Real Estate Assets Real Estate Assets Pro Forma (Details) - Pro Forma 2015 Acquisitions [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net [Abstract]
Real estate assets	$ 275,639		$ 275,639
Acquisition-related intangible assets (in deferred financing and leasing costs)	23,722		23,722
Acquisition-related below market lease liabilities (in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities)	(9,076)		(9,076)
Total allocation	$ 290,285		290,285
Highwoods Properties, Inc. [Member]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net [Abstract]
Proforma assumption date of acquisition	Jan. 01, 2013
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Abstract]
Pro forma revenues	$ 171,247	$ 159,944	505,107	$ 477,120
Pro forma net income	33,354	54,176	80,647	92,019
Pro forma net income available for common stockholders	$ 31,486	$ 51,585	$ 75,524	$ 86,173
Pro forma earnings per share - basic	$ 0.33	$ 0.57	$ 0.80	$ 0.95
Pro forma earnings per share - diluted	$ 0.33	$ 0.57	$ 0.80	$ 0.95