Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 swaps	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 swaps	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of derivative instruments obtained	6		6
Term of derivative instruments (in years)			7 years
Amount of borrowings outstanding	$ 225,000,000		$ 225,000,000
Interest rate under derivative instruments	1.678%		1.678%
Cross-default minimum threshold			10,000,000
Expected increase to interest expense	3,300,000		3,300,000
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities [Abstract]
Interest rate swaps	10,274,000		10,274,000		2,202,000
Amount of unrealized losses recognized in AOCL on derivatives (effective portion) [Abstract]
Interest rate swaps	(3,337,000)	0	(10,424,000)	0
Amount of (gains)/losses reclassified out of AOCL into contractual interest expense (effective portion) [Abstract]
Interest rate swaps	791,000	(30,000)	2,250,000	(87,000)
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of derivative instruments obtained	6		6
Term of derivative instruments (in years)			7 years
Amount of borrowings outstanding	225,000,000		225,000,000
Interest rate under derivative instruments	1.678%		1.678%
Cross-default minimum threshold			10,000,000
Expected increase to interest expense	3,300,000		3,300,000
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities [Abstract]
Interest rate swaps	10,274,000		10,274,000		2,202,000
Amount of unrealized losses recognized in AOCL on derivatives (effective portion) [Abstract]
Interest rate swaps	(3,337,000)	0	(10,424,000)	0
Amount of (gains)/losses reclassified out of AOCL into contractual interest expense (effective portion) [Abstract]
Interest rate swaps	$ 791,000	$ (30,000)	$ 2,250,000	$ (87,000)