Investments In and Advances To Unconsolidated Affiliates (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) property	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)
Income Statements:
Rental and other revenues	$ 12,323			$ 12,425	$ 36,977	$ 37,703
Expenses:
Rental property and other expenses	5,985			6,441	17,683	18,880
Depreciation and amortization	3,193			3,281	9,418	10,098
Interest expense	1,645			2,201	5,826	6,713
Total expenses	10,823			11,923	32,927	35,691
Income before disposition of property	1,500			502	4,050	2,012
Gains on disposition of property	0			0	18,181	1,949
Net income	$ 1,500			502	$ 22,231	3,961
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum (in hundredths)	50.00%				50.00%
Gain recorded on disposition of investment in unconsolidated affiliate	$ 4,155			$ 0	$ 4,155	$ 0
SF-Harborview Plaza, LP Joint Venture [Member]
Expenses:
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum (in hundredths)	20.00%				20.00%
Proceeds received from disposition of property	$ 6,900
Gain recorded on disposition of investment in unconsolidated affiliate	4,200
Advances to affiliate loan amount	$ 20,800				$ 20,800
Highwoods DLF 98/29, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Expenses:
Gains on disposition of property		$ 13,700
Our share of gains on disposition of property		3,100
Highwoods KC Glenridge Office, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Expenses:
Gains on disposition of property		$ 2,400
Number of buildings sold | property		2
Proceeds received from disposition of property		$ 24,500
Closing credits for unfunded tenant improvements		300
Our share of gains on disposition of property		$ 900
Highwoods DLF 97/26 DLF 99/32, LP Joint Venture [Member]
Expenses:
Gains on disposition of property			$ 2,100
Proceeds received from disposition of property			7,000
Our share of gains on disposition of property			$ 1,100