Name:	hiw_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsBuildingAndTenantImprovements
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
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount classified as other assets 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
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109222160&loc=d3e1107-107759

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (e)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109226691&loc=d3e2941-110230

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109222160&loc=SL51721533-107759

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5B
-Subparagraph (e)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109222650&loc=SL51721673-107760

Name:	us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

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
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400017&loc=d3e572229-122910