Noncontrolling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Affiliates
Consolidated joint venture, partner's interest (in hundredths)	50.00%								50.00%
Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership, beginning balance				$ 130,048					$ 130,048
Adjustment of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership to fair value									67	$ 25,275	$ 11,375
Conversions of Common Units to Common Stock									(1,645)	(162)	(28,788)
Redemptions of Common Units									0	(93)	0
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	$ 622	$ 918	$ 782	596	$ 729	$ 1,673	$ 742	$ 398	2,918	3,542	4,691
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership									(4,959)	(4,994)	(5,667)
Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership, ending balance	126,429				130,048				126,429	130,048
Net Income Available for Common Stockholders and Transfers From Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership
Net income available for common stockholders	20,352	$ 29,749	$ 25,155	19,316	21,916	$ 51,708	$ 22,705	12,128	94,572	108,457	122,949
Highwoods Properties, Inc. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership, beginning balance				$ 130,048				$ 106,480	130,048	106,480
Adjustment of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership to fair value									67	25,275
Conversions of Common Units to Common Stock									(1,645)	(162)
Redemptions of Common Units									0	(93)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership									2,918	3,542
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership									(4,959)	(4,994)
Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership, ending balance	$ 126,429				$ 130,048				126,429	130,048	106,480
Net Income Available for Common Stockholders and Transfers From Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership
Net income available for common stockholders									94,572	108,457	122,949
Increase in additional paid in capital from conversions of Common Units to Common Stock									1,645	162	28,788
Change from net income available for common stockholders and transfers from noncontrolling interests									$ 96,217	$ 108,619	$ 151,737