Name:	hiw_AdditionalBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	hiw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Percentage of partner's interest in asset acquired.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageofPartnersInterestinAssetAcquired
Namespace Prefix:	hiw_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The minimum amount of any indebtedness or guarantee for which if we fail to make a required payment that we would be in cross-default of our interest rate swaps.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_CrossDefaultMinimumThreshold
Namespace Prefix:	hiw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The number of days to cure a default to remain in compliance with debt covenants.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_DebtInstrumentCovenantComplianceDaysToCure
Namespace Prefix:	hiw_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Percentage of holders of bonds needed to accelerate repayment should there be an event of default.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_DebtInstrumentCovenantCompliancePercentageOfHoldersOfBonds
Namespace Prefix:	hiw_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Percentage of lenders in credit facility needed to accelerate repayment should there be an event of default.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_DebtInstrumentCovenantCompliancePercentageOfLendersInRevolvingCreditFacility
Namespace Prefix:	hiw_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The amount of capitalized costs associated with the issuance of a debt instrument.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_DebtInstrumentFinancingFees
Namespace Prefix:	hiw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The amount of debt discount that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_DebtInstrumentOriginalUnamortizedDiscount
Namespace Prefix:	hiw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Amount paid to repurchase unsecured notes, stated as a percentage of par value.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_DebtInstrumentParValuePurchaseAmountPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	hiw_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Amount after accumulated amortization of debt issuance costs. Includes, but not limited to, legal, accounting, underwriting, printing, and registration costs.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_DebtIssuanceCostsNet
Namespace Prefix:	hiw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The gross book value of real estate assets that were previously used to secure certain mortgages and notes payable.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_GrossBookValueOfUnencumberedRealEstateAssets
Namespace Prefix:	hiw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Latest anticipated closing date of a planned secured loan, in CCYY/MM/DD format.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_LatestAnticipatedClosingDate
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Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Reflects when the credit facility terminates, which is presented in a variety of ways (years, month and year, day, month, and year, quarter).

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_LineOfCreditFacilityDateOfExpiration
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Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Maximum period of time (in years) for liquidity requirements to be considered short term.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_MaximumLiquidityRequirements
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Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The number of optional extensions available to extend the loan maturity date.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_NumberOfAdditionalExtensions
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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Percentage of amount that exceeds the outstanding principal of the first mortgage note and the funds deposited into escrow, including a stated return on such funds.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_PercentageOfExcessFundsAfterWaterfallPayments
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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Anticipated amount of additional borrowing capacity expected to be borrowed under a planned expansion of an existing term loan, subject to definitive documentation and customary conditions.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_PlannedExpansionofExistingTermLoan
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Stated return on funds deposited in escrow.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_StatedReturnOnFundsDepositedInEscrow
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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The term of the debt instrument, in years.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_TermOfDebtInstrument
Namespace Prefix:	hiw_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The period for which there is an option to extend the maturity date of the facility, debt instrument or loan receivable, in years.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_Termofoptionalextension
Namespace Prefix:	hiw_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The undepreciated book value of real estate assets that are used to secure certain mortgages and notes payable.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_UndepreciatedValueOfSecuredAssets
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Aggregate notional amount specified by the derivative(s). Expressed as an absolute value.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 12
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Period Type:	instant

The amount of financial liabilities assumed (as defined) which have been recognized as of the acquisition date.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financial Liability
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Period Type:	instant

Amount of the total principal payments made during the annual reporting period.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The reference rate for the variable rate of the debt instrument, such as LIBOR or the US Treasury rate and the maturity of the reference rate used, such as three months or six months LIBOR.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentDescriptionOfVariableRateBasis
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Period Type:	duration

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium.

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
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Period Type:	instant

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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Period Type:	duration

Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

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Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt discount.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt premium.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Fixed interest rate related to the interest rate derivative.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeFixedInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Gross amount of debt extinguished.

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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-SubTopic 10
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-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of interest capitalized, including amount of allowance for funds used during construction.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6504829

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 980
-SubTopic 835
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6501662&loc=d3e56162-110433

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_InterestCostsIncurredCapitalizedAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for the line of credit facility regardless of whether the facility has been used.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Description of the interest rate for the amounts borrowed under the credit facility, including the terms and the method for determining the interest rate (for example, fixed or variable, LIBOR plus a percentage, increasing rate, timing of interest rate resets, remarketing provisions).

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateDescription
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding).

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-04.(a))
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Period Type:	instant

Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive
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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour
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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Period Type:	instant

Maximum length of time over which the entity is hedging its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions, excluding those forecasted transactions related to the payment of variable interest on existing financial instruments, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
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Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of all notes and loans payable (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
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Name:	us-gaap_NotesAndLoansPayable
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Period Type:	instant

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. This element is for unclassified presentations; for classified presentations there is a separate and distinct element.

Name:	us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Period Type:	instant

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Namespace Prefix:
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Namespace Prefix:
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Balance Type:
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Namespace Prefix:
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
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