PALO ALTO, CA--(Marketwire - Feb 21, 2013) - Essex Property Trust, Inc. (NYSE: [ ESS ]) announced today that Expo, a 275 unit newly developed community in Seattle, Washington, has received LEED Gold certification established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

The USGBC's LEED certification is the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. Expo's state-of-the-art sustainability practices and energy-efficiency standards earned it a LEED Gold certification. The eight remaining projects in the development pipeline are being constructed with sustainable practices and energy efficiency standards, similar to those implemented at Expo, under the California Green Points Rated program or similar regional energy efficiency programs.

John Eudy, Executive Vice President of Development commented, "We are thrilled that Expo was awarded LEED Gold certification. This is a testament to our commitment to create quality communities based on consumer preferences, including sustainable practices."

About Essex Property Trust, Inc.
Essex Property Trust, Inc., an S&P 400 company, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, develops, redevelops, and manages apartment communities located in highly desirable, supply-constrained markets. Essex currently has ownership interests in 165 multifamily properties with an additional 9 properties in various stages of development. Additional information about Essex can be found on the Company's web site at [ www.essexpropertytrust.com ].