Equity (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Class of Stock [Line Items]

Schedule of Stock by Class, Preferred Stock

The following table sets forth the Company's Preferred Stock:

Preferred Stock Issuances	Issue Date	Number of Shares Outstanding	Carrying Value		Liquidation Preference Per Share		Optional Redemption Date	Annual Dividends Payable Per Share
		(in thousands)
December 31, 2015
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable	2/12/1997	29	$	29,050	$	1,000	2/12/2027	$	86.25
December 31, 2014
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable	2/12/1997	29	$	29,060	$	1,000	2/12/2027	$	86.25

The following table sets forth the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for future issuance under the Company's long-term equity incentive plans:

	December 31,
	2015	2014
Outstanding stock options and warrants	702,228	592,321
Possible future issuance under equity incentive plans	3,084,158	1,382,406
	3,786,386	1,974,727

Common Stock [Member]

Class of Stock [Line Items]

Schedule of Dividends Payable

The following table sets forth the Company's estimated taxability to the common stockholders of dividends per share for federal income tax purposes:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015		2014		2013
Ordinary income	$	1.50	$	1.31	$	1.28
Capital gains	0.13		0.29		0.26
Return of capital	0.07		0.10		0.16
Total	$	1.70	$	1.70	$	1.70

Preferred Stock [Member]

Class of Stock [Line Items]

Schedule of Dividends Payable

The following table sets forth the Company's estimated taxability to the preferred stockholders of dividends per share for federal income tax purposes:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015		2014		2013
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable:
Ordinary income	$	79.23	$	70.41	$	71.56
Capital gains	7.02		15.84		14.69
Total	$	86.25	$	86.25	$	86.25

Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]

Class of Stock [Line Items]

Schedule of Stock by Class, Preferred Stock

The following table sets forth the Operating Partnership's Preferred Units:

Preferred Unit Issuances	Issue Date	Number of Units Outstanding	Carrying Value		Liquidation Preference Per Unit		Optional Redemption Date	Annual Distributions Payable Per Unit
		(in thousands)
December 31, 2015
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable	2/12/1997	29	$	29,050	$	1,000	2/12/2027	$	86.25
December 31, 2014
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable	2/12/1997	29	$	29,060	$	1,000	2/12/2027	$	86.25