Mortgages and Notes Receivable (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of mortgages and notes receivable [Abstract]
Mortgages and notes receivable, allowance	$ (211)	$ (545)	$ (211)	$ (545)
Mortgages and notes receivable, net	16,943		16,943		18,600
Notes receivable allowance, promissory notes [Roll Forward]
Beginning notes receivable allowance	118	617	61	868
Bad debt expense	0	0	0	184
Recoveries/write-offs/other	93	(72)	150	(507)
Total notes receivable allowance	211	545	211	545
Seller Financing [Member]
Schedule of mortgages and notes receivable [Abstract]
Mortgages and notes receivable, gross	15,853		15,853		17,180
Mortgages and notes receivable, allowance	0		0		0
Mortgages and notes receivable, net	15,853		15,853		17,180
Number of transactions with seller financing	2
Notes receivable allowance, promissory notes [Roll Forward]
Beginning notes receivable allowance					0
Total notes receivable allowance	0		0		0
Promissory Notes [Member]
Schedule of mortgages and notes receivable [Abstract]
Mortgages and notes receivable, gross	1,301		1,301		1,481
Mortgages and notes receivable, allowance	(211)		(211)		(61)
Mortgages and notes receivable, net	1,090		1,090		1,420
Notes receivable allowance, promissory notes [Roll Forward]
Beginning notes receivable allowance					61
Total notes receivable allowance	211		211		61
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Schedule of mortgages and notes receivable [Abstract]
Mortgages and notes receivable, allowance	(211)	(545)	(211)	(545)
Mortgages and notes receivable, net	16,943		16,943		18,600
Notes receivable allowance, promissory notes [Roll Forward]
Beginning notes receivable allowance	118	617	61	868
Bad debt expense	0	0	0	184
Recoveries/write-offs/other	93	(72)	150	(507)
Total notes receivable allowance	211	545	211	545
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Seller Financing [Member]
Schedule of mortgages and notes receivable [Abstract]
Mortgages and notes receivable, gross	15,853		15,853		17,180
Mortgages and notes receivable, allowance	0		0		0
Mortgages and notes receivable, net	15,853		15,853		17,180
Number of transactions with seller financing	2
Notes receivable allowance, promissory notes [Roll Forward]
Beginning notes receivable allowance					0
Total notes receivable allowance	0		0		0
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Promissory Notes [Member]
Schedule of mortgages and notes receivable [Abstract]
Mortgages and notes receivable, gross	1,301		1,301		1,481
Mortgages and notes receivable, allowance	(211)		(211)		(61)
Mortgages and notes receivable, net	1,090		1,090		1,420
Notes receivable allowance, promissory notes [Roll Forward]
Beginning notes receivable allowance					61
Total notes receivable allowance	$ 211		$ 211		$ 61