Earnings Per Share and Per Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 38,956	$ 41,394	$ 230,296	$ 49,780
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership from continuing operations	(1,017)	(1,044)	(5,977)	(1,237)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates from continuing operations	(289)	(306)	(574)	(622)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(622)	(622)	(1,244)	(1,244)
Net income available for common stockholders	$ 37,028	$ 39,422	$ 222,501	$ 46,677
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	103,886	103,693	103,849	103,647
Earnings per Common Share - basic:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.36	$ 0.38	$ 2.14	$ 0.45
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 38,956	$ 41,394	$ 230,296	$ 49,780
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(289)	(306)	(574)	(622)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(622)	(622)	(1,244)	(1,244)
Net income available for common stockholders before net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	$ 38,045	$ 40,466	$ 228,478	$ 47,914
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	103,886	103,693	103,849	103,647
Stock options using the treasury method (in shares)	2	19	13	20
Noncontrolling interests Common Units (in shares)	2,842	2,733	2,819	2,735
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Share - adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions (in shares)	106,730	106,445	106,681	106,402
Earnings per Common Share - diluted:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.36	$ 0.38	$ 2.14	$ 0.45
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 38,956	$ 41,394	$ 230,296	$ 49,780
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates from continuing operations	(289)	(306)	(574)	(622)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(622)	(622)	(1,244)	(1,244)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 38,045	$ 40,466	$ 228,478	$ 47,914
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	106,319	106,017	106,259	105,973
Earnings per Common Unit - basic:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.36	$ 0.38	$ 2.15	$ 0.45
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 38,956	$ 41,394	$ 230,296	$ 49,780
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(289)	(306)	(574)	(622)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(622)	(622)	(1,244)	(1,244)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 38,045	$ 40,466	$ 228,478	$ 47,914
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	106,319	106,017	106,259	105,973
Stock options using the treasury method (in shares)	2	19	13	20
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Unit - adjusted weighted average units and assumed conversions (in shares)	106,321	106,036	106,272	105,993
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.36	$ 0.38	$ 2.15	$ 0.45