Earnings Per Share and Per Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 34,246	$ 33,485
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership from continuing operations	(888)	(888)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates from continuing operations	(286)	(300)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(623)	(623)
Net income available for common stockholders	$ 32,449	$ 31,674
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	103,324	101,738
Earnings per Common Share - basic:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.31
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 34,246	$ 33,485
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(286)	(300)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(623)	(623)
Net income available for common stockholders before net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	$ 33,337	$ 32,562
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	103,324	101,738
Stock options using the treasury method (in shares)	26	85
Noncontrolling interests Common Units (in shares)	2,815	2,838
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Share - adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions (in shares)	106,165	104,661
Earnings per Common Share - diluted:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.31
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 34,246	$ 33,485
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates from continuing operations	(286)	(300)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(623)	(623)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 33,337	$ 32,562
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	105,730	104,167
Earnings per Common Unit - basic:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.32	$ 0.31
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 34,246	$ 33,485
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(286)	(300)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(623)	(623)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 33,337	$ 32,562
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	105,730	104,167
Stock options using the treasury method (in shares)	26	85
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Unit - adjusted weighted average units and assumed conversions (in shares)	105,756	104,252
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.32	$ 0.31