Earnings Per Share and Per Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - basic: [Abstract]
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
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	104,106	103,886	104,035	103,849
Earnings per Common Share - basic:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.57	$ 0.36	$ 1.09	$ 2.14
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 61,844	$ 38,956	$ 118,699	$ 230,296
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 before net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	$ 60,929	$ 38,045	$ 116,881	$ 228,478
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	104,106	103,886	104,035	103,849
Stock options using the treasury method (in shares)	20	2	14	13
Noncontrolling interests Common Units (in shares)	2,838	2,842	2,838	2,819
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Share - adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions (in shares)	106,964	106,730	106,887	106,681
Earnings per Common Share - diluted:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.57	$ 0.36	$ 1.09	$ 2.14
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - basic: [Abstract]
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
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	106,535	106,319	106,464	106,259
Earnings per Common Unit - basic:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.57	$ 0.36	$ 1.10	$ 2.15
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
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
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	106,535	106,319	106,464	106,259
Stock options using the treasury method (in shares)	20	2	14	13
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Unit - adjusted weighted average units and assumed conversions (in shares)	106,555	106,321	106,478	106,272
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.57	$ 0.36	$ 1.10	$ 2.15