Earnings Per Share and Per Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 29,557	$ 35,009	$ 79,337	$ 122,253
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership from continuing operations	(737)	(902)	(1,974)	(3,171)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates from continuing operations	(297)	(324)	(919)	(918)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(622)	(623)	(1,866)	(1,869)
Net income available for common stockholders	$ 27,901	$ 33,160	$ 74,578	$ 116,295
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	103,727	103,471	103,674	103,408
Earnings per Common Share - basic:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.27	$ 0.32	$ 0.72	$ 1.12
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 29,557	$ 35,009	$ 79,337	$ 122,253
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(297)	(324)	(919)	(918)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(622)	(623)	(1,866)	(1,869)
Net income available for common stockholders before net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	$ 28,638	$ 34,062	$ 76,552	$ 119,466
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	103,727	103,471	103,674	103,408
Stock options using the treasury method (in shares)	16	58	18	39
Noncontrolling interests Common Units (in shares)	2,728	2,804	2,733	2,809
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Share - adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions (in shares)	106,471	106,333	106,425	106,256
Earnings per Common Share - diluted:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.27	$ 0.32	$ 0.72	$ 1.12
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 29,557	$ 35,009	$ 79,337	$ 122,253
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates from continuing operations	(297)	(324)	(919)	(918)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(622)	(623)	(1,866)	(1,869)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 28,638	$ 34,062	$ 76,552	$ 119,466
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	106,046	105,866	105,998	105,808
Earnings per Common Unit - basic:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.27	$ 0.32	$ 0.72	$ 1.13
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 29,557	$ 35,009	$ 79,337	$ 122,253
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(297)	(324)	(919)	(918)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(622)	(623)	(1,866)	(1,869)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 28,638	$ 34,062	$ 76,552	$ 119,466
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	106,046	105,866	105,998	105,808
Stock options using the treasury method (in shares)	16	58	18	39
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Unit - adjusted weighted average units and assumed conversions (in shares)	106,062	105,924	106,016	105,847
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.27	$ 0.32	$ 0.72	$ 1.13