Equity (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Class of Stock [Line Items]

Schedule of Stock by Class, Preferred Stock

The following table sets forth our Preferred Stock:

Preferred Stock Issuances	Issue Date	Number of Shares Outstanding	Carrying Value		Liquidation Preference Per Share		Optional Redemption Date	Annual Dividends Payable Per Share
		(in thousands)
December 31, 2012
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable	2/12/1997	29	$	29,077	$	1,000	2/12/2027	$	86.25
December 31, 2011
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable	2/12/1997	29	$	29,077	$	1,000	2/12/2027	$	86.25

Our officers generally receive annual grants of stock options and restricted stock on or about March 1 of each year. Restricted stock grants are also made annually to directors and certain other employees. Except as set forth in the next sentence, dividends received on restricted stock are non-forfeitable and are paid at the same rate and on the same date as on shares of Common Stock. Commencing in 2012 with respect to shares of restricted stock issued to our chief executive officer and subject to any delay in payment that would result in adverse tax consequences under Section 409A of the Code, dividends will accumulate and be payable only if and to the extent the shares vest. Dividends paid on subsequently forfeited shares are expensed. Additional total return-based restricted stock may be issued at the end of the three-year periods if actual performance exceeds certain levels of performance. Such additional shares, if any, would be fully vested when issued. No expense is recorded for additional shares of total return-based restricted stock that may be issued at the end of the three-year period since that possibility is reflected in the grant date fair value. The following table sets forth the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for future issuance:

	December 31,
	2012	2011
Outstanding stock options and warrants	1,144,309	1,224,455
Possible future issuance under equity incentive plans	2,047,550	2,363,695
	3,191,859	3,588,150

Common Stock [Member]

Class of Stock [Line Items]

Schedule of Dividends Payable

The following table sets forth the estimated taxability to the common stockholders of dividends per share for federal income tax purposes:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2010
Ordinary income	$	1.28	$	1.15	$	0.41
Capital gains	0.24		—		0.44
Return of capital	0.18		0.55		0.85
Total	$	1.70	$	1.70	$	1.70

Preferred Stock [Member]

Class of Stock [Line Items]

Schedule of Dividends Payable

The following table sets forth the estimated taxability to the preferred stockholders of dividends per share for federal income tax purposes:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2010
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable:
Ordinary income	$	72.46	$	86.25	$	41.80
Capital gains	13.79		—		44.45
Total	$	86.25	$	86.25	$	86.25
8.000% Series B Cumulative Redeemable:
Ordinary income	$	—	$	1.05	$	0.97
Capital gains	—		—		1.03
Total	$	—	$	1.05	$	2.00

Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]

Class of Stock [Line Items]

Schedule of Stock by Class, Preferred Stock

The following table sets forth our Preferred Units:

Preferred Unit Issuances	Issue Date	Number of Units Outstanding	Carrying Value		Liquidation Preference Per Unit		Optional Redemption Date	Annual Distributions Payable Per Unit
		(in thousands)
December 31, 2012
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable	2/12/1997	29	$	29,077	$	1,000	2/12/2027	$	86.25
December 31, 2011
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable	2/12/1997	29	$	29,077	$	1,000	2/12/2027	$	86.25

The Company's officers generally receive annual grants of stock options and restricted stock on or about March 1 of each year. Restricted stock grants are also made annually to directors and certain other employees. Except as set forth in the next sentence, dividends received on restricted stock are non-forfeitable and are paid at the same rate and on the same date as on shares of Common Stock. Commencing in 2012 with respect to shares of restricted stock issued to the Company's chief executive officer and subject to any delay in payment that would result in adverse tax consequences under Section 409A of the Code, dividends will accumulate and be payable only if and to the extent the shares vest. Dividends paid on subsequently forfeited shares are expensed. Additional total return-based restricted stock may be issued at the end of the three-year periods if actual performance exceeds certain levels of performance. Such additional shares, if any, would be fully vested when issued. No expense is recorded for additional shares of total return-based restricted stock that may be issued at the end of the three-year period since that possibility is reflected in the grant date fair value. The following table sets forth the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for future issuance:

	December 31,
	2012	2011
Outstanding stock options and warrants	1,144,309	1,224,455
Possible future issuance under equity incentive plans	2,047,550	2,363,695
	3,191,859	3,588,150