Name:	hiw_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsBuildingAndTenantImprovements
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

For the disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operation), the cumulative difference between the rental payments required by a lease agreement and the rental income or expense recognized on a straight-line basis, or other systematic and rational basis more representative of the time pattern in which use or benefit is granted or derived from the leased property, expected to be recognized in income or expense over the term of the leased property, by the lessor or lessee.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	hiw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

For the disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operation), the carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of real estate held for productive use.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLand
Namespace Prefix:	hiw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

For the disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operation), the carrying amount of land available for development.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLandHeldForDevelopment
Namespace Prefix:	hiw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

For the disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operation), the cumulative amount of depreciation for real estate property held for investment purposes.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsRealEstateInvestmentPropertyAccumulatedDepreciation
Namespace Prefix:	hiw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

For the disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operations), the net book value of real estate property held for investment purposes.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsRealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet
Namespace Prefix:	hiw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount classified as intangible assets, excluding goodwill, attributable to disposal group held for sale or disposed of.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
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-Section 45
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Amount classified as other assets attributable to disposal group held for sale or disposed of.

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Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of investments in land and buildings held for sale, excluding real estate considered to be inventory of the entity.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
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