Noncontrolling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
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				$ 144,009					$ 144,009
Adjustment of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership to fair value									(33,427)	$ (354)	$ 12,993
Conversions of Common Units to Common Stock									(4,043)	(511)	(3,057)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	$ 1,417	$ 902	$ 1,381	888	$ 1,557	$ 1,571	$ 1,043	$ 888	4,588	5,059	15,596
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership									(5,167)	(4,987)	(4,888)
Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership, ending balance	105,960				144,009				105,960	144,009
Net Income Available for Common Stockholders and Transfers From Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership
Net income available for common stockholders	53,048	$ 33,160	$ 50,686	32,449	56,570	$ 57,040	$ 37,589	31,674	169,343	182,873	521,789
Highwoods Properties, Inc. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership, beginning balance				$ 144,009				$ 144,802	144,009	144,802
Adjustment of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership to fair value									(33,427)	(354)
Conversions of Common Units to Common Stock									(4,043)	(511)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership									4,588	5,059
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership									(5,167)	(4,987)
Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership, ending balance	$ 105,960				$ 144,009				105,960	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									169,343	182,873	521,789
Increase in additional paid in capital from conversions of Common Units to Common Stock									4,043	511	3,057
Change from net income available for common stockholders and transfers from noncontrolling interests									$ 173,386	$ 183,384	$ 524,846