Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013 sqft	Jun. 30, 2013 sqft	Dec. 31, 2012
Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
In-service office, industrial and retail properties (in units)	291	291
Square footage of commercial property (in sq feet)	29,600,000	29,600,000
Undeveloped land suitable for future development (in acres)	634	634
Undeveloped land considered core holdings (in acres)	566	566
Office properties under/planned for development (in units)	2	2
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum (in hundredths)	50.00%	50.00%
Number of real estate properties not wholly owned (in units)	30	30
Area of undeveloped land not wholly owned (in acres)	11	11
Number of directors of the Company who are also limited partners	2	2
Common Units redeemed for a like number of common shares of stock (in shares)		72,471
Highwoods Properties, Inc. [Member]
Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in joint venture not owned by Operating Partership	12.50%	12.50%
Square footage of real estate property not owned by Operating Partnership (in sq feet)	261,000	261,000
Common Units of partnership owned by the Company (in shares)	83,600,000	83,600,000
Percentage of ownership of Common Units	95.80%	95.80%	95.60%
Number of Common Stock sold at the market during period (in shares)	1,756,590	3,056,381
Average price of Common Stock sold at the market during period (in dollars per share)	$ 38.32	$ 37.31
Net proceeds of Common Stock sold at the market during period	$ 66.3	$ 112.3
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Common Units of partnership not owned by the Company (in shares)	3,700,000	3,700,000