Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares [Member]	Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Affiliates [Member]	Distributions in Excess of Net Income Available for Common Stockholders [Member]	Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]	Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] General Partner Common Units [Member]	Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Limited Partner Common Units [Member]	Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Affiliates [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 1,133,143	$ 713	$ 29,092	$ 52,500	$ 1,751,398	$ (3,811)	$ 5,183	$ (701,932)	$ 1,050,185	$ 10,485	$ 1,038,328	$ (3,811)	$ 5,183
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2009		71,285,303
Issuance of Common Units, net									1,062	11	1,051
Distributions on Preferred Units									(3,354)	(34)	(3,320)
Distributions on Common Units									(63,648)	(637)	(63,011)
Issuances of Common Stock - Shares		71,568
Issuances of Common Stock, net	1,062	1			1,061
Conversion of Common Units to Common Stock - Shares		93,971
Conversion of Common Units to Common Stock	2,958	1			2,957
Dividends on Common Stock	(60,753)							(60,753)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(3,354)							(3,354)
Adjustment of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership to fair value	20,612				20,612
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(324)						(324)		(324)				(324)
Issuances of restricted stock, net - Shares		164,143
Issuances of restricted stock, net	0
Share-based compensation expense	3,497	1			3,496				3,497	35	3,462
Adjustment of Redeemable Common Units to fair value and contributions/distributions from/to the General Partner									24,282	243	24,039
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(2,453)							(2,453)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	0						429	(429)	0	(4)	(425)		429
Comprehensive income:
Net income	52,131							52,131	52,120	521	51,599
Other comprehensive income/(loss)	536					536			536			536
Total comprehensive income	52,667								52,656
Balance at Jun. 30, 2010	1,147,055	716	29,092	52,500	1,779,524	(3,275)	5,288	(716,790)	1,064,356	10,620	1,051,723	(3,275)	5,288
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2010		71,614,985
Balance at Mar. 31, 2010
Distributions on Preferred Units									(1,677)
Share-based compensation expense	1,400
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(1,933)
Comprehensive income:
Net income	40,049								40,032
Other comprehensive income/(loss)	78
Total comprehensive income	40,127
Balance at Jun. 30, 2010	1,147,055		29,092	52,500					1,064,356
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	1,088,222	717	29,092	52,500	1,766,886	(3,648)	4,460	(761,785)	1,005,466	10,044	994,610	(3,648)	4,460
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010	71,690,487	71,690,487
Issuance of Common Units, net									16,984	170	16,814
Distributions on Preferred Units									(3,299)	(33)	(3,266)
Distributions on Common Units									(63,936)	(640)	(63,296)
Issuances of Common Stock - Shares		556,652
Issuances of Common Stock, net	16,984	6			16,978
Conversion of Common Units to Common Stock - Shares		18,737
Conversion of Common Units to Common Stock	635				635
Dividends on Common Stock	(61,069)							(61,069)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(3,299)							(3,299)
Adjustment of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership to fair value	(6,957)				(6,957)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(319)						(319)		(319)				(319)
Issuances of restricted stock, net - Shares		133,552
Issuances of restricted stock, net	0
Redemptions/repurchases of Preferred Stock	(52,505)		(5)	(52,500)	1,895			(1,895)
Share-based compensation expense	3,453	1			3,452				3,453	35	3,418
Adjustment of Redeemable Common Units to fair value and contributions/distributions from/to the General Partner									(4,817)	(48)	(4,769)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(1,130)							(1,130)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	0						305	(305)	0	(3)	(302)		305
Comprehensive income:
Net income	26,877							26,877	26,889	269	26,620
Other comprehensive income/(loss)	(529)					(529)			(529)			(529)
Total comprehensive income	26,348								26,360
Balance at Jun. 30, 2011	1,010,363	724	29,087	0	1,782,889	(4,177)	4,446	(802,606)	979,892	9,794	969,829	(4,177)	4,446
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2011	72,399,428	72,399,428
Balance at Mar. 31, 2011
Distributions on Preferred Units									(1,622)
Share-based compensation expense	1,400
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(623)
Comprehensive income:
Net income	14,434								14,438
Other comprehensive income/(loss)	(365)
Total comprehensive income	14,069
Balance at Jun. 30, 2011	$ 1,010,363								$ 979,892
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2011	72,399,428