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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



We consent to the reference of our firm under the caption "Experts" and to the
incorporation by reference of our reports (i) dated February 13, 1997 (except
for Note 14, as to which the date is October 15, 1997) with respect to the
Consolidated Financial Statements of American Industrial Properties REIT as of
December 31, 1996 and 1995 and for the three years in the period ended December
31, 1996; and (ii) dated September 16, 1997 with respect to the Combined
Historical Summary of Gross Income and Direct Operating Expenses of Merit Texas
Properties Portfolio for the year ended December 31, 1996 in the Registration
Statement on Form S-3 of American Industrial Properties REIT.


                 /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                 Ernst & Young LLP


Dallas, Texas
February 16, 1998