Exhibit 23.1
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


As independent  public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the  incorporation by
reference of our report  dated June 30,  1996,  included in this Form 11-K as of
December 31, 1995 and 1994,  and for the year ended  December 31, 1995,  and for
the period from inception  (January 25, 1994) to December 31, 1994,  into Gables
Residential Trust's previously filed Registration Statement on Form S-8 File No.
333-00618 and to all references to our firm therein.

/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP


Dallas, Texas,
July 9, 1996