Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Rental and other revenues	$ 736,900	$ 735,979	$ 720,035
Operating expenses:
Rental property and other expenses	231,825	248,511	242,415
Depreciation and amortization	241,585	254,504	229,955
Impairments of real estate assets	1,778	5,849	423
General and administrative	41,031	44,067	40,006
Total operating expenses	516,219	552,931	512,799
Interest expense	80,962	81,648	71,422
Other income/(loss)	(1,707)	(2,510)	1,940
Gains on disposition of property	215,897	39,517	37,638
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	4,005	3,276	2,238
Net income	357,914	141,683	177,630
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(9,338)	(3,551)	(4,588)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(1,174)	(1,214)	(1,207)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(2,488)	(2,488)	(2,492)
Net income available for common stockholders	$ 344,914	$ 134,430	$ 169,343
Earnings per Common Share - basic:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 3.32	$ 1.30	$ 1.64
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	103,876	103,692	103,439
Earnings per Common Share - diluted:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 3.32	$ 1.30	$ 1.64
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	106,714	106,445	106,268
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Rental and other revenues	$ 736,900	$ 735,979	$ 720,035
Operating expenses:
Rental property and other expenses	231,825	248,511	242,415
Depreciation and amortization	241,585	254,504	229,955
Impairments of real estate assets	1,778	5,849	423
General and administrative	41,031	44,067	40,006
Total operating expenses	516,219	552,931	512,799
Interest expense	80,962	81,648	71,422
Other income/(loss)	(1,707)	(2,510)	1,940
Gains on disposition of property	215,897	39,517	37,638
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	4,005	3,276	2,238
Net income	357,914	141,683	177,630
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(1,174)	(1,214)	(1,207)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(2,488)	(2,488)	(2,492)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 354,252	$ 137,981	$ 173,931
Earnings per Common Unit - basic:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 3.33	$ 1.30	$ 1.64
Weighted average Common Units outstanding - basic (in shares)	106,297	106,014	105,826
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 3.33	$ 1.30	$ 1.64
Weighted average Common Units outstanding - diluted (in shares)	106,305	106,036	105,859