Derivative Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments

We have six floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps through January 2019 each with respect to an aggregate of $225.0 million LIBOR-based borrowings. These swaps effectively fix the underlying LIBOR rate at a weighted average of 1.678%. The counterparties under the swaps are major financial institutions. The swap agreements contain a provision whereby if we default on any of our indebtedness, if greater than $10.0 million, and which defaults results in repayment of such indebtedness being, or becoming capable of being, accelerated by the lender, then we could also be declared in default on our derivative obligations. These swaps have been designated as and are being accounted for as cash flow hedges with changes in fair value recorded in other comprehensive income each reporting period. No gain or loss was recognized related to hedge ineffectiveness or to amounts excluded from effectiveness testing on our cash flow hedges during the year ended December 31, 2012. We have no collateral requirements related to our interest rate swaps.

Amounts reported in AOCL related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on our variable-rate debt. During 2013, we estimate that $3.3 million will be reclassified to interest expense.

7. Derivative Financial Instruments - Continued

The following table sets forth the fair value of our derivative instruments:

	Fair Value as of December 31,
	2012		2011
Liability Derivatives:
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	$	9,369	$	2,202

The following table sets forth the effect of our cash flow hedges on AOCL and interest expense:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010
Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges:
Amount of unrealized losses recognized in AOCL on derivatives (effective portion):
Interest rate swaps	$	(10,358	)	$	(2,202	)	$	—
Amount of (gains)/losses reclassified out of AOCL into contractual interest expense (effective portion):
Interest rate swaps	$	3,053		$	(118	)	$	237

Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments

We have six floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps through January 2019 each with respect to an aggregate of $225.0 million LIBOR-based borrowings. These swaps effectively fix the underlying LIBOR rate at a weighted average of 1.678%. The counterparties under the swaps are major financial institutions. The swap agreements contain a provision whereby if we default on any of our indebtedness, if greater than $10.0 million, and which defaults results in repayment of such indebtedness being, or becoming capable of being, accelerated by the lender, then we could also be declared in default on our derivative obligations. These swaps have been designated as and are being accounted for as cash flow hedges with changes in fair value recorded in other comprehensive income each reporting period. No gain or loss was recognized related to hedge ineffectiveness or to amounts excluded from effectiveness testing on our cash flow hedges during the year ended December 31, 2012. We have no collateral requirements related to our interest rate swaps.

Amounts reported in AOCL related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on our variable-rate debt. During 2013, we estimate that $3.3 million will be reclassified to interest expense.

7. Derivative Financial Instruments- Continued

The following table sets forth the fair value of our derivative instruments:

	Fair Value as of December 31,
	2012		2011
Liability Derivatives:
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	$	9,369	$	2,202

The following table sets forth the effect of our cash flow hedges on AOCL and interest expense:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010
Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges:
Amount of unrealized losses recognized in AOCL on derivatives (effective portion):
Interest rate swaps	$	(10,358	)	$	(2,202	)	$	—
Amount of (gains)/losses reclassified out of AOCL into contractual interest expense (effective portion):
Interest rate swaps	$	3,053		$	(118	)	$	237