Noncontrolling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
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				$ 144,802					$ 144,802
Adjustment of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership to fair value									(354)	$ 12,993	$ 67
Conversions of Common Units to Common Stock									(511)	(3,057)	(1,645)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	$ 1,557	$ 1,571	$ 1,043	888	$ 720	$ 926	$ 939	$ 13,011	5,059	15,596	2,918
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership									(4,987)	(4,888)	(4,959)
Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership, ending balance	144,009				144,802				144,009	144,802
Net Income Available for Common Stockholders and Transfers From Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership
Net income available for common stockholders	56,570	$ 57,040	$ 37,589	31,674	25,380	$ 31,971	$ 31,648	432,790	182,873	521,789	94,572
Highwoods Properties, Inc. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership, beginning balance				$ 144,802				$ 126,429	144,802	126,429
Adjustment of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership to fair value									(354)	12,993
Conversions of Common Units to Common Stock									(511)	(3,057)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership									5,059	15,596
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership									(4,987)	(7,159)
Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership, ending balance	$ 144,009				$ 144,802				144,009	144,802	126,429
Net Income Available for Common Stockholders and Transfers From Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership
Net income available for common stockholders									182,873	521,789	94,572
Increase in additional paid in capital from conversions of Common Units to Common Stock									511	3,057	1,645
Change from net income available for common stockholders and transfers from noncontrolling interests									$ 183,384	$ 524,846	$ 96,217