Earnings Per Share and Per Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 75,587	$ 42,331	$ 194,286	$ 272,627
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(1,967)	(1,107)	(5,084)	(7,084)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(894)	(298)	(1,469)	(872)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(621)	(622)	(1,864)	(1,866)
Net income available for common stockholders	$ 72,105	$ 40,304	$ 185,869	$ 262,805
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	104,277	103,896	104,117	103,865
Earnings per Common Share - basic:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.69	$ 0.39	$ 1.79	$ 2.53
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 75,587	$ 42,331	$ 194,286	$ 272,627
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(894)	(298)	(1,469)	(872)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(621)	(622)	(1,864)	(1,866)
Net income available for common stockholders before net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	$ 74,072	$ 41,411	$ 190,953	$ 269,889
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	104,277	103,896	104,117	103,865
Stock options using the treasury method (in shares)	25	2	17	10
Noncontrolling interests Common Units (in shares)	2,837	2,842	2,838	2,827
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Share - adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions (in shares)	107,139	106,740	106,972	106,702
Earnings per Common Share - diluted:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.69	$ 0.39	$ 1.79	$ 2.53
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 75,587	$ 42,331	$ 194,286	$ 272,627
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(894)	(298)	(1,469)	(872)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(621)	(622)	(1,864)	(1,866)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 74,072	$ 41,411	$ 190,953	$ 269,889
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	106,705	106,329	106,546	106,283
Earnings per Common Unit - basic:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.69	$ 0.39	$ 1.79	$ 2.54
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 75,587	$ 42,331	$ 194,286	$ 272,627
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(894)	(298)	(1,469)	(872)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(621)	(622)	(1,864)	(1,866)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 74,072	$ 41,411	$ 190,953	$ 269,889
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	106,705	106,329	106,546	106,283
Stock options using the treasury method (in shares)	25	2	17	10
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Unit - adjusted weighted average units and assumed conversions (in shares)	106,730	106,331	106,563	106,293
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.69	$ 0.39	$ 1.79	$ 2.54