Exhibit 23



CONSENT OF REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM



We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements and in their related prospectuses of Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc., as listed below,
of our report dated March 14, 2005, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc. included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2004.



|                          |  |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
|------------------------- |  | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|RegistrationStatement No. |  | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
|333-24871                 |  | Form S-8, pertaining to the Companys 1992 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan, Special Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan and Non-Employee Directors Fees
Plan                                                                 
|                          | 
|333-24875                 |  | Form S-8, pertaining to the Companys 1992 Incentive Plan                                                                                                                                                                                  
|                          | 
|333-34441                 |  | Form S-3, Shelf Registration Statement, pertaining to the registration of $200 million of Common Shares, Preferred Shares and Debt Securities                                                                                              
|                          | 
|333-65576                 |  | Form S-3, pertaining to the Companys Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan                                                                                                                                                        
|                          | 
|333-89227                 |  | Form S-8, pertaining to the issuance of Series A Convertible Preferred Shares in connection with the 1996 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan and its 1996 Incentive Plan of an acquired
entity (Apple Residential Income Trust, Inc.)
|                          | 
|333-100198                |  | Form S-3, pertaining to the registration of common shares to be issued in redemption of partnership units of Cornerstone NC Operating Limited Partnership                                                                                  
|                          | 
|333-113610                |  | Form S-3, pertaining to the registration of common shares to be issued by The Reserve at Mayfaire, LLC                                                                                                                                     
|                          | 
|333-121675                |  | Form S-4, Colonial Properties Trust Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, pertaining the proposed merger between Colonial Properties Trust and Cornerstone Realty Income Trust,
Inc.                                                           



/s/ Ernst & Young LLPRichmond, VirginiaMarch 14, 2005