Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$ 541,139	$ 101,260	$ 115,972
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Unrealized gains on tax increment financing bond	0	445	584
Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges	5,703	(4,040)	(5,662)
Amortization of cash flow hedges	3,057	3,696	3,777
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	8,760	101	(1,301)
Total comprehensive income	549,899	101,361	114,671
Less-comprehensive (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(16,849)	(4,182)	(5,008)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders/unitholders	533,050	97,179	109,663
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Comprehensive income:
Net income	541,139	101,260	115,972
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Unrealized gains on tax increment financing bond	0	445	584
Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges	5,703	(4,040)	(5,662)
Amortization of cash flow hedges	3,057	3,696	3,777
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	8,760	101	(1,301)
Total comprehensive income	549,899	101,361	114,671
Less-comprehensive (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,253)	(1,264)	(1,466)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders/unitholders	$ 548,646	$ 100,097	$ 113,205