CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR), today announced that the company declared dividends on its common and preferred shares.

First Quarter Dividends

The quarterly common share dividend of $0.4825 per share will be paid on April 9, 2009 to shareholders of record on March 16, 2009.

The following regular quarterly dividends will be paid on the company's preferred/depositary shares:

Series  Record Date     Payment Date    Amount/Share

E       March 16, 2009  April 1, 2009   $ 0.4375

H       March 16, 2009  March 31, 2009  $ 0.4375

K       March 16, 2009  March 31, 2009  $ 1.03625

N       March 16, 2009  April 15, 2009  $ 0.405

2009 Meeting of Shareholders

In addition, the company declared that its Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. in Chicago, Illinois. Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 31, 2009 will be entitled to vote at the meeting.

Equity Residential is an S&P 500 company focused on the acquisition, development and management of high quality apartment properties in top U.S. growth markets. Equity Residential owns or has investments in 548 properties totaling 147,244 units. For more information on Equity Residential, please visit our website at www.equityresidential.com.

    Source: Equity Residential