Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Rental and other revenues	$ 185,502	$ 183,153	$ 369,307	$ 375,953
Operating expenses:
Rental property and other expenses	56,226	55,119	112,415	117,321
Depreciation and amortization	61,949	59,461	122,876	120,611
Impairments of real estate assets	0	1,778	0	1,778
General and administrative	10,107	10,084	20,059	21,014
Total operating expenses	128,282	126,442	255,350	260,724
Interest expense	19,001	19,840	38,769	41,117
Other income	332	588	644	657
Gains on disposition of property	22,862	318	41,799	153,385
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	431	1,179	1,068	2,142
Net income	61,844	38,956	118,699	230,296
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(1,624)	(1,017)	(3,117)	(5,977)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(294)	(289)	(575)	(574)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(621)	(622)	(1,243)	(1,244)
Net income available for common stockholders	$ 59,305	$ 37,028	$ 113,764	$ 222,501
Earnings per Common Share – basic:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.57	$ 0.36	$ 1.09	$ 2.14
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	104,106	103,886	104,035	103,849
Earnings per Common Share - diluted:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.57	$ 0.36	$ 1.09	$ 2.14
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	106,964	106,730	106,887	106,681
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Rental and other revenues	$ 185,502	$ 183,153	$ 369,307	$ 375,953
Operating expenses:
Rental property and other expenses	56,226	55,119	112,415	117,321
Depreciation and amortization	61,949	59,461	122,876	120,611
Impairments of real estate assets	0	1,778	0	1,778
General and administrative	10,107	10,084	20,059	21,014
Total operating expenses	128,282	126,442	255,350	260,724
Interest expense	19,001	19,840	38,769	41,117
Other income	332	588	644	657
Gains on disposition of property	22,862	318	41,799	153,385
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	431	1,179	1,068	2,142
Net income	61,844	38,956	118,699	230,296
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(294)	(289)	(575)	(574)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(621)	(622)	(1,243)	(1,244)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 60,929	$ 38,045	$ 116,881	$ 228,478
Earnings per Common Unit - basic:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.57	$ 0.36	$ 1.10	$ 2.15
Weighted average Common Units outstanding - basic (in shares)	106,535	106,319	106,464	106,259
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.57	$ 0.36	$ 1.10	$ 2.15
Weighted average Common Units outstanding - diluted (in shares)	106,555	106,321	106,478	106,272