Earnings Per Share and Per Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Earnings per Common Share/Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 323,310	$ 357,914	$ 141,683
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(8,321)	(9,338)	(3,551)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(1,712)	(1,174)	(1,214)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(2,486)	(2,488)	(2,488)
Net income available for common stockholders	$ 310,791	$ 344,914	$ 134,430
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	104,232	103,876	103,692
Earnings per Common Share - basic:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 2.98	$ 3.32	$ 1.30
Earnings per Common Share/Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 323,310	$ 357,914	$ 141,683
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(1,712)	(1,174)	(1,214)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(2,486)	(2,488)	(2,488)
Net income available for common stockholders before net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	$ 319,112	$ 354,252	$ 137,981
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	104,232	103,876	103,692
Stock options using the treasury method	18	8	22
Noncontrolling interests Common Units	2,811	2,830	2,731
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Share - adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions (in shares)	107,061	106,714	106,445
Earnings per Common Share - diluted:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 2.98	$ 3.32	$ 1.30
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Earnings per Common Share/Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 323,310	$ 357,914	$ 141,683
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(1,712)	(1,174)	(1,214)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(2,486)	(2,488)	(2,488)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 319,112	$ 354,252	$ 137,981
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	106,634	106,297	106,014
Earnings per Common Unit - basic:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 2.99	$ 3.33	$ 1.30
Earnings per Common Share/Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 323,310	$ 357,914	$ 141,683
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(1,712)	(1,174)	(1,214)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(2,486)	(2,488)	(2,488)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 319,112	$ 354,252	$ 137,981
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	106,634	106,297	106,014
Stock options using the treasury method	18	8	22
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Unit - adjusted weighted average units and assumed conversions (in shares)	106,652	106,305	106,036
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 2.99	$ 3.33	$ 1.30