Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares [Member]	Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Affiliates [Member]	Distributions in Excess of Net Income Available for Common Stockholders [Member]	Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]	Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] General Partner Common Units [Member]	Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Limited Partner Common Units [Member]	Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Affiliates [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 1,133,143	$ 713	$ 29,092	$ 52,500	$ 1,751,398	$ (3,811)	$ 5,183	$ (701,932)	$ 1,050,185	$ 10,485	$ 1,038,328	$ (3,811)	$ 5,183
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2009		71,285,303
Issuance of Common Units, net									2,076	21	2,055
Distributions on Preferred Units									(5,031)	(50)	(4,981)
Distributions on Common Units									(95,533)	(956)	(94,577)
Issuances of Common Stock - Shares		112,815
Issuances of Common Stock, net	2,076	1			2,075
Conversion of Common Units to Common Stock - Shares		93,971
Conversion of Common Units to Common Stock	2,958	1			2,957
Dividends on Common Stock	(91,197)							(91,197)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(5,031)							(5,031)
Adjustment of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership to fair value	1,480				1,480
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(506)						(506)		(506)				(506)
Issuances of restricted stock, net - Shares		164,143
Issuances of restricted stock, net	0
Share-based compensation expense	5,060	2			5,058				5,060	51	5,009
Adjustment of Redeemable Common Units to fair value and contributions/distributions from/to the General Partner									6,132	61	6,071
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(2,819)							(2,819)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	0						281	(281)	0	(3)	(278)		281
Comprehensive income:
Net income	60,904							60,904	60,908	609	60,299
Other comprehensive income	836					836			836			836
Total comprehensive income	61,740								61,744
Balance at Sep. 30, 2010	1,106,904	717	29,092	52,500	1,762,968	(2,975)	4,958	(740,356)	1,024,127	10,218	1,011,926	(2,975)	4,958
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2010		71,656,232
Balance at Jun. 30, 2010
Share-based compensation expense	1,600
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(366)
Comprehensive income:
Net income	8,773								8,788
Other comprehensive income	300
Total comprehensive income	9,073
Balance at Sep. 30, 2010	1,106,904		29,092	52,500					1,024,127
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	1,088,222	717	29,092	52,500	1,766,886	(3,648)	4,460	(761,785)	1,005,466	10,044	994,610	(3,648)	4,460
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010	71,690,487	71,690,487
Issuance of Common Units, net									22,043	220	21,823
Distributions on Preferred Units									(3,926)	(39)	(3,887)
Distributions on Common Units									(96,197)	(962)	(95,235)
Issuances of Common Stock - Shares		711,234
Issuances of Common Stock, net	22,043	7			22,036
Conversion of Common Units to Common Stock - Shares		43,308
Conversion of Common Units to Common Stock	1,344				1,344
Dividends on Common Stock	(91,900)							(91,900)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(3,926)							(3,926)
Adjustment of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership to fair value	10,177				10,177
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(391)						(391)		(391)				(391)
Issuances of restricted stock, net - Shares		134,352
Issuances of restricted stock, net	0
Redemptions/repurchases of Preferred Stock	(52,515)		(15)	(52,500)	1,895			(1,895)
Share-based compensation expense	4,771	2			4,769				4,771	48	4,723
Adjustment of Redeemable Common Units to fair value and contributions/distributions from/to the General Partner									14,239	144	14,095
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(1,496)							(1,496)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	0						554	(554)	0	(6)	(548)		554
Comprehensive income:
Net income	35,121							35,121	35,133	351	34,782
Other comprehensive income	42					42			42			42
Total comprehensive income	35,163								35,175
Balance at Sep. 30, 2011	1,011,492	726	29,077	0	1,807,107	(3,606)	4,623	(826,435)	981,180	9,800	970,363	(3,606)	4,623
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2011	72,579,381	72,579,381
Balance at Jun. 30, 2011
Share-based compensation expense	1,300
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(366)
Comprehensive income:
Net income	8,244								8,244
Other comprehensive income	570
Total comprehensive income	8,814
Balance at Sep. 30, 2011	$ 1,011,492								$ 981,180
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2011	72,579,381