Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets: [Abstract]
Accounts receivable allowance	$ 3,262	$ 3,548
Mortgages and notes receivable allowance	118	61
Accrued straight-line rents receivable allowance	866	1,294
Deferred financing and leasing costs, accumulated amortization	70,572	62,319
Equity: [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)	75,619,288	72,647,697
Common Stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	75,619,288	72,647,697
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Assets: [Abstract]
Accounts receivable allowance	3,262	3,548
Mortgages and notes receivable allowance	118	61
Accrued straight-line rents receivable allowance	866	1,294
Deferred financing and leasing costs, accumulated amortization	$ 70,572	$ 62,319
Equity: [Abstract]
Common Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01
Redeemable Operating Partnership Units: [Abstract]
Redeemable Common Units outstanding (in shares)	3,711,152	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 (in shares)	789,216	759,684
Limited partners' capital account, units outstanding (in shares)	74,421,263	71,479,204