Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011
Rental and other revenues	$ 129,943		$ 114,351
Operating expenses:
Rental property and other expenses	46,124		40,934
Depreciation and amortization	38,362		33,556
General and administrative	9,673		7,793
Total operating expenses	94,159		82,283
Interest expense:
Contractual	23,948		22,431
Amortization of deferred financing costs	902		821
Financing obligations	(48)		291
Total interest expense	24,802		23,543
Other income:
Interest and other income	2,230		1,873
Total other income	2,230		1,873
Income from continuing operations before disposition of condominiums and equity in earnings/(losses) of unconsolidated affiliates	13,212		10,398
Gains on for-sale residential condominiums	65		38
Equity in earnings/(losses) of unconsolidated affiliates	(162)		1,467
Income from continuing operations	13,115		11,903
Discontinued operations:
Income from discontinued operations	83		540
Net gains on disposition of discontinued operations	5,134		0
Total discontinued operations	5,217		540
Net income	18,332		12,443
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(827)		(507)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(184)		(123)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(627)		(1,677)
Net income available for common stockholders	16,694		10,136
Earnings per Common Share - basic:
Income from continuing operations available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.16		$ 0.13
Income from discontinued operations available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07		$ 0.01
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.23		$ 0.14
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	72,836	[1],[2]	71,817	[1],[2]
Earnings per Common Share - diluted:
Income from continuing operations available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.16		$ 0.13
Income from discontinued operations available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07		$ 0.01
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.23		$ 0.14
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	76,696	[1]	75,792	[1]
Dividends declared per Common Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.425		$ 0.425
Net income available for common stockholders:
Income from continuing operations available for common stockholders	11,733		9,623
Income from discontinued operations available for common stockholders	4,961		513
Net income available for common stockholders	16,694		10,136
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Rental and other revenues	129,943		114,351
Operating expenses:
Rental property and other expenses	46,062		41,083
Depreciation and amortization	38,362		33,556
General and administrative	9,735		7,644
Total operating expenses	94,159		82,283
Interest expense:
Contractual	23,948		22,431
Amortization of deferred financing costs	902		821
Financing obligations	(48)		291
Total interest expense	24,802		23,543
Other income:
Interest and other income	2,230		1,873
Total other income	2,230		1,873
Income from continuing operations before disposition of condominiums and equity in earnings/(losses) of unconsolidated affiliates	13,212		10,398
Gains on for-sale residential condominiums	65		38
Equity in earnings/(losses) of unconsolidated affiliates	(160)		1,475
Income from continuing operations	13,117		11,911
Discontinued operations:
Income from discontinued operations	83		540
Net gains on disposition of discontinued operations	5,134		0
Total discontinued operations	5,217		540
Net income	18,334		12,451
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(184)		(123)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(627)		(1,677)
Net income available for common unitholders	17,523		10,651
Earnings per Common Unit - basic:
Income from continuing operations available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.16		$ 0.13
Income from discontinued operations available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07		$ 0.01
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.23		$ 0.14
Weighted average Common Units outstanding - basic (in shares)	76,155		75,198
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Income from continuing operations available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.16		$ 0.13
Income from discontinued operations available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07		$ 0.01
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.23		$ 0.14
Weighted average Common Units outstanding - diluted (in shares)	76,287		75,383
Distributions declared per Common Unit (in dollars per unit)	$ 425		$ 425
Net income available for common unitholders:
Income from continuing operations available for common unitholders	12,306		10,111
Income from discontinued operations available for common unitholders	5,217		540
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 17,523		$ 10,651

[1] There were 0.6 million and 0.3 million options outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the impact of including such options would be anti-dilutive.

[2] Includes all unvested restricted stock since dividends on such restricted stock are non-forfeitable.