Equity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Class of Stock [Line Items]

Equity

Equity

Common Stock Issuances

The Company has entered into equity sales agreements with various financial institutions to offer and sell, from time to time, shares of its Common Stock by means of ordinary brokers' transactions on the New York Stock Exchange or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices or as otherwise agreed with any of the institutions. During 2012, the Company issued 7,245,837 shares of Common Stock under these agreements at an average gross price of $33.12 per share and received net proceeds, after sales commissions and expenses, of $236.4 million. During 2011, the Company issued 378,200 shares of Common Stock under these agreements at an average gross price of $35.09 per share and received net proceeds, after sales commissions, of $13.1 million.

12. Equity - Continued

Common Stock Dividends

Dividends declared and paid per share of Common Stock aggregated $1.70 for each of the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

The following table sets forth the estimated taxability to the common stockholders of dividends per share for federal income tax purposes:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2010
Ordinary income	$	1.28	$	1.15	$	0.41
Capital gains	0.24		—		0.44
Return of capital	0.18		0.55		0.85
Total	$	1.70	$	1.70	$	1.70

Our tax returns have not been examined by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and, therefore, the taxability of dividends is subject to change.

Preferred Stock

In 2011, we redeemed the remaining 2.1 million outstanding 8.0% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares for an aggregate redemption price of $52.5 million, excluding accrued dividends. In connection with this redemption, the $1.9 million excess of the redemption cost over the net carrying amount of the redeemed shares was recorded as a reduction to net income available for common stockholders.

The following table sets forth our Preferred Stock:

Preferred Stock Issuances	Issue Date	Number of Shares Outstanding	Carrying Value		Liquidation Preference Per Share		Optional Redemption Date	Annual Dividends Payable Per Share
		(in thousands)
December 31, 2012
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable	2/12/1997	29	$	29,077	$	1,000	2/12/2027	$	86.25
December 31, 2011
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable	2/12/1997	29	$	29,077	$	1,000	2/12/2027	$	86.25

The following table sets forth the estimated taxability to the preferred stockholders of dividends per share for federal income tax purposes:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2010
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable:
Ordinary income	$	72.46	$	86.25	$	41.80
Capital gains	13.79		—		44.45
Total	$	86.25	$	86.25	$	86.25
8.000% Series B Cumulative Redeemable:
Ordinary income	$	—	$	1.05	$	0.97
Capital gains	—		—		1.03
Total	$	—	$	1.05	$	2.00

12. Equity - Continued

Our tax returns have not been examined by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and, therefore, the taxability of dividends is subject to change.

Warrants

At December 31, 2012 and 2011, there were 15,000 warrants outstanding with an exercise price of $32.50 per share. These warrants have no expiration date.

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

We have a Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (“DRIP”) under which holders of Common Stock may elect to automatically reinvest their dividends in additional shares of Common Stock and make optional cash payments for additional shares of Common Stock. We may elect to satisfy DRIP obligations by issuing additional shares of Common Stock or instructing the DRIP administrator to purchase Common Stock in the open market.

Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]

Class of Stock [Line Items]

Equity

Equity

Common Stock Issuances

The Company has entered into equity sales agreements with various financial institutions to offer and sell, from time to time, shares of its Common Stock by means of ordinary brokers' transactions on the New York Stock Exchange or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices or as otherwise agreed with any of the institutions. During 2012, the Company issued 7,245,837 shares of Common Stock under these agreements at an average gross price of $33.12 per share and received net proceeds, after sales commissions and expenses, of $236.4 million. During 2011, the Company issued 378,200 shares of Common Stock under these agreements at an average gross price of $35.09 per share and received net proceeds, after sales commissions, of $13.1 million.

12. Equity - Continued

Common Unit Distributions

Distributions declared and paid per Common Unit aggregated $1.70 for each of the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

Redeemable Common Units

The Operating Partnership is obligated to redeem each Redeemable Common Unit at the request of the holder thereof for cash equal to the value of one share of Common Stock based on the average of the market price for the 10 trading days immediately preceding the notice date of such redemption, provided that the Company at its option may elect to acquire any such Redeemable Common Unit presented for redemption for cash or one share of Common Stock. When a holder redeems a Redeemable Common Unit for a share of Common Stock or cash, the Company’s share in the Operating Partnership will be increased. The Common Units owned by the Company are not redeemable.

Preferred Units

In 2011, we redeemed the remaining 2.1 million outstanding 8.0% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units for an aggregate redemption price of $52.5 million, excluding accrued distributions. In connection with this redemption, the $1.9 million excess of the redemption cost over the net carrying amount of the redeemed units was recorded as a reduction to net income available for common unitholders.

The following table sets forth our Preferred Units:

Preferred Unit Issuances	Issue Date	Number of Units Outstanding	Carrying Value		Liquidation Preference Per Unit		Optional Redemption Date	Annual Distributions Payable Per Unit
		(in thousands)
December 31, 2012
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable	2/12/1997	29	$	29,077	$	1,000	2/12/2027	$	86.25
December 31, 2011
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable	2/12/1997	29	$	29,077	$	1,000	2/12/2027	$	86.25

Warrants

Upon exercise of a warrant, the Company will contribute the exercise price to the Operating Partnership in exchange for Common Units. Therefore, the Operating Partnership accounts for such warrants as if issued by the Operating Partnership. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, there were 15,000 warrants outstanding with an exercise price of $32.50 per share. These warrants have no expiration date.