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 report  dated  February 18,  2004,  with respect to the  consolidated
financial  statements of the TIAA Real Estate Account and the related  financial
statement  schedule,  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 April 21, 2004 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, 2003 and 2002,  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 27, 2004