Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Real estate assets, at cost:
Land	$ 389,431	$ 365,762
Buildings and tenant improvements	3,482,057	3,253,805
Development in process	37,559	21,198
Land held for development	120,580	115,416
Total real estate assets	4,029,627	3,756,181
Less-accumulated depreciation	(978,777)	(929,598)
Net real estate assets	3,050,850	2,826,583
Real estate and other assets, net, held for sale	0	47,508
Cash and cash equivalents	10,122	13,783
Restricted cash	15,987	19,702
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,465 and $2,848, respectively	25,266	23,073
Mortgages and notes receivable, net of allowance of $376 and $182, respectively	25,583	25,472
Accrued straight-line rents receivable, net of allowance of $853 and $857, respectively	122,742	115,030
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	65,272	66,800
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $85,548 and $76,840, respectively	181,802	168,019
Prepaid expenses and other assets, net of accumulated amortization of $12,561 and $12,318, respectively	41,959	44,458
Total Assets	3,539,583	3,350,428
Liabilities, Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership and Equity:
Mortgages and notes payable	1,931,655	1,859,162
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	185,087	172,146
Financing obligations	28,392	29,358
Total Liabilities	2,145,134	2,060,666
Commitments and contingencies
Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	130,351	124,869
Equity:
Preferred Stock, $.01 par value, 50,000,000 authorized shares; 8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares (liquidation preference $1,000 per share; 29,077 shares issued and outstanding)	29,077	29,077
Common Stock, $.01 par value, 200,000,000 authorized shares; 83,968,412 and 80,311,437 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	840	803
Additional paid-in capital	2,160,698	2,040,306
Distributions in excess of net income available for common stockholders	(927,110)	(897,418)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(4,142)	(12,628)
Total Stockholders’ Equity	1,259,363	1,160,140
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	4,735	4,753
Total Equity	1,264,098	1,164,893
Total Liabilities, Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership and Equity	3,539,583	3,350,428
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Real estate assets, at cost:
Land	389,431	365,762
Buildings and tenant improvements	3,482,057	3,253,805
Development in process	37,559	21,198
Land held for development	120,580	115,416
Total real estate assets	4,029,627	3,756,181
Less-accumulated depreciation	(978,777)	(929,598)
Net real estate assets	3,050,850	2,826,583
Real estate and other assets, net, held for sale	0	47,508
Cash and cash equivalents	10,205	13,867
Restricted cash	15,987	19,702
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,465 and $2,848, respectively	25,266	23,073
Mortgages and notes receivable, net of allowance of $376 and $182, respectively	25,583	25,472
Accrued straight-line rents receivable, net of allowance of $853 and $857, respectively	122,742	115,030
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	64,249	65,813
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $85,548 and $76,840, respectively	181,802	168,019
Prepaid expenses and other assets, net of accumulated amortization of $12,561 and $12,318, respectively	41,864	44,458
Total Assets	3,538,548	3,349,525
Liabilities, Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership and Equity:
Mortgages and notes payable	1,931,655	1,859,162
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	185,041	172,026
Financing obligations	28,392	29,358
Total Liabilities	2,145,088	2,060,546
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable Operating Partnership Units:
Common Units, 3,660,545 and 3,733,016 outstanding, respectively	130,351	124,869
Series A Preferred Units (liquidation preference $1,000 per unit), 29,077 units issued and outstanding	29,077	29,077
Total Redeemable Operating Partnership Units	159,428	153,946
Equity:
General partner Common Units, 872,201 and 836,356 outstanding, respectively	12,332	11,427
Limited partner Common Units, 82,687,402 and 79,066,272 outstanding, respectively	1,221,107	1,131,481
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(4,142)	(12,628)
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	4,735	4,753
Total Equity	1,234,032	1,135,033
Total Liabilities, Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership and Equity	$ 3,538,548	$ 3,349,525