XML 50 R56.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Jan. 30, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Mortgages and notes payable $ 2,071,389,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable $ 1,956,299,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable    
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
2015 44,145,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths      
2016 157,786,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo      
2017 488,279,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree      
2018 408,305,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour      
2019 424,305,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive      
Thereafter 548,569,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalAfterYearFive      
Total scheduled future principal payments 2,071,389,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable 1,956,299,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable    
Gross book value of unencumbered real estate assets 250,700,000hiw_GrossBookValueOfUnencumberedRealEstateAssets      
Annual repayments through principal amortization 7,900,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAnnualPrincipalPayment      
Gains/(losses) on debt extinguishment (308,000)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt (199,000)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt (973,000)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt  
Lender covenant compliance to accelerate outstanding borrowings 51.00%hiw_DebtInstrumentCovenantCompliancePercentageOfLendersInRevolvingCreditFacility      
Holders covenant compliance of bonds 25.00%hiw_DebtInstrumentCovenantCompliancePercentageOfHoldersOfBonds      
Uncured covenant compliance default period 60 days      
Capitalized Interest [Abstract]        
Capitalized Interest 5,300,000us-gaap_InterestCostsIncurredCapitalized 2,700,000us-gaap_InterestCostsIncurredCapitalized 1,000,000us-gaap_InterestCostsIncurredCapitalized  
5.21% (3.11% effective rate) Mortgage Loan due 2014 [Member]        
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Early repayment of debt 123,700,000us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A5.213.11effectiverateMortgageLoandue2014Member
     
Scheduled maturity date Jul. 01, 2014      
Interest rate, basis spread 3.11%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A5.213.11effectiverateMortgageLoandue2014Member
     
3.50% (3.34% effective rate) Mortgage Loan due 2015 [Member]        
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Early repayment of debt 36,900,000us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A3.503.34effectiverateMortgageLoandue2015Member
     
Scheduled maturity date Apr. 01, 2015      
Interest rate, basis spread 3.34%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A3.503.34effectiverateMortgageLoandue2015Member
     
Gains/(losses) on debt extinguishment (300,000)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A3.503.34effectiverateMortgageLoandue2015Member
     
5.85% (5.88% effective rate) Notes due 2017 [Member]        
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Scheduled maturity date     Mar. 15, 2017  
Interest rate, basis spread     5.85%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A585588EffectiveRateNotesDue2017Member
 
Purchase price of debt (in hundredths)     107.50%hiw_DebtInstrumentParValuePurchaseAmountPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A585588EffectiveRateNotesDue2017Member
 
Principal amount of repurchased debt     12,100,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchaseAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A585588EffectiveRateNotesDue2017Member
 
Gains/(losses) on debt extinguishment     (1,000,000)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A585588EffectiveRateNotesDue2017Member
 
3.20% (3.363% effective rate) Notes due 2021 [Member]        
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Principal amount of debt 300,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A3.203.363effectiverateNotesdue2021Member
     
Scheduled maturity date Jun. 15, 2021      
Interest rate, basis spread 3.20%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A3.203.363effectiverateNotesdue2021Member
     
Current interest rate (in hundredths) 3.363%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A3.203.363effectiverateNotesdue2021Member
     
Purchase price of debt (in hundredths) 98.983%hiw_DebtInstrumentParValuePurchaseAmountPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A3.203.363effectiverateNotesdue2021Member
     
Original issuance discount 3,100,000hiw_DebtInstrumentOriginalUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A3.203.363effectiverateNotesdue2021Member
     
Deferred financing fees 2,400,000hiw_DebtInstrumentFinancingFees
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A3.203.363effectiverateNotesdue2021Member
     
3.625% (3.752% effective rate) Notes due 2023 [Member]        
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Principal amount of debt     250,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A36253752EffectiveRateNotesDue2023Member
 
Scheduled maturity date     Jan. 15, 2023  
Interest rate, basis spread     3.625%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A36253752EffectiveRateNotesDue2023Member
 
Current interest rate (in hundredths)     3.752%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A36253752EffectiveRateNotesDue2023Member
 
Purchase price of debt (in hundredths)     98.94%hiw_DebtInstrumentParValuePurchaseAmountPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A36253752EffectiveRateNotesDue2023Member
 
Original issuance discount     2,700,000hiw_DebtInstrumentOriginalUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A36253752EffectiveRateNotesDue2023Member
 
Deferred financing fees     2,100,000hiw_DebtInstrumentFinancingFees
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A36253752EffectiveRateNotesDue2023Member
 
Variable Rate Term Loan (1) due 2019 [Member]        
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Principal amount of debt   200,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_VariableRateTermLoan1due2019Member
   
Scheduled maturity date   Jan. 01, 2019    
Interest rate basis   LIBOR plus 120 basis points    
Interest rate, basis spread   1.20%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_VariableRateTermLoan1due2019Member
   
Deferred financing fees   400,000hiw_DebtInstrumentFinancingFees
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_VariableRateTermLoan1due2019Member
   
Variable Rate Term Loan (2) due 2019 [Member]        
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Principal amount of debt     225,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_VariableRateTermLoan2due2019Member
 
Term of debt instrument (in years)     7 years  
Interest rate basis     LIBOR plus 190 basis points  
Interest rate, basis spread     1.90%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_VariableRateTermLoan2due2019Member
 
Revolving Credit Facility due 2018 [Member]        
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Maximum borrowing capacity on revolving credit facility 475,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
     
Maturity date on revolving credit facility Jan. 01, 2018      
Additional borrowing capacity on revolving credit facility 75,000,000hiw_AdditionalBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
     
Number of additional maturity extensions 2hiw_NumberOfAdditionalExtensions
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
     
Term of optional extensions 6 months      
Interest rate LIBOR plus 110 basis points      
Annual facility fee (in hundredths) 0.20%us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
     
Amount outstanding on revolving credit facility 209,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
     
Outstanding letters of credit on revolving credit facility 100,000us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
     
Unused borrowing capacity on revolving credit facility 265,900,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
     
Interest rate, basis spread 1.10%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
     
5.94% (3.32% effective rate) Mortgage Loan due 2014 [Member]        
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Early repayment of debt 7,200,000us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A5.943.32effectiverateMortgageLoandue2014Member
     
Scheduled maturity date Aug. 01, 2014      
Interest rate, basis spread 3.32%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A5.943.32effectiverateMortgageLoandue2014Member
     
Gains/(losses) on debt extinguishment 100,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A5.943.32effectiverateMortgageLoandue2014Member
     
5.45% (5.12% effective rate) Mortgage Loan due 2014 [Member]        
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Principal amount of debt   67,500,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A545512EffectiveRateMortgageLoanDue2014Member
   
Scheduled maturity date Jan. 01, 2014      
Interest rate, basis spread 5.12%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A545512EffectiveRateMortgageLoanDue2014Member
     
5.68% and 6.48% Mortgage Loans Due 2013 [Member]        
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Early repayment of debt   114,700,000us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A5.68and6.48MortgageLoansDue2013Member
   
Number of debt instruments repaid   2hiw_DebtInstrumentsNumberofLoans
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A5.68and6.48MortgageLoansDue2013Member
   
Scheduled maturity date   Dec. 01, 2013    
Interest rate, basis spread   5.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A5.68and6.48MortgageLoansDue2013Member
   
Gains/(losses) on debt extinguishment   (100,000)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A5.68and6.48MortgageLoansDue2013Member
   
Consolidated Affiliate 5.74% to 5.89% Mortgage Loans Due 2014 [Member]        
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Early repayment of debt   32,300,000us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_ConsolidatedAffiliate5.74to5.89MortgageLoansDue2014Member
   
Number of debt instruments repaid   4hiw_DebtInstrumentsNumberofLoans
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_ConsolidatedAffiliate5.74to5.89MortgageLoansDue2014Member
   
Scheduled maturity date   Jan. 01, 2014    
Interest rate, basis spread   5.79%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_ConsolidatedAffiliate5.74to5.89MortgageLoansDue2014Member
   
Variable Rate Term Loan due 2016 [Member]        
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Early repayment of debt   35,000,000.0us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_VariableRateTermLoanDue2016Member
   
Principal amount of debt   200,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_VariableRateTermLoanDue2016Member
   
Scheduled maturity date     Feb. 01, 2016  
Interest rate basis     LIBOR plus 220 basis points  
Interest rate, basis spread     2.20%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_VariableRateTermLoanDue2016Member
 
Gains/(losses) on debt extinguishment   (200,000)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_VariableRateTermLoanDue2016Member
   
Variable Rate Construction Loan due 2012 [Member]        
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Repayment of loans at maturity     52,100,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfUnsecuredDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_ConstructionLoanPayableMember
 
Interest rate, basis spread     1.07%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_ConstructionLoanPayableMember
 
6.03% Mortgage Loan due 2013 [Member]        
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Early repayment of debt     123,000,000us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A603MortgageLoanDue2013Member
 
Scheduled maturity date     Mar. 01, 2013  
Interest rate, basis spread     6.03%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A603MortgageLoanDue2013Member
 
Consolidated Affiliate 6.06% Mortgage Loan due 2012 [Member]        
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Principal amount of debt     20,800,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_ConsolidatedAffiliate606MortgageLoanDue2012Member
 
Scheduled maturity date     Oct. 01, 2012  
Interest rate, basis spread     6.06%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_ConsolidatedAffiliate606MortgageLoanDue2012Member
 
Variable Rate Term Loan due 2018 [Member]        
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Principal amount of debt     200,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_VariableRateTermLoandue2018Member
 
Term of debt instrument (in years)     5 years  
Scheduled maturity date     Jan. 01, 2018  
Interest rate basis     LIBOR plus 165 basis points  
Interest rate, basis spread     1.65%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_VariableRateTermLoandue2018Member
 
Deferred financing fees     900,000hiw_DebtInstrumentFinancingFees
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_VariableRateTermLoandue2018Member
 
Secured indebtedness [Member]        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Mortgages and notes payable 312,868,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
[1] 488,664,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
[1]    
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Total scheduled future principal payments 312,868,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
[1] 488,664,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
[1]    
Aggregate undepreciated book value of secured real estate assets 580,600,000hiw_UndepreciatedValueOfSecuredAssets
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
     
Secured indebtedness [Member] | 5.21% (3.11% effective rate) Mortgage Loan due 2014 [Member]        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Mortgages and notes payable 0us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A5.213.11effectiverateMortgageLoandue2014Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
[2] 125,247,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A5.213.11effectiverateMortgageLoandue2014Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
[2]    
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Total scheduled future principal payments 0us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A5.213.11effectiverateMortgageLoandue2014Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
[2] 125,247,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A5.213.11effectiverateMortgageLoandue2014Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
[2]    
Unamortized premium   700,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremium
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A5.213.11effectiverateMortgageLoandue2014Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
   
Secured indebtedness [Member] | 5.17% (6.43% effective rate) Mortage Loan due 2015 [Member]        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Mortgages and notes payable 39,324,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A517643EffectiveRateMortageLoanDue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
[3] 39,609,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A517643EffectiveRateMortageLoanDue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
[3]    
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Total scheduled future principal payments 39,324,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A517643EffectiveRateMortageLoanDue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
[3] 39,609,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A517643EffectiveRateMortageLoanDue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
[3]    
Unamortized discount 400,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A517643EffectiveRateMortageLoanDue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
800,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A517643EffectiveRateMortageLoanDue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
   
Secured indebtedness [Member] | 3.50% (3.34% effective rate) Mortgage Loan due 2015 [Member]        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Mortgages and notes payable 0us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A3.503.34effectiverateMortgageLoandue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
[4] 37,340,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A3.503.34effectiverateMortgageLoandue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
[4]    
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Total scheduled future principal payments 0us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A3.503.34effectiverateMortgageLoandue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
[4] 37,340,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A3.503.34effectiverateMortgageLoandue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
[4]    
Unamortized premium   100,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremium
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A3.503.34effectiverateMortgageLoandue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
   
Secured indebtedness [Member] | 6.88% Mortgage Loan due 2016 [Member]        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Mortgages and notes payable 107,556,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A688MortgageLoanDue2016Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
109,167,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A688MortgageLoanDue2016Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
   
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Total scheduled future principal payments 107,556,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A688MortgageLoanDue2016Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
109,167,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A688MortgageLoanDue2016Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
   
Secured indebtedness [Member] | 7.50% Mortgage Loan due 2016 [Member]        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Mortgages and notes payable 44,501,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A750MortgageLoanDue2016Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
45,103,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A750MortgageLoanDue2016Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
   
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Total scheduled future principal payments 44,501,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A750MortgageLoanDue2016Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
45,103,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A750MortgageLoanDue2016Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
   
Secured indebtedness [Member] | 5.10%(4.22% effective rate) Mortgage Loan due 2017 [Member]        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Mortgages and notes payable 115,229,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A5.104.22effectiverateMortgageLoandue2017Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
[5] 118,126,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A5.104.22effectiverateMortgageLoandue2017Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
[5]    
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Total scheduled future principal payments 115,229,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A5.104.22effectiverateMortgageLoandue2017Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
[5] 118,126,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A5.104.22effectiverateMortgageLoandue2017Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
[5]    
Unamortized premium 2,700,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremium
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A5.104.22effectiverateMortgageLoandue2017Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
3,600,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremium
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A5.104.22effectiverateMortgageLoandue2017Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
   
Secured indebtedness [Member] | 5.74% to 8.15% Mortgage Loans due between 2014 and 2016 [Member]        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Mortgages and notes payable 6,258,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A5.74to8.15MortgageLoansduebetween2014and2016Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
[6] 14,072,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A5.74to8.15MortgageLoansduebetween2014and2016Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
[6]    
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Total scheduled future principal payments 6,258,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A5.74to8.15MortgageLoansduebetween2014and2016Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
[6] 14,072,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A5.74to8.15MortgageLoansduebetween2014and2016Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
[6]    
Unamortized premium 100,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremium
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A5.74to8.15MortgageLoansduebetween2014and2016Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
300,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremium
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A5.74to8.15MortgageLoansduebetween2014and2016Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
   
Unsecured indebtedness [Member]        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Mortgages and notes payable 1,758,521,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
1,467,635,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
   
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Total scheduled future principal payments 1,758,521,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
1,467,635,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
   
Unsecured indebtedness [Member] | 5.85% (5.88% effective rate) Notes due 2017 [Member]        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Mortgages and notes payable 379,427,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A585588EffectiveRateNotesDue2017Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
[7] 379,311,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A585588EffectiveRateNotesDue2017Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
[7]    
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Total scheduled future principal payments 379,427,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A585588EffectiveRateNotesDue2017Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
[7] 379,311,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A585588EffectiveRateNotesDue2017Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
[7]    
Unamortized discount 300,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A585588EffectiveRateNotesDue2017Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
400,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A585588EffectiveRateNotesDue2017Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
   
Unsecured indebtedness [Member] | 7.50% Notes due 2018 [Member]        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Mortgages and notes payable 200,000,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A750NotesDue2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
200,000,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A750NotesDue2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
   
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Total scheduled future principal payments 200,000,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A750NotesDue2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
200,000,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A750NotesDue2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
   
Unsecured indebtedness [Member] | 3.20% (3.363% effective rate) Notes due 2021 [Member]        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Mortgages and notes payable 297,207,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A3.203.363effectiverateNotesdue2021Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
[8] 0us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A3.203.363effectiverateNotesdue2021Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
[8]    
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Total scheduled future principal payments 297,207,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A3.203.363effectiverateNotesdue2021Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
[8] 0us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A3.203.363effectiverateNotesdue2021Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
[8]    
Unamortized discount 2,800,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A3.203.363effectiverateNotesdue2021Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
     
Unsecured indebtedness [Member] | 3.625% (3.752% effective rate) Notes due 2023 [Member]        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Mortgages and notes payable 247,887,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A36253752EffectiveRateNotesDue2023Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
[9] 247,624,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A36253752EffectiveRateNotesDue2023Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
[9]    
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Total scheduled future principal payments 247,887,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A36253752EffectiveRateNotesDue2023Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
[9] 247,624,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A36253752EffectiveRateNotesDue2023Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
[9]    
Unamortized discount 2,100,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A36253752EffectiveRateNotesDue2023Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
2,400,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_A36253752EffectiveRateNotesDue2023Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
   
Unsecured indebtedness [Member] | Variable Rate Term Loan (1) due 2019 [Member]        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Mortgages and notes payable 200,000,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_VariableRateTermLoan1due2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
[10] 200,000,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_VariableRateTermLoan1due2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
[10]    
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Total scheduled future principal payments 200,000,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_VariableRateTermLoan1due2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
[10] 200,000,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_VariableRateTermLoan1due2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
[10]    
Current interest rate (in hundredths) 1.36%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_VariableRateTermLoan1due2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
     
Unsecured indebtedness [Member] | Variable Rate Term Loan (2) due 2019 [Member]        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Mortgages and notes payable 225,000,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_VariableRateTermLoan2due2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
[11] 225,000,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_VariableRateTermLoan2due2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
[11]    
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Total scheduled future principal payments 225,000,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_VariableRateTermLoan2due2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
[11] 225,000,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_VariableRateTermLoan2due2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
[11]    
Current interest rate (in hundredths) 3.43%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= hiw_VariableRateTermLoan2due2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
     
Unsecured indebtedness [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility due 2018 [Member]        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Mortgages and notes payable 209,000,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
[12] 215,700,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
[12]    
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Total scheduled future principal payments 209,000,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
[12] 215,700,000us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
[12]    
Current interest rate (in hundredths) 1.26%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
     
Subsequent Event [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility due 2018 [Member]        
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]        
Amount outstanding on revolving credit facility       212,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Outstanding letters of credit on revolving credit facility       200,000us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Unused borrowing capacity on revolving credit facility       $ 262,800,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
[1] Our secured mortgage loans were collateralized by real estate assets with an aggregate undepreciated book value of $580.6 million at December 31, 2014. Our fixed rate mortgage loans generally are either locked out to prepayment for all or a portion of their term or are prepayable subject to certain conditions including prepayment penalties.
[2] Net of unamortized fair market value premium of $0.7 million as of December 31, 2013. This debt was repaid in 2014.
[3] Net of unamortized fair market value discount of $0.4 million and $0.8 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
[4] Net of unamortized fair market value premium of $0.1 million as of December 31, 2013. This debt was repaid in 2014.
[5] Net of unamortized fair market premium of $2.7 million and $3.6 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
[6] Net of unamortized fair market value premium of $0.1 million and $0.3 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
[7] Net of unamortized original issuance discount of $0.3 million and $0.4 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
[8] Net of unamortized original issuance discount of $2.8 million as of December 31, 2014.
[9] Net of unamortized original issuance discount of $2.1 million and $2.4 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
[10] The interest rate is 1.36% at December 31, 2014.
[11] As more fully described in Note 7, we entered into floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps that effectively fix LIBOR for the full amount and duration of this loan. Accordingly, the equivalent fixed rate of this loan is 3.43%.
[12] The interest rate is 1.26% at December 31, 2014.