Intangible Assets and Below Market Lease Liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, accumulated amortization	$ (82,472)		$ (77,219)
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	176,816		169,094
Acquired above market lease intangible assets	2,777
Acquired in-place lease intangible assets	11,561
Assumed below market lease liabilities	(1,329)
Deferred Financing Costs [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, gross	21,426		21,759
Deferred financing and leasing costs, accumulated amortization	(8,648)		(7,862)
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	12,778		13,897
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets	949	902
Deferred Leasing Costs [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, gross	237,862		224,554
Deferred financing and leasing costs, accumulated amortization	(73,824)		(69,357)
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	164,038		155,197
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	145,968
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets	8,359	6,440
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	6,544
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets	383	343
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	7,256
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets	466	270
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	4,270
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets	137	0
Acquisition-Related Below Market Lease Liabilities [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Acquisition-related below market lease liabilities, gross	37,538		37,019
Acquisition-related below market lease liabilities, accumulated amortization	(4,319)		(3,383)
Acquisition-related below market lease liabilities, net	33,219		33,636
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities [Abstract]
Amortization of acquisition-related below market lease liabilities	(1,122)	(544)
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, accumulated amortization	(82,472)		(77,219)
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	176,816		169,094
Acquired above market lease intangible assets	2,777
Acquired in-place lease intangible assets	11,561
Assumed below market lease liabilities	(1,329)
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Deferred Financing Costs [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, gross	21,426		21,759
Deferred financing and leasing costs, accumulated amortization	(8,648)		(7,862)
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	12,778		13,897
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets	949	902
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Deferred Leasing Costs [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, gross	237,862		224,554
Deferred financing and leasing costs, accumulated amortization	(73,824)		(69,357)
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	164,038		155,197
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	145,968
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets	8,359	6,440
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	6,544
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets	383	343
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	7,256
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets	466	270
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	4,270
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets	137	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	37,538		37,019
Acquisition-related below market lease liabilities, accumulated amortization	(4,319)		(3,383)
Acquisition-related below market lease liabilities, net	33,219		33,636
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities [Abstract]
Amortization of acquisition-related below market lease liabilities	$ (1,122)	$ (544)