Investments In and Advances To Affiliates (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Income Statements:
Rental and other revenues	$ 24,820,000	$ 25,217,000
Expenses:
Rental property and other expenses	11,416,000	11,997,000
Depreciation and amortization	6,565,000	6,616,000
Impairment of real estate assets	7,180,000	0
Interest expense	5,830,000	6,007,000
Total expenses	30,991,000	24,620,000
Net income/(loss)	(6,171,000)	597,000
Our share of:
Depreciation and amortization of real estate assets	2,098,000	2,093,000
Impairment of real estate assets	1,002,000	0
Interest expense	1,980,000	2,161,000
Net income/(loss)	(795,000)	921,000
Our share of net income/(loss)	(795,000)	921,000
Purchase accounting and management, leasing and other fees adjustments	633,000	546,000
Equity in earnings/(losses) of unconsolidated affiliates	(162,000)	1,467,000
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	50.00%
Our share of impairment of real estate assets	1,002,000	0
Highwoods DLF 98/29, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Our share of:
Impairment of real estate assets	1,000,000
Advances to Affiliates loan amount	38,300,000
Loan maturity date	Mar. 31, 2012
Current interest rate	LIBOR plus 500 basis points
Extended loan maturity date	Jun. 30, 2012
Interest income from loan to affiliate	400,000
Our share of impairment of real estate assets	$ 1,000,000
Number of impaired office properties	2