Intangible Assets and Below Market Lease Liabilities (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
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, accumulated amortization	$ (73,579)		$ (73,579)		$ (62,319)
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	149,170		149,170		127,774
Acquired above market lease intangible assets	1,285		1,285
Acquired in-place lease intangible assets	21,479		21,479
Acquired tax abatement intangible assets	4,593		4,593
Assumed below market lease liabilities	(11,875)		(11,875)
Deferred Financing Costs [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, gross	19,952		19,952		18,044
Deferred financing and leasing costs, accumulated amortization	(8,115)		(8,115)		(5,797)
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	11,837		11,837		12,247
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets	907	806	2,709	2,448
Deferred Leasing Costs [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, gross	202,797		202,797		172,049
Deferred financing and leasing costs, accumulated amortization	(65,464)		(65,464)		(56,522)
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	137,333		137,333		115,527
Deferred Leasing Costs and Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	121,845		121,845
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets	6,836	5,189	20,542	13,945
Lease Incentives [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	6,915		6,915
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets	393	369	1,075	1,010
Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets (in Rental and Other Revenues) [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	4,025		4,025
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets	433	239	1,027	617
Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets (in Rental Property and Other Expenses) [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	4,548		4,548
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets	46	0	46	0
Acquisition-Related Below Market Lease Liabilities [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Acquisition-related below market lease liabilities, gross	28,015		28,015		16,441
Acquisition-related below market lease liabilities, accumulated amortization	(2,556)		(2,556)		(971)
Acquisition-related below market lease liabilities, net	25,459		25,459		15,470
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities [Abstract]
Amortization of acquisition-related below market lease liabilities	(647)	(230)	(1,744)	(280)
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, accumulated amortization	(73,579)		(73,579)		(62,319)
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	149,170		149,170		127,774
Acquired above market lease intangible assets	1,285		1,285
Acquired in-place lease intangible assets	21,479		21,479
Acquired tax abatement intangible assets	4,593		4,593
Assumed below market lease liabilities	(11,875)		(11,875)
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Deferred Financing Costs [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, gross	19,952		19,952		18,044
Deferred financing and leasing costs, accumulated amortization	(8,115)		(8,115)		(5,797)
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	11,837		11,837		12,247
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets	907	806	2,709	2,448
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Deferred Leasing Costs [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, gross	202,797		202,797		172,049
Deferred financing and leasing costs, accumulated amortization	(65,464)		(65,464)		(56,522)
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	137,333		137,333		115,527
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Deferred Leasing Costs and Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	121,845		121,845
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets	6,836	5,189	20,542	13,945
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Lease Incentives [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	6,915		6,915
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets	393	369	1,075	1,010
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets (in Rental and Other Revenues) [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	4,025		4,025
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets	433	239	1,027	617
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets (in Rental Property and Other Expenses) [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	4,548		4,548
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets	46	0	46	0
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Acquisition-Related Below Market Lease Liabilities [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Acquisition-related below market lease liabilities, gross	28,015		28,015		16,441
Acquisition-related below market lease liabilities, accumulated amortization	(2,556)		(2,556)		(971)
Acquisition-related below market lease liabilities, net	25,459		25,459		15,470
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities [Abstract]
Amortization of acquisition-related below market lease liabilities	$ (647)	$ (230)	$ (1,744)	$ (280)