Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets [Abstract]
Accounts receivable allowance	$ 3,413	$ 3,548
Mortgages and notes receivable allowance	122	61
Accrued straight-line rents receivable allowance	1,420	1,294
Deferred financing and leasing costs, accumulated amortization	67,662	63,059
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Series A Preferred Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Series A Preferred Stock, authorized shares (in shares)	50,000,000	50,000,000
Series A Preferred Stock, liquidation preference (in dollars per share)	$ 1,000	$ 1,000
Series A Preferred Stock, shares issued (in shares)	29,077	29,077
Series A Preferred Stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	29,077	29,077
Common Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Stock, authorized shares (in shares)	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common Stock, shares issued (in shares)	73,608,571	72,647,697
Common Stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	73,608,571	72,647,697
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Accounts receivable allowance	3,413	3,548
Mortgages and notes receivable allowance	122	61
Accrued straight-line rents receivable allowance	1,420	1,294
Deferred financing and leasing costs, accumulated amortization	$ 67,662	$ 63,059
Redeemable Operating Partnership Units: [Abstract]
Redeemable Common Units outstanding (in shares)	3,727,518	3,729,518
Series A Preferred Units liquidation preference (in dollars per share)	$ 1,000	$ 1,000
Series A Preferred Units issued (in shares)	29,077	29,077
Series A Preferred Units outstanding (in shares)	29,077	29,077
Common Units: [Abstract]
General Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding	769,273	759,684
Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding	72,430,489	71,479,204