Disclosure About Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets:
Mortgages and notes receivable, at fair value	$ 1,501			$ 5,599
Interest rate swaps (in prepaid expenses and other assets)				1,146
Marketable securities of non-qualified deferred compensation plan (in prepaid expenses and other assets)	2,345			1,849
Impaired real estate assets				10,252
Total Assets	3,846			18,846
Liabilities:
Mortgages and notes payable, net, at fair value	2,615,776			2,056,248
Interest rate swaps (in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities)	154			3,581
Non-qualified deferred compensation obligation (in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities)	2,345			1,849	$ 2,388	$ 2,451
Total Liabilities	2,618,275			2,061,678
Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Mortgages and notes receivable, at fair value	0			0
Interest rate swaps (in prepaid expenses and other assets)				0
Marketable securities of non-qualified deferred compensation plan (in prepaid expenses and other assets)	2,345			1,849
Impaired real estate assets				0
Total Assets	2,345			1,849
Liabilities:
Mortgages and notes payable, net, at fair value	0			0
Interest rate swaps (in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities)	0			0
Non-qualified deferred compensation obligation (in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities)	2,345			1,849
Total Liabilities	2,345			1,849
Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Mortgages and notes receivable, at fair value	1,501			5,599
Interest rate swaps (in prepaid expenses and other assets)				1,146
Marketable securities of non-qualified deferred compensation plan (in prepaid expenses and other assets)	0			0
Impaired real estate assets				0
Total Assets	1,501			6,745
Liabilities:
Mortgages and notes payable, net, at fair value	2,615,776			2,056,248
Interest rate swaps (in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities)	154			3,581
Non-qualified deferred compensation obligation (in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities)	0			0
Total Liabilities	2,615,930			2,059,829
Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Mortgages and notes receivable, at fair value	0			0
Interest rate swaps (in prepaid expenses and other assets)				0
Marketable securities of non-qualified deferred compensation plan (in prepaid expenses and other assets)	0			0
Impaired real estate assets		$ 7,600	$ 700	10,252
Total Assets	0			10,252
Liabilities:
Mortgages and notes payable, net, at fair value	0			0
Interest rate swaps (in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities)	0			0
Non-qualified deferred compensation obligation (in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities)	0			0
Total Liabilities	0			0
Highwoods Properties, Inc. [Member]
Assets:
Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership	133,216			105,960
Highwoods Properties, Inc. [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership	133,216			105,960
Highwoods Properties, Inc. [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership	0			0
Highwoods Properties, Inc. [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership	$ 0			$ 0