Real Estate Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 acre	Mar. 31, 2012
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Acquisition development land (in acres)	649
Acquisition-related costs	$ 500,000
Dispositions [Abstract]
Gain/(loss) on disposition of discontinued operations	1,244,000	5,134,000
Impairments [Abstract]
Impairments of real estate assets	415,000	0
Impairments of real estate assets held for sale	713,000	0
Tampa, FL Office Properties Acquisition (3/2013) [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Number of office properties acquired	2
Rentable square feet of acquisition (in sq. ft)	372,000
Acquisition purchase price	52,500,000
Greensboro, NC Office Properties Acquisition (3/2013) [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Number of office properties acquired	2
Rentable square feet of acquisition (in sq. ft)	195,000
Acquisition purchase price	30,800,000
Memphis, TN Development Land Acquisition (3/2013) [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Acquisition development land (in acres)	5
Acquisition purchase price	4,800,000
Orlando, FL Office Properties Disposition (3/2013) [Member]
Dispositions [Abstract]
Number of office properties sold	2
Proceeds received from sale of real estate	14,600,000
Closing credits for unfunded tenant improvements	800,000
Gain/(loss) on disposition of discontinued operations	(300,000)
Jackson, MS Office Property Disposition (9/2012) [Member]
Dispositions [Abstract]
Gain/(loss) on disposition of discontinued operations	1,500,000
Atlanta, GA Industrial Properties (3/2013) [Member]
Impairments [Abstract]
Number of impaired properties	2
Impairments of real estate assets	400,000
Atlanta, GA Industrial Properties Held For Sale (3/2013) [Member]
Impairments [Abstract]
Number of impaired properties	5
Impairments of real estate assets held for sale	700,000
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Acquisition development land (in acres)	649
Acquisition-related costs	500,000
Dispositions [Abstract]
Gain/(loss) on disposition of discontinued operations	1,244,000	5,134,000
Impairments [Abstract]
Impairments of real estate assets	415,000	0
Impairments of real estate assets held for sale	713,000	0
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Tampa, FL Office Properties Acquisition (3/2013) [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Number of office properties acquired	2
Rentable square feet of acquisition (in sq. ft)	372,000
Acquisition purchase price	52,500,000
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Greensboro, NC Office Properties Acquisition (3/2013) [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Number of office properties acquired	2
Rentable square feet of acquisition (in sq. ft)	195,000
Acquisition purchase price	30,800,000
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Memphis, TN Development Land Acquisition (3/2013) [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Acquisition development land (in acres)	5
Acquisition purchase price	4,800,000
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Orlando, FL Office Properties Disposition (3/2013) [Member]
Dispositions [Abstract]
Number of office properties sold	2
Proceeds received from sale of real estate	14,600,000
Closing credits for unfunded tenant improvements	800,000
Gain/(loss) on disposition of discontinued operations	(300,000)
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Jackson, MS Office Property Disposition (9/2012) [Member]
Dispositions [Abstract]
Gain/(loss) on disposition of discontinued operations	1,500,000
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Atlanta, GA Industrial Properties (3/2013) [Member]
Impairments [Abstract]
Number of impaired properties	2
Impairments of real estate assets	400,000
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Atlanta, GA Industrial Properties Held For Sale (3/2013) [Member]
Impairments [Abstract]
Number of impaired properties	5
Impairments of real estate assets held for sale	$ 700,000