Noncontrolling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership, beginning balance				$ 133,216					$ 133,216
Adjustment of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership to fair value									(30,617)	$ 29,557	$ (33,427)
Conversions of Common Units to Common Stock									(145)	(663)	(4,043)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	$ 2,254	$ 1,107	$ 1,017	4,960	$ 1,577	$ 737	$ 1,044	$ 193	9,338	3,551	4,588
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership									(5,456)	(5,189)	(5,167)
Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership, ending balance	112,499				133,216				112,499	133,216
Net Income Available for Common Stockholders and Transfers From Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership
Net income available for common stockholders	$ 82,109	$ 40,304	$ 37,028	185,473	59,852	$ 27,901	$ 39,422	7,255	$ 344,914	134,430	169,343
Ownership Percentage [Member]
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Affiliates
Consolidated joint venture, partner's interest (in hundredths)	50.00%								50.00%
Highwoods Properties, Inc. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership, beginning balance				$ 133,216				$ 105,960	$ 133,216	105,960
Adjustment of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership to fair value									(30,617)	29,557
Isssuances of Common Units									6,163	0
Conversions of Common Units to Common Stock									(145)	(663)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership									9,338	3,551
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership									(5,456)	(5,189)
Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership, ending balance	$ 112,499				$ 133,216				112,499	133,216	105,960
Net Income Available for Common Stockholders and Transfers From Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership
Net income available for common stockholders									344,914	134,430	169,343
Increase in additional paid in capital from conversions of Common Units to Common Stock									145	663	4,043
Issuances of Common Units									(6,163)	0	0
Change from net income available for common stockholders and transfers from noncontrolling interests									$ 338,896	$ 135,093	$ 173,386
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Ownership Percentage [Member]
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Affiliates
Consolidated joint venture, partner's interest (in hundredths)	20.00%				20.00%				20.00%	20.00%