Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Real estate assets, at cost:
Land	$ 366,925	$ 364,022
Buildings and tenant improvements	3,117,730	3,078,308
Development in process	6,094	0
Land held for development	102,482	105,206
Total real estate assets	3,593,231	3,547,536
Less-accumulated depreciation	(913,016)	(877,383)
Net real estate assets	2,680,215	2,670,153
For-sale residential condominiums	2,434	4,751
Real estate and other assets, net, held for sale	36,751	50,335
Cash and cash equivalents	6,527	11,188
Restricted cash	20,757	26,666
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $3,262 and $3,548, respectively	21,882	30,093
Mortgages and notes receivable, net of allowance of $118 and $61, respectively	17,056	18,600
Accrued straight-line rents receivable, net of allowance of $866 and $1,294, respectively	113,695	104,284
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	77,089	100,367
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $70,572 and $62,319, respectively	126,680	127,774
Prepaid expenses and other assets	41,907	36,781
Total Assets	3,144,993	3,180,992
Liabilities, Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership and Equity/Liabilities, Redeemable Operating Partnership Units and Equity: [Abstract]
Mortgages and notes payable	1,823,128	1,903,213
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	137,108	148,821
Financing obligations	30,822	31,444
Total Liabilities	1,991,058	2,083,478
Commitments and contingencies
Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	124,880	110,655
Equity: [Abstract]
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, $.01 par value, 50,000,000 authorized shares, liquidation preference $1,000 per share; 29,077 shares issued and outstanding	29,077	29,077
Common Stock, $.01 par value, 200,000,000 authorized shares; 75,619,288 and 72,647,697 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	756	726
Additional paid-in capital	1,884,392	1,803,997
Distributions in excess of net income available for common stockholders	(878,984)	(845,853)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(10,779)	(5,734)
Total Stockholders' Equity	1,024,462	982,213
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	4,593	4,646
Total Equity	1,029,055	986,859
Total Liabilities, Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership and Equity/Total Liabilities, Redeemable Operating Partnership Units and Equity	3,144,993	3,180,992
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Real estate assets, at cost:
Land	366,925	364,022
Buildings and tenant improvements	3,117,730	3,078,308
Development in process	6,094	0
Land held for development	102,482	105,206
Total real estate assets	3,593,231	3,547,536
Less-accumulated depreciation	(913,016)	(877,383)
Net real estate assets	2,680,215	2,670,153
For-sale residential condominiums	2,434	4,751
Real estate and other assets, net, held for sale	36,751	50,335
Cash and cash equivalents	6,631	11,151
Restricted cash	20,757	26,666
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $3,262 and $3,548, respectively	21,882	30,093
Mortgages and notes receivable, net of allowance of $118 and $61, respectively	17,056	18,600
Accrued straight-line rents receivable, net of allowance of $866 and $1,294, respectively	113,695	104,284
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	76,037	99,296
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $70,572 and $62,319, respectively	126,680	127,774
Prepaid expenses and other assets	41,826	36,781
Total Assets	3,143,964	3,179,884
Liabilities, Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership and Equity/Liabilities, Redeemable Operating Partnership Units and Equity: [Abstract]
Mortgages and notes payable	1,823,128	1,903,213
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	137,047	148,821
Financing obligations	30,822	31,444
Total Liabilities	1,990,997	2,083,478
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable Operating Partnership Units: [Abstract]
Common Units, 3,711,152 and 3,729,518 outstanding, respectively	124,880	110,655
Series A Preferred Units, liquidation preference $1,000 per unit; 29,077 units issued and outstanding	29,077	29,077
Total Redeemable Operating Partnership Units	153,957	139,732
Equity: [Abstract]
General partner Common Units, 789,216 and 759,684 outstanding, respectively	10,049	9,575
Limited partner Common Units, 74,421,263 and 71,479,204 outstanding, respectively	995,147	948,187
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(10,779)	(5,734)
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	4,593	4,646
Total Equity	999,010	956,674
Total Liabilities, Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership and Equity/Total Liabilities, Redeemable Operating Partnership Units and Equity	$ 3,143,964	$ 3,179,884