Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Comprehensive income/(loss):
Net income	$ 101,260	$ 115,972	$ 131,097
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Unrealized gains on tax increment financing bond	445	584	869
Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges	(4,040)	(5,662)	5,778
Amortization of cash flow hedges	3,696	3,777	3,370
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	101	(1,301)	10,017
Total comprehensive income	101,361	114,671	141,114
Less-comprehensive (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(4,182)	(5,008)	(5,640)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders/unitholders	97,179	109,663	135,474
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Comprehensive income/(loss):
Net income	101,260	115,972	131,046
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Unrealized gains on tax increment financing bond	445	584	869
Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges	(4,040)	(5,662)	5,778
Amortization of cash flow hedges	3,696	3,777	3,370
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	101	(1,301)	10,017
Total comprehensive income	101,361	114,671	141,063
Less-comprehensive (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,264)	(1,466)	(949)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders/unitholders	$ 100,097	$ 113,205	$ 140,114