provide assurances that it will successfully achieve that result. Furthermore, the Company may be subject to a 100% penalty tax, to the extent dealings between the Company and its TRSs are not deemed to be arm’s length in nature. The Company intends that its dealings with its TRSs will be on an arm’s length basis. No assurances can be given, however, that the Internal Revenue Service will not assert a contrary position.

Failure of one or more of the Company’s subsidiaries to qualify as a REIT could adversely affect the Company’s ability to qualify as a REIT. The Company owns interests in multiple subsidiary REITs that have elected to be taxed as REITs under the Code. These subsidiary REITs are subject to the various REIT qualification requirements and other limitations that are applicable to the Company. If any of the Company’s subsidiary REITs were to fail to qualify as a REIT, then (i) the subsidiary REIT would become subject to federal income tax and (ii) the Company’s ownership of shares in such subsidiary REIT would cease to be a qualifying asset for purposes of the asset tests applicable to REITs. If any of the Company’s subsidiary REITs were to fail to qualify as REITs, it is possible that the Company could also fail to qualify as a REIT.

The tax imposed on REITs engaging in "prohibited transactions" may limit the Company’s ability to engage in transactions which would be treated as sales for federal income tax purposes. From time to time, the Company may transfer or otherwise dispose of some of its properties. Under the Code, unless certain exceptions apply, any gain resulting from transfers of properties that the Company holds as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business could be treated as income from a prohibited transaction subject to a 100% penalty tax. Since the Company acquires properties for investment purposes, it does not believe that its occasional transfers or disposals of property should be treated as prohibited transactions. However, whether property is held for investment purposes depends on all the facts and circumstances surrounding the particular transaction. The Internal Revenue Service may contend that certain transfers or disposals of properties by the Company are prohibited transactions. If the Internal Revenue Service were to argue successfully that a transfer or disposition of property constituted a prohibited transaction, then the Company would be required to pay a 100% penalty tax on any gain allocable to it from the prohibited transaction, and the Company’s ability to retain proceeds from real property sales may be jeopardized.

Dividends payable by REITs may be taxed at higher rates than dividends of non-REIT corporations, which could reduce the net cash received by stockholders and may be detrimental to the Company’s ability to raise additional funds through any future sale of its stock. Dividends paid by REITs to U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts or estates are generally not eligible for the reduced tax rate applicable to qualified dividends received from non-REIT corporations. U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates generally may deduct 20% of ordinary dividends from a REIT for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026. Although this deduction reduces the effective tax rate applicable to certain dividends paid by REITs, such tax rate is still higher than the tax rate applicable to regular corporate qualified dividends. This
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may cause investors to view REIT investments as less attractive than investments in non-REIT corporations, which in turn may adversely affect the value of stock in REITs, including the Company's stock.

We may face risks in connection with Section 1031 exchanges. From time to time we dispose of real properties in transactions intended to qualify as "like-kind exchanges" under Section 1031 of the Code. If a transaction intended to qualify as a Section 1031 exchange is later determined to be taxable, we may face adverse consequences, and if the laws applicable to such transactions are amended or repealed, we may not be able to dispose of real properties on a tax deferred basis.

If the Operating Partnership failed to qualify as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, the Company could cease to qualify as a REIT and suffer other adverse consequences. The Company believes that the Operating Partnership will continue to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a partnership, the Operating Partnership is not subject to U.S. federal income tax on its income. Instead, each of its partners is required to pay tax on the partner’s allocable share of the income of the Operating Partnership. No assurances can be given, however, that the Internal Revenue Service will not challenge the Operating Partnership’s status as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or that a court would not sustain such a challenge. If the Internal Revenue Service were successful in treating the Operating Partnership as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Company could fail to meet the income tests and/or the asset tests applicable to REITs and, accordingly, cease to qualify as a REIT. Also, the failure of the Operating Partnership to qualify as a partnership would cause it to become subject to federal and state corporate income tax, which would reduce significantly the amount of cash available for debt service and distribution to its partners, including us.

Partnership tax audit rules could have a material adverse effect on us. Under current federal partnership tax audit rules, subject to certain exceptions, any audit adjustment to items of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit of a partnership (and a partner’s allocable share thereof) is determined, and taxes, interest, and penalties attributable thereto are assessed and collected, at the partnership level. Unless the partnership makes an election or takes certain steps to require the partners to pay their tax on their allocable shares of the adjustment, it is possible that partnerships in which we directly or indirectly invest would be required to pay additional taxes, interest, and penalties as a result of an audit adjustment. We, as a direct or indirect partner of these partnerships, could be required to bear the economic burden of those taxes, interest, and penalties even though Essex, as a REIT, may not otherwise have been required to pay additional corporate‑level taxes had we owned the assets of the partnership directly. The partnership tax audit rules apply to Essex Portfolio, L.P. and its subsidiaries that are classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes. There can be no assurance that these rules will not have a material adverse effect on us.

General Risks

We may from time to time be subject to litigation, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We may be a party to various claims and routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. Some of these claims may result in defense costs, settlements, fines or judgments against us, some of which are not, or cannot be, covered by insurance. Payment of any such costs, settlements, fines or judgments that are not insured could have an adverse impact on our financial position and results of operations. In addition, certain litigation or the resolution of certain litigation may affect the availability or cost of some of our insurance coverage, which could adversely impact our results of operations and cash flow, expose us to increased risks that would be uninsured, or adversely impact our ability to attract officers and directors.

Rising interest rates may affect the Company’s costs of capital and financing activities and results of operation and otherwise adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Interest rates could increase, which could result in higher interest expense on the Company’s variable rate indebtedness or increase interest rates when refinancing maturing fixed rate debt. Prolonged interest rate increases could negatively impact the Company’s ability to make acquisitions and develop apartment communities with positive economic returns on investment and the Company’s ability to refinance existing borrowings. In addition, an increase in market interest rates may lead purchasers of our common stock to demand a greater annual dividend yield, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

The soundness of financial institutions could adversely affect us. We maintain cash and cash equivalent balances, including significant cash amounts at our wholly owned insurance subsidiary, PWI, as well as 401(k) plan assets in a limited number of financial institutions. Our cash balances are generally in excess of federally insured limits. The failure or collapse of one or more of these financial institutions may materially adversely affect our ability to recover our cash balances or the 401(k) assets. Certain financial institutions are lenders under our credit facilities, and, from time to time, we execute transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry. In the event that the volatility of the financial markets adversely affects these financial institutions or counterparties, we or other parties to the transactions with us may be unable to complete transactions as intended, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations. Additionally, certain of our tax-exempt bond
30
financing documents require us to obtain a guarantee from a financial institution of payment of the principal and interest on the bonds. The guarantee may take the form of a letter of credit, surety bond, guarantee agreement or other additional collateral. If the financial institution defaults in its guarantee obligations, or if we are unable to renew the applicable guarantee or otherwise post satisfactory collateral, a default will occur under the applicable tax-exempt bonds and the community could be foreclosed upon if we do not redeem the bonds.

The price per share of the Company’s stock may fluctuate significantly. The market price per share of the Company’s common stock may fluctuate significantly in response to many factors, including without limitation:
•regional, national and global economic conditions;
•actual or anticipated variations in the Company’s quarterly operating results or dividends;
•changes in the Company’s funds from operations or earnings estimates;
•issuances of common stock, preferred stock or convertible debt securities, or the perception that such issuances might occur;
•publication of research reports about the Company or the real estate industry;
•the general reputation of REITs and the attractiveness of their equity securities in comparison to other equity securities (including securities issued by other real estate based companies);
•general stock and bond market conditions, including changes in interest rates on fixed income securities, that may lead prospective purchasers of the Company’s stock to demand a higher annual yield from dividends;
•shifts in our investor base to a higher concentration of passive investors such as exchange traded fund and index funds, which may adversely affect our ability to communicate effectively with our investors;
•the resale of substantial amounts of the Company's stock, or the anticipation of such resale, by large holders of our securities;
•availability of capital markets and cost of capital;
•a change in analyst ratings or the Company’s credit ratings;
•terrorist activity adversely affecting the markets in which the Company’s securities trade, possibly increasing market volatility and causing erosion of business and consumer confidence and spending;
•hazards such as natural disasters like earthquakes, wildfires, landslides or flooding; terrorism; an active shooter at a property or corporate office; an incident involving multiple key members of the executive team; or an epidemic or pandemic;
•changes in public policy and tax law; and
•the issuance of ratings and scores related to corporate social responsibility ("CSR") and environmental, social and governance ("ESG") reports and disclosures.

Many of the factors listed above are beyond the Company’s control. These factors may cause the market price of shares of the Company’s common stock to decline, regardless of the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or business prospects.

The Company’s future issuances of common stock, preferred stock or convertible debt securities could be dilutive to current stockholders and adversely affect the market price of the Company’s common stock. In order to finance the Company’s acquisition and development activities, the Company could issue and sell common stock, preferred stock and convertible debt securities. The Company may in the future sell further shares of common stock, including pursuant to its equity distribution program with Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., BNP Paribas Securities Corp., BTIG, LLC, Capital One Securities, Inc., Jefferies LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC, MUFG Securities Americas Inc., and Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.

In 2018, the Company filed a new shelf registration statement with the SEC, allowing the Company to sell an undetermined number of equity and debt securities as defined in the prospectus. Future sales of common stock, preferred stock or convertible debt securities may dilute stockholder ownership in the Company and could adversely affect the market price of the common stock.

Stockholders have limited control over changes in our policies and operations. Essex’s Board of Directors determines our major policies, including our policies regarding investments, financing, growth, debt capitalization, REIT qualification and distributions. Essex’s Board of Directors may amend or revise these and other policies without a vote of the stockholders. In addition, pursuant to Maryland law, all matters other than the election or removal of a director must be declared advisable by Essex’s Board of Directors prior to a stockholder vote.

Our score or rating by proxy advisory firms or other corporate governance consultants advising institutional investors could have an adverse effect on the perception of our corporate governance, and thereby negatively impact the market price of our common stock. Various proxy advisory firms and other corporate governance consultants advising institutional investors
31
provide scores or ratings of our governance measures, nominees for election as directors, executive compensation practices, ESG or sustainability matters, and other matters that may be submitted to stockholders for consideration at our annual meetings. From time to time certain matters that we propose for approval may not receive a favorable score or rating, or may result in a negative score or rating or recommendation against the nominee or matter proposed. These unfavorable scores or ratings may lead to rejected proposals or a loss of stockholder confidence in our corporate governance measures, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

We periodically review our corporate governance measures, including our ESG business practices, and consider implementing changes that we believe are responsive to concerns that have been raised, but there may be times where we decide not to implement changes or other measures recommended by proxy advisors or other corporate governance consultants that we believe are contrary to the best interests of our stockholders, notwithstanding the adverse effect this decision may have on our scores or ratings or the perception of our corporate governance, thereby negatively impacting the market price of our common stock.

Corporate responsibility, specifically related to ESG factors, may impose additional costs and expose us to new risks. The Company and many of its investors and potential investors are focused on corporate responsibility, specifically related to ESG factors. Some investors may use ESG factors to guide their investment strategies. Many investment funds focus on positive ESG business practices and sustainability scores when making investments and may consider a company’s sustainability efforts and/or score when making an investment decision. In addition, investors, particularly institutional investors, may use ESG or sustainability scores to benchmark companies against their peers. Although the Company makes ESG disclosures and undertakes sustainability and diversity initiatives, there can be no assurance that the Company will score highly on ESG matters in the future. In addition, the criteria by which companies are rated may change, which could cause the Company to perform differently or worse than it has in the past. The Company may face reputational damage in the event its corporate responsibility procedures or standards do not meet the standards set by various constituencies. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have an adverse effect on the price of the Company’s stock and the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations, including increased development costs, capital expenditures and operating expenses.

We could face adverse consequences as a result of actions of activist investors. Campaigns by stockholders to effect changes at publicly traded companies are sometimes led by investors seeking to increase short-term stockholder value through actions such as financial restructuring, increased debt, special dividends, stock repurchases or sales of assets or the entire company. Responding to stockholder activism or engaging in a process or proxy contest may be costly and time-consuming, disrupt our operations and divert the attention of our management team and our employees from executing our business plan, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Expanding social media vehicles present new risks. The use of social media could cause us to suffer brand damage or information leakage. Negative posts or comments about us on any social networking website could damage our reputation. In addition, employees or others might disclose non-public sensitive information relating to our business through external media channels. The continuing evolution of social media will present us with new challenges and risks.

Any material weaknesses identified in the Company's internal control over financial reporting could have an adverse effect on the Company’s stock price. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires the Company to evaluate and report on its internal control over financial reporting. If the Company identifies one or more material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting, the Company could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of its financial reports, which in turn could have an adverse effect on the Company’s stock price.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.
32
Item 2. Properties

The Company’s portfolio as of December 31, 2020 (including communities owned by unconsolidated joint ventures, but excluding communities underlying preferred equity investments) was comprised of 246 stabilized operating apartment communities (comprising 60,272 apartment homes), of which 26,581 apartment homes are located in Southern California, 21,584 apartment homes are located in Northern California, and 12,107 apartment homes are located in the Seattle metropolitan area. The Company’s apartment communities accounted for 99.4% of the Company’s revenues for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Occupancy Rates

Financial occupancy is defined as the percentage resulting from dividing actual rental income by total potential rental income. Total potential rental income represents the value of all apartment homes, with occupied apartment homes valued at contractual rental rates pursuant to leases and vacant apartment homes valued at estimated market rents. When calculating actual rents for occupied apartment homes and market rents for vacant apartment homes, delinquencies and concessions are not taken into account. The Company believes that financial occupancy is a meaningful measure of occupancy because it considers the value of each vacant unit at its estimated market rate. Financial occupancy may not completely reflect short-term trends in physical occupancy and financial occupancy rates, and the Company's calculation of financial occupancy may not be comparable to financial occupancy as disclosed by other REITs. 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 apartment homes. The Company may increase or decrease these rates based on a variety of factors, including overall supply and demand for housing, concentration of new apartment deliveries within the same submarket which can cause periodic disruption due to greater rental concessions to increase leasing velocity, and rental affordability.

For 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 a 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 income is not considered the best metric to quantify occupancy.

Communities

The Company’s communities are primarily urban and suburban high density wood frame communities comprising of three to seven stories above grade construction with structured parking situated on 1-10 acres of land with densities averaging between 30-80+ units per acre. As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s communities include 103 garden-style, 134 mid-rise, and 9 high-rise communities. Garden-style communities are generally defined as on-grade properties with two and/or three-story buildings with no structured parking while mid-rise communities are generally defined as properties with three to seven story buildings and some structured parking. High-rise communities are typically defined as properties with buildings that are greater than seven stories, are steel or concrete framed, and frequently have structured parking. The communities have an average of approximately 245 apartment homes, with a mix of studio, one-, two- and some three-bedroom apartment homes. A wide variety of amenities are available at the Company’s communities, including covered parking, fireplaces, swimming pools, clubhouses with fitness facilities, playground areas and dog parks.
 
The Company hires, trains and supervises on-site service and maintenance personnel.  The Company believes that the following primary factors enhance the Company’s ability to retain tenants:
 
•located near employment centers;
•attractive communities that are well maintained; and
•proactive customer service.

Commercial Buildings

The Company owns an office building with approximately 107,000 square feet located in Irvine, CA, of which the Company occupied approximately 14,000 square feet as of December 31, 2020. Furthermore, as of December 31, 2020, the office building's physical occupancy rate was 100% consisting of 7 tenants, including the Company.

Operating Portfolio

The table below describes the Company’s operating portfolio as of December 31, 2020. (See Note 8, "Mortgage Notes Payable" to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more
33
information about the Company’s secured mortgage debt and Schedule III thereto for a list of secured mortgage loans related to the Company’s portfolio.)

ApartmentYearYear
Communities (1)
LocationTypeHomesBuiltAcquired
Occupancy(2)
Southern California     
Alpine VillageAlpine, CAGarden301 1971200298%
AnaviaAnaheim, CAMid-rise250 2009201097%
Barkley, The (3)(4)
Anaheim, CAGarden161 1984200098%
Park ViridianAnaheim, CAMid-rise320 2008201497%
Bonita CedarsBonita, CAGarden120 1983200297%
Village at Toluca Lake (5)
Burbank, CAMid-rise145 1974201795%
Camarillo OaksCamarillo, CAGarden564 1985199697%
Camino Ruiz SquareCamarillo, CAGarden159 1990200698%
Pinnacle at Otay Ranch I & IIChula Vista, CAMid-rise364 2001201498%
Mesa VillageClairemont, CAGarden133 1963200296%
Villa SienaCosta Mesa, CAGarden272 1974201496%
Emerald PointeDiamond Bar, CAGarden160 1989201498%
Regency at EncinoEncino, CAMid-rise75 1989200994%
The Havens (6)
Fountain Valley, CAGarden440 1969201496%
Valley ParkFountain Valley, CAGarden160 1969200198%
Capri at Sunny Hills (4)
Fullerton, CAGarden102 1961200197%
Haver Hill (7)
Fullerton, CAGarden264 1973201297%
Pinnacle at FullertonFullerton, CAMid-rise192 2004201496%
Wilshire PromenadeFullerton, CAMid-rise149 1992199795%
Montejo ApartmentsGarden Grove, CAGarden124 1974200198%
The Henley IGlendale, CAMid-rise83 1974199995%
The Henley IIGlendale, CAMid-rise132 1970199995%
CBC and The SweepsGoleta, CAGarden239 1962200692%
DevonshireHemet, CAGarden276 1988200298%
Huntington BreakersHuntington Beach, CAMid-rise342 1984199797%
The HuntingtonHuntington Beach, CAGarden276 1975201296%
Axis 2300Irvine, CAMid-rise115 2010201096%
Hillsborough Park (8)
La Habra, CAGarden235 1999199998%
Village GreenLa Habra, CAGarden272 1971201497%
The Palms at Laguna NiguelLaguna Niguel, CAGarden460 1988201497%
Trabuco VillasLake Forest, CAMid-rise132 1985199798%
MarbrisaLong Beach, CAMid-rise202 1987200296%
Pathways at Bixby VillageLong Beach, CAGarden296 1975199196%
5600 WilshireLos Angeles, CAMid-rise284 2008201495%
AlessioLos Angeles, CAMid-rise624 2001201494%
Ashton Sherman VillageLos Angeles, CAMid-rise264 2014201696%
AvantLos Angeles, CAMid-rise440 2014201597%
The AveryLos Angeles, CAMid-rise121 2014201497%
BelleriveLos Angeles, CAMid-rise63 2011201196%
Belmont StationLos Angeles, CAMid-rise275 2009200995%
Bunker HillLos Angeles, CAHigh-rise456 1968199894%
Catalina GardensLos Angeles, CAMid-rise128 1987201495%
Cochran ApartmentsLos Angeles, CAMid-rise58 1989199891%
Emerson Valley VillageLos Angeles, CAMid-rise144 2012201696%
34
ApartmentYearYear
Communities (1)
LocationTypeHomesBuiltAcquired
Occupancy(2)
Gas Company Lofts (7)
Los Angeles, CAHigh-rise251 2004201395%
The Blake LALos Angeles, CAMid-rise196 1979199796%
MarbellaLos Angeles, CAMid-rise60 1991200591%
Pacific Electric Lofts (9)
Los Angeles, CAHigh-rise314 2006201293%
Park CatalinaLos Angeles, CAMid-rise90 2002201296%
Park PlaceLos Angeles, CAMid-rise60 1988199791%
Regency Palm Court (7)
Los Angeles, CAMid-rise116 1987201494%
Santee CourtLos Angeles, CAHigh-rise165 2004201095%
Santee VillageLos Angeles, CAHigh-rise73 2011201195%
Tiffany CourtLos Angeles, CAMid-rise101 1987201495%
Wilshire La BreaLos Angeles, CAMid-rise478 2014201494%
Windsor Court (7)
Los Angeles, CAMid-rise95 1987201493%
Windsor CourtLos Angeles, CAMid-rise58 1988199791%
Aqua Marina Del ReyMarina Del Rey, CAMid-rise500 2001201494%
Marina City Club (10)
Marina Del Rey, CAMid-rise101 1971200495%
MirabellaMarina Del Rey, CAMid-rise188 2000200094%
Mira MonteMira Mesa, CAGarden354 1982200297%
Hillcrest ParkNewbury Park, CAGarden608 1973199897%
Fairway Apartments at Big Canyon (11)
Newport Beach, CAMid-rise74 1972199991%
MuseNorth Hollywood, CAMid-rise152 2011201195%
Country VillasOceanside, CAGarden180 1976200298%
Mission HillsOceanside, CAGarden282 1984200598%
Renaissance at Uptown OrangeOrange, CAMid-rise460 2007201496%
Mariner's PlaceOxnard, CAGarden105 1987200097%
Monterey VillasOxnard, CAGarden122 1974199798%
Tierra VistaOxnard, CAMid-rise404 2001200197%
Arbors at Parc Rose (9)
Oxnard, CAMid-rise373 2001201198%
The HalliePasadena, CAMid-rise292 1972199795%
The StuartPasadena, CAMid-rise188 2007201496%
Villa AngelinaPlacentia, CAGarden256 1970200197%
Fountain ParkPlaya Vista, CAMid-rise705 2002200494%
Highridge (4)
Rancho Palos Verdes, CAMid-rise255 1972199796%
CortesiaRancho Santa Margarita, CAGarden308 1999201497%
Pinnacle at TalegaSan Clemente, CAMid-rise362 2002201497%
Allure at Scripps RanchSan Diego, CAMid-rise194 2002201497%
Bernardo CrestSan Diego, CAGarden216 1988201496%
Cambridge ParkSan Diego, CAMid-rise320 1998201497%
Carmel CreekSan Diego, CAGarden348 2000201496%
Carmel LandingSan Diego, CAGarden356 1989201496%
Carmel SummitSan Diego, CAMid-rise246 1989201497%
CentrePointeSan Diego, CAGarden224 1974199797%
Esplanade (6)
San Diego, CAGarden616 1986201495%
Form 15San Diego, CAMid-rise242 2014201693%
MontanosaSan Diego, CAGarden472 1990201496%
Summit ParkSan Diego, CAGarden300 1972200298%
Essex Skyline (12)
Santa Ana, CAHigh-rise350 2008201094%
Fairhaven Apartments (4)
Santa Ana, CAGarden164 1970200197%
35
ApartmentYearYear
Communities (1)
LocationTypeHomesBuiltAcquired
Occupancy(2)
Parkside Court (6)
Santa Ana, CAMid-rise210 1986201497%
Pinnacle at MacArthur PlaceSanta Ana, CAMid-rise253 2002201497%
Hope RanchSanta Barbara, CAGarden108 1965200796%
Bridgeport Coast (13)
Santa Clarita, CAMid-rise188 2006201497%
Hidden ValleySimi Valley, CAGarden324 2004200497%
Meadowood (8)
Simi Valley, CAGarden320 1986199697%
Shadow PointSpring Valley, CAGarden172 1983200297%
The Fairways at Westridge (13)
Valencia, CAMid-rise234 2004201497%
The Vistas of West Hills (13)
Valencia, CAMid-rise220 2009201497%
AllegroValley Village, CAMid-rise97 2010201095%
Lofts at Pinehurst, TheVentura, CAGarden118 1971199797%
Pinehurst (14)
Ventura, CAGarden28 1973200499%
Woodside VillageVentura, CAGarden145 1987200498%
Walnut HeightsWalnut, CAGarden163 1964200397%
The DylanWest Hollywood, CAMid-rise184 2014201494%
The HuxleyWest Hollywood, CAMid-rise187 2014201493%
RevealWoodland Hills, CAMid-rise438 2010201197%
Avondale at Warner CenterWoodland Hills, CAMid-rise446 1970199997%
  26,581   96%
Northern California     
Belmont Terrace Belmont, CAMid-rise71 1974200696%
Fourth & UBerkeley, CAMid-rise171 2010201095%
The CommonsCampbell, CAGarden264 1973201096%
Pointe at CupertinoCupertino, CAGarden116 1963199898%
Connolly Station Dublin, CAMid-rise309 2014201497%
Avenue 64Emeryville, CAMid-rise224 2007201494%
The Courtyards at 65th Street (15)
Emeryville, CAMid-rise331 2004201994%
Emme Emeryville, CAMid-rise190 2015201594%
Foster's Landing Foster City, CAGarden490 1987201496%
Stevenson PlaceFremont, CAGarden200 1975200095%
Mission PeaksFremont, CAMid-rise453 1995201496%
Mission Peaks IIFremont, CAGarden336 1989201496%
Paragon ApartmentsFremont, CAMid-rise301 2013201496%
BoulevardFremont, CAGarden172 1978199697%
Briarwood (9)
Fremont, CAGarden160 1978201197%
The Woods (9)
Fremont, CAGarden160 1978201196%
City Centre (13)
Hayward, CAMid-rise192 2000201497%
City View Hayward, CAGarden572 1975199896%
Lafayette HighlandsLafayette, CAGarden150 1973201496%
777 Hamilton (16)
Menlo Park, CAMid-rise195 2017201997%
ApexMilpitas, CAMid-rise366 2014201496%
Regency at Mountain View (7)
Mountain View, CAMid-rise142 1970201395%
Bridgeport (8)
Newark, CAGarden184 1987198797%
The Landing at Jack London SquareOakland, CAMid-rise282 2001201495%
The Grand Oakland, CAHigh-rise243 2009200996%
The Galloway Pleasanton, CAMid-rise506 2016201697%
RadiusRedwood City, CAMid-rise264 2015201596%
36
ApartmentYearYear
Communities (1)
LocationTypeHomesBuiltAcquired
Occupancy(2)
TownshipRedwood City, CAMid-rise132 2014201996%
San MarcosRichmond, CAMid-rise432 2003200397%
Bennett Lofts San Francisco, CAMid-rise165 2004201293%
Fox PlazaSan Francisco, CAHigh-rise445 1968201390%
MB 360San Francisco, CAMid-rise360 2014201496%
Park WestSan Francisco, CAMid-rise126 1958201296%
101 San FernandoSan Jose, CAMid-rise323 2001201095%
360 Residences (15)
San Jose, CAMid-rise213 2010201795%
Bella VillagioSan Jose, CAMid-rise231 2004201097%
Century Towers (17)
San Jose, CAHigh-rise376 2017201795%
EnsoSan Jose, CAMid-rise183 2014201597%
Epic San Jose, CAMid-rise769 2013201397%
EsplanadeSan Jose, CAMid-rise278 2002200497%
Fountains at River OaksSan Jose, CAMid-rise226 1990201496%
MarquisSan Jose, CAMid-rise166 2015201697%
Meridian at Midtown (15)
San Jose, CAMid-rise218 2015201895%
MioSan Jose, CAMid-rise103 2015201697%
Palm ValleySan Jose, CAMid-rise1,099 2008201497%
Sage at Cupertino (4)
San Jose, CAGarden230 1971201796%
The Carlyle (8)
San Jose, CAGarden132 2000200096%
The WaterfordSan Jose, CAMid-rise238 2000200097%
Willow Lake San Jose, CAMid-rise508 1989201296%
Lakeshore Landing San Mateo, CAMid-rise308 1988201496%
Hillsdale Garden San Mateo, CAGarden697 1948200696%
Park 20 San Mateo, CAMid-rise197 2015201597%
Station Park Green - Phases I, II, and IIISan Mateo, CAMid-rise492 2018201895%
Deer Valley San Rafael, CAGarden171 1996201495%
Bel Air San Ramon, CAGarden462 1988199597%
Canyon Oaks San Ramon, CAMid-rise250 2005200797%
Crow Canyon San Ramon, CAMid-rise400 1992201498%
Foothill GardensSan Ramon, CAGarden132 1985199798%
Mill Creek at Windermere San Ramon, CAMid-rise400 2005200797%
Twin CreeksSan Ramon, CAGarden44 1985199798%
1000 KielySanta Clara, CAGarden121 1971201197%
Le Parc Santa Clara, CAGarden140 1975199497%
Marina Cove (18)
Santa Clara, CAGarden292 1974199496%
Riley Square (9)
Santa Clara, CAGarden156 1972201296%
Villa GranadaSanta Clara, CAMid-rise270 2010201496%
Chestnut Street Apartments Santa Cruz, CAGarden96 2002200895%
Bristol CommonsSunnyvale, CAGarden188 1989199596%
Brookside Oaks (4)
Sunnyvale, CAGarden170 1973200096%
Lawrence StationSunnyvale, CAMid-rise336 2012201497%
Magnolia Lane (19)
Sunnyvale, CAGarden32 2001200796%
Magnolia Square (4)
Sunnyvale, CAGarden156 1963200796%
Montclaire Sunnyvale, CAMid-rise390 1973198896%
Reed SquareSunnyvale, CAGarden100 1970201197%
SolsticeSunnyvale, CAMid-rise280 2014201496%
37
ApartmentYearYear
Communities (1)
LocationTypeHomesBuiltAcquired
Occupancy(2)
Summerhill ParkSunnyvale, CAGarden100 1988198897%
ViaSunnyvale, CAMid-rise284 2011201196%
Windsor RidgeSunnyvale, CAMid-rise216 1989198995%
Vista BelvedereTiburon, CAMid-rise76 1963200498%
Verandas (13)
Union City, CAMid-rise282 1989201498%
Agora Walnut Creek, CAMid-rise49 2016201697%
Brio (4)
Walnut Creek, CAMid-rise300 2015201996%
21,584 96%
Seattle, Washington Metropolitan Area
BelcarraBellevue, WAMid-rise296 2009201495%
BellCentreBellevue, WAMid-rise248 2001201496%
Cedar TerraceBellevue, WAGarden180 1984200595%
Courtyard off MainBellevue, WAMid-rise110 2000201097%
EllingtonBellevue, WAMid-rise220 1994201495%
Emerald RidgeBellevue, WAGarden180 1987199497%
Foothill CommonsBellevue, WAMid-rise394 1978199096%
Palisades, TheBellevue, WAGarden192 1977199096%
Park HighlandBellevue, WAMid-rise250 1993201496%
PiedmontBellevue, WAGarden396 1969201496%
Sammamish ViewBellevue, WAGarden153 1986199497%
Woodland CommonsBellevue, WAGarden302 1978199096%
Bothell Ridge (6)
Bothell, WAGarden214 1988201497%
Canyon PointeBothell, WAGarden250 1990200397%
Inglenook CourtBothell, WAGarden224 1985199495%
Pinnacle SonataBothell, WAMid-rise268 2000201496%
Salmon Run at Perry CreekBothell, WAGarden132 2000200097%
Stonehedge VillageBothell, WAGarden196 1986199797%
Highlands at WynhavenIssaquah, WAMid-rise333 2000200897%
Park Hill at IssaquahIssaquah, WAGarden245 1999199997%
Wandering CreekKent, WAGarden156 1986199598%
AscentKirkland, WAGarden90 1988201297%
Bridle TrailsKirkland, WAGarden108 1986199797%
Corbella at Juanita BayKirkland, WAGarden169 1978201096%
Evergreen HeightsKirkland, WAGarden200 1990199796%
Slater 116Kirkland, WAMid-rise108 2013201397%
MontebelloKirkland, WAGarden248 1996201297%
Aviara (20)
Mercer Island, WAMid-rise166 2013201496%
Laurels at Mill CreekMill Creek, WAGarden164 1981199697%
Parkwood at Mill CreekMill Creek, WAGarden240 1989201497%
The Elliot at Mukilteo (4)
Mukilteo, WAGarden301 1981199796%
Castle CreekNewcastle, WAGarden216 1998199897%
ElevationRedmond, WAGarden158 1986201096%
Pure RedmondRedmond, WAMid-rise105 2016201994%
Redmond Hill (9)
Redmond, WAGarden442 1985201196%
ShadowbrookRedmond, WAGarden418 1986201495%
The Trails of RedmondRedmond, WAGarden423 1985201496%
Vesta (9)
Redmond, WAGarden440 1998201196%
38
ApartmentYearYear
Communities (1)
LocationTypeHomesBuiltAcquired
Occupancy(2)
Brighton RidgeRenton, WAGarden264 1986199696%
Fairwood PondRenton, WAGarden194 1997200498%
Forest ViewRenton, WAGarden192 1998200397%
Pinnacle on Lake WashingtonRenton, WAMid-rise180 2001201497%
8th & Republican (15)
Seattle, WAMid-rise211 2016201795%
AnnalieseSeattle, WAMid-rise56 2009201396%
The Audrey at BelltownSeattle, WAMid-rise137 1992201495%
The BernardSeattle, WAMid-rise63 2008201195%
Cairns, TheSeattle, WAMid-rise99 2006200793%
Collins on PineSeattle, WAMid-rise76 2013201495%
DomaineSeattle, WAMid-rise92 2009201296%
Expo (17)
Seattle, WAMid-rise275 2012201293%
Fountain CourtSeattle, WAMid-rise320 2000200093%
Patent 523Seattle, WAMid-rise295 2010201095%
Taylor 28Seattle, WAMid-rise197 2008201495%
Velo and Ray (15)
Seattle, WAMid-rise308 2014201994%
Vox ApartmentsSeattle, WAMid-rise58 2013201396%
Wharfside PointeSeattle, WAMid-rise155 1990199496%
  12,107   96%
Total/Weighted Average 60,272   96%

Footnotes to the Company’s Portfolio Listing as of December 31, 2020

(1)Unless otherwise specified, the Company consolidates each community in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
(2)For communities, occupancy rates are based on financial occupancy for the year ended December 31, 2020. For an explanation of how financial occupancy is calculated, see "Occupancy Rates" in this Item 2.
(3)The community is subject to a ground lease, which, unless extended, will expire in 2082.
(4)Each of these communities is part of a DownREIT structure in which the Company is the general partner or manager and the other limited partners or members are granted rights of redemption for their interests.
(5)This community is owned by BEX III, LLC ("BEX III"). The Company has a 50% interest in BEX III, which is accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
(6)This community is owned by BEXAEW. The Company has a 50% interest in BEXAEW, which is accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
(7)This community is owned by Wesco III, LLC ("Wesco III"). The Company has a 50% interest in Wesco III, which is accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
(8)This community is owned by BEX II, LLC ("BEX II"). The Company has a 50% interest in BEX II, which is accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
(9)This community is owned by Wesco I, LLC ("Wesco I"). The Company has a 58% interest in Wesco I, which is accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
(10)This community is subject to a ground lease, which, unless extended, will expire in 2067.
(11)This community is subject to a ground lease, which, unless extended, will expire in 2027.
(12)The Company has a 97% interest and a former Executive Vice President of the Company has a 3% interest in this community.
(13)This community is owned by Wesco IV, LLC ("Wesco IV") The Company has a 50% interest in Wesco IV, which is accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
(14)This community is subject to a ground lease, which, unless extended, will expire in 2028.
(15)This community is owned by Wesco V, LLC ("Wesco V"). The Company has a 50% interest in Wesco V, which is accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
(16)This community is owned by BEX IV, LLC ("BEX IV"). The Company has a 50.1% interest in BEX IV, which is accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
(17)The Company has 50% ownership in this community, which is accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
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(18)A portion of this community on which 84 apartment homes are presently located is subject to a ground lease, which, unless extended, will expire in 2028.
(19)The community is subject to a ground lease, which, unless extended, will expire in 2070.
(20)This community is subject to a ground lease, which, unless extended, will expire in 2070.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

The information regarding lawsuits, other proceedings and claims, set forth in Note 17, "Commitments and Contingencies", to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3. In addition to such matters referred to in Note 17, the Company is subject to various other legal and/or regulatory proceedings arising in the course of its business operations. We believe that, with respect to such matters that we are currently a party to, the ultimate disposition of any such matter will not result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable.

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Part II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Market Information
 
The shares of the Company’s common stock are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ESS. 
 
There is no established public trading market for the Operating Partnership's limited partnership units ("OP Units").
 
Holders
 
The approximate number of holders of record of the shares of Essex's common stock was 1,191 as of February 17, 2021. This number does not include stockholders whose shares are held in investment accounts by other entities. Essex believes the actual number of stockholders is greater than the number of holders of record.
 
As of February 17, 2021, there were 67 holders of record of OP Units, including Essex.
 
Return of Capital
 
Under provisions of the Code, the portion of the cash dividend, if any, that exceeds earnings and profits is considered a return of capital. The return of capital is generated due to a variety of factors, including the deduction of non-cash expenses, primarily depreciation, in the determination of earnings and profits.

The status of the cash dividends distributed for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 related to common stock are as follows:
 202020192018
Common Stock
Ordinary income85.23 %83.81 %79.72 %
Capital gain10.68 %13.78 %15.35 %
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain4.09 %2.41 %4.93 %
 100.00 %100.00 %100.00 %

Dividends and Distributions
 
Future dividends/distributions by Essex and the Operating Partnership will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors of Essex and will depend on the actual cash flows from operations of the Company, its financial condition, capital requirements, the annual distribution requirements under the REIT provisions of the Code, applicable legal restrictions and such other factors as the Board of Directors deems relevant. There are currently no contractual restrictions on Essex's and the Operating Partnership's present or future ability to pay dividends and distributions, and we do not anticipate that our ability to pay dividends/distributions will be impaired; however, there can be no assurances in that regard.
 
The Board of Directors declared a dividend/distribution for the fourth quarter of 2020 of $2.0775 per share. The dividend/distribution was paid on January 15, 2021 to stockholders/unitholders of record as of January 4, 2021.

Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan

Essex has adopted a dividend reinvestment and share purchase plan designed to provide holders of common stock with a convenient and economical means to reinvest all or a portion of their cash dividends in shares of common stock and to acquire additional shares of common stock through voluntary purchases. Computershare, LLC, which serves as Essex's transfer agent, administers the dividend reinvestment and share purchase plan. For a copy of the plan, contact Computershare, LLC at (312) 360-5354.

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Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

The information required by this section is incorporated herein by reference from our Proxy Statement, relating to our 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, under the headings "Equity Compensation Plan Information," to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of December 31, 2020.

Issuance of Registered Equity Securities

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company did not issue any shares of common stock through its equity distribution program. As of December 31, 2020, there were no outstanding forward sale agreements, and $826.6 million of shares remains available to be sold under this program.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

In December 2015, Essex's Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase plan to allow Essex to acquire shares in an aggregate of up to $250.0 million. In February 2019, the Board of Directors approved the replenishment of the stock repurchase plan such that, as of such date, the Company had $250.0 million of purchase authority remaining under the stock repurchase plan. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company repurchased and retired 1,197,190 shares of its common stock totaling $269.3 million, including commissions, at an average price of $224.96 per share. In each of May and December 2020, the Board of Directors approved the replenishment of the stock repurchase plan such that, as of each such date, Essex had $250.0 million of purchase authority remaining under the replenished plan. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had $223.6 million of purchase authority remaining under the stock repurchase plan.
Performance Graph

The line graph below compares the cumulative total stockholder return on Essex's common stock for the last five years with the cumulative total return on the S&P 500 and the NAREIT All Equity REIT index over the same period.  This comparison assumes that the value of the investment in the common stock and each index was $100 on December 31, 2015 and that all dividends were reinvested.

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ess-20201231_g1.jpg
Period Ending
Index12/31/201512/31/201612/31/201712/31/201812/31/201912/31/2020
Essex Property Trust, Inc.100.00 99.87 106.66 111.75 140.70 115.26 
NAREIT All Equity REIT Index100.00 108.63 118.05 113.28 145.75 138.28 
S&P 500 Index100.00 111.96 136.40 130.42 171.49 203.04 
 
(1)Common stock performance data is provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence.

The graph and other information furnished under the above caption "Performance Graph" in this Part II Item 5 of this Form 10-K shall not deemed to be "soliciting material" or to be "filed" with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C, or to the liabilities of the Exchange Act.
 
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
 
During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Operating Partnership issued OP Units in private placements in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, in the amounts and for the consideration set forth below:
 
During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, Essex issued an aggregate of 70,802 and 178,675 shares of its common stock upon the exercise of stock options, respectively. Essex contributed the proceeds from the option exercises of $14.9 million and $37.5 million to the Operating Partnership in exchange for an aggregate of 70,802 and 178,675 OP Units, as required by the Operating Partnership’s partnership agreement, during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
 
During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, Essex issued an aggregate of 24,666 and 16,114 shares of its common stock in connection with restricted stock awards for no cash consideration, respectively. For each share of common stock issued by Essex in connection with such awards, the Operating Partnership issued OP Units to Essex as required by the Operating
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Partnership's partnership agreement, for an aggregate of 24,666 and 16,114 OP Units during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, Essex issued an aggregate of 8,783 and 12,633 shares of its common stock in connection with the exchange of OP Units and DownREIT units by limited partners or members into shares of common stock, respectively. For each share of common stock issued by Essex in connection with such exchange, the Operating Partnership issued OP Units to Essex as required by the Operating Partnership's partnership agreement, for an aggregate of 8,783 and 12,633 OP Units during the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Essex may sell shares through its equity distribution program, then contribute the net proceeds from these share issuances to the Operating Partnership in exchange for OP Units as required by the Operating Partnership's partnership agreement. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company did not issue any shares of common stock through its equity distribution program. As of December 31, 2020, there were no outstanding forward purchase agreements. During the year ended December 31, 2019, 228,271 shares of the Company's common stock were issued or sold by Essex pursuant to its equity distribution programs.

Stock Repurchases

The following table summarizes the Company's purchase of its common stock during the three months ended December 31, 2020:

Total Number of
Shares Purchased		Average Price
Paid Per Share
Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of a
Publicly Announced
Program(1)
Maximum Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program (in millions)(1)
October 1, 2020 - October 31, 202056,600 $191.05 56,600 $192.5 
November 1, 2020 - November 30, 202033,182 196.59 33,182 186.0 
December 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020121,899 237.80 121,899 223.6 
Total211,681 $218.84 211,681 $223.6 

(1) In December 2020, the Board of Directors approved the replenishment of the stock repurchase plan such that, as of such date, the Company had $250.0 million of purchase authority remaining under the replenished plan.


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Item 6. Selected Financial Data
 
Not applicable.
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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. These consolidated financial statements include all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to reflect a fair statement of the results and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.

OVERVIEW

Essex is a self-administered and self-managed REIT that acquires, develops, redevelops, and manages apartment communities in selected residential areas located on 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 December 31, 2020, had an approximately 96.6% 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, redevelopment, and disposition activities to markets that will optimize the performance of the Company's portfolio.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company owned or had ownership interests in 246 operating apartment communities, comprising 60,272 apartment homes, excluding the Company's ownership in preferred equity co-investments, loan investments, one operating commercial building and a development pipeline comprised of three consolidated projects and three unconsolidated joint venture projects.

The Company’s apartment communities are predominately located in the following major regions:

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

As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s development pipeline was comprised of three consolidated projects under development, three unconsolidated joint venture projects under development, and various predevelopment projects aggregating 1,853 apartment homes, with total incurred costs of $948.0 million, and estimated remaining project costs of approximately $174.0 million, $118.0 million of which represents the Company's estimated remaining costs, for total estimated project costs of $1.1 billion. 

As of December 31, 2020, the Company also had an ownership interest in one operating commercial building (totaling approximately 107,000 square feet).

By region, the Company's operating results for 2020 and 2019 and projection for 2021 new housing supply (defined as new multifamily apartment homes and single family homes, excluding developments with fewer than 50 apartment homes as well as student, senior and 100% affordable housing), projection for 2021 job growth, and 2021 estimated Same-Property revenue decline are as follows:

Southern California Region:  As of December 31, 2020, this region represented 43% of the Company’s consolidated operating apartment homes. Revenues for "2020 Same-Properties" (as defined below), or "Same-Property revenues," decreased 4.4% in 2020 as compared to 2019. In 2021, the Company projects new residential supply of 26,500 apartment homes and single family homes, which represents 0.4% of the total housing stock. The Company projects an increase of 231,000 jobs or 3.1% in the Southern California region.
 
Northern California Region:  As of December 31, 2020, this region represented 37% of the Company’s consolidated operating apartment homes. Same-Property revenues decreased 4.9% in 2020 as compared to 2019. In 2021, the Company projects new residential supply of 16,800 apartment homes and single family homes, which represents 0.7% of the total housing stock. The Company projects an increase of 110,500 jobs or 3.4% in the Northern California region.
 
Seattle Metro Region: As of December 31, 2020, this region represented 20% of the Company’s consolidated operating apartment homes. Same-Property revenues decreased 0.6% in 2020 as compared to 2019. In 2021, the Company projects new residential supply of 13,800 apartment homes and single family homes, which represents 1.1% of the total housing stock. The Company projects an increase of 55,000 jobs or 3.3% in the Seattle Metro region.

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In total, the Company projects a decrease in 2021 Same-Property revenues of between 1.5% to 3.5%. Same-Property operating expenses are projected to increase in 2021 by 2.0% to 3.0%.

The Company’s consolidated operating communities are as follows:
 As of As of
December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
 Apartment Homes%Apartment Homes%
Southern California22,560 43 %22,674 45 %
Northern California19,319 37 %17,556 35 %
Seattle Metro10,217 20 %10,343 20 %
Total52,096 100 %50,573 100 %

Co-investments, including Wesco I, Wesco III, Wesco IV, Wesco V, BEXAEW, BEX II, BEX III, and BEX IV communities, developments under construction, and preferred equity interest co-investment communities are not included in the table presented above for both periods.


Current Material Development – the COVID-19 Pandemic

The United States and other countries around the world are continuing to experience an unprecedented health pandemic related to COVID-19, which has created considerable instability, disruption, and uncertainty. Governmental authorities in impacted regions are taking dramatic and unpredictable actions in an effort to slow COVID-19’s spread. Federal, state and local jurisdictions have issued and revised varying forms of "Shelter-in-Place" orders, halted or restricted public gatherings and restricted business to only those that are considered "essential" or requiring businesses to make changes to their operations in a manner that negatively affects profitability, resulting in extraordinary job losses and related financial impacts that will affect future operations to an unknown extent. Moreover, eviction moratoriums and, laws that limit rent increases during times of emergency and prohibit the ability to collect unpaid rent during certain timeframes, have been enacted in various formats at various levels of government, including regions in which Essex's communities are located, impacting Essex properties. The Company is working to comply with the stated intent of local, county, state and federal laws. In that regard, the Company has implemented a wide range of practices to protect and support its employees and residents. Such measures include:
•closing the Company's corporate offices and instituting “work from home” measures for corporate associates;
•closing leasing offices to non-Essex personnel, reducing on-site staff so that hygiene and “social distancing” standards can be effectively managed and applied, and requiring face coverings to be worn;
•transitioning most public interactions with leasing staff to on-line and telephonic communications;
•increasing cleaning practices for common areas and community amenities and temporarily closing common areas and community amenities or opening with limited hours, limited capacity or by reservation only, depending in part on jurisdictional requirements; and
•delaying the response to maintenance orders in certain circumstances in order to promote the protection of the Company's employees and residents.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the Company's residents, their health, their employment, and, thus, their ability to pay rent, have been and may continue to be impacted. To support residents, the Company has implemented the following steps, including, but not limited to:
•assembling a Resident Response Team to effectively and efficiently respond to resident needs and concerns with respect to the pandemic;
•structuring payment plans for residents who are unable to pay their rent as a result of the outbreak and waiving late fees for those residents; and
•establishing the Essex Cares fund for the purpose of supporting the Company’s residents and communities that are experiencing financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the U.S. and world economies generally, and on the Company's results in particular, has been, and may continue to be significant. The long-term impact will largely depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including, but not limited to, when a vaccine can be safely and widely distributed and whether employees and employers will continue to promote remote work if and when the pandemic concludes. This includes new information which may emerge concerning the severity of COVID-19, the success of actions taken to contain or treat
47
COVID-19, future laws that may be enacted, the impact on job growth and the broader economy, and reactions by consumers, companies, governmental entities and capital markets.

Primarily as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company's cash delinquencies as a percentage of scheduled rental income for the Company’s stabilized apartment communities or "Same-Property" (stabilized properties consolidated by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019) increased from 0.3% for 2019 to 2.5% for 2020. The Company has executed some payment plans and will continue to work with residents to execute payment plans related to such cash delinquencies. As part of this process, the Company assessed the collectability reserve attributable to those deferred payments and the anticipated execution of payment plans in the future, which partially mitigated the delinquencies resulting in actual delinquencies as a percentage of scheduled rent for the Company's Same-Property portfolio of 2.1% for the year ended December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2020, the increase in delinquencies has not had a material adverse impact to the Company's liquidity position.

The COVID-19 pandemic has not negatively impacted the Company's ability to access traditional funding sources on the same or reasonably similar terms as were available in recent periods prior to the pandemic, as demonstrated by the Company's financing activity during the year ended December 31, 2020 discussed in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources" section below. The Company is not at material risk of not meeting the covenants in its credit agreements and is able to timely service its debt and other obligations.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Comparison of Year Ended December 31, 2020 to the Year Ended December 31, 2019

The Company’s average financial occupancy for the Company’s stabilized apartment communities or "2020 Same-Property" (stabilized properties consolidated by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019) decreased 60 basis points to 96.0% in 2020 from 96.6% in 2019. Financial occupancy is defined as the percentage resulting from dividing actual rental income by total scheduled rental income. Actual rental income represents contractual rental income pursuant to leases without considering delinquency and concessions. Total scheduled rental income represents the value of all apartment homes, with occupied apartment homes valued at contractual rental rates pursuant to leases and vacant apartment homes valued at estimated market rents. The Company believes that financial occupancy is a meaningful measure of occupancy because it considers the value of each vacant apartment home 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 apartment homes. The Company may increase or decrease these rates based on a variety of factors, including overall supply and demand for housing, concentration of new apartment deliveries within the same submarket which can cause periodic disruption due to greater rental concessions to increase leasing velocity, and rental affordability. Financial occupancy may not completely reflect short-term trends in physical occupancy and financial occupancy rates, and the Company's calculation of financial occupancy may not be comparable to financial occupancy disclosed by other REITs.

The Company does not take into account delinquency and concessions to calculate actual rent for occupied apartment homes and market rents for vacant apartment homes. The calculation of financial occupancy compares contractual rates for occupied apartment homes to estimated market rents for unoccupied apartment homes, and thus the calculation compares the gross value of all apartment homes 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 income is not considered the best metric to quantify occupancy.

The regional breakdown of the Company’s 2020 Same-Property portfolio for financial occupancy for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:

Years ended
December 31,
 20202019
Southern California96.0 %96.6 %
Northern California96.1 %96.7 %
Seattle Metro96.0 %96.6 %
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The following table provides a breakdown of revenue amounts, including the revenues attributable to 2020 Same-Properties.

Number of ApartmentYears Ended
December 31,		DollarPercentage
Property Revenues ($ in thousands)
Homes20202019ChangeChange
2020 Same-Properties:
Southern California20,800 $540,771 $565,594 $(24,823)(4.4)%
Northern California15,638 504,300 530,114 (25,814)(4.9)%
Seattle Metro10,112 241,615 242,982 (1,367)(0.6)%
Total 2020 Same-Property Revenues46,550 1,286,686 1,338,690 (52,004)(3.9)%
2020 Non-Same Property Revenues 199,464 111,938 87,526 78.2 %
Total Property Revenues $1,486,150 $1,450,628 $35,522 2.4 %
  
2020 Same-Property Revenues decreased by $52.0 million or 3.9% to $1.3 billion for 2020 compared to $1.3 billion in 2019. The decrease was primarily attributable to an additional $31.8 million of cash concessions and $23.5 million in delinquencies compared to the prior year and a decrease of 0.6% in financial occupancy from 96.6% in 2019 to 96.0% in 2020. 

2020 Non-Same Property Revenues increased by $87.5 million or 78.2% to $199.5 million in 2020 compared to $111.9 million in 2019. The increase was primarily due to revenues generated from the six communities that were consolidated as part of the Company's purchase of CPPIB's 45.0% co-investment interests in the first quarter of 2020, offset by the sale of One South Market, Delano, and 416 on Broadway during 2020.

Management and other fees from affiliates increased by $0.1 million or 1.1% to $9.6 million in 2020 from $9.5 million in 2019.

Property operating expenses, excluding real estate taxes increased by $22.0 million or 9.1% to $263.4 million in 2020 compared to $241.4 million in 2019, primarily due to an increase of $10.2 million in maintenance and repairs expenses, an increase of $7.2 million in utilities expenses, and an increase of $4.7 million in administrative expenses. 2020 Same-Property operating expenses, excluding real estate taxes, increased by $7.8 million or 3.5% to $233.1 million in 2020 compared to $225.3 million in 2019, primarily due to increases of $5.5 million in maintenance and repairs expenses driven by COVID-19 related expenses and $3.2 million in utilities expenses, offset by a decrease of $1.4 million in administrative expenses.

Real estate taxes increased by $21.8 million or 14.0% to $177.0 million in 2020 compared to $155.2 million in 2019, primarily due to the additions of six communities that were consolidated in the first quarter of 2020 as part of the Company's purchase of CPPIB's 45.0% co-investment interests. 2020 Same-Property real estate taxes increased by $6.7 million or 4.7% to $148.6 million in 2020 compared to $141.9 million in 2019 primarily due to an increase in property valuations and tax rates in Seattle Metro region.

Corporate-level property management expenses increased by $0.5 million or 1.5% to $34.6 million in 2020 compared to $34.1 million in 2019, primarily due to an increase in corporate-level property management and staffing costs supporting the communities.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $41.7 million or 8.6% to $525.5 million in 2020 compared to $483.8 million in 2019, primarily due to the additions of six communities that were consolidated in the first quarter of 2020 as part of the Company's purchase of CPPIB's 45.0% co-investment interests offset by the sale of One South Market, Delano, and 416 on Broadway during 2020.

Impairment loss of $1.8 million in 2020 was related to one of the Company's consolidated properties as a result of a change in the Company's intent to hold the property for its remaining useful life.

Gain on sale of real estate and land of $65.0 million in 2020 was primarily attributable to the portfolio sale of One South Market and Museum Park in the second quarter of 2020, the sale of Delano in the third quarter of 2020, and the sale of 416 on Broadway in the fourth quarter of 2020. The Company's $3.2 million loss on sale of real estate and land in 2019 was attributable to the sale of land in San Mateo, CA that had been held for future development.

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Interest expense increased by $3.3 million or 1.5% to $220.6 million in 2020 compared to $217.3 million in 2019, primarily due to an increase in average outstanding debt primarily as a result of the issuance of $500.0 million of senior unsecured notes due March 1, 2029 in February and March 2019, $550.0 million of senior unsecured notes due January 15, 2030 in August and October 2019, $650 million of senior unsecured notes due March 15, 2032 in February and June 2020, and $600 million of senior unsecured notes due January 15, 2031 and September 1, 2050 in August 2020, which resulted in an increase of $37.6 million interest expense for 2020 as compared to 2019. Additionally, there was a $9.6 million decrease in capitalized interest in 2020, due to a decrease in development activity as compared to the same period in 2019. These increases to interest expense were partially offset by debt that was paid off, matured, or regular principal amortization during and after 2019, and lower average interest rates, which resulted in a decrease in interest expense of $43.9 million for 2020.

Total return swap income of $10.7 million in 2020 consists of monthly settlements related to the Company's four total return swap contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $254.8 million.

Interest and other income decreased $5.3 million or 11.4% to $41.0 million in 2020 compared to $46.3 million in 2019, primarily due to a decrease of $16.8 million in marketable securities and other income, offset by an increase in unrealized gains on marketable securities of $6.8 million and an increase in interest income of $4.7 million from the maturity of a mortgage backed security investment recognized in 2020 which resulted in the reversal of the estimated credit loss on the investment.

Equity income from co-investments decreased by $45.6 million or 40.7% to $66.5 million in 2020 compared to $112.1 million in 2019, primarily due to a decrease of $48.9 million in gains from the sale of co-investment communities, and a decrease of $16.5 million in equity income from co-investments of which, $9.1 million was as a result of the Company's purchase of CPPIB's 45.0% co-investment interests. These decreases were offset by a decrease of $11.5 million in impairment loss from unconsolidated co-investment, an increase of $5.6 million in promote income, and an increase of $2.0 million in income from preferred equity investments including income from early redemptions.

Deferred tax expense on unrealized gain on unconsolidated co-investment of $1.5 million in 2020 resulted from a net unrealized gain of $5.3 million from an unconsolidated co-investment.

Loss on early retirement of debt, net of $22.9 million in 2020 was primarily due to early repayment of a $297.7 million secured mortgage note payable in the first and second quarters of 2020, and the early repayment of $600.0 million of senior unsecured notes during the third and fourth quarters of 2020.

Gain on remeasurement of co-investment of $234.7 million in 2020 resulted from the Company's purchase of CPPIB's 45.0% co-investment interests. Gain on remeasurement of $31.5 million in 2019 resulted from the purchase of the Company's joint venture partner's 45.0% membership interest in the One South Market co-investment in March 2019.

Comparison of Year Ended December 31, 2019 to the Year Ended December 31, 2018

For the comparison of the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, refer to Part II, Item 7 “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on February 20, 2020 under the subheading "Comparison of Year Ended December 31, 2019 to the Year Ended December 31, 2018."

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The United States and other countries around the world are experiencing an unprecedented health pandemic related to COVID-19, which has created considerable instability and disruption in the U.S. and world economies. Governmental authorities in affected regions are taking extraordinary steps in an effort to slow down the spread of the virus and mitigate its impact on affected populations.

The following table sets forth the Company’s cash flows for 2020, 2019 and 2018 ($ in thousands):
 For the year ended December 31,
 202020192018
Cash flow provided by (used in):
Operating activities$803,108 $919,079 $826,554 
Investing activities$(416,900)$(527,691)$(59,893)
Financing activities$(383,261)$(461,689)$(676,392)
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Essex’s business is operated primarily through the Operating Partnership. Essex issues public equity from time to time, but does not otherwise generate any capital itself or conduct any business itself, other than incurring certain expenses from operating as a public company which are fully reimbursed by the Operating Partnership. Essex itself does not hold any indebtedness, and its only material asset is its ownership of partnership interests of the Operating Partnership. Essex’s principal funding requirement is the payment of dividends on its common stock and preferred stock. Essex’s sole source of funding for its dividend payments is distributions it receives from the Operating Partnership.

As of December 31, 2020, Essex owned a 96.6% general partner interest and the limited partners owned the remaining 3.4% interest in the Operating Partnership.

The liquidity of Essex is dependent on the Operating Partnership’s ability to make sufficient distributions to Essex. The primary cash requirement of Essex is its payment of dividends to its stockholders. Essex also guarantees some of the Operating Partnership’s debt, as discussed further in Notes 7 and 8 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. If the Operating Partnership fails to fulfill certain of its debt requirements, which trigger Essex’s guarantee obligations, then Essex will be required to fulfill its cash payment commitments under such guarantees. However, Essex’s only significant asset is its investment in the Operating Partnership.

For Essex to maintain its qualification as a REIT, it must pay dividends to its stockholders aggregating annually at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, excluding net capital gains. While historically Essex has satisfied this distribution requirement by making cash distributions to its stockholders, it may choose to satisfy this requirement by making distributions of other property, including, in limited circumstances, Essex’s own stock. As a result of this distribution requirement, the Operating Partnership cannot rely on retained earnings to fund its ongoing operations to the same extent that other companies whose parent companies are not REITs can. Essex may need to continue to raise capital in the equity markets to fund the Operating Partnership’s working capital needs, acquisitions and developments.

At December 31, 2020, the Company had $73.6 million of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and $147.8 million in marketable securities. The Company believes that cash flows generated by its operations, existing cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities balances and availability under existing lines of credit are sufficient to meet all of its anticipated cash needs during 2021. Additionally, the capital markets continue to be available and the Company is able to generate cash from the disposition of real estate assets to finance additional cash flow needs, including continued development and select acquisitions. In the event that conditions become further exacerbated due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic disruptions, the Company may further utilize other resources such as its cash reserves, lines of credit, or decreased investment in redevelopment activities to supplement operating cash flows. The Company is carefully monitoring and managing its cash position in light of ongoing conditions and levels of operations. 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 the Company’s plans for acquisitions, dispositions, development and redevelopment activities.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had $200.0 million of private placement unsecured bonds outstanding at an average interest rate of 4.4% with maturity dates ranging from April 2021 through August 2021.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had $4.9 billion of fixed rate public bonds outstanding at an average interest rate of 3.4% with maturity dates ranging from 2023 to 2050.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had $550.0 million outstanding on its unsecured term loan. $350.0 million of the unsecured term loan bears a variable interest rate of LIBOR plus 0.95% and matures in February 2022. $200.0 million of the unsecured term loan bears a variable interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.20% and matures in April 2021 with two 12-month extension options, exercisable at the Company's option. The Company has five interest rate swap contracts, with an aggregate notional balance of $175.0 million, which effectively converts the interest rate on $175.0 million of the unsecured term loan to a fixed rate of 2.3%.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s mortgage notes payable totaled $0.6 billion, net of unamortized premiums and debt issuance costs, which consisted of $0.4 billion in fixed rate debt at an average interest rate of 3.5% and maturity dates ranging from 2022 to 2028 and $224.2 million of tax-exempt variable rate demand notes with a weighted average interest rate of 1.2%. The tax-exempt variable rate demand notes have maturity dates ranging from 2027 to 2046. $254.8 million is subject to total return swaps.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had two unsecured lines of credit aggregating $1.24 billion, including a $1.2 billion unsecured line of credit and a $35.0 million working capital unsecured line of credit. As of December 31, 2020, there was no
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amount outstanding on the $1.2 billion unsecured line of credit. The interest rate is based on a tiered rate structure tied to the Company's credit ratings and was LIBOR plus 0.825% as of December 31, 2020. There was no amount outstanding on the Company's $35.0 million working capital unsecured line of credit as of December 31, 2020. The interest rate on the amended line is based on a tiered rate structure tied to the Company's credit ratings and is currently at LIBOR plus 0.825%.

The Company’s unsecured lines of credit and unsecured debt agreements contain debt covenants related to limitations on indebtedness and liabilities and maintenance of minimum levels of consolidated earnings before depreciation, interest and amortization. The Company was in compliance with the debt covenants as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.

The Company 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 lines of credit.

Derivative Activity

The Company uses interest rate swaps, interest rate caps, 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 and total return 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.

The Company has entered into interest rate swap contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $175.0 million that effectively fixed the interest rate on the $175.0 million of the $550.0 million unsecured term loan at 2.3%. These derivatives qualify for hedge accounting.
 
The Company has four total return swap contracts, with an aggregate notional amount of $254.8 million, that effectively converts $225.1 million of mortgage notes payable and $29.7 million of mortgage notes payable related to real estate held for sale that is included in liabilities associated with real assets held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet to a floating interest rate based on the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Municipal Swap Index ("SIFMA") plus a spread. The total return swaps provide fair market value protection on the mortgage notes payable to our counterparties during the initial period of the total return swap until the Company's option to call the mortgage notes at par can be exercised. The Company can currently call all four of the total return swaps, with $254.8 million of the outstanding debt at par. These derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting.

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the aggregate carrying value of the interest rate swap contracts was a liability of $2.4 million and an asset of $0.8 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the swap contracts were presented in the consolidated balance sheets as an asset of zero and $1.0 million, respectively, and were included in prepaid expenses and other assets on the consolidated balance sheets, and a liability of $2.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively, and were included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The aggregate carrying and fair value of the total return swaps was zero at both December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Hedge ineffectiveness related to cash flow hedges, which is reported in current year income as interest expense, net was a zero, a loss of $0.2 million, and a loss of $0.1 million, for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.

Issuance of Common Stock

In September 2018, the Company filed a new shelf registration statement with the SEC, allowing the Company to sell an undetermined number or amount of certain equity and debt securities of the Company, as defined in the prospectus contained in the shelf registration statement.

Also in September 2018, the Company entered into an equity distribution agreement pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $900.0 million (the "2018 ATM Program"). In connection with the 2018 ATM Program, the Company may also enter into related forward sale agreements whereby, at the Company’s discretion, it may sell shares of its common stock under the 2018 ATM Program under forward sale agreements. The use of a forward sale agreement would allow the Company to lock in a share price on the sale of shares of its common
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stock at the time the agreement is executed, but defer receiving the proceeds from the sale of shares until a later date. The Company anticipates using the net proceeds, which are contributed to the Operating Partnership, to acquire, develop, or redevelop properties, which primarily will be apartment communities, to make other investments and for working capital or general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of indebtedness.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company did not issue any shares of its common stock through the 2018 ATM Program. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company issued 228,271 shares of common stock through the 2018 ATM Program at an average price of $321.56 per share for proceeds of $73.4 million. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company did not sell any shares of its common stock through the 2018 ATM Program or through the previous equity distribution agreement. As of December 31, 2020, $826.6 million of shares remains available to be sold under the 2018 ATM Program.

Capital Expenditures

Non-revenue generating capital expenditures are improvements and upgrades that extend the useful life of the property. For the year ended December 31, 2020, non-revenue generating capital expenditures totaled approximately $1,371 per apartment home. These expenditures do not include expenditures for deferred maintenance on acquisition properties, expenditures for property renovations and improvements which are expected to generate additional revenue or cost savings, and do not include expenditures incurred due to changes in government regulations that the Company would not have incurred otherwise, costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic, retail, furniture and fixtures, or expenditures for which the Company expects to be reimbursed. The Company expects that cash from operations and/or its lines of credit will fund such expenditures. 

Development and Predevelopment Pipeline

The Company defines development projects as new communities that are being constructed, or are newly constructed and are in a phase of lease-up and have not yet reached stabilized operations. As of December 31, 2020, the Company's development pipeline was comprised of three consolidated projects under development, three unconsolidated joint venture projects under development and various consolidated predevelopment projects, aggregating 1,853 apartment homes, with total incurred costs of $948.0 million, and estimated remaining project costs of approximately $174.0 million, $118.0 million of which represents the Company's estimated remaining costs, for total estimated project costs of $1.1 billion.
 
The Company defines predevelopment projects as proposed communities in negotiation or in the entitlement process with an expected high likelihood of becoming entitled development projects. The Company may also acquire land for future development purposes or sale.
 
The Company expects to fund the development and predevelopment communities by using a combination of some or all of the following sources: its working capital, amounts available on its lines of credit, construction loans, 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 homes may not be available for rent and, as a result, the related apartment community may have less than stabilized operations.  As of December 31, 2020, the Company had ownership interests in three major redevelopment communities aggregating 1,112 apartment homes with estimated redevelopment costs of $109.1 million, of which approximately $4.5 million remains to be expended.

Alternative Capital Sources

The Company utilizes co-investments as an alternative source of capital for acquisitions of both operating and development communities. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had an interest in 1,070 apartment homes in communities actively under development with joint ventures for total estimated costs of $665.0 million. Total estimated remaining costs total approximately $114.0 million, of which the Company estimates that its remaining investment in these development joint ventures will be approximately $57.9 million. In addition, the Company had an interest in 8,652 apartment homes in operating communities with joint ventures for a total book value of $0.4 billion.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

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The following table summarizes our obligations at December 31, 2020 ($ in thousands):

For the Fiscal Years Ending
20212022 and
2023		2024 and
2025		ThereafterTotal
Mortgage notes payable$3,501 $46,133 $136,163 $455,629 $641,426 
Unsecured debt200,000 1,150,000 900,000 3,400,000 5,650,000 
Lines of credit— — — — — 
Interest on indebtedness (1)
192,004 344,212 273,729 826,309 1,636,254 
Ground leases3,506 7,012 7,012 121,485 139,015 
Operating leases3,457 6,937 5,988 18,932 35,314 
 $402,468 $1,554,294 $1,322,892 $4,822,355 $8,102,009 

(1)Interest on indebtedness for variable debt was calculated using interest rates as of December 31, 2020.

We have a commitment, which is not reflected in the table above, to make additional capital contributions to two limited partnerships in which we hold an equity interest. The capital contributions may be called by the general partner at any time until September 2022 and April 2025, after giving appropriate notice. As of December 31, 2020, we had committed to make additional capital contributions totaling up to $6.3 million and $14.9 million if and when called by the general partner of the two limited partnerships until September 2022 and April 2025, respectively.

Real Estate Commitments

The following table summarizes the Company's real estate commitment at December 31, 2020 ($ in thousands):

Number of PropertiesInvestmentRemaining Commitment
Joint ventures:
Preferred equity investments5 $179,387 $139,225 
Real estate under development (1)
3 550,863 14,000 
Consolidated:
Real estate under development (2)
3 396,571 60,000 
 $1,126,821 $213,225 

(1)Estimated project cost for development of the Company's 500 Folsom project is net of a projected value for low-income housing tax credit proceeds and the value of the tax exempt bond structure. Excludes approximately $44.0 million of the Company's share of estimated project costs for Scripps Mesa Apartments which have been fully funded.
(2)Estimated project cost for development of the Company's Wallace on Sunset project is net of cost incurred on the adjacent theatre at the property.

Variable Interest Entities

In accordance with accounting standards for consolidation of variable interest entities ("VIEs"), the Company consolidates the Operating Partnership, 17 DownREIT entities (comprising nine communities) and five co-investments as of December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2019, the Company consolidated the Operating Partnership, 17 DownREIT entities (comprising nine communities), and six co-investments. The Company consolidates these entities because it is deemed the primary beneficiary. Essex has no assets or liabilities other than its investment in the Operating Partnership. The consolidated total assets and liabilities related to the above consolidated co-investments and DownREIT entities, net of intercompany eliminations, were approximately $898.5 million and $326.8 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2020, and $1.0 billion and $364.3 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2019. Noncontrolling interests in these entities were $120.8 million and $122.5 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company's financial risk in each VIE is limited to its equity investment in the VIE. As of December 31, 2020, the Company did not have any other VIEs of which it was deemed to be the primary beneficiary and did not have any VIEs of which it was not deemed to be the primary beneficiary.
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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements, in accordance with U.S. 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 the acquisition of investments in real estate (specifically, the allocation between land and buildings); and (ii) evaluation of events and changes in circumstances indicating whether the Company’s rental properties may be impaired. 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 accounts for its acquisitions of investments in real estate by assessing each acquisition to determine if it meets the definition of a business or if it qualifies as an asset acquisition. We expect that acquisitions of individual operating communities will generally be viewed as asset acquisitions, and result in the capitalization of acquisition costs, and the allocation of purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the relative fair value of the respective assets and liabilities.

In making estimates of fair values for purposes of allocating purchase price, the Company utilizes a number of sources, including independent land appraisals which consider comparable market transactions, its own analysis of recently acquired or developed comparable properties in our portfolio for land comparables and building replacement costs, and other publicly available market data. In calculating the fair value of identified intangible assets of an acquired property, the in-place leases are valued based on in-place rent rates and amortized over the average remaining term of all acquired leases.

The Company periodically assesses the carrying value of its real estate investments for indicators of impairment. The judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators are based on monitoring investment market conditions and performance compared to budget for operating properties including the net operating income for the most recent 12 month period, monitoring estimated costs for properties under development, the Company's ability to hold and its intent with regard to each asset, and each property's remaining useful life. Whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a property held for investment may not be fully recoverable, the carrying amount is evaluated. If the sum of the property’s expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount of the property, then the Company will recognize an impairment loss equal to the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the property. 

When the Company determines that a property is held for sale, it discontinues the periodic depreciation of that property. The criteria for determining when a property is held for sale requires judgment and has potential financial statement impact as depreciation would cease and an impairment loss could occur upon determination of held for sale status. Assets held for sale are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or estimated fair value less costs to sell.

The Company bases its accounting estimates on historical experience 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.

Funds from Operations

Funds from Operations ("FFO") is a financial measure that is commonly used in the REIT industry. The Company presents FFO and FFO excluding non-core items (referred to as "Core FFO") as supplemental operating performance measures. FFO and Core FFO are not used by the Company as, nor should they be considered to be, alternatives to net income computed under U.S. GAAP as an indicator of the Company’s operating performance or as alternatives to cash from operating activities computed under U.S. GAAP as an indicator of the Company's ability to fund its cash needs.

FFO and Core FFO are not meant to represent a comprehensive system of financial reporting and do not present, nor do they intend to present, a complete picture of the Company's financial condition and operating performance. The Company believes that net income computed under U.S. GAAP is the primary measure of performance and that FFO and Core FFO are only meaningful when they are used in conjunction with net income. The Company considers FFO and Core FFO to be useful financial performance measurements of an equity REIT because, together with net income and cash flows, FFO and Core FFO provide investors with additional bases to evaluate operating performance and ability of a REIT to incur and service debt and to fund acquisitions and other capital expenditures and to pay dividends. By excluding gains or losses related to sales of
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depreciated operating properties and excluding real estate depreciation (which can vary among owners of identical assets in similar condition based on historical cost accounting and useful life estimates), FFO can help investors compare the operating performance of a real estate company between periods or as compared to different companies. By further adjusting for items that are not considered part of the Company’s core business operations, Core FFO allows investors to compare the core operating performance of the Company to its performance in prior reporting periods and to the operating performance of other real estate companies without the effect of items that by their nature are not comparable from period to period and tend to obscure the Company’s actual operating results. The Company believes that its consolidated financial statements, prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, provide the most meaningful picture of its financial condition and its operating performance.
 
In calculating FFO, the Company follows the definition for this measure published by NAREIT, which is the leading REIT industry 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 from the sale of previously depreciated properties. The Company agrees that these two NAREIT adjustments are useful to investors for the following reasons:
 
(a)historical cost accounting for real estate assets in accordance with U.S. 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 U.S. 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 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 table below is a reconciliation of net income available to common stockholders to FFO and Core FFO for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018.


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 As of and for the years ended December 31,
 202020192018
 ($ in thousands, except per share amounts)
OTHER DATA:
Funds from operations attributable to common stockholders and unitholders:
Net income available to common stockholders$568,870 $439,286 $390,153 
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization525,497 483,750 479,884 
Gains not included in FFO attributable to common stockholders and unitholders(301,886)(79,468)(73,683)
Impairment loss1,825 7,105 — 
Impairment loss from unconsolidated co-investments— 11,484 — 
Depreciation and amortization from unconsolidated co-investments51,594 60,655 62,954 
Noncontrolling interest related to Operating Partnership units19,912 15,343 13,452 
Depreciation attributable to third party ownership and other(539)(1,805)(940)
Funds from operations attributable to common stockholders and unitholders$865,273 $936,350 $871,820 
Non-core items:   
Expensed acquisition and investment related costs1,591 168 194 
Deferred tax expense on unrealized gain on unconsolidated co-investment (1)
1,531 1,457 — 
Gain on sale of marketable securities(2,131)(1,271)(737)
Unrealized (gains) losses on marketable securities(12,515)(5,710)5,159 
Provision for credit losses687 — — 
Equity income from non-core co-investment (2)
(5,289)(4,143)— 
Interest rate hedge ineffectiveness (3)
— 181 148 
  Loss (gain) on early retirement of debt, net 22,883 (3,717)— 
Gain on early retirement of debt from unconsolidated co-investment(38)— (3,662)
Co-investment promote income(6,455)(809)(20,541)
Income from early redemption of preferred equity investments(210)(3,562)(1,652)
Accelerated interest income from maturity of investment in mortgage backed security(11,753)(7,032)— 
General and administrative and other, net14,958 1,181 8,745 
Insurance reimbursements, legal settlements, and other, net(81)(858)(561)
Core funds from operations attributable to common stockholders and unitholders$868,451 $912,235 $858,913 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, diluted (FFO)(4)
67,726 68,199 68,322 
Funds from operations attributable to common stockholders and unitholders per share - diluted$12.78 $13.73 $12.76 
Core funds from operations attributable to common stockholders and unitholders per share - diluted$12.82 $13.38 $12.57 

(1)Represents deferred tax (income) expense recorded during the year related to net unrealized gains on the Real Estate Technology Ventures, L.P. co-investment.

(2)Represents the Company's share of co-investment income from Real Estate Technology Ventures, L.P.

(3)On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU No. 2017-12 "Derivatives and Hedging - Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities," which resulted in a cumulative effect adjustment of approximately $181,000 from interest expense to accumulated other comprehensive income. As a result of the adoption of this standard, the Company
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recognizes qualifying hedge ineffectiveness through accumulated other comprehensive income as opposed to current earnings.
(4)Assumes conversion of all outstanding OP Units into shares of the Company's common stock and excludes all DownREIT units for which the Operating Partnership has the ability and intention to redeem the units for cash and does not consider them to be common stock equivalents.

Net Operating Income

Net operating income ("NOI") and Same-Property NOI are considered by management to be important supplemental performance measures 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 revenues less Same-Property operating expenses, including property taxes. Please see the reconciliation of earnings from operations to NOI and Same-Property NOI, which in the table below is the NOI for stabilized properties consolidated by the Company for the periods presented ($ in thousands):

 202020192018
Earnings from operations$491,441 $481,112 $511,989 
Adjustments:   
Corporate-level property management expenses34,573 34,067 32,055 
Depreciation and amortization525,497 483,750 479,884 
Management and other fees from affiliates(9,598)(9,527)(9,183)
General and administrative65,388 54,262 53,451 
Expensed acquisition and investment related costs1,591 168 194 
Impairment loss1,825 7,105 — 
(Gain) Loss on sale of real estate and land(64,967)3,164 (61,861)
NOI1,045,750 1,054,101 1,006,529 
Less: Non Same-Property NOI(140,782)(82,644)(75,688)
Same-Property NOI$904,968 $971,457 $930,841 

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K which are not historical facts may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, including statements regarding the Company's expectations, estimates, assumptions, hopes, intentions, beliefs and strategies regarding the future. Words such as "expects," "assumes," "anticipates," "may," "will," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "seeks," "future," "estimates," and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding the Company's expectations related to the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations and the impact of any additional measures taken to mitigate the impact of the pandemic, the Company's intent, beliefs or expectations with respect to the timing of completion of current development and redevelopment projects and the stabilization of such projects, the timing of lease-up and occupancy of its apartment communities, the anticipated operating performance of its apartment communities, the total projected costs of development and redevelopment projects, co-investment activities, qualification as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, 2021 Same-Property revenue generally and in specific regions, 2021 Same-Property operating expenses, the real estate markets in the geographies in which the Company's properties are located and in the United States in general, the adequacy of future cash flows to meet anticipated cash needs, its financing activities and the use of proceeds from such activities, the availability of debt and equity financing, general economic conditions including the potential impacts from such economic conditions, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and governmental measures intended to prevent its spread, trends affecting the Company's financial condition or results of operations, changes to U.S. tax laws and regulations in general or specifically related to REITs or real estate, changes to laws
58
and regulations in jurisdictions in which communities the Company owns are located, and other information that is not historical information.

While the Company's management believes the assumptions underlying its forward-looking statements are reasonable, such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could 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. The Company cannot assure the future results or outcome of the matters described in these statements; rather, these statements merely reflect the Company’s current expectations of the approximate outcomes of the matters discussed. Factors that might cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which remains inherently uncertain as to duration and severity, and any additional governmental measures taken to limit its spread, and other potential future outbreaks of infectious diseases or other health concerns could continue to adversely affect the Company's business and its tenants, and cause a significant downturn in general economic conditions, the real estate industry, and the markets in which the Company's communities are located; the Company may fail to achieve its business objectives; the actual completion of development and redevelopment projects may be subject to delays; the stabilization dates of such projects may be delayed; the Company may abandon or defer development or redevelopment projects for a number of reasons, including changes in local market conditions which make development less desirable, increases in costs of development, increases in the cost of capital or lack of capital availability, resulting in losses; the total projected costs of current development and redevelopment projects may exceed expectations; such development and redevelopment projects may not be completed; development and redevelopment projects and acquisitions may fail to meet expectations; estimates of future income from an acquired property may prove to be inaccurate; occupancy rates and rental demand may be adversely affected by competition and local economic and market conditions; there may be increased interest rates and operating costs; the Company may be unsuccessful in the management of its relationships with its co-investment partners; future cash flows may be inadequate to meet operating requirements and/or may be insufficient to provide for dividend payments in accordance with REIT requirements; changes in laws or regulations; the terms of any refinancing may not be as favorable as the terms of existing indebtedness; unexpected difficulties in leasing of development projects; volatility in financial and securities markets; the Company’s failure to successfully operate acquired properties; unforeseen consequences from cyber-intrusion; the Company’s inability to maintain our investment grade credit rating with the rating agencies; government approvals, actions and initiatives, including the need for compliance with environmental requirements; and those further risks, special considerations, and other factors discussed in Item 1A, Risk Factors, of this Form 10-K, and those risk factors and special considerations set forth in the Company’s other filings with 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. Additionally, the risks, uncertainties and other factors set forth above or otherwise referred to in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the other reports that the Company has filed with the SEC may be further amplified by the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, the Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement this information for any reason, and therefore, they may not represent the Company's estimates and assumptions after the date of this report.

Item 7A. 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 December 31, 2020, the Company had entered into five interest rate swap contracts to mitigate the risk of changes in the interest-related cash outflows on $175.0 million of the unsecured term debt. As of December 31, 2020, the Company also had $225.1 million of secured variable rate indebtedness. All of the Company’s interest rate swaps are designated as cash flow hedges as of December 31, 2020. 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 December 31, 2020. 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 December 31, 2020.

59
 Carrying andEstimated Carrying Value
 MaturityEstimated+ 50- 50
($ in thousands)
Notional AmountDate RangeFair ValueBasis PointsBasis Points
Cash flow hedges:  
Interest rate swaps$175,000 2022$(2,373)$(1,412)$(3,350)
Total cash flow hedges$175,000 2022$(2,373)$(1,412)$(3,350)

Additionally, the Company has entered into total return swap contracts, with an aggregate notional amount of $254.8 million that effectively convert $225.1 million of fixed mortgage notes payable and $29.7 million of mortgage notes payable related to real estate held for sale that is included in liabilities associated with real estate held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet to a floating interest rate based on the SIFMA plus a spread and have a carrying value of zero at December 31, 2020. The Company is exposed to insignificant interest rate risk on these swaps as the related mortgages are callable, at par, by the Company, co-terminus with the termination of any related swap. These derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting.

Interest Rate Sensitive Liabilities

The Company is exposed to interest rate changes primarily as a result of its lines of credit and long-term debt used to maintain liquidity and fund capital expenditures and expansion of the Company’s real estate investment portfolio and operations. 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.

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. Management has estimated the fair value of the Company’s $5.5 billion of fixed rate debt at December 31, 2020, to be $6.0 billion. Management has estimated the fair value of the Company’s $775.1 million of variable rate debt at December 31, 2020, to be $770.1 million based on the terms of existing mortgage notes payable and variable rate demand notes compared to those available in the marketplace. The following table represents scheduled principal payments ($ in thousands):
 
 For the Years Ended December 31,
 ($ in thousands, except for interest rates)20212022202320242025ThereafterTotalFair value
Fixed rate debt
$202,788$42,408$602,093$402,177$632,035$3,634,849$5,516,350$6,030,203
Average interest rate4.3%3.7%3.7%4.0%3.5%3.3%  
Variable rate debt (1)
$713$350,780$200,852$932$1,019$220,780$775,076$770,075
Average interest rate1.3%1.8%1.5%1.3%1.3%1.1%  
 
(1)$175.0 million is subject to interest rate protection agreements ($175.0 million is subject to interest rate swaps). $225.1 million of variable rate debt in the table above excludes $29.7 million of variable rate debt related to real estate held for sale that is included in liabilities associated with real estate held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet and both amounts are subject to total return swaps.

The table incorporates only those exposures that exist as of December 31, 2020; it does not consider those exposures or positions that could arise after that date. As a result, the Company’s 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 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The response to this item is submitted as a separate section of this Form 10-K. See Item 15.



60
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Not applicable.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

As of December 31, 2020, 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 Essex's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based upon that evaluation, Essex’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of December 31, 2020, Essex’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by Essex in the reports that Essex files or submits 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 Essex files or submits 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 December 31, 2020, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Essex’s internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Essex’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Essex’s management assessed the effectiveness of Essex’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020. In making this assessment, Essex’s management used the criteria set forth in the report entitled "Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013)" published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO"). Essex’s management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2020, its internal control over financial reporting was effective based on these criteria. Essex’s independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, has issued an attestation report over Essex’s internal control over financial reporting, which is included herein.

Essex Portfolio, L.P.

As of December 31, 2020, the Operating Partnership 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 the Operating Partnership's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of December 31, 2020, the Operating Partnership’s 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 submits 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 the Operating Partnership files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Operating Partnership’s management, including Essex's 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 December 31, 2020, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The Operating Partnership’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act). The Operating Partnership’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020. In making this assessment, the Operating Partnership’s management used the criteria set forth in the report entitled "Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013)" published by COSO. The Operating Partnership’s management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2020, its internal control over financial reporting was effective based on these criteria.
61

 
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
62

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference from our Proxy Statement, relating to our 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, under the heading "Board and Corporate Governance Matters," to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of December 31, 2020.

Item 11. Executive Compensation
 
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference from our Proxy Statement, relating to our 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, under the headings "Executive Compensation" and "Director Compensation," to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of December 31, 2020.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference from our Proxy Statement, relating to our 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, under the heading "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management," to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of December 31, 2020.
 
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference from our Proxy Statement, relating to our 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, under the heading "Certain Relationships and Related Persons Transactions," to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of December 31, 2020.

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference from our Proxy Statement, relating to our 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, under the headings "Report of the Audit Committee" and "Fees Paid to KPMG LLP," to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of December 31, 2020.

63
PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
 
(A) Financial Statements
 
(1)   Consolidated Financial Statements of Essex Property Trust, Inc.Page
 
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
F-1
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets: As of December 31, 2020 and 2019
F-6
 
Consolidated Statements of Income: Years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018
F-7
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income: Years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018
F-8
 
Consolidated Statements of Equity: Years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018
F-9
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows: Years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018
F-11
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-20
 
(2)   Consolidated Financial Statements of Essex Portfolio, L.P. 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
F-4
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets: As of December 31, 2020 and 2019
F-13
 
Consolidated Statements of Income: Years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018
F-14
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income: Years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018
F-15
 
Consolidated Statements of Capital: Years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018
F-16
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows: Years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018
F-18
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-20
 
(3)  Financial Statement Schedule – Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation as of December 31, 2020
F-58
 
(4)   See the Exhibit Index immediately preceding the signature page and certifications for a list of exhibits filed or incorporated by reference as part of this report. 
 
(B) Exhibits
 
The Company hereby files, as exhibits to this Form 10-K, those exhibits listed on the Exhibit Index referenced in Item 15(A)(4) above.

Item 16. Form 10-K Summary

None.
64
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
Essex Property Trust, Inc.:

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Essex Property Trust, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and financial statement schedule III (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 19, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for leases as of January 1, 2019 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements.

Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Evaluation of events or changes in circumstances that indicate rental properties may be impaired
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company evaluates the carrying amount of rental properties for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a rental property may not be fully recoverable. The Company had $10.9 billion in rental properties as of December 31, 2020.

F- 1
We identified the evaluation of events or changes in circumstances that indicate rental properties may be impaired as a critical audit matter. Specifically, a high degree of subjective and complex auditor judgment was required to evaluate the intent regarding the expected period the Company will receive cash flows from the rental property. Changes to shorten the expected period the Company will receive cash flows from the rental property could indicate a potential impairment.

The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls over the Company’s process to evaluate events or changes in circumstances that would indicate rental properties may be impaired. This included controls over the process for determining the expected period the Company will receive cash flows from the rental property. We evaluated the Company’s assessment by (1) inquiring with the Company about events or changes in circumstances considered by the Company, (2) considering certain factors related to the current economic environment, and (3) reading board of director’s minutes and external communications with investors and analysts. In addition, we observed the property conditions at certain rental property sites and inquired of property management personnel regarding events or changes in circumstances that indicate the rental properties may be impaired.

Evaluation of the value allocated to land and buildings in certain asset acquisitions
As discussed in Notes 2 and 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company acquired $463.4 million of real estate properties recorded as asset acquisitions for the year ended December 31, 2020. In asset acquisitions, the Company determines the value allocated to land and buildings using their relative estimated fair values.

We identified the evaluation of the value allocated to land and buildings in certain asset acquisitions as a critical audit matter. There was a high degree of subjective and complex auditor judgment in evaluating the fair value amounts used in the allocation of the purchase price to land and building, which required the assistance of valuation professionals with specialized skills and knowledge. Specifically, the relevance and reliability of market information including comparable land sales identified and replacement costs used to determine the building value.

The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls over the Company’s land and building value estimation process in asset acquisitions. This included controls over the identification of publicly available and comparable land sales and the key input used to estimate the replacement cost of the building. For certain asset acquisitions, with the assistance of valuation professionals with specialized skills and knowledge, we (1) compared the Company’s determination of the fair value of land to independently developed ranges of estimates based on publicly available land sales, and (2) compared the key input in the Company’s replacement building cost value to ranges of estimates of market data such as industry guides used for developing replacement building values.

/s/ KPMG LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1994.

San Francisco, California
February 19, 2021
F- 2
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
Essex Property Trust, Inc.:

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited Essex Property Trust, Inc. and subsidiaries’ (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and financial statement schedule III (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated February 19, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ KPMG LLP
San Francisco, California
February 19, 2021
F- 3
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Partners of Essex Portfolio, L.P. and the Board of Directors of Essex Property Trust, Inc.:

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Essex Portfolio, L.P. and subsidiaries (the Operating Partnership) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, capital, and cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and financial statement schedule III (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Operating Partnership as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Operating Partnership has changed its method of accounting for leases as of January 1, 2019 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements.

Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Operating Partnership’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Operating Partnership in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Operating Partnership is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Evaluation of events or changes in circumstances that indicate rental properties may be impaired
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Operating Partnership evaluates the carrying amount of rental properties for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a rental property may not be fully recoverable. The Operating Partnership had $10.9 billion in rental properties as of December 31, 2020.
F- 4
We identified the evaluation of events or changes in circumstances that indicate rental properties may be impaired as a critical audit matter. Specifically, a high degree of subjective and complex auditor judgment was required to evaluate the intent regarding the expected period the Operating Partnership will receive cash flows from the rental property. Changes to shorten the expected period the Operating Partnership will receive cash flows from the rental property could indicate a potential impairment.

The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls over the Operating Partnership’s process to evaluate events or changes in circumstances that would indicate rental properties may be impaired. This included controls over the process for determining the expected period the Operating Partnership will receive cash flows from the rental property. We evaluated the Operating Partnership’s assessment by (1) inquiring with the Operating Partnership about events or changes in circumstances considered by the Operating Partnership, (2) considering certain factors related to the current economic environment, and (3) reading board of director’s minutes and external communications with investors and analysts. In addition, we observed the property conditions at certain rental property sites and inquired of property management personnel regarding events or changes in circumstances that indicate the rental properties may be impaired.
Evaluation of the value allocated to land and buildings in certain asset acquisitions
As discussed in Notes 2 and 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Operating Partnership acquired $463.4 million of real estate properties recorded as asset acquisitions for the year ended December 31, 2020. In asset acquisitions, the Operating Partnership determines the value allocated to land and buildings using their relative estimated fair values.

We identified the evaluation of the value allocated to land and buildings in certain asset acquisitions as a critical audit matter. There was a high degree of subjective and complex auditor judgment in evaluating the fair value amounts used in the allocation of the purchase price to land and building, which required the assistance of valuation professionals with specialized skills and knowledge. Specifically, the relevance and reliability of market information including comparable land sales identified and replacement costs used to determine the building value.

The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls over the Operating Partnership’s land and building value estimation process in asset acquisitions. This included controls over the identification of publicly available and comparable land sales and the key input used to estimate the replacement cost of the building. For certain asset acquisitions, with the assistance of valuation professionals with specialized skills and knowledge, we (1) compared the Operating Partnership’s determination of the fair value of land to independently developed ranges of estimates based on publicly available land sales, and (2) compared the key input in the Operating Partnership’s replacement building cost value to ranges of estimates of market data such as industry guides used for developing replacement building values.


/s/ KPMG LLP
We have served as the Operating Partnership's auditor since 2013.

San Francisco, California
February 19, 2021
F- 5
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2020 and 2019
(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts) 
 20202019
ASSETS
Real estate:
Rental properties:
Land and land improvements$2,929,009 $2,773,805 
Buildings and improvements12,132,736 11,264,337 
 15,061,745 14,038,142 
Less: accumulated depreciation(4,133,959)(3,689,482)
 10,927,786 10,348,660 
Real estate under development386,047 546,075 
Co-investments1,018,010 1,335,339 
Real estate held for sale57,938 — 
 12,389,781 12,230,074 
Cash and cash equivalents-unrestricted73,629 70,087 
Cash and cash equivalents-restricted10,412 11,007 
Marketable securities, net of allowance for credit losses of zero as of both December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019
147,768 144,193 
Notes and other receivables, net of allowance for credit losses of $0.8 million and zero as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively (includes related party receivables of $4.7 million and $90.2 million as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively)
195,104 134,365 
Operating lease right-of-use assets72,143 74,744 
Prepaid expenses and other assets47,340 40,935 
Total assets$12,936,177 $12,705,405 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Unsecured debt, net$5,607,985 $4,763,206 
Mortgage notes payable, net643,550 990,667 
Lines of credit— 55,000 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities152,855 158,017 
Construction payable31,417 48,912 
Dividends payable141,917 135,384 
Operating lease liabilities74,037 76,740 
Liabilities associated with real estate held for sale29,845 — 
Other liabilities39,140 36,565 
Total liabilities6,720,746 6,264,491 
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interest32,239 37,410 
Equity:  
Common stock; $0.0001 par value, 670,000,000 shares authorized; 64,999,015 and 66,091,954 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
6 7 
Additional paid-in capital6,876,326 7,121,927 
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings(861,193)(887,619)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net(14,729)(13,888)
Total stockholders' equity6,000,410 6,220,427 
Noncontrolling interest182,782 183,077 
Total equity6,183,192 6,403,504 
Total liabilities and equity$12,936,177 $12,705,405 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 6
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income
Years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
(Dollars in thousands, except per share and share amounts)
 202020192018
Revenues:
Rental and other property$1,486,150 $1,450,628 $1,390,870 
Management and other fees from affiliates9,598 9,527 9,183 
 1,495,748 1,460,155 1,400,053 
Expenses:   
Property operating, excluding real estate taxes263,389 241,357 232,771 
Real estate taxes177,011 155,170 151,570 
Corporate-level property management expenses34,573 34,067 32,055 
Depreciation and amortization525,497 483,750 479,884 
General and administrative65,388 54,262 53,451 
Expensed acquisition and investment related costs1,591 168 194 
Impairment loss1,825 7,105 — 
 1,069,274 975,879 949,925 
Gain (loss) on sale of real estate and land64,967 (3,164)61,861 
Earnings from operations491,441 481,112 511,989 
Interest expense(220,633)(217,339)(220,492)
Total return swap income10,733 8,446 8,707 
Interest and other income40,999 46,298 23,010 
Equity income from co-investments66,512 112,136 89,132 
Deferred tax expense on unrealized gain on unconsolidated co-investment(1,531)(1,457)— 
(Loss) gain on early retirement of debt, net(22,883)3,717 — 
Gain on remeasurement of co-investment234,694 31,535 1,253 
Net income599,332 464,448 413,599 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest(30,462)(25,162)(23,446)
Net income available to common stockholders$568,870 $439,286 $390,153 
Per share data:   
Basic:   
Net income available to common stockholders$8.69 $6.67 $5.91 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year65,454,057 65,840,422 66,041,058 
Diluted:   
Net income available to common stockholders$8.69 $6.66 $5.90 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year65,564,982 65,939,455 66,085,089 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 7
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
(Dollars in thousands)
 202020192018
Net income$599,332 $464,448 $413,599 
Other comprehensive income (loss):   
Change in fair value of derivatives and amortization of swap settlements(4,148)(2,948)7,824 
Cash flow hedge losses reclassified to earnings3,338 1,824 — 
Change in fair value of marketable debt securities, net(61)281 (118)
Reversal of unrealized (gains) losses upon the sale of marketable debt securities— (32)13 
Total other comprehensive (loss) income (871)(875)7,719 
Comprehensive income598,461 463,573 421,318 
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest(30,432)(25,133)(23,702)
Comprehensive income attributable to controlling interest$568,029 $438,440 $397,616 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 8
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Equity
Years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
(Dollars and shares in thousands)
 Common stockAdditional
paid-in
capital		Distributions
in excess of
accumulated
earnings		Accumulated
other
comprehensive
loss, net		Noncontrolling
interest		Total
 SharesAmount
Balances at December 31, 201766,054 $7 $7,129,571 $(833,726)$(18,446)$119,419 $6,396,825 
Net income— — — 390,153 — 23,446 413,599 
Reversal of unrealized losses upon the sale of marketable securities— — — — 13 — 13 
Change in fair value of derivatives and amortization of swap settlements— — — — 7,564 260 7,824 
Change in fair value of marketable debt securities, net— — — — (114)(4)(118)
Issuance of common stock under:— 
Stock option and restricted stock plans, net41 — 6,213 — — — 6,213 
Sale of common stock, net— — (919)— — — (919)
Equity based compensation costs— — 11,651 — — 1,200 12,851 
Retirement of common stock, net(210)— (51,233)— — — (51,233)
Cumulative effect upon adoption of ASU No. 2016-01— — — 2,234 (2,234)— — 
Cumulative effect upon adoption of ASU No. 2017-05— — — 119,651 — 4,057 123,708 
Changes in the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest— — (1,143)— — (21)(1,164)
Changes in noncontrolling interest from acquisition— — — — — 7,919 7,919 
Distributions to noncontrolling interest— — — — — (29,233)(29,233)
Redemptions of noncontrolling interest5 — (1,061)— — (272)(1,333)
Common stock dividends ($7.44 per share)
— — — (491,108)— — (491,108)
Balances at December 31, 201865,890 $7 $7,093,079 $(812,796)$(13,217)$126,771 $6,393,844 
Net income— — — 439,286 — 25,162 464,448 
Reversal of unrealized gains upon the sale of marketable debt securities— — — — (31)(1)(32)
Cash flow hedge losses reclassified to earnings— — — — 1,762 62 1,824 
Change in fair value of derivatives and amortization of swap settlements— — — — (2,849)(99)(2,948)
Change in fair value of marketable debt securities, net— — — — 272 9 281 
Issuance of common stock under:— 
F- 9
Stock option and restricted stock plans, net195 — 33,779 — — — 33,779 
Sale of common stock, net228 — 72,539 — — — 72,539 
Equity based compensation costs— — 11,029 — — 1,254 12,283 
Retirement of common stock, net(234)— (56,989)— — — (56,989)
Cumulative effect upon adoption of ASU No. 2017-12— — — — 175 6 181 
Changes in the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest— — (3,427)— — 1,419 (2,008)
Changes in noncontrolling interest from acquisition— — — — — 65,472 65,472 
Distributions to noncontrolling interest— — — — — (28,493)(28,493)
Redemptions of noncontrolling interest13 — (28,083)— — (8,485)(36,568)
Common stock dividends ($7.80 per share)
— — — (514,109)— — (514,109)
Balances at December 31, 201966,092 $7 $7,121,927 $(887,619)$(13,888)$183,077 $6,403,504 
Net income— — — 568,870 — 30,462 599,332 
Cash flow hedge losses reclassified to earnings— — — — 3,225 113 3,338 
Change in fair value of derivatives and amortization of swap settlements— — — — (4,007)(141)(4,148)
Change in fair value of marketable debt securities, net— — — — (59)(2)(61)
Issuance of common stock under:— 
Stock option and restricted stock plans, net95 — 9,201 — — — 9,201 
Sale of common stock, net— — (296)— — — (296)
Equity based compensation costs— — 12,453 — — 460 12,913 
Retirement of common stock, net(1,197)(1)(269,314)— — — (269,315)
Cumulative effect upon adoption of ASU No. 2016-13— — — (190)— — (190)
Changes in the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest— — 4,375 — — (76)4,299 
Changes in noncontrolling interest from acquisition— — — — — 1,349 1,349 
Distributions to noncontrolling interest— — — — — (31,367)(31,367)
Redemptions of noncontrolling interest9 — (2,020)— — (1,093)(3,113)
Common stock dividends ($8.31 per share)
— — — (542,254)— — (542,254)
Balances at December 31, 202064,999 $6 $6,876,326 $(861,193)$(14,729)$182,782 $6,183,192 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 10
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
(Dollars in thousands) 
 202020192018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income$599,332 $464,448 $413,599 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:   
Straight-lined rents(19,426)(1,218)(347)
Depreciation and amortization525,497 483,750 479,884 
Amortization of discount on marketable securities(19,075)(28,491)(17,637)
Amortization of (premium) discount and debt financing costs, net6,674 5,689 (2,587)
Gain on sale of marketable securities(2,131)(1,271)(737)
Provision for credit losses687 — — 
Unrealized (gains) losses on equity securities recognized through income(12,515)(5,710)5,159 
Company's share of gain on the sales of co-investments(2,225)(51,097)(10,569)
Earnings from co-investments(64,287)(61,039)(78,563)
Operating distributions from co-investments74,419 99,277 99,593 
Accrued interest from notes and other receivables(3,683)(6,012)(5,436)
Impairment loss1,825 7,105 — 
(Gain) loss on the sale of real estate and land(64,967)3,164 (61,861)
Equity-based compensation8,157 7,010 7,135 
Loss (gain) on early retirement of debt, net22,883 (3,717)— 
Gain on remeasurement of co-investment(234,694)(31,535)(1,253)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:   
Prepaid expenses, receivables, operating lease right-of-use assets, and other assets(3,730)6,969 (856)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and operating lease liabilities(10,382)29,551 (145)
Other liabilities749 2,206 1,175 
Net cash provided by operating activities803,108 919,079 826,554 
Cash flows from investing activities:   
Additions to real estate:   
Acquisitions of real estate and acquisition related capital expenditures, net of cash acquired(460,421)(133,825)(15,311)
Redevelopment(48,980)(70,295)(73,000)
Development acquisitions of and additions to real estate under development(108,781)(158,234)(182,772)
Capital expenditures on rental properties(90,085)(101,689)(81,684)
Investments in notes receivable(135,343)(231,400)— 
Collections of notes and other receivables98,711 168,720 29,500 
Proceeds from insurance for property losses723 3,734 1,408 
Proceeds from dispositions of real estate339,165 23,214 347,587 
Contributions to co-investments(114,017)(402,284)(162,437)
Changes in refundable deposits96 5 (414)
Purchases of marketable securities(83,379)(46,458)(37,952)
Sales and maturities of marketable securities113,465 147,531 31,521 
Non-operating distributions from co-investments71,946 273,290 83,661 
F- 11
Net cash used in investing activities(416,900)(527,691)(59,893)
Cash flows from financing activities:   
Proceeds from unsecured debt and mortgage notes1,452,808 1,045,290 298,773 
Payments on unsecured debt and mortgage notes(916,209)(1,026,616)(230,398)
Proceeds from lines of credit1,038,426 1,939,213 742,961 
Repayments of lines of credit(1,093,426)(1,884,213)(921,961)
Retirement of common stock(269,315)(56,989)(51,233)
Additions to deferred charges(13,772)(10,898)(4,250)
Payments related to debt prepayment penalties(19,605)(1,406)— 
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock(296)72,539 (919)
Net proceeds from stock options exercised14,865 37,467 6,213 
Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation(5,664)(3,688)(869)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest(30,990)(27,993)(29,050)
Redemption of noncontrolling interest(3,113)(36,568)(1,333)
Redemption of redeemable noncontrolling interest(872)(73)(144)
Common stock dividends paid(536,098)(507,754)(484,182)
Net cash used in financing activities(383,261)(461,689)(676,392)
Net increase (decrease) in unrestricted and restricted cash and cash equivalents2,947 (70,301)90,269 
Unrestricted and restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period81,094 151,395 61,126 
Unrestricted and restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of period$84,041 $81,094 $151,395 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest$211,732 $194,418 $203,803 
Interest capitalized$14,615 $24,169 $18,708 
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
     Operating cash flows from operating leases$6,892 $6,811 $— 
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:   
Issuance of Operating Partnership units for contributed properties$— $— $7,919 
Issuance of DownREIT units in connection with acquisition of real estate$— $65,472 $— 
Transfers between real estate under development and rental properties, net$253,039 $19,812 $100,415 
Transfer from real estate under development to co-investments$1,739 $671 $853 
Reclassifications (from) to redeemable noncontrolling interest from additional paid in capital and noncontrolling interest$(4,299)$2,008 $1,165 
Redemption of redeemable noncontrolling interest via reduction of note receivable$— $— $4,751 
Initial recognition of operating lease right-of-use assets$— $77,645 $— 
Initial recognition of operating lease liabilities$— $79,693 $— 
Debt assumed in connection with acquisition $— $143,006 $45,804 
Repayment of mortgage note from new financing proceeds$— $— $52,000 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

F- 12
    ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2020 and 2019
(Dollars in thousands, except per unit amounts)
 20202019
ASSETS
Real estate:
Rental properties:
Land and land improvements$2,929,009 $2,773,805 
Buildings and improvements12,132,736 11,264,337 
 15,061,745 14,038,142 
Less: accumulated depreciation(4,133,959)(3,689,482)
 10,927,786 10,348,660 
Real estate under development386,047 546,075 
Co-investments1,018,010 1,335,339 
Real estate held for sale57,938 — 
 12,389,781 12,230,074 
Cash and cash equivalents-unrestricted73,629 70,087 
Cash and cash equivalents-restricted10,412 11,007 
Marketable securities, net of allowance for credit losses of zero as of both December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019
147,768 144,193 
Notes and other receivables, net of allowance for credit losses of $0.8 million and zero as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively (includes related party receivables of $4.7 million and $90.2 million as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively)
195,104 134,365 
Operating lease right-of-use assets72,143 74,744 
Prepaid expenses and other assets47,340 40,935 
Total assets$12,936,177 $12,705,405 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL
Unsecured debt, net$5,607,985 $4,763,206 
Mortgage notes payable, net643,550 990,667 
Lines of credit— 55,000 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities152,855 158,017 
Construction payable31,417 48,912 
Distributions payable141,917 135,384 
Operating lease liabilities74,037 76,740 
Liabilities associated with real estate held for sale29,845 — 
Other liabilities39,140 36,565 
Total liabilities6,720,746 6,264,491 
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interest32,239 37,410 
Capital:  
General Partner:  
Common equity (64,999,015 and 66,091,954 units issued and outstanding, respectively)
6,015,139 6,234,315 
 6,015,139 6,234,315 
Limited Partners:  
Common equity (2,294,760 and 2,301,653 units issued and outstanding, respectively)
58,184 57,359 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(11,303)(10,432)
Total partners' capital6,062,020 6,281,242 
Noncontrolling interest121,172 122,262 
Total capital6,183,192 6,403,504 
Total liabilities and capital$12,936,177 $12,705,405 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F- 13
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income
Years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018
(Dollars in thousands, except per unit and unit amounts)
 202020192018
Revenues:
Rental and other property$1,486,150 $1,450,628 $1,390,870 
Management and other fees from affiliates9,598 9,527 9,183 
 1,495,748 1,460,155 1,400,053 
Expenses:   
Property operating, excluding real estate taxes263,389 241,357 232,771 
Real estate taxes177,011 155,170 151,570 
Corporate-level property management expenses34,573 34,067 32,055 
Depreciation and amortization525,497 483,750 479,884 
General and administrative65,388 54,262 53,451 
Expensed acquisition and investment related costs1,591 168 194 
Impairment loss1,825 7,105 — 
 1,069,274 975,879 949,925 
Gain (loss) on sale of real estate and land64,967 (3,164)61,861 
Earnings from operations491,441 481,112 511,989 
Interest expense(220,633)(217,339)(220,492)
Total return swap income10,733 8,446 8,707 
Interest and other income40,999 46,298 23,010 
Equity income from co-investments66,512 112,136 89,132 
Deferred tax expense on unrealized gain on unconsolidated co-investment(1,531)(1,457)— 
(Loss) gain on early retirement of debt, net(22,883)3,717 — 
Gain on remeasurement of co-investment234,694 31,535 1,253 
Net income599,332 464,448 413,599 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest(10,550)(9,819)(9,994)
Net income available to common unitholders$588,782 $454,629 $403,605 
Per unit data:   
Basic:   
Net income available to common unitholders$8.69 $6.67 $5.91 
Weighted average number of common units outstanding during the year67,750,665 68,140,900 68,315,999 
Diluted:   
Net income available to common unitholders$8.69 $6.66 $5.90 
Weighted average number of common units outstanding during the year67,861,590 68,239,933 68,360,030 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F- 14
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018
(Dollars in thousands)
 202020192018
Net income$599,332 $464,448 $413,599 
Other comprehensive income (loss):   
Change in fair value of derivatives and amortization of swap settlements(4,148)(2,948)7,824 
Cash flow hedge losses reclassified to earnings3,338 1,824 — 
Change in fair value of marketable debt securities, net(61)281 (118)
Reversal of unrealized (gains) losses upon the sale of marketable debt securities— (32)13 
Total other comprehensive (loss) income(871)(875)7,719 
Comprehensive income598,461 463,573 421,318 
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest(10,550)(9,819)(9,994)
Comprehensive income attributable to controlling interest$587,911 $453,754 $411,324 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 15
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Capital
Years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018
(Dollars and units in thousands)
 Accumulated
other
comprehensive
loss, net
 General PartnerLimited PartnersNoncontrolling
interest		Total
 Common EquityCommon Equity
 UnitsAmountUnitsAmount
Balances at December 31, 201766,054 $6,295,852 2,268 $49,792 $(15,229)$66,410 $6,396,825 
Net income— 390,153 — 13,452 — 9,994 413,599 
Reversal of unrealized gains upon the sale of marketable debt securities— — — — 13 — 13 
Change in fair value of derivatives and amortization of swap settlements— — — — 7,824 — 7,824 
Change in fair value of marketable debt securities, net— — — — (118)— (118)
Issuance of common units under:— 
General partner's stock based compensation, net41 6,213 — — — — 6,213 
Sale of common stock by general partner, net— (919)— — — — (919)
Equity based compensation costs— 11,651 11 1,200 — — 12,851 
Retirement of common units, net(210)(51,233)— — — — (51,233)
Cumulative effect upon adoption of ASU No. 2016-01— 2,234 — (6)(2,228)— — 
Cumulative effect upon adoption of ASU No. 2017-05— 119,651 — 4,057 — — 123,708 
Changes in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest— (1,143)— (89)— 68 (1,164)
Changes in noncontrolling interest from acquisition— — 31 7,919 — — 7,919 
Distributions to noncontrolling interest— — — — — (12,174)(12,174)
Redemptions5 (1,061)(5)(205)— (67)(1,333)
Distributions declared ($7.44 per unit)
— (491,108)— (17,059)— — (508,167)
Balances at December 31, 201865,890 $6,280,290 2,305 $59,061 $(9,738)$64,231 $6,393,844 
Net income— 439,286 — 15,343 — 9,819 464,448 
Reversal of unrealized gains upon the sale of marketable debt securities— — — — (32)— (32)
Cash flow hedge losses reclassified to earnings— — — — 1,824 — 1,824 
Change in fair value of derivatives and amortization of swap settlements— — — — (2,948)— (2,948)
Change in fair value of marketable debt securities, net— — — — 281 — 281 
Issuance of common units under:
F- 16
General partner's stock based compensation, net195 33,779 — — — — 33,779 
Sale of common stock by general partner, net228 72,539 — — — — 72,539 
Equity based compensation costs— 11,029 10 1,254 — — 12,283 
Retirement of common units, net(234)(56,989)— — — — (56,989)
Cumulative effect upon adoption of ASU No. 2017-12— — — — 181 — 181 
Changes in the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest— (3,427)— 109 — 1,310 (2,008)
Changes in noncontrolling interest from acquisition— — — — — 65,472 65,472 
Distributions to noncontrolling interest— — — — — (10,521)(10,521)
Redemptions13 (28,083)(13)(436)— (8,049)(36,568)
Distributions declared ($7.80 per unit)
— (514,109)— (17,972)— — (532,081)
Balances at December 31, 201966,092 $6,234,315 2,302 $57,359 $(10,432)$122,262 $6,403,504 
Net income— 568,870 — 19,912 — 10,550 599,332 
Cash flow hedge losses reclassified to earnings— — — — 3,338 — 3,338 
Change in fair value of derivatives and amortization of swap settlements— — — — (4,148)— (4,148)
Change in fair value of marketable debt securities, net— — — — (61)— (61)
Issuance of common units under:— 
General partner's stock based compensation, net95 9,201 — — — — 9,201 
Sale of common stock by general partner, net— (296)— — — — (296)
Equity based compensation costs— 12,453 2 460 — — 12,913 
Retirement of common units, net(1,197)(269,315)— — — — (269,315)
Cumulative effect upon adoption of ASU No. 2016-13— (190)— — — — (190)
Changes in the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest— 4,375 — (197)— 121 4,299 
Changes in noncontrolling interest from acquisition— — — — — 1,349 1,349 
Distributions to noncontrolling interest— — — — — (12,292)(12,292)
Redemptions9 (2,020)(9)(275)— (818)(3,113)
Distributions declared ($8.31 per unit)
— (542,254)— (19,075)— — (561,329)
Balances at December 31, 202064,999 $6,015,139 2,295 $58,184 $(11,303)$121,172 $6,183,192 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F- 17
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018
(Dollars in thousands)
 202020192018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income$599,332 $464,448 $413,599 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:   
Straight-lined rents(19,426)(1,218)(347)
Depreciation and amortization525,497 483,750 479,884 
Amortization of discount on marketable securities(19,075)(28,491)(17,637)
Amortization of (premium) discount and debt financing costs, net6,674 5,689 (2,587)
Gain on sale of marketable securities(2,131)(1,271)(737)
Provision for credit losses687 — — 
Unrealized (gains) losses on equity securities recognized through income(12,515)(5,710)5,159 
Company's share of gain on the sales of co-investments(2,225)(51,097)(10,569)
Earnings from co-investments(64,287)(61,039)(78,563)
Operating distributions from co-investments74,419 99,277 99,593 
Accrued interest from notes and other receivables(3,683)(6,012)(5,436)
Impairment loss1,825 7,105 — 
(Gain) loss on the sale of real estate and land(64,967)3,164 (61,861)
Equity-based compensation8,157 7,010 7,135 
Loss (gain) on early retirement of debt, net22,883 (3,717)— 
Gain on remeasurement of co-investment(234,694)(31,535)(1,253)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:   
Prepaid expenses, receivables, operating lease right-of-use assets, and other assets(3,730)6,969 (856)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and operating lease liabilities(10,382)29,551 (145)
Other liabilities749 2,206 1,175 
Net cash provided by operating activities803,108 919,079 826,554 
Cash flows from investing activities:   
Additions to real estate:   
Acquisitions of real estate and acquisition related capital expenditures, net of cash acquired(460,421)(133,825)(15,311)
Redevelopment(48,980)(70,295)(73,000)
Development acquisitions of and additions to real estate under development(108,781)(158,234)(182,772)
Capital expenditures on rental properties(90,085)(101,689)(81,684)
Investments in notes receivable(135,343)(231,400)— 
Collections of notes and other receivables98,711 168,720 29,500 
Proceeds from insurance for property losses723 3,734 1,408 
Proceeds from dispositions of real estate339,165 23,214 347,587 
Contributions to co-investments(114,017)(402,284)(162,437)
Changes in refundable deposits96 5 (414)
Purchases of marketable securities(83,379)(46,458)(37,952)
Sales and maturities of marketable securities113,465 147,531 31,521 
Non-operating distributions from co-investments71,946 273,290 83,661 
F- 18
Net cash used in investing activities(416,900)(527,691)(59,893)
Cash flows from financing activities:   
Proceeds from unsecured debt and mortgage notes1,452,808 1,045,290 298,773 
Payments on unsecured debt and mortgage notes(916,209)(1,026,616)(230,398)
Proceeds from lines of credit1,038,426 1,939,213 742,961 
Repayments of lines of credit(1,093,426)(1,884,213)(921,961)
Retirement of common units(269,315)(56,989)(51,233)
Additions to deferred charges(13,772)(10,898)(4,250)
Payments related to debt prepayment penalties(19,605)(1,406)— 
Net proceeds from issuance of common units(296)72,539 (919)
Net proceeds from stock options exercised14,865 37,467 6,213 
Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation(5,664)(3,688)(869)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest(8,409)(7,288)(8,518)
Redemption of noncontrolling interests(3,113)(36,568)(1,333)
Redemption of redeemable noncontrolling interests(872)(73)(144)
Common units distributions paid(558,679)(528,459)(504,714)
Net cash used in financing activities(383,261)(461,689)(676,392)
Net increase (decrease) in unrestricted and restricted cash and cash equivalents2,947 (70,301)90,269 
Unrestricted and restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period81,094 151,395 61,126 
Unrestricted and restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of period$84,041 $81,094 $151,395 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest$211,732 $194,418 $203,803 
Interest capitalized$14,615 $24,169 $18,708 
  Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
     Operating cash flows from operating leases$6,892 $6,811 $— 
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:   
Issuance of Operating Partnership units for contributed properties$— $— $7,919 
Issuance of DownREIT units in connection with acquisition of real estate$— $65,472 $— 
Transfers between real estate under development and rental properties, net$253,039 $19,812 $100,415 
Transfer from real estate under development to co-investments$1,739 $671 $853 
Reclassifications (from) to redeemable noncontrolling interest from general and limited partner capital and noncontrolling interest$(4,299)$2,008 $1,165 
Redemption of redeemable noncontrolling interest via reduction of note receivable$— $— $4,751 
Initial recognition of operating lease right-of-use assets$— $77,645 $— 
Initial recognition of operating lease liabilities$— $79,693 $— 
Debt assumed in connection with acquisition$— $143,006 $45,804 
Repayment of mortgage note from new financing proceeds$— $— $52,000 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

F- 19
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

(1) Organization
 
The accompanying 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 its subsidiaries (the "Operating Partnership," which holds the operating assets of the Company). Unless otherwise indicated, the notes to consolidated financial statements apply to both the Company and the Operating Partnership.

Essex is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership with a 96.6% general partner interest and the limited partners owned a 3.4% interest as of December 31, 2020. The limited partners may convert their Operating Partnership units into an equivalent number of shares of Essex common stock. Total Operating Partnership limited partnership units outstanding were 2,294,760 and 2,301,653 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and the redemption value of the units, based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock, totaled approximately $544.8 million and $692.5 million, as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company has reserved shares of common stock for such conversions.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company owned or had ownership interests in 246 operating apartment communities, comprising 60,272 apartment homes, excluding the Company's ownership interests in preferred interest co-investments, loan investments, one operating commercial building, and a development pipeline comprised of three consolidated projects and three unconsolidated joint venture projects. The operating apartment communities are located in Southern California (primarily Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, and Ventura counties), Northern California (the San Francisco Bay Area) and the Seattle metropolitan areas.

F- 20
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

(2) Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies

(a) Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

The accounts of the Company, its controlled subsidiaries and the variable interest entities ("VIEs") in which it is the primary beneficiary are consolidated in the accompanying financial statements and prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP"). 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. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Noncontrolling interest includes the 3.4% limited partner interests in the Operating Partnership not held by the Company at both December 31, 2020 and 2019. These percentages include the Operating Partnership’s vested long-term incentive plan units (see Note 14).

(b) Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-02 "Leases (Topic 842)" which requires an entity that is a lessee to classify leases as either finance or operating and to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for all leases that have a duration of greater than 12 months. Leases of 12 months or less are to be accounted for similar to prior leasing guidance (Topic 840) for operating leases. For lessors, accounting for leases under the new standard is substantially the same as prior leasing guidance for sales-type leases, direct financing leases, and operating leases, but eliminates current real estate specific provisions and changes the treatment of initial direct costs. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11 "Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements," which includes a practical expedient that allows lessors to not separate nonlease components from the associated lease component. This provides the Company with the option of not bifurcating certain common area maintenance recoveries as a non-lease component, if certain requirements are met. The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02 and ASU No. 2018-11 as of January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach and elected a package of practical expedients. There was no adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as a result of the adoption. See Note 10, Lease Agreements - Company as Lessor, and Note 11, Lease Agreements - Company as Lessee, for further details.

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-13 "Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments," which amends the current approach to estimate credit losses on certain financial assets, including trade and other receivables, available-for-sale securities, and other financial instruments. Generally, this amendment requires entities to establish a valuation allowance for the expected lifetime losses of these certain financial assets. Subsequent changes in the valuation allowance are recorded in current earnings and reversal of previous losses are permitted. Previously, U.S. GAAP required entities to write down credit losses only when losses were probable and loss reversals were not permitted. The FASB additionally issued various updates to clarify and amend the guidance provided in ASU No. 2016-13. In May 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, "Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments," which, with respect to credit losses, among other things, clarifies and addresses issues related to accrued interest, transfers between classifications of loans or debt securities, recoveries, and variable interest rates. Additionally, in May 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-05, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Targeted Transition Relief," which allows entities to irrevocably elect the fair value option on certain financial instruments. The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-13, ASU No. 2019-04, and ASU No. 2019-05 as of January 1, 2020, using the modified retrospective approach by applying a cumulative effect adjustment of $0.2 million representing estimated accumulated credit losses to the opening balance of retained earnings.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13 "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement," which eliminates certain disclosure requirements affecting all levels of measurements, and modifies and adds new disclosure requirements for Level 3 measurements. The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-13 as of January 1, 2020. This adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations or financial position.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04 "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting," which contains practical expedients for reference rate reform related activities that impact debt, leases, derivatives and other contracts. The guidance in ASU No. 2020-04 is optional and may be elected over
F- 21
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

time as reference rate reform activities occur. During the first quarter of 2020, the Company elected to apply the hedge accounting expedients related to probability and the assessments of effectiveness for future LIBOR-indexed cash flows to assume that the index upon which future hedged transactions will be based matches the index on the corresponding derivatives. Application of these expedients preserves the presentation of derivatives consistent with past presentation. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of the guidance and may apply other elections as applicable as additional changes in the market occur.

In April 2020, the FASB issued a Staff Question-and-Answer ("Q&A") to clarify whether lease concessions related to the effects of COVID-19 require the application of the lease modification guidance under Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 842, Leases. The Q&A allows companies to not apply the lease modification guidance to rent concessions that result in deferred rent where the total cash flows required by the modified lease agreement are materially the same as the cash flows required under the original lease and the changes to the lease do not result in a substantial increase to the rights of the lessor or the obligations of the lessee. The Company adopted the guidance during the three months ended June 30, 2020 for eligible residential lease concessions. The lease concessions that met the criteria of the Q&A are treated as if they were part of the enforceable rights and obligations of the parties under the existing lease contract. The amount of rent concessions subject to the Q&A were not material and this adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations or financial position.

(c) Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-01 "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope." The amendments in ASU No. 2021-01 provide optional expedients to the current guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting from the expected market transition from LIBOR and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. The guidance generally can be applied to applicable contract modifications through December 31, 2022. The Company adopted this new guidance in January 2021 and will apply the guidance on a prospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the transition from LIBOR to alternative reference rates and the application of optional expedients available in this guidance, but does not expect a material impact to its consolidated results of operations or financial position.

(d) Real Estate Rental Properties

Significant expenditures, which improve or extend the life of an asset and have a useful life of greater than one year, are capitalized. Operating real estate assets are stated at cost and consist of land and land improvements, buildings and improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment, and other costs incurred during their development, redevelopment and acquisition.  Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.

The depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets is as follows:
Computer software and equipment
3 - 5 years
Interior apartment home improvements5 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
5 - 10 years
Land improvements and certain exterior components of real property10 years
Real estate structures30 years
 
The Company capitalizes all costs incurred with the predevelopment, development or redevelopment of real estate assets or are associated with the construction or expansion of real property. Such capitalized costs include land, land improvements, allocated costs of the Company’s project management staff, construction costs, as well as interest and related loan fees, property taxes and insurance. Capitalization begins for predevelopment, development, and redevelopment projects when activity commences. Capitalization ends when the apartment home is completed and the property is available for a new tenant or if the development activities cease.

The Company allocates the purchase price of real estate on a fair value basis to land and building including personal property, and identifiable intangible assets, such as the value of above, below and in-place leases. In making estimates of relative fair values for purposes of allocating purchase price, the Company utilizes a number of sources, including independent land appraisals which consider comparable market transactions, its own analysis of recently acquired or developed comparable
F- 22
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

properties in our portfolio for land comparables and building replacement costs, and other publicly available market data. In calculating the fair value of identified intangible assets of an acquired property, the in-place leases are valued based on in-place rent rates and amortized over the average remaining term of all acquired leases.

The values of the above and below market leases are amortized and recorded as either a decrease (in the case of above market leases) or an increase (in the case of below market leases) to rental revenue over the remaining term of the associated leases acquired. The value of acquired in-place leases are amortized to expense over the average remaining term of the leases acquired. The net carrying value of acquired in-place leases is $4.7 million and $1.2 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and are included in prepaid expenses and other assets on the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

The Company periodically assesses the carrying value of its real estate investments for indicators of impairment. The judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators are based on monitoring investment market conditions and performance compared to budget for operating properties including the net operating income for the most recent 12 month period, monitoring estimated costs for properties under development, the Company's ability to hold and its intent with regard to each asset, and each property's remaining useful life. Whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a property held for investment may not be fully recoverable, the carrying amount is evaluated. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount (including intangible assets) of a property held for investment, then the Company will recognize an impairment loss equal to the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the property. Fair value of a property is determined using conventional real estate valuation methods, such as discounted cash flow, the property’s unleveraged yield in comparison to the unleveraged yields and/or sales prices of similar communities that have been recently sold, and other third party information, if available. Communities held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell. As of December 31, 2020, two properties were classified as held for sale. As of December 31, 2019, no properties were classified as held for sale. The Company recorded an impairment charge of $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 related to one of the Company's consolidated properties as a result of a change in the Company's intent to hold the property for its remaining useful life. The Company recorded an impairment charge of $7.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 on a parcel of land that was part of a consolidated co-investment with Canada Pension Plan Investment Board ("CPPIB" or "CPP"). The impairment charge resulted from the Company's acquisition of CPPIB's 45% interest in the co-investment. The impairment analysis over the parcel’s fair value was determined using internally developed models based on market assumptions. No impairment charges were recorded for the year ended December 31, 2018.

In the normal course of business, the Company will receive purchase offers for its communities, either solicited or unsolicited. For those offers that are accepted, the prospective buyer will usually require a due diligence period before consummation of the transaction. It is not unusual for matters to arise that result in the withdrawal or rejection of the offer during this process. The Company classifies real estate as "held for sale" when all criteria under the accounting standard for the disposals of long-lived assets have been met.

(e) Co-investments

The Company owns investments in joint ventures 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. Under the equity method of accounting, the investment is carried at the cost of assets contributed, plus the Company’s equity in earnings less distributions received and the Company’s share of losses. 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 consolidated statement of income equal to the amount by which the fair value of the Company's previously owned co-investment interest exceeds its carrying value. A majority of the co-investments, excluding most preferred equity investments, compensate the Company for its asset management services and some of these investments 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 from co-investments.

The Company recorded an other-than-temporary impairment charge of $11.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 on an unconsolidated co-investment with CPPIB which held Agora, a 49 unit apartment home community located in Walnut
F- 23
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

Creek, CA. The other-than-temporary impairment charge resulted from the Company's acquisition of CPPIB's 45% interest in the co-investment. The impairment analysis over the co-investments fair value was determined using internally developed models based on market assumptions. The impairment is reflected in equity income from co-investments on the consolidated statements of income. No other-than-temporary impairment charges were recorded for the years ended December 31, 2020 or 2018.

(f) Revenues and Gains on Sale of Real Estate

Revenues from tenants renting or leasing apartment homes are recorded when due from tenants and are recognized monthly as they are earned, which generally approximates a straight-line basis, else, adjustments are made to conform to a straight-line basis. Apartment homes are rented under short-term leases (generally, lease terms of 9 to 12 months). Revenues from tenants leasing commercial space are recorded on a straight-line basis over the life of the respective lease. See Note 4, Revenues, and Note 10, Lease Agreements - Company as Lessor, for additional information regarding such revenues.

The Company also generates other property-related revenue associated with the leasing of apartment homes, including storage income, pet rent, and other miscellaneous revenue. Similar to rental income, such revenues are recorded when due from tenants and recognized monthly as they are earned.

Apart from rental and other property-related revenue, revenues from contracts with customers are recognized as control of the promised services is passed to the customer. For customer contracts related to management and other fees from affiliates (which includes asset management and property management), the transaction price and amount of revenue to be recognized is determined each quarter based on the management fee calculated and earned for that month or quarter. The contract will contain a description of the service and the fee percentage for management services. Payments from such services are one month or one quarter in arrears of the service performed.

The Company recognizes any gains on sales of real estate when it transfers control of a property and when it is probable that the Company will collect substantially all of the related consideration.

(g) Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased are classified as cash equivalents. Restricted cash balances relate primarily to reserve requirements for capital replacement at certain communities in connection with the Company’s mortgage debt.

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows ($ in thousands):
 202020192018
Cash and cash equivalents - unrestricted$73,629 $70,087 $134,465 
Cash and cash equivalents - restricted10,412 11,007 16,930 
Total unrestricted and restricted cash and cash equivalents shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows$84,041 $81,094 $151,395 

(h) Marketable Securities

The Company reports its equity securities and available for sale debt securities at fair value, based on quoted market prices (Level 1 for the common stock and investment funds, Level 2 for the unsecured debt and Level 3 for investments in mortgage backed securities, as defined by the FASB standard for fair value measurements as discussed later in Note 2). As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, $2.5 million and $3.6 million, respectively, of equity securities presented within common stock and stock funds in the tables below represent investments measured at fair value, using net asset value as a practical expedient, and are not categorized in the fair value hierarchy.

Any unrealized gain or loss in debt securities classified as available for sale is recorded as other comprehensive income. There were no other than temporary impairment charges for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018. Unrealized gains
F- 24
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

and losses in equity securities, realized gains and losses in debt securities, interest income, and amortization of purchase discounts are included in interest and other income on the consolidated statements of income.

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, equity securities and available for sale debt securities consisted primarily of investment-grade unsecured debt, U.S. treasury securities, and common stock and stock funds. As of December 31, 2019, the Company classified its mortgage backed securities as held to maturity, and accordingly, the securities were stated at their amortized cost. One of the investments in mortgage backed securities matured in November 2019 and the other matured in December 2020.

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, marketable securities consist of the following ($ in thousands):



 December 31, 2020
Amortized
Cost		Gross
Unrealized
Gain		Carrying
Value		Allowance for Credit Losses
Equity securities:
Investment funds - debt securities$49,646 $985 $50,631 $— 
Common stock and stock funds81,074 15,001 96,075 — 
Debt securities:
 Available for sale
Investment-grade unsecured debt1,050 12 1,062 — 
Total - Marketable securities$131,770 $15,998 $147,768 $— 

 December 31, 2019
Amortized
Cost		Gross
Unrealized
Gain		Carrying
Value
Equity securities:
Investment funds - debt securities$29,588 $544 $30,132 
Common stock and stock funds34,941 2,927 37,868 
Debt securities:
 Available for sale
U.S. Treasury securities2,421 13 2,434 
Investment-grade unsecured debt1,048 60 1,108 
Held to maturity:   
Mortgage backed securities72,651 — 72,651 
Total - Marketable securities$140,649 $3,544 $144,193 

The Company uses the specific identification method to determine the cost basis of a debt security sold and to reclassify amounts from accumulated other comprehensive loss for such securities.

During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company received cash proceeds of $91.7 million and $83.1 million, respectively, from the maturity of two investments in mortgage backed securities. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized approximately $11.8 million and $7.0 million, respectively, of accelerated interest income or the reversal of an allowance for credit loss related to these maturities.

F- 25
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities totaled $113.5 million, $147.5 million and $31.5 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, these sales resulted in gains of $2.1 million, $1.3 million, and $0.7 million, respectively.

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the portion of equity security unrealized losses or gains that were recognized in income totaled $12.5 million in gains, and $5.7 million in gains, respectively, and were included in interest and other income on the Company's consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

Unrealized losses on investment-grade unsecured debt as of December 31, 2020 have not been recognized into income because the debts of the issuers are of high credit quality, management does not intend to sell the securities, it is likely that the Company will not be required to sell the securities prior to their anticipated recovery, and the decline in fair value is largely due to other market conditions.

The Company monitors the credit quality of its held to maturity mortgage backed security through the review of remittance reports and individual loan watchlists, which are prepared quarterly and provide most recent debt service coverage ratios for each loan within the security, when available. The Company monitors such reports to determine the likelihood that a particular loan within the mortgage backed security may be foreclosed upon.

The Company measures the expected credit loss on its held to maturity mortgage backed security based on the present value of expected future cash flows, which takes into account current market conditions and available credit information obtained from the individual loans held within the mortgage backed security. The following table presents the allowance for credit losses rollforward for the mortgage backed security ($ in thousands):

Balance at December 31, 2019$— 
Impact of adoption ASC 326 (1)
13,644 
Reversal of provision for credit losses(13,644)
Balance at December 31, 2020$— 

(1) As part of the adoption of ASC 326, effective January 1, 2020, the Company recorded a gross up of the mortgage backed security and related allowance for credit losses of $13.6 million. The allowance was reversed upon maturity of the mortgage backed security in December 2020. The Company recorded $11.8 million of accelerated interest income related to this maturity.

(i) Notes Receivable
 
Notes receivable relate to real estate financing arrangements including mezzanine and bridge loans. Interest is recognized over the life of the note as interest income.
 
Each note is analyzed to determine if it is impaired. A note is impaired if it is probable that the Company will not collect all contractually due principal and interest. The Company does not accrue interest when a note is considered impaired and an allowance is recorded for any principal and previously accrued interest that are not believed to be collectible. All cash receipts on impaired notes are applied to reduce the principal amount of such notes until the principal has been recovered and, thereafter, are recognized as interest income. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, no notes were impaired.

In the normal course of business, the Company originates and holds two types of loans: mezzanine loans issued to entities that are pursuing apartment development and short-term bridge loans issued to joint ventures with the Company.

The Company categorizes development project mezzanine loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of the borrowers to service their debt, such as: current financial information, credit documentation, public information, and previous experience with the borrower. The Company initially analyzes each mezzanine loan individually to classify the credit risk of the loan. On a periodic basis the Company evaluates and performs site visits of the development projects associated with the mezzanine loans to confirm whether they are on budget and whether there are any delays in development that could impact the Company's assessment of credit loss.

F- 26
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

All bridge loans that the Company issues are, by their nature, short-term and meant only to provide time for the Company’s joint ventures to obtain long-term funding for newly acquired communities. As the Company is a partner in the joint ventures that are borrowing such funds and has performed a detailed review of each community as part of the acquisition process, there is little to no credit risk associated with such loans. As such, the Company does not review credit quality indicators for bridge loans on an ongoing basis.

The Company estimates the allowance for credit losses for each loan type using relevant available information from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable forecasts. Historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Adjustments to historical loss information are made, if necessary, for differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics. For example, in the case of mezzanine loans, adjustments may be made due to differences in track record and experience of the mezzanine loan sponsor as well as the percent of equity that the sponsor has contributed to the project.

(j) Capitalization Policy

The Company capitalizes all direct and certain indirect costs, including interest, real estate taxes and insurance, incurred during development and redevelopment activities. Interest is capitalized on real estate assets that require a period of time to get them ready for their intended use. The amount of interest capitalized is based upon the average amount of accumulated development expenditures during the reporting period. Included in capitalized costs are management’s estimates of the direct and incremental personnel costs and indirect project costs associated with the Company's development and redevelopment activities. Indirect project costs consist primarily of personnel costs associated with construction administration and development, including accounting, legal fees, and various corporate and community onsite costs that clearly relate to projects under development. Those costs, inclusive of capitalized interest, as well as capitalized development and redevelopment fees totaled $31.4 million, $42.1 million and $37.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, most of which relates to development projects. The Company capitalizes leasing costs associated with the lease-up of development communities and amortizes the costs over the life of the leases. The amounts capitalized are immaterial for all periods presented.

(k) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company values its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy of valuation techniques described in the FASB’s accounting standard for fair value measurements. Level 1 inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and inputs other than quoted prices observable for the asset or liability. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. The Company uses Level 1 inputs for the fair values of its cash equivalents and its marketable securities except for unsecured bonds and mortgage backed securities. The Company uses Level 2 inputs for its investments in unsecured debt, notes receivable, notes payable, and derivative assets/liabilities. These inputs include interest rates for similar financial instruments. The Company’s valuation methodology for derivatives is described in Note 9. The Company uses Level 3 inputs to estimate the fair value of its mortgage backed securities. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

Management believes that the carrying amounts of the outstanding balances under its lines of credit, and notes and other receivables approximate fair value as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, because interest rates, yields and other terms for these instruments are consistent with interest rates, yields and other terms currently available for similar instruments. Management has estimated that the fair value of fixed rate debt with a carrying value of $5.5 billion and $5.2 billion at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, to be $6.0 billion and $5.4 billion at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Management has estimated the fair value of the Company’s $775.1 million and $660.4 million of variable rate debt at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, to be $770.1 million and $655.8 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, based on the terms of existing mortgage notes payable, unsecured debt, 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 December 31, 2020 and 2019 due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. Marketable securities, except mortgage backed securities, are carried at fair value as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.

At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company’s investments in mortgage backed securities had a carrying value of zero and $72.7 million, respectively. In November 2019, the Company received cash proceeds of $83.1 million from the maturity of an
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ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

investment in a mortgage backed security. Additionally, during 2020, the Company received cash proceeds of $91.7 million from the maturity of the remaining investment in a mortgage backed security. The Company estimated the fair value of its investment in mortgage backed securities at December 31, 2020 and 2019 to be approximately zero and $72.7 million, respectively. 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.

(l) Interest Rate Protection, Swap, and Forward Contracts

The Company uses interest rate swaps, interest rate caps, and total return swap contracts to manage interest rate risks. 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. 
 
The Company records all derivatives on its consolidated balance sheets at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges.

For derivatives designated for accounting purposes as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged item related to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. For derivatives designated for accounting purposes as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is initially reported in other comprehensive income (outside of earnings) and subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings, and the ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recognized directly in earnings. The Company assesses the initial and ongoing effectiveness of each hedging relationship by comparing the changes in fair value or cash flows of the derivative hedging instrument with the changes in fair value or cash flows of the designated hedged item or transaction.

For derivatives not designated for accounting purposes as cash flow hedges, changes in fair value are recognized in earnings. All of the Company’s interest rate swaps are considered cash flow hedges.

(m) Income Taxes

Generally in any year in which Essex qualifies as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") under the Internal Revenue Code (the "IRC"), it is not subject to federal income tax on that portion of its income that it distributes to stockholders. No provision for federal income taxes, other than the taxable REIT subsidiaries discussed below, has been made in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2020 as Essex has elected to be and believes it qualifies under the IRC as a REIT and has made distributions during the periods in amounts to preclude Essex from paying federal income tax.

In order to maintain compliance with REIT tax rules, the Company utilizes taxable REIT subsidiaries for various revenue generating or investment activities. The taxable REIT subsidiaries are consolidated by the Company. In general, the activities and tax related provisions, assets and liabilities are not material.
As a partnership, the Operating Partnership is not subject to federal or state income taxes, except that in order to maintain Essex's compliance with REIT tax rules that are applicable to Essex, the Operating Partnership utilizes taxable REIT subsidiaries for various revenue generating or investment activities. The taxable REIT subsidiaries are consolidated by the Operating Partnership.

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ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

The status of cash dividends distributed for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 related to common stock are classified for tax purposes as follows:
 
 202020192018
Common Stock
Ordinary income85.23 %83.81 %79.72 %
Capital gain10.68 %13.78 %15.35 %
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain4.09 %2.41 %4.93 %
 100.00 %100.00 %100.00 %

(n) Equity-based Compensation

The cost of share- and unit-based compensation awards is measured at the grant date based on the estimated fair value of the awards. The estimated fair value of stock options and restricted stock granted by the Company are being amortized over the vesting period. The estimated grant date fair values of the long-term incentive plan units (discussed in Note 14) are being amortized over the expected service periods.

(o) Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, by Component

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net, by Component
Essex Property Trust, Inc. ($ in thousands)
Change in fair
value and
amortization
of swap settlements		Unrealized
gain (loss) on
available for sale
securities		Total
Balance at December 31, 2019$(13,989)$101 $(13,888)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification4,274 (59)4,215 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss(5,056)— (5,056)
Other comprehensive loss(782)(59)(841)
Balance at December 31, 2020$(14,771)$42 $(14,729)


Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, by Component
Essex Portfolio, L.P. ($ in thousands)
Change in fair
value and
amortization
of swap settlements		Unrealized
gain (loss) on
available for sale
securities		Total
Balance at December 31, 2019$(10,536)$104 $(10,432)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification4,424 (61)4,363 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss(5,234)— (5,234)
Other comprehensive loss(810)(61)(871)
Balance at December 31, 2020$(11,346)$43 $(11,303)

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

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ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

(p) Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

The carrying value of redeemable noncontrolling interest in the accompanying balance sheets was $32.2 million and $37.4 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The limited partners may redeem their noncontrolling interests for cash in certain circumstances.

The changes in the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 are as follows:

 202020192018
Balance at January 1,$37,410 $35,475 $39,206 
Reclassifications due to change in redemption value and other(4,299)2,008 1,164 
Redemptions(872)(73)(4,895)
Balance at December 31, $32,239 $37,410 $35,475 

(q) Accounting Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements, in accordance with U.S. 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 ongoing 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, and its notes receivable. 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.

(r) Variable Interest Entities

In accordance with accounting standards for consolidation of VIEs, the Company consolidates the Operating Partnership, 17 DownREIT entities (comprising nine communities), and five co-investments as of December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2019, the Company consolidated the Operating Partnership, 17 DownREIT entities (comprising nine communities), and six co-investments. The Company consolidates these entities because it is deemed the primary beneficiary. The Company has no assets or liabilities other than its investment in the Operating Partnership. The consolidated total assets and liabilities related to the above consolidated co-investments and DownREIT entities, net of intercompany eliminations, were approximately $898.5 million and $326.8 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2020, and $1.0 billion and $364.3 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2019. Noncontrolling interests in these entities were $120.8 million and $122.5 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company's financial risk in each VIE is limited to its equity investment in the VIE.

The DownREIT VIEs collectively own nine apartment communities in which the Company is the general partner or manager of the DownREIT entity, the Operating Partnership is a special limited partner or member, and the other limited partners or members were granted rights of redemption for their interests. Such limited partners or members can request to be redeemed and the Company, subject to certain restrictions, can elect to redeem their rights for cash or by issuing shares of its common stock on a one share per unit basis. Conversion values will be based on the market value of the Company's common stock at the time of redemption multiplied by the number of units stipulated under various arrangements, as noted above. The other limited partners or members receive distributions based on the Company's current dividend rate times the number of units held. Total DownREIT units outstanding were 1,017,460 and 1,033,907 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and the redemption value of the units, based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock totaled approximately $241.6 million and $311.1 million, as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The carrying value of redeemable noncontrolling interest in the accompanying balance sheets was $32.2 million and $37.4 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Of these amounts, $11.9 million and $13.0 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, represent units of limited partners' or members' interests in DownREIT VIEs as to which it is outside of the Company’s control to redeem the DownREIT units with Company common stock and may potentially be redeemed for cash, and are presented at either their redemption value or historical cost, depending on the limited partner's or members' right to redeem their units as of the balance sheet date. The carrying value of DownREIT units as to which it is within the control of the Company to redeem the units with its common
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

stock was $97.4 million and $97.7 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and is classified within noncontrolling interests in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
 
Interest holders in VIEs consolidated by the Company are allocated a priority of net income equal to the cash payments made to those interest holders or distributions from cash flow. The remaining results of operations are generally allocated to the Company.

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company did not have any other VIEs of which it was deemed to be the primary beneficiary and did not have any VIEs of which it was not deemed to be the primary beneficiary.

(s) Discontinued Operations

The Company determined that the disposals during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were not considered discontinued operations in accordance with ASU No. 2014-08. The gains related to these disposals are recorded in gain on sale of real estate and land in the consolidated statements of income.

(3) Real Estate Investments

(a) Acquisitions of Real Estate

The table below summarizes acquisition activity for the year ended December 31, 2020 ($ in millions):
Property NameLocationApartment HomesEssex Ownership PercentageQuarter in 2020Purchase Price
CPPIB PortfolioVarious2,020 100 %Q1$463.4 
Total 20202,020   $463.4 

In January 2020, the Company purchased CPPIB's 45.0% interest in each of a land parcel and six communities totaling 2,020 apartment homes, valued at $1.0 billion on a gross basis. As a result of this acquisition, the Company realized a gain on remeasurement of co-investment of $234.7 million. Furthermore, the Company recognized $6.5 million in promote income as a result of the transaction, which is included in equity income from co-investments on the consolidated statements of income.

The consolidated fair value of the acquisition listed above was included on the Company's consolidated balance sheet as follows: $189.0 million was included in land and land improvements, $846.0 million was included in buildings and improvements, $10.0 million was included in prepaid expenses and other assets, within the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company purchased four communities consisting of 849 apartment homes for approximately $373.3 million. Additionally, in December 2019, the Company purchased the joint venture partner's 25% ownership interest in Hidden Valley, a consolidated community consisting of 324 apartment homes, for a contract price of $24.2 million based on an estimated property valuation of $97.0 million and an encumbrance of $29.7 million of mortgage debt. The purchase was recorded as a redemption of noncontrolling interest in the consolidated statements of equity.

(b) Sales of Real Estate Investments

In June 2020, the Company completed a portfolio sale which consisted of two apartment communities with 429 apartment homes, One South Market and Museum Park, both located in San Jose, CA, for a total contract price of $232.0 million. The Company recognized a $16.6 million gain on sale.

In July 2020, the Company sold Delano, a 126 apartment home community located in Redmond, WA, for a total contract price of $51.5 million. The Company recognized a $22.7 million gain on sale.

In October 2020, the Company sold 416 on Broadway, a 115 apartment home community located in Glendale, CA, for a total contract price of $60.0 million. The Company recognized a $25.7 million gain on sale.
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ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018


For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company sold a land parcel adjacent to the Mylo development project located in Santa Clara, CA, for $10.8 million and recorded an immaterial gain and sold land located in San Mateo, CA, that had been held for future development for $12.5 million and recorded a loss of $3.2 million.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company sold two communities consisting of 669 apartment homes for $352.0 million resulting in gains totaling $61.9 million.

(c) Real Estate Assets Held for Sale

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had two communities totaling 439 apartment homes that are qualified as held for sale. As of December 31, 2019 the Company had no assets classified as held for sale.

(d) Co-investments

The Company has joint ventures which are accounted for under the equity method. The co-investments’ accounting policies are similar to the Company’s accounting policies. The co-investments own, operate, and develop apartment communities.

The carrying values of the Company’s co-investments as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows ($ in thousands, except in parenthetical):
Weighted Average Essex OwnershipDecember 31,
 
Percentage (1)
20202019
Ownership interest in:
CPPIB (2)
— %$— $345,466 
Wesco I, Wesco III, Wesco IV, and Wesco V51 %178,322 216,756 
BEXAEW, BEX II, BEX III, and BEX IV50 %152,309 160,888 
Other47 %27,635 20,351 
Total operating and other co-investments, net358,266 743,461 
Total predevelopment and development co-investments50 %157,433 146,944 
Total preferred interest co-investments (includes related party investments of $81.4 million and $73.2 million as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively - Note 6 - Related Party Transactions for further discussion)
502,311 444,934 
Total co-investments, net$1,018,010 $1,335,339 

(1)Weighted average Company ownership percentages are as of December 31, 2020.
(2)In January 2020, the Company purchased CPPIB's 45.0% interest in each of a land parcel and six communities totaling 2,020 apartment homes.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018


The combined summarized financial information of co-investments is as follows ($ in thousands):
 December 31,
 20202019
Combined balance sheets: (1)
Rental properties and real estate under development$4,242,611 $4,733,762 
Other assets200,777 139,562 
Total assets$4,443,388 $4,873,324 
Debt$2,611,365 $2,442,213 
Other liabilities189,515 117,160 
Equity1,642,508 2,313,951 
Total liabilities and equity$4,443,388 $4,873,324 
Company's share of equity$1,018,010 $1,335,339 

Years ended
December 31,
 202020192018
Combined statements of income: (1)
Property revenues$300,624 $336,922 $332,164 
Property operating expenses(108,682)(115,658)(107,584)
Net operating income191,942 221,264 224,580 
Gain on sale of real estate— 112,918 24,218 
Interest expense(78,962)(65,665)(63,913)
General and administrative(17,079)(9,575)(6,379)
Depreciation and amortization(117,836)(121,006)(126,485)
Net income$(21,935)$137,936 $52,021 
Company's share of net income (2)
$66,512 $112,136 $89,132 

(1)Includes preferred equity investments held by the Company.
(2)Includes the Company's share of equity income from joint ventures and preferred equity investments, gain on sales of co-investments, co-investment promote income and income from early redemption of preferred equity investments. Includes related party income of $8.6 million, $7.5 million, and $2.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.

Operating Co-investments

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company, through several joint ventures, owned 8,652 and 10,672 apartment homes, respectively, in operating communities. The Company’s book value of these co-investments was $358.3 million and $743.5 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Predevelopment and Development Co-investments

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company, through several joint ventures, owned 1,070 and 806 apartment homes in predevelopment and development communities, respectively. The Company’s book value of these co-investments was $157.4 million and $146.9 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

In 2020, the Company entered into a joint venture to develop Scripps Mesa Apartments, a multifamily community comprised of 264 apartment homes located in San Diego, CA. The Company has a 51% ownership interest in the development which has a projected total cost of $102.0 million. Construction began in the third quarter of 2020 and the community is expected to open in
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

the fourth quarter of 2022. The Company has a $5.9 million preferred equity investment in the project, which accrues an annualized preferred return of 10.0% until it is redeemed.

In 2017, the Company entered into a joint venture to develop Patina at Midtown (formerly known as Ohlone), a multifamily community comprised of 269 apartment homes located in San Jose, CA. The Company has a 50% ownership interest in the development which has a projected total cost of $148.0 million. The property began initial occupancy in the third quarter of 2020 and is expected to be fully stabilized by the second quarter of 2021. The Company has a $28.9 million preferred equity investment in the project, which accrues an initial annualized preferred return of 10.0% and matures in 2021.

In 2015, the Company entered into a joint venture to develop 500 Folsom, a multifamily community comprised of 537 apartment homes located in San Francisco, CA. The Company has a 50% ownership interest in the development which has a projected total cost of $415.0 million. The property began initial occupancy in the third quarter of 2019 and is expected to be fully stabilized by the first quarter of 2021. 

Preferred Equity Investments

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company held preferred equity investment interests in several joint ventures which own real estate. The Company’s book value of these preferred equity investments was $502.3 million and $444.9 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and is included in the co-investments line in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
During 2020, the Company made commitments to fund $191.3 million of preferred equity investment in seven preferred equity investments. The investments have initial preferred returns ranging from 9.0%-11.5%, with maturities ranging from March 2022 to February 2030. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had funded $55.1 million of the $191.3 million of commitments. The remaining committed amount is expected to be funded in 2021.

During 2019, the Company made commitments to fund $141.7 million of preferred equity investment in five preferred equity investments, some of which include related party sponsors. See Note 6, Related Party Transactions, for additional details. The investments have initial preferred returns ranging from 10.15%-11.3%, with maturities ranging from July 2022 to October 2024. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had fully funded $141.7 million of the commitments.

During 2018, the Company made commitments to fund $45.1 million of preferred equity investment in two preferred equity investments, some of which include related party sponsors. See Note 6, Related Party Transactions, for additional details. The investments have initial preferred returns ranging from 10.25%-12.0%, with maturities ranging from May 2023 to April 2024. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had funded $42.1 million of the $45.1 million of commitments. The remaining committed amount is expected to be funded when requested by the sponsors.

In March 2020, the Company received cash of $11.3 million, including an early redemption fee of $0.2 million, for the partial redemption of a preferred equity investment in a joint venture that holds property located in Southern California. In the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company subsequently received cash of $10.7 million for redemption of the remainder of this preferred equity investment.

In February and September 2020, the Company received cash of $13.4 million for the full redemption of a preferred equity investment in a property located in Southern California.

In December 2020, the Company received cash of $31.3 million for the full redemption of a preferred equity investment in two properties located in Southern California.

(e) Real Estate under Development

The Company defines development projects as new communities that are being constructed, or are newly constructed and are in a phase of lease-up and have not yet reached stabilized operations. As of December 31, 2020, the Company's development pipeline was comprised of three consolidated projects under development, three unconsolidated joint venture projects under development and various predevelopment projects, aggregating 1,853 apartment homes, with total incurred costs of $948.0 million.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018


(4) Revenues

Disaggregated Revenue

The following table presents the Company’s revenues disaggregated by revenue source ($ in thousands):
202020192018
Rental income (1)
$1,462,161 $1,425,585 $1,366,590 
Other property (1)
23,989 25,043 24,280 
Management and other fees from affiliates9,598 9,527 9,183 
Total revenues$1,495,748 $1,460,155 $1,400,053 

(1)On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02 and ASU No. 2018-11. As a result of this adoption, certain amounts previously classified as other property revenue have been reclassified to rental income. Prior period amounts have been adjusted to conform to the current period's presentation.

The following table presents the Company’s rental and other property revenues disaggregated by geographic operating segment ($ in thousands):
202020192018
Southern California$570,673 $597,330 $579,533 
Northern California610,867 557,139 520,117 
Seattle Metro243,900 243,060 234,138 
Other real estate assets (1)
60,710 53,099 57,082 
Total rental and other property revenues$1,486,150 $1,450,628 $1,390,870 

(1)Other real estate assets consist of revenue generated from retail space, commercial properties, held for sale properties, disposition properties and straight-line rent adjustments for concessions. Executive management does not evaluate such operating performance geographically.

The following table presents the Company’s rental and other property revenues disaggregated by current property category status ($ in thousands):
202020192018
Same-property (1)
$1,286,686 $1,338,690 $1,288,771 
Acquisitions (2)
78,666 7,704 — 
Development (3)
20,050 7,675 2,741 
Redevelopment19,054 21,058 20,413 
Non-residential/other, net (4)
59,838 75,501 78,945 
Straight line rent concession (5)
21,856 — — 
Total rental and other property revenues$1,486,150 $1,450,628 $1,390,870 

(1)Properties that have comparable stabilized results as of January 1, 2019 and are consolidated by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018. A community is generally considered to have reach stabilized operations once it achieves an initial occupancy of 90%.
(2)Acquisitions include properties acquired which did not have comparable stabilized results as of January 1, 2019.
(3)Development includes properties developed which did not have stabilized results as of January 1, 2019.
(4)Non-residential/other, net consists of revenue generated from retail space, commercial properties, held for sale properties, disposition properties, student housing, properties undergoing significant construction activities that do not meet our redevelopment criteria, and three communities located in the California counties of Riverside, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz, which the Company does not consider its core markets.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

(5)Same-property revenues reflect concessions on a cash basis. Total rental and other property revenues reflect concessions on a straight-line basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Deferred Revenues and Remaining Performance Obligations

When cash payments are received or due in advance of the Company’s performance of contracts with customers, deferred revenue is recorded. The total deferred revenue balance related to such contracts was $3.1 million and $3.9 million as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, and was included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities within the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The amount of revenue recognized for the year ended December 31, 2020 that was included in the December 31, 2019 deferred revenue balance was $0.8 million, which was included in interest and other income within the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer, and is the unit of account in the new revenue recognition accounting standard. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had $3.1 million of remaining performance obligations. The Company expects to recognize approximately 23% of these remaining performance obligations in 2021, an additional 45% through 2023, and the remaining balance thereafter.

Practical Expedients

The Company does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected length of one year or less or when variable consideration is allocated entirely to a wholly unsatisfied performance obligation.

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ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

(5) Notes and Other Receivables
 
Notes and other receivables consist of the following as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 ($ in thousands):
 20202019
Note receivable, secured, bearing interest at 9.00% due May 2021 (Originated May 2017) (1)
$— $16,828 
Note receivable, secured, bearing interest at 9.90%, due November 2021 (Originated November 2018)
14,216 12,838 
Related party note receivable, secured, bearing variable rate interest, due February 2020 (Originated November 2019) (2)(3)
— 85,713 
Notes receivable, secured, bearing interest at 10.50%, due February 2023 (Originated March 2020)
15,299 — 
Note receivable, secured, bearing interest at 11.00%, due October 2023 (Originated April 2020)
25,461 — 
Note receivable, secured, bearing interest at 9.00%, due December 2023 (Originated November 2020)
79,827 — 
Note receivable, secured, bearing interest at 11.50%, due November 2024 (Originated November 2020)
15,423 — 
Notes and other receivables from affiliates (4)
4,744 4,442 
Straight line rent receivables (5)
25,214 6,083 
Other receivables15,671 8,461 
Allowance for credit losses(751)— 
 Total notes and other receivables$195,104 $134,365 

(1)In January 2020, the Company received cash of $16.9 million from the payoff of this note receivable.
(2)See Note 6, Related Party Transactions, for additional details.
(3)In January 2020, the Company received cash of $85.8 million from the payoff of this note receivable.
(4)These amounts consist of short-term loans outstanding and due from various joint ventures as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. See Note 6, Related Party Transactions, for additional details.
(5)These amounts are receivables from lease concessions recorded on a straight-line basis for the Company's operating properties.

The following table presents the activity in the allowance for credit losses for notes and other receivables by loan type ($ in thousands):
Mezzanine LoansBridge LoansTotal
Balance at December 31, 2019$— $— $— 
Impact of adoption ASC 326147 43 190 
Provision for credit losses604 (43)561 
Balance at December 31, 2020$751 $— $751 

No loans were placed on nonaccrual status or charged off during the year ended December 31, 2020 or 2019.
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ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

(6) Related Party Transactions

The Company has adopted written related party transaction guidelines that are intended to cover transactions in which the Company (including entities it controls) is a party and in which any "related person" has a direct or indirect interest. A "related person" means any person who is or was (since the beginning of the last fiscal year) a Company director, director nominee, or executive officer, any beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company’s outstanding common stock, and any immediate family member of any of the foregoing persons. A related person may be considered to have an indirect interest in a transaction if he or she (i) is an owner, director, officer or employee of or otherwise associated with another company that is engaging in a transaction with the Company, or (ii) otherwise, through one or more entities or arrangements, has an indirect financial interest in or personal benefit from the transaction.

The related person transaction review and approval process is intended to determine, among any other relevant issues, the dollar amount involved in the transaction; the nature and value of any related person’s direct or indirect interest (if any) in the transaction; and whether or not (i) a related person’s interest is material, (ii) the transaction is fair, reasonable, and serves the best interest of the Company and its shareholders, and (iii) whether the transaction or relationship should be entered into, continued or ended.

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 that underwent its initial public offering in 2013. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company paid brokerage commissions of $0.2 million to MMC and its affiliates related to real estate transactions. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no brokerage commissions paid by the Company to MMI or its affiliates.

The Company charges certain fees relating to its co-investments for asset management, property management, development and redevelopment services. These fees from affiliates totaled $11.3 million, $13.8 million, and $13.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. All of these fees are net of intercompany amounts eliminated by the Company. The Company netted development and redevelopment fees of $1.7 million, $4.3 million, and $4.8 million against general and administrative expenses for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

As described in Note 5, Notes and Other Receivables, the Company has provided short-term loans to affiliates. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, $4.7 million and $4.4 million, respectively, of short-term loans remained outstanding due from joint venture affiliates and are classified within notes and other receivables in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. In November 2016, the Company provided a $6.6 million mezzanine loan to a limited liability company in which MMC holds a significant ownership interest through subsidiaries. The mezzanine loan was classified within notes and other receivables in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and was paid off in October 2019.

In November 2019, the Company provided an $85.5 million related party bridge loan to Wesco V as part of the acquisition of Velo and Ray. The note receivable accrued interest at LIBOR plus 1.30% and was scheduled to mature in February 2020, but was paid off in January 2020. The bridge loan was classified within notes and other receivables in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

In August 2019, the Company provided an $89.0 million related party bridge loan to Wesco V in connection with the acquisition of The Courtyards at 65th Street. The note receivable accrued interest at LIBOR plus 1.30% and was paid off in November 2019.

In August 2019, the Company provided a $44.4 million related party bridge loan to BEX IV in connection with the acquisition of 777 Hamilton. The note receivable accrued interest at 3.25%. In November 2019, the term of the bridge loan was extended to February 2020, but was paid off in December 2019.

In June 2019, the Company acquired Brio, a 300 unit apartment home community located in Walnut Creek, CA. The Company issued DownREIT units to an affiliate of MMC, based on a contract price of $164.9 million. The property was encumbered by $98.7 million of mortgage debt which was assumed by the Company at the time of acquisition. As a result of this transaction, the Company consolidated the property, based on a VIE analysis performed by the Company.

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ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

In February 2019, the Company funded a $24.5 million preferred equity investment in an entity whose sponsor is an affiliate of MMC, which owns a multifamily development community located in Mountain View, CA. The investment has an initial preferred return of 11.0% and is scheduled to mature in February 2024.

In October 2018, the Company funded a $18.6 million preferred equity investment in an entity whose sponsor is an affiliate of MMC. The entity wholly owns a 268 apartment home community development located in Burlingame, CA. This investment accrues interest based on an initial 12.0% preferred return. The investment is scheduled to mature in April 2024.

In May 2018, the Company made a commitment to fund a $26.5 million preferred equity investment in an entity whose sponsors include an affiliate of MMC. The entity wholly owns a 400 apartment home community located in Ventura, CA. This investment accrues interest based on a 10.25% preferred return. The investment is scheduled to mature in May 2023. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had funded $23.4 million of the commitment. The remaining committed amount is expected to be funded if and when requested by the sponsors.

In March 2017, the Company converted its existing $15.3 million preferred equity investment in Sage at Cupertino, a 230 apartment home community located in San Jose, CA, into a 40.5% common equity ownership interest in the property. The Company issued DownREIT units to the other members, including an MMC affiliate, based on an estimated property valuation of $90.0 million. At the time of the conversion, the property was encumbered by $52.0 million of mortgage debt. As a result of this transaction, the Company consolidates the property, based on a consolidation analysis performed by the Company.

In 2015, the Company made preferred equity investments totaling $20.0 million in three entities affiliated with MMC that own apartment communities in California. The Company earned a 9.5% preferred return on each such investment. One $5.0 million investment, which was scheduled to mature in 2022, was fully redeemed in 2017. Another $5.0 million investment, which was scheduled to mature in 2022, was fully redeemed in 2018. The remaining investment was fully redeemed in February 2019.

(7) Unsecured Debt

Essex does not have any indebtedness as all debt is incurred by the Operating Partnership. Essex guarantees the Operating Partnership’s unsecured debt including the revolving credit facilities up to the maximum amounts and for the full term of the facilities.
 
Unsecured debt consists of the following as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 ($ in thousands):
20202019Weighted Average
Maturity
In Years
Unsecured bonds private placement - fixed rate$199,950 $199,820 0.5
Term loan - variable rate549,380 349,189 1.5
Bonds public offering - fixed rate4,858,655 4,214,197 9.4
Unsecured debt, net (1)
5,607,985 4,763,206  
Lines of credit (2)
— 55,000 
Total unsecured debt$5,607,985 $4,818,206  
Weighted average interest rate on fixed rate unsecured bonds private placement and bonds public offering3.4 %3.8 % 
Weighted average interest rate on variable rate term loan1.7 %2.7 % 
Weighted average interest rate on lines of credit1.0 %2.5 % 

(1)Includes unamortized discount, net of premiums, of $10.1 million and $12.2 million and unamortized debt issuance costs of $31.9 million and $24.5 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
(2)Lines of credit, related to the Company's two lines of unsecured credit aggregating $1.24 billion, excludes unamortized debt issuance costs of $3.7 million and $3.8 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These debt issuance costs are included in prepaid expenses and other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

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ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

As of both December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had $200.0 million of private placement unsecured bonds outstanding at an average effective interest rate of 4.4%.

The following is a summary of the Company’s unsecured private placement bonds as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 ($ in thousands):
Maturity20202019Coupon
Rate
Senior unsecured private placement notesApril 2021100,000 100,000 4.27 %
Senior unsecured private placement notesJune 202150,000 50,000 4.30 %
Senior unsecured private placement notesAugust 202150,000 50,000 4.37 %
   $200,000 $200,000  

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had unsecured term loans outstanding of $550.0 million and $350.0 million, respectively, at an average interest rate of 1.7% and 2.7%, respectively. These loans are included in the line "Term loan - variable rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the carrying value, net of debt issuance costs, was $549.4 million and $349.2 million, respectively. $350.0 million of the term loan matures in February 2022 and $200.0 million of the term loan matures in April 2021 with two 12-month extension options, exercisable at the Company’s option. The Company had entered into five interest rate swap contracts, for a term of five years with a notional amount totaling $175.0 million, which will effectively convert the interest rate on $175.0 million of the term loan to a fixed rate of 2.3%. These interest rate swaps are accounted for as cash flow hedges.

In February 2020, the Operating Partnership issued $500.0 million of senior unsecured notes due on March 15, 2032, with a coupon rate of 2.650% (the "2032 Notes"), which are payable on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on September 15, 2020. The 2032 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 99.628% of par value. The 2032 Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are unconditionally guaranteed by Essex. The Company used the net proceeds of this offering to repay indebtedness under its unsecured lines of credit, which had been used to fund the buyout of CPPIB's 45.0% joint venture interests, as well as repay $100.3 million of secured debt during the quarter that ended March 31, 2020. In June 2020, the Operating Partnership issued an additional $150.0 million of the 2032 Notes at a price of 105.660% of par value, plus accrued interest from February 2020 up to, but not including, the date of delivery of the additional notes, with an effective yield of 2.093%. These additional notes have substantially identical terms as the 2032 Notes issued in February 2020. The proceeds were used to repay indebtedness under the Company's unsecured credit facilities and for other general corporate and working capital purposes. These bonds are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2020, the carrying value of the 2032 Notes, net of premiums and debt issuance costs, was $650.7 million.

In April 2020, the Company obtained a $200.0 million unsecured term loan with a one-year maturity and two 12-month extension options, exercisable at the Company’s option. The unsecured term loan bears a variable interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.20% and the proceeds were used to repay all remaining consolidated debt maturing in 2020.

In August 2020, the Operating Partnership issued $600.0 million of senior unsecured notes, consisting of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount due on January 15, 2031 with a coupon rate of 1.650% (the “2031 Notes”) and $300.0 million aggregate principal amount due on September 1, 2050 with a coupon rate of 2.650% (the “2050 Notes” and together with the 2031 Notes, the “Notes”). The 2031 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 99.035% of par value and the 2050 Notes at 99.691% of par value. Interest is payable on the 2031 Notes semiannually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on January 15, 2021. Interest is payable on the 2050 Notes semiannually on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning on March 1, 2021. The Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are unconditionally guaranteed by Essex. The Company used the net proceeds of this offering to repay debt maturities, including certain unsecured private placement notes, secured mortgage notes, and to fund the redemption of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of
its outstanding 3.625% senior unsecured notes due August 2022, and for other general corporate and working capital purposes. These bonds are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2020, the carrying value of the 2031 Notes and 2050 Notes, net of discount and debt issuance costs was $294.5 million and $295.7 million, respectively.

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ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

In August 2019, the Operating Partnership issued $400.0 million of senior unsecured notes due on January 15, 2030, with a coupon rate of 3.000% per annum (the "2030 Notes"), which are payable on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on January 15, 2020. The 2030 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 98.632% of the principal amount thereof. The 2030 Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are unconditionally guaranteed by Essex Property Trust, Inc. In October 2019, the Operating Partnership issued an additional $150.0 million of the 2030 notes at a price of 101.685% of the principal amount thereof. These additional notes have substantially identical terms as the 2030 Notes issued in August 2019. The Company used the net proceeds of these offerings to prepay, with no prepayment penalties, certain secured indebtedness under outstanding mortgage notes, to repay indebtedness under its unsecured lines of credit and for other general corporate and working capital purposes. These bonds are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2020, and 2019, the carrying value of the 2030 Notes, net of discount and debt issuance costs, was $543.1 million and $542.3 million, respectively.

In February 2019, the Operating Partnership issued $350.0 million of senior unsecured notes due on March 1, 2029, with a coupon rate of 4.000% per annum (the "2029 Notes"), which are payable on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning on September 1, 2019. The 2029 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 99.188% of the principal amount thereof. The 2029 Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are unconditionally guaranteed by Essex Property Trust, Inc. In March 2019, the Operating Partnership issued an additional $150.0 million of the 2029 Notes at a price of 100.717% of the principal amount thereof. These additional notes have substantially identical terms as the 2029 Notes issued in February 2019. The Company used the net proceeds of these offerings to repay indebtedness under its unsecured lines of credit and for other general corporate and working capital purposes. These bonds are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2020, and 2019, the carrying value of the 2029 Notes, net of discount and debt issuance costs was $494.8 million and $494.1 million, respectively.

In March 2018, the Operating Partnership issued $300.0 million of senior unsecured notes due on March 15, 2048 with a coupon rate of 4.500% per annum and are payable on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on September 15, 2018 (the "2048 Notes"). The 2048 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 99.591% of par value. The 2048 Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Essex Property Trust, Inc. These bonds are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the carrying value of the 2048 Notes, net of discount and debt issuance costs was $295.8 million and $295.6 million, respectively.

In April 2017, the Operating Partnership issued $350.0 million of senior unsecured notes due on May 1, 2027 with a coupon rate of 3.625% per annum and are payable on May 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning on November 1, 2017 (the "2027 Notes"). The 2027 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 99.423% of par value. The 2027 Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Essex Property Trust, Inc. These bonds are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the carrying value of the 2027 Notes, net of discount and debt issuance costs was $346.8 million and $346.3 million, respectively.

In April 2016, the Operating Partnership issued $450.0 million of senior unsecured notes due on April 15, 2026 with a coupon rate of 3.375% per annum and are payable on April 15th and October 15th of each year, beginning October 15, 2016 (the "2026 Notes"). The 2026 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 99.386% of par value. The 2026 Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Essex Property Trust, Inc. These bonds are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the carrying value of the 2026 Notes, net of discount and debt issuance costs was $446.4 million and $445.7 million, respectively.

In March 2015, the Operating Partnership issued $500.0 million of senior unsecured notes due on April 1, 2025 with a coupon rate of 3.5% per annum and are payable on April 1st and October 1st of each year, beginning October 1, 2015 (the "2025 Notes"). The 2025 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 99.747% of par value. The 2025 Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Essex Property Trust, Inc. These bonds are included
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ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the carrying value of the 2025 Notes, net of discount and debt issuance costs was $497.6 million and $497.1 million, respectively.

In April 2014, the Company assumed $900.0 million aggregate principal amount of BRE Property Inc.’s 5.500% senior notes due 2017; 5.200% senior notes due 2021; and 3.375% senior notes due 2023 (together the "BRE Notes"). These notes are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the carrying value of the BRE Notes, plus unamortized premium was $296.8 million and $599.4 million, respectively. In December 2020, the Company paid off $300.0 million of 5.200% senior notes. In March 2017, the Company paid off $300.0 million of 5.500% senior notes, at maturity.

In April 2014, the Operating Partnership issued $400.0 million of senior unsecured notes due on May 1, 2024 with a coupon rate of 3.875% per annum and are payable on May 1st and November 1st of each year, beginning November 1, 2014 (the "2024 Notes"). The 2024 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 99.234% of par value. The 2024 Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Essex Property Trust, Inc. These bonds are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the carrying value of the 2024 Notes, net of discount and debt issuance costs was $397.8 million and $397.1 million, respectively.

In April 2013, the Operating Partnership issued $300.0 million of senior unsecured notes due on May 1, 2023 with a coupon rate of 3.25% per annum and are payable on May 1st and November 1st of each year, beginning November 1, 2013 (the "2023 Notes"). The 2023 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 99.152% of par value. The 2023 Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Essex Property Trust, Inc. These bonds are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the carrying value of the 2023 Notes, net of discount and debt issuance costs was $298.7 million and $298.2 million, respectively.

The following is a summary of the Company’s senior unsecured notes as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 ($ in thousands):
Maturity20202019Coupon
Rate
Senior notesMarch 2021$— $300,000 5.200 %
Senior notesAugust 2022— 300,000 3.625 %
Senior notesJanuary 2023300,000 300,000 3.375 %
Senior notesMay 2023300,000 300,000 3.250 %
Senior notesMay 2024400,000 400,000 3.875 %
Senior notesApril 2025500,000 500,000 3.500 %
Senior notesApril 2026450,000 450,000 3.375 %
Senior notesMay 2027350,000 350,000 3.625 %
Senior notesMarch 2029500,000 500,000 4.000 %
Senior notesJanuary 2030550,000 550,000 3.000 %
Senior notesJanuary 2031300,000 — 1.650 %
Senior notesMarch 2032650,000 — 2.650 %
Senior notesMarch 2048300,000 300,000 4.500 %
Senior notesSeptember 2050300,000 — 2.650 %
   $4,900,000 $4,250,000  

The aggregate scheduled principal payments of unsecured debt payable, excluding lines of credit, at December 31, 2020 are as follows ($ in thousands):
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ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

2021$— 
2022— 
2023600,000 
2024400,000 
2025500,000 
Thereafter3,400,000 
$4,900,000 

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had two unsecured lines of credit aggregating $1.24 billion, including a $1.2 billion unsecured line of credit and a $35.0 million working capital unsecured line of credit. As of December 31, 2020, there was no amount outstanding on the $1.2 billion unsecured line of credit. As of December 31, 2019, there was $55.0 million outstanding on this line. The interest rate is based on a tiered rate structure tied to the Company's credit ratings and was LIBOR plus 0.825% as of December 31, 2020. The $1.2 billion unsecured line of credit has a scheduled maturity date in December 2023 with one 18-month extension, exercisable at the Company's option. As of both December 31, 2020 and 2019, there was no amount outstanding on the Company's $35.0 million working capital unsecured line of credit. The interest rate on the amended line is based on a tiered rate structure tied to the Company's credit ratings and is currently at LIBOR plus 0.825%.

The Company’s unsecured lines of credit and unsecured debt agreements contain debt covenants related to limitations on indebtedness and liabilities, and maintenance of minimum levels of consolidated earnings before depreciation, interest and amortization. The Company was in compliance with the debt covenants as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.


(8) Mortgage Notes Payable

Essex does not have any indebtedness as all debt is incurred by the Operating Partnership. Mortgage notes payable consist of the following as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 ($ in thousands):
 20202019
Fixed rate mortgage notes payable$419,323 $736,490 
Variable rate mortgage notes payable (1)
224,227 254,177 
Total mortgage notes payable (2)
$643,550 $990,667 
Number of properties securing mortgage notes12 24 
Remaining terms
1-26 years
1-27 years
Weighted average interest rate2.7 %4.1 %

The aggregate scheduled principal payments of mortgage notes payable at December 31, 2020 are as follows ($ in thousands):
2021$3,501 
202243,188 
20232,945 
20243,109 
2025133,054 
Thereafter455,629 
 $641,426 

(1)Variable rate mortgage notes payable, including $225.1 million in bonds that have been converted to variable rate through total return swap contracts, consists of multifamily housing mortgage revenue bonds secured by deeds of trust on rental properties and guaranteed by collateral pledge agreements, payable monthly at a variable rate as defined in the Loan Agreement (approximately 1.2% at December 2020 and 2.3% at December 2019) including credit enhancement and underwriting fees. Among the terms imposed on the properties, which are security for the bonds, is a requirement that 20% of the apartment homes are subject to tenant income criteria. Once the bonds have been repaid, the properties may no
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ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

longer be obligated to comply with such tenant income criteria. Principal balances are due in full at various maturity dates from December 2027 through December 2046. The Company had no interest rate cap agreements as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
(2)Includes total unamortized premium, net of discounts, of $3.9 million and $5.9 million and reduced by unamortized debt issuance costs of $1.8 million and $2.6 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

For the Company’s mortgage notes payable as of December 31, 2020, monthly interest expense and principal amortization, excluding balloon payments, totaled approximately $3.0 million and $0.5 million, respectively. Second deeds of trust accounted for none of the mortgage notes payable balance as of both December 31, 2020 and 2019. Repayment of debt before the scheduled maturity date could result in prepayment penalties. The prepayment penalty on the majority of the Company’s mortgage notes payable are computed by the greater of (a) 1% of the amount of the principal being prepaid or (b) the present value of the principal being prepaid multiplied by the difference between the interest rate of the mortgage note and the stated yield rate on a U.S. treasury security which generally has an equivalent remaining term as the mortgage note.

(9) Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company uses interest rate swaps, interest rate caps, 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 and total return 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.

In November 2016, the Company replaced its $225.0 million term loan with a $350.0 million five-year term loan with a delayed draw feature that carries a variable interest rate of LIBOR plus 95 basis points. In 2016, the Company entered into four forward starting interest rate swaps (settlement payments commenced in March 2017) and in 2017, the Company entered into one forward starting interest rate swap (settlement payments commenced in March 2017) all related to the $350.0 million term loan. These five swaps, with a total notional amount of $175.0 million bear an average fixed interest rate of 2.3% and are scheduled to mature in February 2022. These derivatives qualify for hedge accounting.

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had no interest rate caps.

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the aggregate carrying value of the interest rate swap contracts were a liability of $2.4 million and an asset of $0.8 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the swap contracts were presented in the consolidated balance sheets as an asset of zero and $1.0 million, respectively, and were in prepaid expenses and other assets on the consolidated balance sheets, and a liability of $2.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively, and were included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company had no interest rate caps on the balance sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Hedge ineffectiveness related to cash flow hedges, which is included in interest expense on the consolidated statements of income, was zero, a loss of $0.2 million, and a loss of $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 respectively.

The Company has four total return swap contracts, with an aggregate notional amount of $254.8 million, that effectively convert $225.1 million of mortgage notes payable and $29.7 million of mortgage notes payable related to real estate held for sale that is included in liabilities associated with real estate held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet to a floating interest rate based on the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Municipal Swap Index ("SIFMA") plus a spread. The total return swaps provide fair market value protection on the mortgage notes payable to our counterparties during the initial period of the total return swap until the Company's option to call the mortgage notes at par can be exercised. The Company can currently call all four of the total return swaps with $254.8 million of the outstanding debt at par. These derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting and had a carrying and fair value of zero at both December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These total return swaps are scheduled to mature between November 2022 and December 2024. The realized gains of $10.7 million,
F- 44
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

$8.4 million, and $8.7 million as of December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively, were reported on the consolidated statements of income as total return swap income.

(10) Lease Agreements - Company as Lessor

As of December 31, 2020, the Company is a lessor of apartment homes at all of its consolidated operating and lease-up communities, one commercial building, and commercial portions of mixed use communities. The apartment homes are rented under short-term leases (generally, lease terms of 9 to 12 months) while commercial lease terms typically range from 5 to 20 years. All such leases are classified as operating leases.

Although the majority of the Company’s apartment home and commercial leasing income is derived from fixed lease payments, some lease agreements also allow for variable payments. The primary driver of variable leasing income comes from utility reimbursements from apartment home leases and common area maintenance reimbursements from commercial leases. A small number of commercial leases contain provisions for lease payments based on a percentage of gross retail sales over set hurdles.

At the end of the term of apartment home leases, unless the lessee decides to renew the lease with the Company at the market rate or gives notice not to renew, the lease will be automatically renewed on a month-to-month term. Apartment home leases include an option to terminate the lease, however the lessee must pay the Company for expected or actual downtime to find a new tenant to lease the space or a lease-break fee specified in the lease agreement. Most commercial leases include options to renew, with the renewal periods extending the term of the lease for no greater than the same period of time as the original lease term. The initial option to renew for commercial leases will typically be based on a fixed price while any subsequent renewal options will generally be based on the current market rate at the time of the renewal. Certain commercial leases contain lease termination options that would require the lessee to pay termination fees based on the expected amount of time it would take the Company to re-lease the space.

The Company’s apartment home and commercial lease agreements do not contain residual value guarantees. As the Company is the lessor of real estate assets which tend to either hold their value or appreciate, residual value risk is not deemed to be substantial. Furthermore, the Company carries comprehensive liability, fire, extended coverage, and rental loss insurance for each of its communities as well as limited insurance coverage for certain types of extraordinary losses, such as, for example, losses from terrorism or earthquakes.

A maturity analysis of undiscounted future minimum non-cancelable base rent to be received under the above operating leases as of December 31, 2020 is summarized as follows ($ in thousands):

Future Minimum Rent
2021$720,570 
202234,240 
202314,971 
202413,619 
202511,265 
Thereafter24,855 
$819,520 

Practical Expedients

The Company has elected to account for operating lease (e.g., fixed payments including rent) and non-lease components (e.g., utility reimbursements and common-area maintenance costs) as a single combined lease component under ASC 842 "Leases" as the lease components are the predominant elements of the combined components.

As part of the transition to ASC Topic 842, the Company has elected to use the modified retrospective transition method with the new standard being applied as of the January 1, 2019 adoption date. Additionally, the Company has elected, as of the
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ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

adoption date, not to reassess whether expired or existing contracts contain leases under the new definition of a lease, not to reassess the lease classification for expired or existing leases, not to reassess whether previously capitalized initial direct costs would qualify for capitalization under ASC Topic 842, and not to reassess whether existing or expired land easements meet the definition of a lease.

(11) Lease Agreements - Company as Lessee

As of December 31, 2020, the Company is a lessee of corporate office space, ground leases and a parking lease associated with various consolidated properties, and equipment. Lease terms for the Company's office leases, in general, range between 5 to 10 years while ground leases and the parking lease have terms typically ranging from 20 to 85 years. The corporate office leases occasionally contain renewal options of approximately five years while certain ground leases contain renewal options that can extend the lease term from approximately 10 to 39 years.

A majority of the Company’s ground leases and the parking lease are subject to changes in the Consumer Price Index ("CPI"). Furthermore, certain of the Company’s ground leases include rental payments based on a percentage of gross or net income. While lease liabilities are not remeasured as a result of changes in the CPI or percentage of gross or net income, such changes are treated as variable lease payments and recognized in the period in which the obligation for those payments was incurred.

The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any residual value guarantees or restrictive covenants.

Operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. Because most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments.

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had no material finance leases.

Supplemental consolidated balance sheet information related to leases as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows ($ in thousands):
ClassificationDecember 31, 2020December 31, 2019
Assets
     Operating lease right-of-use assetsOperating lease right-of-use assets$72,143 $74,744 
          Total leased assets$72,143 $74,744 
Liabilities
     Operating lease liabilitiesOperating lease liabilities74,037 76,740 
          Total lease liabilities$74,037 $76,740 

The components of lease expense for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows ($ in thousands):
 December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
Operating lease cost$6,749 $6,745 
Variable lease cost1,436 783 
Short-term lease cost432 610 
Sublease income(438)(436)
          Total lease cost$8,179 $7,702 

A maturity analysis of lease liabilities as of December 31, 2020 is as follows ($ in thousands):
F- 46
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

Operating Leases
2021$6,963 
20226,987 
20236,962 
20246,690 
20256,310 
Thereafter140,417 
Total lease payments$174,329 
Less: Imputed interest(100,292)
Present value of lease liabilities$74,037 

Lease term and discount rate information for leases at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
Weighted-average of remaining lease terms (years)
     Operating Leases3939
Weighted-average of discount rates
     Operating Leases5.00 %4.99 %

Practical Expedients

As part of the transition to ASC Topic 842, the Company elected to use the modified retrospective transition method with the new standard being applied as of the January 1, 2019 adoption date. Additionally, the Company has elected, as of the adoption date, not to reassess whether expired or existing contracts contain leases under the new definition of a lease, not to reassess the lease classification for expired or existing leases, not to reassess whether previously capitalized initial direct costs would qualify for capitalization under ASC Topic 842, and not to reassess whether existing or expired land easements meet the definition of a lease.

Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet. The Company recognizes the lease expense for such leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

The Company has elected to account for lease components (e.g., fixed payments including rent) and non-lease components (e.g., common-area maintenance costs) as a single combined lease component as the lease components are the predominant elements of the combined components.

(12) Equity Transactions
 
Common Stock Offerings

In September 2018, the Company entered into an equity distribution agreement pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $900.0 million (the "2018 ATM Program"). Upon entering into the 2018 ATM Program, the Company simultaneously terminated its existing equity distribution agreements, which were entered into in March 2016 in connection with its prior at-the-market equity offering program (the "2016 ATM Program").
In connection with the 2018 ATM Program, the Company may also enter into related forward sale agreements whereby, at the Company’s discretion, it may sell shares of its common stock under the 2018 ATM Program under forward sale agreements. The use of a forward sale agreement would allow the Company to lock in a share price on the sale of shares of its common stock at the time the agreement is executed, but defer receiving the proceeds from the sale of shares until a later date. The Company anticipates using the net proceeds, which are contributed to the Operating Partnership, to acquire, develop, or
F- 47
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

redevelop properties, which primarily will be apartment communities, to make other investments and for working capital or general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of indebtedness.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company did not issue any shares of common stock through the 2018 ATM Program. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company issued 228,271 shares of common stock through the 2018 ATM Program at an average price of $321.56 per share for proceeds of $73.4 million. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company did not sell any shares of its common stock through the 2018 ATM Program or through the 2016 ATM Program. As of December 31, 2020, there were no outstanding forward sale agreements, and $826.6 million of shares remained available to be sold under this program.
Operating Partnership Units and Long-Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP") Units

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Operating Partnership had outstanding 2,188,623 and 2,158,396 operating partnership units and 106,137 and 143,257 vested LTIP units, respectively. The Operating Partnership’s general partner, Essex, owned 96.6% of the partnership interests in the Operating Partnership as of both December 31, 2020 and 2019, and Essex is responsible for the management of the Operating Partnership’s business. As the general partner of the Operating Partnership, Essex effectively controls the ability to issue common stock of Essex upon a limited partner’s notice of redemption. Essex has generally acquired Operating Partnership limited partnership units ("OP Units") upon a limited partner’s notice of redemption in exchange for shares of its common stock. The redemption provisions of OP Units owned by limited partners that permit Essex to settle in either cash or common stock at the option of Essex were further evaluated in accordance with applicable accounting guidance to determine whether temporary or permanent equity classification on the balance sheet is appropriate. The Operating Partnership evaluated this guidance, including the requirement to settle in unregistered shares, and determined that, with few exceptions, these OP Units meet the requirements to qualify for presentation as permanent equity.

LTIP units represent an interest in the Operating Partnership for services rendered or to be rendered by the LTIP unitholder in its capacity as a partner, or in anticipation of becoming a partner, in the Operating Partnership. Upon the occurrence of specified events, LTIP units may over time achieve full parity with common units of the Operating Partnership for all purposes. Upon achieving full parity, LTIP units will be exchanged for an equal number of the OP Units.

The collective redemption value of OP Units and LTIP units owned by the limited partners, not including Essex, was approximately $544.8 million and $692.5 million based on the closing price of Essex's common stock as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

F- 48
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

(13) Net Income Per Common Share and Net Income Per Common Unit

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

Basic and diluted income per share is calculated as follows for the years ended December 31 ($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts):
 202020192018
IncomeWeighted-
average
Common
Shares		Per
Common
Share
Amount		IncomeWeighted-
average
Common
Shares		Per
Common
Share
Amount		IncomeWeighted-
average
Common
Shares		Per
Common
Share
Amount
Basic:
Net income available to common stockholders$568,870 65,454,057 $8.69 $439,286 65,840,422 $6.67 $390,153 66,041,058 $5.91 
Effect of Dilutive Securities
Stock options— 16,678 — 99,033 — 44,031 
DownREIT units783 94,247 — — — — 
Diluted:         
Net income available to common stockholders$569,653 65,564,982 $8.69 $439,286 65,939,455 $6.66 $390,153 66,085,089 $5.90 

The table above excludes from the calculations of diluted earnings per share weighted average convertible OP Units of 2,296,608, 2,300,478, and 2,274,941, which include vested Series Z-1 Incentive Units, 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan Units, and 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan Units, for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, because they were anti-dilutive. The related income allocated to these convertible OP Units aggregated $20.0 million, $15.3 million, and $13.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Additionally, the table excludes all DownREIT units for which the Operating Partnership has the ability and intention to redeem the units for cash and does not consider them to be common stock equivalents.

Stock options of 403,458, 115,066, and 160,039, for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the assumed proceeds per share of such options plus the average unearned compensation were greater than the average market price of the common stock for the years ended and, therefore, were anti-dilutive.

Essex Portfolio, L.P.

Basic and diluted income per unit is calculated as follows for the years ended December 31 ($ in thousands, except unit and per unit amounts):
 202020192018
IncomeWeighted-
average
Common
Units		Per
Common
Unit
Amount		IncomeWeighted-
average
Common
Units		Per
Common
Unit
Amount		IncomeWeighted-
average
Common
Units		Per
Common
Unit
Amount
Basic:
Net income available to common unitholders$588,782 67,750,665 $8.69 $454,629 68,140,900 $6.67 $403,605 68,315,999 $5.91 
Effect of Dilutive Securities 
Stock options— 16,678  — 99,033  — 44,031  
DownREIT units783 94,247 — — — — 
Diluted:         
Net income available to common unitholders$589,565 67,861,590 $8.69 $454,629 68,239,933 $6.66 $403,605 68,360,030 $5.90 
F- 49
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

 
Stock options of 403,458, 115,066, and 160,039, for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per unit because the assumed proceeds per unit of these options plus the average unearned compensation were greater than the average market price of the common unit for the years ended and, therefore, were anti-dilutive. Additionally, the table excludes all DownREIT units for which the Operating Partnership has the ability and intention to redeem the units for cash and does not consider them to be common stock equivalents.

F- 50
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

(14) Equity Based Compensation Plans
 
Stock Options and Restricted Stock
 
In May 2018, stockholders approved the Company’s 2018 Stock Award and Incentive Compensation Plan ("2018 Plan"). The 2018 Plan serves as the successor to the Company’s 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2013 Plan"). The Company’s 2018 Plan provides incentives to attract and retain officers, directors and key employees. The 2018 Plan provides for the grant of stock-based awards to employees, directors and consultants of the Company and its affiliates. The aggregate number of shares of the Company’s common stock available for issuance pursuant to awards granted under the 2018 Plan is 2,000,000 shares, plus the number of shares authorized for grants and available for issuance under the 2013 Plan as of the effective date of the 2018 Plan and the number of shares subject to outstanding awards under the 2013 Plan that are forfeited or otherwise not issued under such awards. No further awards will be granted under the 2013 Plan and the shares that remained available for future issuance under the 2013 Plan as of the effective date of the 2018 Plan will be available for issuance under the 2018 Plan. In connection with the adoption of the 2018 Plan, the Board delegated to the Compensation Committee of the Board the authority to administer the 2018 Plan.

Equity-based compensation costs for options and restricted stock under the fair value method totaled $12.9 million, $11.4 million, and $12.1 million for years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. For each of the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 equity-based compensation costs included $3.5 million related to restricted stock for bonuses awarded based on asset dispositions, which is recorded as a cost of real estate and land sold, respectively. Stock-based compensation for options and restricted stock related to recipients who are direct and incremental to projects under development were capitalized and totaled $1.3 million, $1.6 million, and $2.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The intrinsic value of the options exercised totaled $7.4 million, $18.7 million, and $3.1 million, for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 respectively. The intrinsic value of the options exercisable totaled $3.4 million and $23.5 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
 
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options totaled $4.4 million as of December 31, 2020 and the unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a period of 2.2 years.
 
The average fair value of stock options granted for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $20.69, $24.02 and $26.13, respectively. Certain stock options granted in 2020, 2019, and 2018 included a $100 cap, $125 cap, or no cap on the appreciation of the market price over the exercise price. The fair value of stock options was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions used for grants:

 202020192018
Stock price$244.74 $304.85 $262.09 
Risk-free interest rates0.83 %2.01 %2.76 %
Expected lives6 years6 years6 years
Volatility25.72 %19.56 %24.89 %
Dividend yield2.93 %2.72 %2.81 %

A summary of the status of the Company’s stock option plans as of December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 and changes during the years ended on those dates is presented below:

F- 51
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

 202020192018
SharesWeighted-
average
exercise
price		SharesWeighted-
average
exercise
price		SharesWeighted-
average
exercise
price
Outstanding at beginning of year572,971 $251.10 612,954 $224.57 536,208 $211.41 
Granted149,020 244.74 148,147 304.85 119,361 262.09 
Exercised(70,802)208.57 (182,817)205.25 (39,175)159.05 
Forfeited and canceled(38,080)228.64 (5,313)257.87 (3,440)221.80 
Outstanding at end of year613,109 255.86 572,971 251.10 612,954 224.57 
Options exercisable at year end361,985 245.83 305,379 223.90 322,837 206.63 
 
The following table summarizes information about restricted stock outstanding as of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 and changes during the years ended:
 202020192018
SharesWeighted-
average
grant
price		SharesWeighted-
average
grant
price		SharesWeighted-
average
grant
price
Unvested at beginning of year114,877 $197.62 91,058 $180.99 90,823 $163.49 
Granted45,196 248.16 41,643 235.93 51,945 194.70 
Vested(15,116)170.61 (13,222)143.56 (48,212)150.76 
Forfeited and canceled(12,354)184.11 (4,602)158.06 (3,498)158.71 
Unvested at end of year132,603 214.34 114,877 197.62 91,058 180.99 

The unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock totaled $13.8 million as of December 31, 2020 and is expected to be recognized over a period of 2.3 years.

Long-Term Incentive Plans – LTIP Units

On December 9, 2014, the Operating Partnership issued 44,750 LTIP units under the 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan Award agreements to executives of the Company. The 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan Units (the "2015 LTIP Units") are subject to forfeiture based on performance-based and service based conditions. An additional 24,000 LTIP units were granted subject only to performance-based criteria and were fully vested on the date granted. The 2015 LTIP Units, that are subject to vesting, vested at 20% per year on each of the first five anniversaries of the initial grant date. The 2015 LTIP Units performance conditions measurement ended on December 9, 2015 and 95.75% of the units awarded were earned by the recipients. 2015 LTIP Units not earned based on the performance-based criteria were automatically forfeited by the recipients. The 2015 LTIP Units, once earned and vested, are convertible one-for-one into OP Units which, in turn, are convertible into common stock of the Company subject to a 10-year liquidity restriction.

In December 2013, the Operating Partnership issued 50,500 LTIP units under the 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan Award agreements to executives of the Company. The 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan Units (the "2014 LTIP Units") were subject to forfeiture based on performance-based conditions and are currently subject to service based vesting. The 2014 LTIP Units vested 25% per year on each of the first four anniversaries of the initial grant date. In December 2014, the Company achieved the performance criteria and all of the 2014 LTIP Units awarded were earned by the recipients, subject to satisfaction of service based vesting conditions. The 2014 LTIP Units are convertible one-for-one into OP Units which, in turn, are convertible into common stock of the Company subject to a ten year liquidity restriction.

The estimated fair value of the 2015 LTIP Units and 2014 LTIP Units were determined on the grant date using Monte Carlo simulations under a risk-neutral premise and considered Essex’s stock price on the date of grant, the unpaid dividends on unvested units and the discount factor for 10 years of illiquidity.

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ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

Prior to 2013, the Company issued Series Z Incentive Units and Series Z-1 Incentive Units (collectively referred to as "Z Units") of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership. Vesting in the Z Units is based on performance criteria established in the plan. The criteria can be revised by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors if the Committee deems that the plan's criterion is unachievable for any given year. The sale of Z Units is contractually prohibited. Z Units are convertible into Operating Partnership units which are exchangeable for shares of the Company’s common stock that have marketability restrictions. The estimated fair value of Z Units were determined on the grant date and considered the Company's stock price on the date of grant, the dividends that are not paid on unvested units and a marketability discount for the 8 to 15 years of illiquidity. Compensation expense is calculated by multiplying estimated vesting increases for the period by the estimated fair value as of the grant date.

During 2011 and 2010, the Operating Partnership issued 154,500 Series Z-1 Incentive Units (the "Z-1 Units") of limited partner interest to executives of the Company. The Z-1 Units are convertible one-for-one into common units of the Operating Partnership (which, in turn, are convertible into common stock of the Company) upon the earlier to occur of 100 percent vesting of the units or the year 2026. The conversion ratchet (accounted for as vesting) of the Z-1 Units into common units, is to increase consistent with the Company’s annual FFO growth, but is not to be less than zero or greater than 14 percent. Z-1 Unitholders are entitled to receive distributions, on vested units, that are now equal to dividends distributed to common stockholders.

Equity-based compensation costs for LTIP and Z Units under the fair value method totaled approximately zero, $0.9 million and $0.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Equity-based compensation costs related to LTIP Units attributable to recipients who are direct and incremental to these projects was capitalized to real estate under development and totaled approximately zero, $0.2 million, and $0.2 million, for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. The intrinsic value of the vested and unvested LTIP Units totaled $25.2 million as of December 31, 2020. Total unrecognized compensation cost related to the unvested LTIP Units under the LTIP Units plans was zero as of December 31, 2020.

The following table summarizes information about the LTIP Units outstanding as of December 31, 2020:
 Long-Term Incentive Plan - LTIP Units
Total
Vested
Units		Total
Unvested
Units		Total
Outstanding
Units		Weighted-
average
Grant-date
Fair Value		Weighted-
average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (years)
Balance, December 31, 2017213,300 23,212 236,512 $75.03 7.5
Granted— — — 
Vested12,051 (12,051)— 
Converted(91,270)— (91,270)
Cancelled— — — 
Balance, December 31, 2018134,081 11,161 145,242 $75.03 6.5
Granted— — — 
Vested9,176 (9,176)— 
Converted— — — 
Cancelled— (95)(95)
Balance, December 31, 2019143,257 1,890 145,147 $75.03 5.2
Granted— — — 
Vested1,890 (1,890)— 
Converted(39,010)— (39,010)
Cancelled— — — 
Balance, December 31, 2020106,137 — 106,137 $84.47 3.6

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ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

(15) Segment Information

The Company's segment disclosures present the measure used by the chief operating decision makers for purposes of assessing each segment's performance. The Company's chief operating decision makers are comprised of several members of its executive management team who use net operating income ("NOI") to assess the performance of the business for the Company's reportable operating segments. NOI represents total property revenues less direct property operating expenses.

The executive management team generally evaluates the Company's operating performance geographically. 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 NOI are management and other fees from affiliates and interest and other income. Non-segment revenues and NOI included in the following schedule also consist of revenues generated from commercial properties and properties that have been sold. Other non-segment assets include items such as real estate under development, co-investments, real estate held for sale, cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, notes and other receivables, and prepaid expenses and other assets.

F- 54
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

The revenues and NOI for each of the reportable operating segments are summarized as follows for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 ($ in thousands):
 Years Ended December 31,
 202020192018
Revenues:
Southern California$570,673 $597,330 $579,533 
Northern California610,867 557,139 520,117 
Seattle Metro243,900 243,060 234,138 
Other real estate assets60,710 53,099 57,082 
Total property revenues$1,486,150 $1,450,628 $1,390,870 
Net operating income:   
Southern California$393,776 $425,882 $412,517 
Northern California435,403 412,706 384,548 
Seattle Metro166,847 172,601 163,927 
Other real estate assets49,724 42,912 45,537 
Total net operating income1,045,750 1,054,101 1,006,529 
Management and other fees from affiliates9,598 9,527 9,183 
Corporate-level property management expenses(34,573)(34,067)(32,055)
Depreciation and amortization(525,497)(483,750)(479,884)
General and administrative(65,388)(54,262)(53,451)
Expensed acquisition and investment related costs(1,591)(168)(194)
Impairment loss(1,825)(7,105)— 
Gain (loss) on sale of real estate and land64,967 (3,164)61,861 
Interest expense(220,633)(217,339)(220,492)
Total return swap income10,733 8,446 8,707 
Interest and other income40,999 46,298 23,010 
Equity income from co-investments66,512 112,136 89,132 
Deferred tax expense on unrealized gain on unconsolidated co-investment(1,531)(1,457)— 
(Loss) Gain on early retirement of debt, net(22,883)3,717 — 
Gain on remeasurement of co-investment234,694 31,535 1,253 
Net income$599,332 $464,448 $413,599 

F- 55
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

Total assets for each of the reportable operating segments are summarized as follows as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 ($ in thousands):
 As of December 31,
20202019
Assets:
Southern California$3,993,275 $4,139,104 
Northern California5,520,019 4,408,404 
Seattle Metro1,403,678 1,456,187 
Other real estate assets10,814 344,965 
Net reportable operating segments - real estate assets10,927,786 10,348,660 
Real estate under development386,047 546,075 
Co-investments1,018,010 1,335,339 
Real estate held for sale57,938 — 
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash84,041 81,094 
Marketable securities147,768 144,193 
Notes and other receivables195,104 134,365 
Operating lease right-of-use assets72,143 74,744 
Prepaid expenses and other assets47,340 40,935 
Total assets$12,936,177 $12,705,405 

(16) 401(k) Plan
 
The Company has a 401(k) benefit plan (the "Plan") for all eligible employees. Employee contributions are limited by the maximum allowed under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company matches 50% of the employee contributions up to a specified maximum. Company contributions to the Plan were approximately $2.7 million, $2.4 million, and $2.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.
 
(17) Commitments and Contingencies
 
The Company's total minimum lease payment commitments, under ground leases, parking leases, and operating leases are disclosed in Note 11, Lease Agreements - Company as Lessee.

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 financial statements, the Company will disclose the estimated range of possible outcomes associated with it and, if an outcome is probable, accrue an appropriate liability for that matter. The Company will consider whether any such matter results in an impairment of value on the affected property and, if so, the impairment will be recognized.
 
The Company has no way of determining the magnitude of any potential liability to which it may be subject arising out of unknown environmental conditions with respect to the communities currently or formerly owned by the Company. No assurance can be given that: existing environmental assessments conducted with respect to any of these communities have revealed all environmental conditions or potential liabilities associated with such conditions; any prior owner or operator of a property did not create any material environmental condition not known to the Company; or a material unknown environmental condition does not otherwise exist as to any one or more of the communities. The Company has limited insurance coverage for some of the types of environmental conditions and associated liabilities described above.

The Company has entered into transactions that may require the Company to pay the tax liabilities of the partners or members in the Operating Partnership or in the DownREIT entities. These transactions are within the Company’s control. Although the Company plans to hold the contributed assets or defer recognition of gain on their sale pursuant to like-kind exchange rules under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Company can provide no assurance that it will be able to do so and if such tax liabilities were incurred they may have a material impact on the Company’s financial position.

F- 56
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

There continue to be lawsuits against owners and managers of certain of the Company's apartment communities alleging personal injury and property damage caused by the presence of mold in the residential units and common areas of those communities. Some of these lawsuits have resulted in substantial monetary judgments or settlements in the past. The Company has been sued for mold related matters and has settled some, but not all, of such suits. Insurance carriers have reacted to the increase in mold related liability awards by excluding mold related claims from standard general liability policies and pricing mold endorsements at prohibitively high rates. The Company has, however, purchased pollution liability insurance which includes coverage for some mold claims. The Company has also adopted policies intended to promptly address and resolve reports of mold and to minimize any impact mold might have on tenants of its properties. The Company believes its mold policies and proactive response to address reported mold exposures reduces its risk of loss from mold claims. While no assurances can be given that the Company has identified and responded to all mold occurrences, the Company promptly addresses and responds to all known mold reports. Liabilities resulting from such mold related matters are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. As of December 31, 2020, potential liabilities for mold and other environmental liabilities are not quantifiable and an estimate of possible loss cannot be made.

The Company carries comprehensive liability, fire, extended coverage and rental loss insurance for each of the communities.  There are, however, certain types of extraordinary losses, such as, for example, losses from terrorism or earthquakes, for which the Company has limited insurance coverage. Substantially all of the communities are located in areas that are subject to earthquake activity. The Company has established a wholly-owned insurance subsidiary, Pacific Western Insurance LLC ("PWI"). Through PWI, the Company is self-insured for earthquake related losses. Additionally, since January 2008, PWI has provided property and casualty insurance coverage for the first $5.0 million of the Company’s property level insurance claims per incident. As of December 31, 2020, PWI has cash and marketable securities of approximately $152.8 million. These assets are consolidated in the Company’s financial statements. Beginning in 2013, the Company has obtained limited third party seismic insurance on selected assets in the Company's co-investments.

The Company is subject to various other legal and/or regulatory proceedings arising in the course of its business operations. The Company believes that, with respect to such matters that it is currently a party to, the ultimate disposition of any such matter will not result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

(18) Subsequent Events

In February 2021, the Company repaid $100.0 million of unsecured debt due to mature in 2021 at an effective rate of 4.3%.

F- 57
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE III
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)


Costs
Initial costcapitalizedGross amount carried at close of period
ApartmentBuildings andsubsequent toLand andBuildings andAccumulatedDate ofDateLives
PropertyHomesLocationEncumbranceLandimprovementsacquisitionimprovementsimprovements
Total (1)
depreciationconstructionacquired(years)
Encumbered communities
Belmont Station275 Los Angeles, CA29,728 8,100 66,666 7,386 8,267 73,885 82,152 (33,891)2009Mar-09   3-30
Brio300 Walnut Creek, CA98,956 16,885 151,741 1,263 16,885 153,004 169,889 (8,559)2015Jun-19   3-30
Form 15242 San Diego, CA42,271 24,510 72,221 11,835 25,540 83,026 108,566 (13,807)2014Mar-16   3-30
Fountain Park705 Playa Vista, CA82,707 25,073 94,980 36,019 25,203 130,869 156,072 (80,772)2002Feb-04   3-30
Highridge255 Rancho Palos Verdes, CA69,345 5,419 18,347 33,311 6,073 51,004 57,077 (41,762)1972May-97   3-30
Magnolia Square/Magnolia
Lane (2)
188 Sunnyvale, CA52,303 8,190 24,736 18,553 8,191 43,288 51,479 (26,038)1963Sep-07   3-30
Marquis166 San Jose, CA44,077 20,495 47,823 178 20,495 48,001 68,496 (3,290)2015Dec-183-30
Sage at Cupertino230 San Jose, CA51,758 35,719 53,449 9,242 35,719 62,691 98,410 (9,454)1971Mar-17   3-30
The Barkley (3)
161 Anaheim, CA14,873 — 8,520 7,659 2,353 13,826 16,179 (10,114)1984Apr-00   3-30
The Dylan184 West Hollywood, CA58,515 19,984 82,286 1,502 19,990 83,782 103,772 (18,368)2015Mar-15   3-30
The Huxley187 West Hollywood, CA53,277 19,362 75,641 1,710 19,371 77,342 96,713 (17,213)2014Mar-15   3-30
Township132 Redwood City, CA45,740 19,812 70,619 630 19,812 71,249 91,061 (3,199)2014Sep-19   3-30
3,025 $643,550 $203,549 $767,029 $129,288 $207,899 $891,967 $1,099,866 $(266,467)
Unencumbered Communities
Agora49 Walnut Creek, CA— 4,932 60,423 187 4,934 60,608 65,542 (1,987)2016Jan-203-30
Alessio624 Los Angeles, CA— 32,136 128,543 14,335 32,136 142,878 175,014 (37,803)2001Apr-14   5-30
Allegro97 Valley Village, CA— 5,869 23,977 2,758 5,869 26,735 32,604 (11,343)2010Oct-10   3-30
Allure at Scripps Ranch194 San Diego, CA— 11,923 47,690 1,979 11,923 49,669 61,592 (12,386)2002Apr-14   5-30
Alpine Village301 Alpine, CA— 4,967 19,728 9,687 4,982 29,400 34,382 (18,364)1971Dec-02   3-30
Anavia250 Anaheim, CA— 15,925 63,712 9,732 15,925 73,444 89,369 (25,398)2009Dec-10   3-30
Annaliese56 Seattle, WA— 4,727 14,229 808 4,726 15,038 19,764 (4,182)2009Jan-13   3-30
Apex366 Milpitas, CA— 44,240 103,251 6,095 44,240 109,346 153,586 (23,316)2014Aug-14   3-30
Aqua Marina Del Rey500 Marina Del Rey, CA— 58,442 175,326 15,117 58,442 190,443 248,885 (52,469)2001Apr-14   5-30
Ascent90 Kirkland, WA— 3,924 11,862 2,286 3,924 14,148 18,072 (4,792)1988Oct-12   3-30
Ashton Sherman Village264 Los Angeles, CA— 23,550 93,811 1,536 23,550 95,347 118,897 (13,614)2014Dec-16   3-30
Avant440 Los Angeles, CA— 32,379 137,940 3,722 32,379 141,662 174,041 (26,788)2014Jun-15   3-30
Avenue 64224 Emeryville, CA— 27,235 64,403 16,322 27,235 80,725 107,960 (18,800)2007Apr-14   5-30
Aviara (4)
166 Mercer Island, WA— — 49,813 1,874 — 51,687 51,687 (13,707)2013Apr-14   5-30
Avondale at Warner Center446 Woodland Hills, CA— 10,536 24,522 25,418 10,601 49,875 60,476 (36,728)1970Jan-99   3-30
F- 58
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE III
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)

Costs
Initial costcapitalizedGross amount carried at close of period
ApartmentBuildings andsubsequent toLand andBuildings andAccumulatedDate ofDateLives
PropertyHomesLocationEncumbranceLandimprovementsacquisitionimprovementsimprovements
Total (1)
depreciationconstructionacquired(years)
Bel Air462 San Ramon, CA— 12,105 18,252 43,348 12,682 61,023 73,705 (43,768)1988Jan-95   3-30
Belcarra296 Bellevue, WA— 21,725 92,091 2,613 21,725 94,704 116,429 (23,150)2009Apr-14   5-30
Bella Villagio231 San Jose, CA— 17,247 40,343 4,651 17,247 44,994 62,241 (16,688)2004Sep-10   3-30
BellCentre248 Bellevue, WA— 16,197 67,207 5,644 16,197 72,851 89,048 (18,845)2001Apr-14   5-30
Bellerive63 Los Angeles, CA— 5,401 21,803 1,390 5,401 23,193 28,594 (8,573)2011Aug-11   3-30
Belmont Terrace71 Belmont, CA— 4,446 10,290 7,387 4,473 17,650 22,123 (10,455)1974Oct-06   3-30
Bennett Lofts165 San Francisco, CA— 21,771 50,800 30,939 28,371 75,139 103,510 (22,577)2004Dec-12   3-30
Bernardo Crest216 San Diego, CA— 10,802 43,209 5,214 10,802 48,423 59,225 (12,642)1988Apr-14   5-30
Bonita Cedars120 Bonita, CA— 2,496 9,913 5,834 2,503 15,740 18,243 (9,541)1983Dec-02   3-30
Boulevard172 Fremont, CA— 3,520 8,182 14,651 3,580 22,773 26,353 (18,916)1978Jan-96   3-30
Brookside Oaks170 Sunnyvale, CA— 7,301 16,310 27,349 10,328 40,632 50,960 (26,656)1973Jun-003-30
Bridle Trails108 Kirkland, WA— 1,500 5,930 6,690 1,531 12,589 14,120 (9,424)1986Oct-97   3-30
Brighton Ridge264 Renton, WA— 2,623 10,800 7,010 2,656 17,777 20,433 (13,419)1986Dec-96   3-30
Bristol Commons188 Sunnyvale, CA— 5,278 11,853 10,433 5,293 22,271 27,564 (16,949)1989Jan-95   3-30
Bunker Hill456 Los Angeles, CA— 11,498 27,871 96,132 11,639 123,862 135,501 (79,005)1968Mar-98   3-30
Camarillo Oaks564 Camarillo, CA— 10,953 25,254 8,869 11,075 34,001 45,076 (26,629)1985Jul-96   3-30
Cambridge Park320 San Diego, CA— 18,185 72,739 4,120 18,185 76,859 95,044 (19,617)1998Apr-14   5-30
Camino Ruiz Square159 Camarillo, CA— 6,871 26,119 2,543 6,931 28,602 35,533 (13,801)1990Dec-06   3-30
Canyon Oaks250 San Ramon, CA— 19,088 44,473 7,051 19,088 51,524 70,612 (23,554)2005May-07   3-30
Canyon Pointe250 Bothell, WA— 4,692 18,288 9,479 4,693 27,766 32,459 (17,295)1990Oct-03   3-30
Capri at Sunny Hills102 Fullerton, CA— 3,337 13,320 9,690 4,048 22,299 26,347 (15,327)1961Sep-01   3-30
Carmel Creek348 San Diego, CA— 26,842 107,368 8,308 26,842 115,676 142,518 (30,274)2000Apr-14   5-30
Carmel Landing356 San Diego, CA— 16,725 66,901 10,506 16,725 77,407 94,132 (20,335)1989Apr-14   5-30
Carmel Summit246 San Diego, CA— 14,968 59,871 4,545 14,968 64,416 79,384 (16,376)1989Apr-14   5-30
Castle Creek216 Newcastle, WA— 4,149 16,028 5,677 4,833 21,021 25,854 (15,908)1998Dec-98   3-30
Catalina Gardens128 Los Angeles, CA— 6,714 26,856 2,490 6,714 29,346 36,060 (7,343)1987Apr-14   5-30
CBC Apartments & The Sweeps239 Goleta, CA— 11,841 45,320 6,922 11,906 52,177 64,083 (28,445)1962Jan-06   3-30
Cedar Terrace180 Bellevue, WA— 5,543 16,442 8,601 5,652 24,934 30,586 (13,973)1984Jan-05   3-30
CentrePointe224 San Diego, CA— 3,405 7,743 22,335 3,442 30,041 33,483 (22,318)1974Jun-97   3-30
Chestnut Street Apartments96 Santa Cruz, CA— 6,582 15,689 2,277 6,582 17,966 24,548 (7,884)2002Jul-08   3-30
City View572 Hayward, CA— 9,883 37,670 32,941 10,350 70,144 80,494 (53,374)1975Mar-983-30
Collins on Pine76 Seattle, WA— 7,276 22,226 688 7,276 22,914 30,190 (5,180)2013May-14   3-30
Connolly Station309 Dublin, CA— 19,949 123,428 1,545 19,949 124,973 144,922 (4,139)2014Jan-203-30
F- 59
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE III
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)

Costs
Initial costcapitalizedGross amount carried at close of period
ApartmentBuildings andsubsequent toLand andBuildings andAccumulatedDate ofDateLives
PropertyHomesLocationEncumbranceLandimprovementsacquisitionimprovementsimprovements
Total (1)
depreciationconstructionacquired(years)
Corbella at Juanita Bay169 Kirkland, WA— 5,801 17,415 3,961 5,801 21,376 27,177 (8,273)1978Nov-10   3-30
Cortesia308 Rancho Santa Margarita, CA— 13,912 55,649 3,302 13,912 58,951 72,863 (14,944)1999Apr-14   5-30
Country Villas180 Oceanside, CA— 4,174 16,583 5,547 4,187 22,117 26,304 (13,934)1976Dec-02   3-30
Courtyard off Main110 Bellevue, WA— 7,465 21,405 5,047 7,465 26,452 33,917 (10,190)2000Oct-10   3-30
Crow Canyon400 San Ramon, CA— 37,579 87,685 12,923 37,579 100,608 138,187 (26,738)1992Apr-14   5-30
Deer Valley171 San Rafael, CA— 21,478 50,116 3,644 21,478 53,760 75,238 (13,744)1996Apr-14   5-30
Devonshire276 Hemet, CA— 3,470 13,786 6,533 3,482 20,307 23,789 (12,163)1988Dec-02   3-30
Domaine92 Seattle, WA— 9,059 27,177 1,545 9,059 28,722 37,781 (8,376)2009Sep-123-30
Elevation158 Redmond, WA— 4,758 14,285 7,372 4,757 21,658 26,415 (10,931)1986Jun-10   3-30
Ellington220 Bellevue, WA— 15,066 45,249 4,089 15,066 49,338 64,404 (11,978)1994Jul-14   3-30
Emerald Pointe160 Diamond Bar, CA— 8,458 33,832 2,404 8,458 36,236 44,694 (9,304)1989Apr-14   5-30
Emerald Ridge180 Bellevue, WA— 3,449 7,801 6,915 3,449 14,716 18,165 (11,762)1987Nov-94   3-30
Emerson Valley Village144 Los Angeles, CA— 13,378 53,240 1,349 13,378 54,589 67,967 (7,825)2012Dec-16   3-30
Emme190 Emeryville, CA— 15,039 80,532 357 15,039 80,889 95,928 (2,709)2015Jan-203-30
Enso183 San Jose, CA— 21,397 71,135 1,907 21,397 73,042 94,439 (13,258)2014Dec-15   3-30
Epic769 San Jose, CA— 89,111 307,769 509 89,111 308,278 397,389 (10,261)2013Jan-203-30
Esplanade278 San Jose, CA— 18,170 40,086 16,209 18,429 56,036 74,465 (32,656)2002Apr-04   3-30
Essex Skyline350 Santa Ana, CA— 21,537 146,099 12,601 21,537 158,700 180,237 (48,170)2008Apr-10   3-30
Evergreen Heights200 Kirkland, WA— 3,566 13,395 7,339 3,649 20,651 24,300 (15,822)1990Jun-97   3-30
Fairhaven Apartments164 Santa Ana, CA— 2,626 10,485 10,243 2,957 20,397 23,354 (13,581)1970Nov-013-30
Fairway Apartments at Big Canyon (5)
74 Newport Beach, CA— — 7,850 8,513 — 16,363 16,363 (12,710)1972Jun-99   3-28
Fairwood Pond194 Renton, WA— 5,296 15,564 4,599 5,297 20,162 25,459 (11,530)1997Oct-04   3-30
Foothill Commons394 Bellevue, WA— 2,435 9,821 41,978 2,440 51,794 54,234 (47,403)1978Mar-90   3-30
Foothill Gardens/Twin Creeks176 San Ramon, CA— 5,875 13,992 12,289 5,964 26,192 32,156 (19,884)1985Feb-97   3-30
Forest View192 Renton, WA— 3,731 14,530 3,713 3,731 18,243 21,974 (10,629)1998Oct-03   3-30
Foster's Landing490 Foster City, CA— 61,714 144,000 11,178 61,714 155,178 216,892 (41,241)1987Apr-14   5-30
Fountain Court320 Seattle, WA— 6,702 27,306 13,573 6,985 40,596 47,581 (29,905)2000Mar-00   3-30
Fountains at River Oaks226 San Jose, CA— 26,046 60,773 5,897 26,046 66,670 92,716 (17,559)1990Apr-14   3-30
Fourth & U171 Berkeley, CA— 8,879 52,351 4,337 8,879 56,688 65,567 (21,596)2010Apr-10   3-30
Fox Plaza445 San Francisco, CA— 39,731 92,706 39,712 39,731 132,418 172,149 (41,715)1968Feb-13   3-30
The Henley I/The Henley II215 Glendale, CA— 6,695 16,753 28,607 6,733 45,322 52,055 (30,235)1970Jun-99   3-30
Highlands at Wynhaven333 Issaquah, WA— 16,271 48,932 15,477 16,271 64,409 80,680 (30,874)2000Aug-08   3-30
F- 60
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE III
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)

Costs
Initial costcapitalizedGross amount carried at close of period
ApartmentBuildings andsubsequent toLand andBuildings andAccumulatedDate ofDateLives
PropertyHomesLocationEncumbranceLandimprovementsacquisitionimprovementsimprovements
Total (1)
depreciationconstructionacquired(years)
Hillcrest Park608 Newbury Park, CA— 15,318 40,601 22,105 15,755 62,269 78,024 (45,189)1973Mar-98   3-30
Hillsdale Garden697 San Mateo, CA— 22,000 94,681 29,391 22,000 124,072 146,072 (64,193)1948Sep-06   3-30
Hope Ranch108 Santa Barbara, CA— 4,078 16,877 3,144 4,208 19,891 24,099 (9,564)1965Mar-07   3-30
Huntington Breakers342 Huntington Beach, CA— 9,306 22,720 22,039 9,315 44,750 54,065 (35,095)1984Oct-97   3-30
Inglenook Court224 Bothell, WA— 3,467 7,881 8,603 3,474 16,477 19,951 (13,915)1985Oct-94   3-30
Lafayette Highlands150 Lafayette, CA— 17,774 41,473 4,292 17,774 45,765 63,539 (11,649)1973Apr-14   5-30
Lakeshore Landing308 San Mateo, CA— 38,155 89,028 9,182 38,155 98,210 136,365 (26,612)1988Apr-14   5-30
Laurels at Mill Creek164 Mill Creek, WA— 1,559 6,430 8,586 1,595 14,980 16,575 (11,277)1981Dec-96   3-30
Lawrence Station336 Sunnyvale, CA— 45,532 106,735 2,494 45,532 109,229 154,761 (30,819)2012Apr-14   5-30
Le Parc140 Santa Clara, CA— 3,090 7,421 14,181 3,092 21,600 24,692 (17,358)1975Feb-94   3-30
Marbrisa202 Long Beach, CA— 4,700 18,605 10,150 4,760 28,695 33,455 (18,760)1987Sep-02   3-30
Marina City Club (6)
101 Marina Del Rey, CA— — 28,167 34,572 — 62,739 62,739 (31,601)1971Jan-04   3-30
Marina Cove (7)
292 Santa Clara, CA— 5,320 16,431 16,263 5,324 32,690 38,014 (27,925)1974Jun-94   3-30
Mariner's Place105 Oxnard, CA— 1,555 6,103 2,679 1,562 8,775 10,337 (6,362)1987May-00   3-30
MB 360360 San Francisco, CA— 42,001 212,648 12,308 42,001 224,956 266,957 (50,304)2014Apr-14   3-30
Mesa Village133 Clairemont, CA— 1,888 7,498 2,734 1,894 10,226 12,120 (6,127)1963Dec-02   3-30
Mill Creek at Windermere400 San Ramon, CA— 29,551 69,032 7,370 29,551 76,402 105,953 (34,899)2005Sep-07   3-30
Mio103 San Jose, CA— 11,012 39,982 675 11,012 40,657 51,669 (7,166)2015Jan-16   3-30
Mirabella188 Marina Del Rey, CA— 6,180 26,673 17,242 6,270 43,825 50,095 (28,017)2000May-00   3-30
Mira Monte354 Mira Mesa, CA— 7,165 28,459 12,402 7,186 40,840 48,026 (26,833)1982Dec-02   3-30
Miracle Mile/Marbella236 Los Angeles, CA— 7,791 23,075 15,609 7,886 38,589 46,475 (29,348)1988Aug-97   3-30
Mission Hills282 Oceanside, CA— 10,099 38,778 11,525 10,167 50,235 60,402 (26,979)1984Jul-05   3-30
Mission Peaks453 Fremont, CA— 46,499 108,498 8,474 46,499 116,972 163,471 (29,818)1995Apr-14   5-30
Mission Peaks II336 Fremont, CA— 31,429 73,334 8,388 31,429 81,722 113,151 (21,416)1989Apr-14   5-30
Montanosa472 San Diego, CA— 26,697 106,787 7,521 26,697 114,308 141,005 (28,912)1990Apr-145-30
Montclaire390 Sunnyvale, CA— 4,842 19,776 28,355 4,997 47,976 52,973 (43,336)1973Dec-88   3-30
Montebello248 Kirkland, WA— 13,857 41,575 7,496 13,858 49,070 62,928 (15,854)1996Jul-123-30
Montejo Apartments124 Garden Grove, CA— 1,925 7,685 4,490 2,194 11,906 14,100 (7,588)1974Nov-013-30
Monterey Villas122 Oxnard, CA— 2,349 5,579 7,169 2,424 12,673 15,097 (9,150)1974Jul-97   3-30
Muse152 North Hollywood, CA— 7,822 33,436 3,659 7,823 37,094 44,917 (15,284)2011Feb-11   3-30
1000 Kiely121 Santa Clara, CA— 9,359 21,845 8,669 9,359 30,514 39,873 (13,890)1971Mar-113-30
Palm Valley1,099 San Jose, CA— 133,802 312,205 18,156 133,802 330,361 464,163 (48,807)2008Jan-17   3-30
Paragon Apartments301 Fremont, CA— 32,230 77,320 2,583 32,230 79,903 112,133 (17,735)2013Jul-14   3-30
F- 61
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE III
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)

Costs
Initial costcapitalizedGross amount carried at close of period
ApartmentBuildings andsubsequent toLand andBuildings andAccumulatedDate ofDateLives
PropertyHomesLocationEncumbranceLandimprovementsacquisitionimprovementsimprovements
Total (1)
depreciationconstructionacquired(years)
Park 20197 San Mateo, CA— 27,041 89,281 (1,340)26,607 88,375 114,982 (2,983)2015Jan-203-30
Park Catalina90 Los Angeles, CA— 4,710 18,839 3,628 4,710 22,467 27,177 (8,035)2002Jun-12   3-30
Park Highland250 Bellevue, WA— 9,391 38,224 13,735 9,391 51,959 61,350 (16,898)1993Apr-14   5-30
Park Hill at Issaquah245 Issaquah, WA— 7,284 21,937 11,471 7,284 33,408 40,692 (18,428)1999Feb-99   3-30
Park Viridian320 Anaheim, CA— 15,894 63,574 4,541 15,894 68,115 84,009 (17,410)2008Apr-14   5-30
Park West126 San Francisco, CA— 9,424 21,988 12,712 9,424 34,700 44,124 (14,022)1958Sep-12   3-30
Parkwood at Mill Creek240 Mill Creek, WA— 10,680 42,722 3,545 10,680 46,267 56,947 (12,081)1989Apr-14   5-30
Patent 523295 Seattle, WA— 14,558 69,417 6,137 14,558 75,554 90,112 (29,643)2010Mar-10   3-30
Pathways at Bixby Village296 Long Beach, CA— 4,083 16,757 22,199 6,239 36,800 43,039 (33,133)1975Feb-91   3-30
Piedmont396 Bellevue, WA— 19,848 59,606 13,932 19,848 73,538 93,386 (20,426)1969May-14   3-30
Pinehurst (8)
28 Ventura, CA— — 1,711 756 — 2,467 2,467 (1,643)1973Dec-04   3-24
Pinnacle at Fullerton192 Fullerton, CA— 11,019 45,932 4,475 11,019 50,407 61,426 (13,250)2004Apr-14   5-30
Pinnacle on Lake Washington180 Renton, WA— 7,760 31,041 3,915 7,760 34,956 42,716 (9,138)2001Apr-14   5-30
Pinnacle at MacArthur Place253 Santa Ana, CA— 15,810 66,401 6,056 15,810 72,457 88,267 (18,585)2002Apr-14   5-30
Pinnacle at Otay Ranch I & II364 Chula Vista, CA— 17,023 68,093 4,828 17,023 72,921 89,944 (18,684)2001Apr-14   5-30
Pinnacle at Talega362 San Clemente, CA— 19,292 77,168 3,631 19,292 80,799 100,091 (20,288)2002Apr-14   5-30
Pinnacle Sonata268 Bothell, WA— 14,647 58,586 5,554 14,647 64,140 78,787 (16,211)2000Apr-14   5-30
Pointe at Cupertino116 Cupertino, CA— 4,505 17,605 12,918 4,505 30,523 35,028 (20,740)1963Aug-98   3-30
Pure Redmond105 Redmond, WA— 7,461 31,363 411 7,461 31,774 39,235 (1,195)2016Dec-19   3-30
Radius264 Redwood City, CA— 11,702 152,336 1,190 11,702 153,526 165,228 (39,220)2015Apr-14   3-30
Reed Square100 Sunnyvale, CA— 6,873 16,037 8,746 6,873 24,783 31,656 (11,387)1970Jan-12   3-30
Regency at Encino75 Encino, CA— 3,184 12,737 4,212 3,184 16,949 20,133 (7,710)1989Dec-09   3-30
Renaissance at Uptown Orange460 Orange, CA— 27,870 111,482 7,258 27,870 118,740 146,610 (29,992)2007Apr-14   5-30
Reveal438 Woodland Hills, CA— 25,073 121,314 3,656 25,073 124,970 150,043 (27,492)2010Apr-15   3-30
Salmon Run at Perry Creek 132 Bothell, WA— 3,717 11,483 3,054 3,801 14,453 18,254 (9,519)2000Oct-00   3-30
Sammamish View153 Bellevue, WA— 3,324 7,501 7,530 3,331 15,024 18,355 (13,067)1986Nov-94   3-30
101 San Fernando323 San Jose, CA— 4,173 58,961 13,856 4,173 72,817 76,990 (30,215)2001Jul-10   3-30
San Marcos 432 Richmond, CA— 15,563 36,204 33,980 22,866 62,881 85,747 (36,750)2003Nov-03   3-30
Santee Court/Santee Village 238 Los Angeles, CA— 9,581 40,317 13,433 9,582 53,749 63,331 (19,802)2004Oct-10   3-30
Shadow Point172 Spring Valley, CA— 2,812 11,170 4,576 2,820 15,738 18,558 (9,638)1983Dec-02   3-30
Shadowbrook418 Redmond, WA— 19,292 77,168 6,131 19,292 83,299 102,591 (21,393)1986Apr-14   5-30
Slater 116108 Kirkland, WA— 7,379 22,138 1,323 7,379 23,461 30,840 (6,063)2013Sep-13   3-30
Solstice280 Sunnyvale, CA— 34,444 147,262 6,856 34,444 154,118 188,562 (42,130)2014Apr-14   5-30
F- 62
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE III
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)

Costs
Initial costcapitalizedGross amount carried at close of period
ApartmentBuildings andsubsequent toLand andBuildings andAccumulatedDate ofDateLives
PropertyHomesLocationEncumbranceLandimprovementsacquisitionimprovementsimprovements
Total (1)
depreciationconstructionacquired(years)
Station Park Green - Phases I, II, and III492 San Mateo, CA— 54,782 314,694 282 54,782 314,976 369,758 (21,497)2018Mar-183-30
Stevenson Place200 Fremont, CA— 996 5,582 14,268 1,001 19,845 20,846 (15,706)1975Apr-00   3-30
Stonehedge Village196 Bothell, WA— 3,167 12,603 9,180 3,201 21,749 24,950 (15,989)1986Oct-97   3-30
Summerhill Park100 Sunnyvale, CA— 2,654 4,918 11,257 2,656 16,173 18,829 (12,935)1988Sep-88   3-30
Summit Park300 San Diego, CA— 5,959 23,670 8,912 5,977 32,564 38,541 (19,893)1972Dec-02   3-30
Taylor 28197 Seattle, WA— 13,915 57,700 3,693 13,915 61,393 75,308 (15,413)2008Apr-14   5-30
The Audrey at Belltown137 Seattle, WA— 9,228 36,911 2,050 9,228 38,961 48,189 (9,456)1992Apr-14   5-30
The Avery121 Los Angeles, CA— 6,964 29,922 889 6,964 30,811 37,775 (7,071)2014Mar-14   3-30
The Bernard63 Seattle, WA— 3,699 11,345 884 3,689 12,239 15,928 (4,075)2008Sep-11   3-30
The Blake LA196 Los Angeles, CA— 4,023 9,527 24,135 4,031 33,654 37,685 (20,615)1979Jun-97   3-30
The Cairns99 Seattle, WA— 6,937 20,679 2,586 6,939 23,263 30,202 (10,874)2006Jun-07   3-30
The Commons264 Campbell, CA— 12,555 29,307 9,940 12,556 39,246 51,802 (16,958)1973Jul-10   3-30
The Elliot at Mukilteo301 Mukilteo, WA— 2,498 10,595 18,928 2,824 29,197 32,021 (22,866)1981Jan-97   3-30
The Galloway506 Pleasanton, CA— 32,966 184,499 488 32,966 184,987 217,953 (6,214)2016Jan-203-30
The Grand243 Oakland, CA— 4,531 89,208 7,518 4,531 96,726 101,257 (40,981)2009Jan-09   3-30
The Hallie292 Pasadena, CA— 2,202 4,794 55,653 8,385 54,264 62,649 (39,551)1972Apr-97   3-30
The Huntington276 Huntington Beach, CA— 10,374 41,495 7,036 10,374 48,531 58,905 (15,784)1975Jun-12   3-30
The Landing at Jack London Square282 Oakland, CA— 33,554 78,292 7,860 33,554 86,152 119,706 (23,251)2001Apr-14   5-30
The Lofts at Pinehurst118 Ventura, CA— 1,570 3,912 5,699 1,618 9,563 11,181 (6,616)1971Jun-97   3-30
The Palisades192 Bellevue, WA— 1,560 6,242 13,990 1,565 20,227 21,792 (18,275)1977May-90   3-30
The Palms at Laguna Niguel460 Laguna Niguel, CA— 23,584 94,334 12,080 23,584 106,414 129,998 (27,812)1988Apr-14   5-30
The Stuart188 Pasadena, CA— 13,574 54,298 3,098 13,574 57,396 70,970 (14,822)2007Apr-14   5-30
 The Trails of Redmond423 Redmond, WA— 21,930 87,720 6,031 21,930 93,751 115,681 (23,961)1985Apr-14   5-30
The Waterford238 San Jose, CA— 11,808 24,500 17,968 15,165 39,111 54,276 (25,616)2000Jun-003-30
Tierra Vista404 Oxnard, CA— 13,652 53,336 7,831 13,661 61,158 74,819 (34,469)2001Jan-01   3-30
Tiffany Court101 Los Angeles, CA— 6,949 27,796 2,042 6,949 29,838 36,787 (7,574)1987Apr-14   5-30
Trabuco Villas132 Lake Forest, CA— 3,638 8,640 4,292 3,890 12,680 16,570 (9,358)1985Oct-97   3-30
Valley Park160 Fountain Valley, CA— 3,361 13,420 6,653 3,761 19,673 23,434 (12,488)1969Nov-013-30
Via284 Sunnyvale, CA— 22,000 82,270 3,630 22,016 85,884 107,900 (30,810)2011Jul-11   3-30
Villa Angelina256 Placentia, CA— 4,498 17,962 8,173 4,962 25,671 30,633 (16,856)1970Nov-013-30
Villa Granada270 Santa Clara, CA— 38,299 89,365 1,974 38,299 91,339 129,638 (22,819)2010Apr-14   5-30
Villa Siena272 Costa Mesa, CA— 13,842 55,367 9,356 13,842 64,723 78,565 (17,830)1974Apr-14   5-30
F- 63
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE III
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)

Costs
Initial costcapitalizedGross amount carried at close of period
ApartmentBuildings andsubsequent toLand andBuildings andAccumulatedDate ofDateLives
PropertyHomesLocationEncumbranceLandimprovementsacquisitionimprovementsimprovements
Total (1)
depreciationconstructionacquired(years)
Village Green272 La Habra, CA— 6,488 36,768 4,309 6,488 41,077 47,565 (11,151)1971Apr-14   5-30
Vista Belvedere76 Tiburon, CA— 5,573 11,901 9,031 5,573 20,932 26,505 (13,068)1963Aug-04   3-30
Vox Apartments58 Seattle, WA— 5,545 16,635 435 5,545 17,070 22,615 (4,158)2013Oct-13   3-30
Walnut Heights163 Walnut, CA— 4,858 19,168 5,868 4,887 25,007 29,894 (14,831)1964Oct-03   3-30
Wandering Creek156 Kent, WA— 1,285 4,980 5,345 1,296 10,314 11,610 (8,403)1986Nov-95   3-30
Wharfside Pointe155 Seattle, WA— 2,245 7,020 13,442 2,258 20,449 22,707 (15,891)1990Jun-94   3-30
Willow Lake508 San Jose, CA— 43,194 101,030 17,140 43,194 118,170 161,364 (37,680)1989Oct-12   3-30
5600 Wilshire284 Los Angeles, CA— 30,535 91,604 5,049 30,535 96,653 127,188 (23,763)2008Apr-14   5-30
Wilshire La Brea478 Los Angeles, CA— 56,932 211,998 11,972 56,932 223,970 280,902 (60,187)2014Apr-14   5-30
Wilshire Promenade149 Fullerton, CA— 3,118 7,385 12,572 3,797 19,278 23,075 (12,881)1992Jan-97   3-30
Windsor Ridge216 Sunnyvale, CA— 4,017 10,315 17,003 4,021 27,314 31,335 (23,963)1989Mar-89   3-30
Woodland Commons302 Bellevue, WA— 2,040 8,727 24,952 2,044 33,675 35,719 (24,474)1978Mar-90   3-30
Woodside Village145 Ventura, CA— 5,331 21,036 5,855 5,341 26,881 32,222 (14,838)1987Dec-04   3-30
48,156 $— $2,680,765 $9,375,284 $1,876,157 $2,717,201 $11,215,005 $13,932,206 $(3,848,633)

 Costs
 Initial cost capitalized  Gross amount carried at close of period
 Buildings and subsequent Land and Buildings and Accumulated
PropertyEncumbrance Landimprovementsto acquisition improvementsimprovements
Total(1)
depreciation
Other real estate assets— 3,079 12,315 14,279 3,909 25,764 29,673 (18,859)
$— $3,079 $12,315 $14,279 $3,909 $25,764 $29,673 $(18,859)
Total$643,550 $2,887,393 $10,154,628 $2,019,724 $2,929,009 $12,132,736 $15,061,745 $(4,133,959)
(1) The aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $11.6 billion (unaudited).
(2) A portion of land is leased pursuant to a ground lease expiring 2070.
(3) The land is leased pursuant to a ground lease expiring 2082.
(4) The land is leased pursuant to a ground lease expiring 2070.
(5) The land is leased pursuant to a ground lease expiring 2027.
(6) The land is leased pursuant to a ground lease expiring 2067.
(7) A portion of land is leased pursuant to a ground lease expiring in 2028.
(8) The land is leased pursuant to a ground lease expiring in 2028.

F- 64
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE III
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)

A summary of activity for rental properties and accumulated depreciation is as follows:
 202020192018 202020192018
Rental properties:Accumulated depreciation:
Balance at beginning of year$14,038,142 $13,366,101 $13,362,073 Balance at beginning of year$3,689,482 $3,209,548 $2,769,297 
Acquisition, development, and improvement of real estate1,426,505 672,041 325,986 Depreciation expense518,629 479,934 478,721 
Disposition of real estate and other(402,902)— (321,958)Depreciation expense - Disposals and other(74,152)— (38,470)
Balance at the end of year$15,061,745 $14,038,142 $13,366,101 Balance at the end of year$4,133,959 $3,689,482 $3,209,548 


F- 65
Table of Contents
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.Document
Indenture, dated February 11, 2019, among Essex Portfolio, L.P., Essex Property Trust, Inc., and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, including the form of 4.000% Senior Notes due 2029 and the guarantee thereof, attached as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 11, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents
101The following financial statements from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets of Essex Property Trust, Inc., (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income of Essex Property Trust, Inc., (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income of Essex Property Trust, Inc., (iv) Consolidated Statements of Equity of Essex Property Trust, Inc., (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows of Essex Property Trust, Inc., (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of Essex Property Trust, Inc., (vii) Consolidated Balance Sheets of Essex Portfolio, L.P., (viii) Consolidated Statements of Income of Essex Portfolio, L.P., (ix) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income of Essex Portfolio, L.P., (x) Consolidated Statements of Capital of Essex Portfolio, L.P., (xi) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows of Essex Portfolio, L.P. and (xii) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of Essex Portfolio, L.P., tagged as blocks of text and including detailed tags.
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

† The schedules and certain exhibits to this agreement, as set forth in the agreement, have not been filed herewith. The Company agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.



SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Mateo, State of California, on February 19, 2021.

 
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.
 By:  /s/ BARBARA PAK
 Barbara Pak
 Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
(Authorized Officer, Principal Financial Officer)
  
 By:  /s/ JOHN FARIAS
John Farias
 Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P.
By: Essex Property Trust, Inc., its general partner
By:  /s/ BARBARA PAK
Barbara Pak
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
(Authorized Officer, Principal Financial Officer)
 
By:  /s/ JOHN FARIAS
John Farias
Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer

S-1
KNOWN ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Michael J. Schall and Barbara Pak, and each of them, his or her attorney-in-fact, each with the power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Report on Form 10-K and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorney-in-fact, or his or her or substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of each Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
 
Signature
 
 
Title
 
 
Date
/s/ GEORGE M. MARCUS
George M. Marcus
Director and Chairman of the BoardFebruary 19, 2021
/s/ KEITH R. GUERICKE
Keith R. Guericke
Director, and Vice Chairman of the Board
 		February 19, 2021
/s/ IRVING F. LYONS, III
Irving F. Lyons, III
Lead DirectorFebruary 19, 2021
/s/ MARIA R. HAWTHORNE
Maria R. Hawthorne
DirectorFebruary 19, 2021
/s/ AMAL M. JOHNSON
Amal M. Johnson
DirectorFebruary 19, 2021
/s/ MARY KASARIS
Mary Kasaris
DirectorFebruary 19, 2021
/s/ THOMAS E. ROBINSON
Thomas E. Robinson
DirectorFebruary 19, 2021
/s/ MICHAEL J. SCHALL
Michael J. Schall
Chief Executive Officer and President, and Director (Principal Executive Officer)February 19, 2021
/s/ BYRON A. SCORDELIS
Byron A. Scordelis
DirectorFebruary 19, 2021

S-2

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