Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Real estate assets, at cost:
Land	$ 368,122	$ 367,870
Buildings and tenant improvements	3,137,658	3,127,984
Land held for development	105,206	105,206
Total real estate assets	3,610,986	3,601,060
Less-accumulated depreciation	(911,512)	(895,777)
Net real estate assets	2,699,474	2,705,283
For-sale residential condominiums	3,808	4,751
Real estate and other assets, net, held for sale	7,556	13,260
Cash and cash equivalents	12,215	11,188
Restricted cash	20,753	26,666
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $3,413 and $3,548, respectively	27,230	30,093
Mortgages and notes receivable, net of allowance of $122 and $61, respectively	17,119	18,600
Accrued straight-line rents receivable, net of allowance of $1,420 and $1,294, respectively	110,977	105,611
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	99,062	100,367
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $67,662 and $63,059, respectively	129,204	128,390
Prepaid expenses and other assets	43,042	36,783
Total Assets	3,170,440	3,180,992
Liabilities, Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership and Equity/Liabilities, Redeemable Operating Partnership Units and Equity:
Mortgages and notes payable	1,903,978	1,903,213
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	122,545	148,821
Financing obligations	31,110	31,444
Total Liabilities	2,057,633	2,083,478
Commitments and contingencies
Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	124,201	110,655
Equity:
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, $.01 par value, 50,000,000 authorized shares, liquidation preference $1,000 per share; 29,077 shares issued and outstanding	29,077	29,077
Common Stock, $.01 par value, 200,000,000 authorized shares; 73,608,571 and 72,647,697 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	736	726
Additional paid-in capital	1,818,750	1,803,997
Distributions in excess of net income available for common stockholders	(860,120)	(845,853)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(4,376)	(5,734)
Total Stockholders' Equity	984,067	982,213
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	4,539	4,646
Total Equity	988,606	986,859
Total Liabilities, Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership and Equity/Total Liabilities, Redeemable Operating Partnership Units and Equity	3,170,440	3,180,992
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Real estate assets, at cost:
Land	368,122	367,870
Buildings and tenant improvements	3,137,658	3,127,984
Land held for development	105,206	105,206
Total real estate assets	3,610,986	3,601,060
Less-accumulated depreciation	(911,512)	(895,777)
Net real estate assets	2,699,474	2,705,283
For-sale residential condominiums	3,808	4,751
Real estate and other assets, net, held for sale	7,556	13,260
Cash and cash equivalents	9,052	11,151
Restricted cash	20,753	26,666
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $3,413 and $3,548, respectively	30,481	30,093
Mortgages and notes receivable, net of allowance of $122 and $61, respectively	17,119	18,600
Accrued straight-line rents receivable, net of allowance of $1,420 and $1,294, respectively	110,977	105,611
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	98,000	99,296
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $67,662 and $63,059, respectively	129,204	128,390
Prepaid expenses and other assets	42,994	36,783
Total Assets	3,169,418	3,179,884
Liabilities, Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership and Equity/Liabilities, Redeemable Operating Partnership Units and Equity:
Mortgages and notes payable	1,903,978	1,903,213
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	122,545	148,821
Financing obligations	31,110	31,444
Total Liabilities	2,057,633	2,083,478
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable Operating Partnership Units:
Common Units, 3,727,518 and 3,729,518 outstanding, respectively	124,201	110,655
Series A Preferred Units, liquidation preference $1,000 per unit; 29,077 units issued and outstanding	29,077	29,077
Total Redeemable Operating Partnership Units	153,278	139,732
Equity:
General partner Common Units, 769,273 and 759,684 outstanding, respectively	9,580	9,575
Limited partner Common Units, 72,430,489 and 71,479,204 outstanding, respectively	948,764	948,187
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(4,376)	(5,734)
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	4,539	4,646
Total Equity	958,507	956,674
Total Liabilities, Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership and Equity/Total Liabilities, Redeemable Operating Partnership Units and Equity	$ 3,169,418	$ 3,179,884