Essex Announces Fourth Quarter 2001 Earnings Release and Conference Call Dates.

Business Editors

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 3, 2002

Essex Property Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ESS) today announced that it will release its fourth quarter 2001 earnings results following the close of the stock market on Wednesday, February 6, 2002. A conference call with Keith R. Guericke, president and CEO, will be held the following day, February 7, 2002, at 11:00 a.m. PST or 2:00 p.m. EST.

Internet Access

The live conference call is open to the public and can be accessed via the Internet through the Company website at www.essexpropertytrust.com and clicking on the fourth quarter earnings release link.

Phone Access

You may also listen to the live conference call via telephone. Please contact the Investor Relations department at 650/849-1682 to obtain the telephone number and passcode for the call.

Replay

If you are unable to listen to the live call, a rebroadcast will be available via the Internet for 14 days after the call and digitally for 7 days. To access the replay via the Internet go to the Company's web site at www.essexpropertytrust.com and select the fourth quarter earnings link. To access the digital replay, dial 800/642-1687 and passcode 2831081.

Essex Property Trust, Inc., located in Palo Alto, Calif., and traded on the New York Stock Exchange (ESS), is a fully integrated real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, develops, redevelops, and manages multifamily residential properties in selected West Coast communities. Essex currently has ownership interests 92 multifamily properties (20,762 units), and has 1,274 units in various stages of development. Additional information about Essex can be found on the Company's web site at www.essexpropertytrust.com.