EX-23(C)


                         Consent of Independent Auditors


We consent to the  reference to our firm under the caption  "Experts" and to the
use of our reports dated (a) February 5, 2001, with respect to the  consolidated
financial  statements of the TIAA Real Estate Account and the related  financial
statement schedule, and (b) September 25, 2000, with respect to the statement of
revenues and certain expenses of the Ashford Meadows Apartments, included in the
Registration Statement (Form S-1) and related Prospectus of the TIAA Real Estate
Account for the offer and sale of interests in the TIAA Real Estate  Account,  a
variable option offered through certain TIAA annuity contracts.

We also consent to the use of our report dated  February 15, 2001,  with respect
to the financial  statements of Teachers  Insurance and Annuity  Association  of
America ("TIAA"),  included in the Registration Statement (Form S-1) of the TIAA
Real Estate  Account.  Such report  expresses our opinion that TIAA's  financial
statements present fairly, in all material  respects,  the financial position of
TIAA at December 31, 2000 and 1999,  and the results of its  operations  and its
cash  flows  for the each of the  three  years  then  ended in  conformity  with
statutory  accounting  practices  prescribed  or permitted by the New York State
Insurance Department and not in conformity with accounting  principles generally
accepted in the United States.


                                          /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
                                          ---------------------

New York, New York
April 26, 2001