Investments In and Advances To Affiliates (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Assets [Abstract]
Real estate assets, net	$ 491,180,000		$ 536,088,000
All other assets, net	113,734,000		96,944,000
Total Assets	604,914,000		633,032,000
Liabilities and Partners' or Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]
Mortgages and notes payable	370,393,000	[1]	406,875,000	[1]
All other liabilities	24,507,000		21,808,000
Partners' or shareholders' equity	210,014,000		204,349,000
Total Liabilities and Partners' or Shareholders' Equity	604,914,000		633,032,000
Our share of historical partners' or shareholders' equity	63,847,000		59,584,000
Advances to unconsolidated affiliate	0		38,323,000
Net excess of cost of investments over the net book value of underlying net assets	2,953,000	[2]	2,460,000	[2]
Carrying value of investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	66,800,000		100,367,000
Our share of unconsolidated non-recourse mortgage debt	137,261,000	[1]	146,926,000	[1]
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
2013	23,458,000
2014	57,163,000
2015	21,821,000
2016	1,054,000
2017	26,452,000
Thereafter	7,313,000
Total scheduled future principal payments	137,261,000	[1]	146,926,000	[1]
Income Statement [Abstract]
Rental and other revenues	101,233,000		100,958,000		119,868,000
Expenses:
Rental property and other expenses	47,762,000		44,584,000		56,868,000
Depreciation and amortization	25,253,000		26,430,000		31,401,000
Impairments of real estate assets	7,180,000		0		0
Interest expense	20,953,000		23,762,000		27,956,000
Total expenses	101,148,000		94,776,000		116,225,000
Income before disposition of properties	85,000		6,182,000		3,643,000
Gains on disposition of properties	11,184,000		0		0
Net income	11,269,000		6,182,000		3,643,000
Our share of:
Depreciation and amortization of real estate assets	7,736,000		8,388,000		10,471,000
Impairments of real estate assets	1,002,000		0		0
Interest expense	7,368,000		8,163,000		10,545,000
Net gain on disposition of depreciable properties	1,120,000		0		0
Net income	3,304,000		2,429,000		1,466,000
Our share of net income	3,304,000		2,429,000		1,466,000
Adjustment for management and other fees	1,731,000		2,449,000		2,355,000
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	5,035,000		4,878,000		3,821,000
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	50.00%
Net gain on disposition of property	11,184,000		0		0
Our proportionate share of gain on disposition of property	1,120,000		0		0
Advance to unconsolidated affiliate loan amount	0		(38,323,000)
Gain on disposition of investment of unconsolidated affiliate	0		2,282,000		25,330,000
Development, management and leasing fees revenue	2,400,000		3,100,000		2,700,000
Receivables from management and leasing fees	900,000		1,000,000
Consolidated Affiliates:
Joint venture partner's interest in consolidated affiliates	50.00%
Concourse Center Associates, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Our share of:
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	50.00%
Plaza Colonnade, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Our share of:
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	50.00%
Lofts at Weston, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Expenses:
Gains on disposition of properties			300,000
Our share of:
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	50.00%
Contribution of land (in acres)			15.0
Contribution of property to unconsolidated affiliate			2,400,000
Payments to acquire interest in joint venture by partner			1,200,000
Distribution by joint venture for land contribution			1,200,000
Net gain on disposition of property			300,000
Rental residential units (in units)			215
Total cost to construct rental residential units			25,900,000
Development costs incurred to date	15,200,000
Board of Trade Investment Company Joint Venture [Member]
Our share of:
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	49.00%
Highwoods DLF 97/26 DLF 99/32, LP Joint Venture [Member]
Our share of:
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	42.90%
Joint venture principal amount of debt	50,000,000
Term of debt instrument (in years)	3 years
Current fixed interest rate (in hundredths)	3.50%
Amount of loan related to fixed interest rate	39,100,000
Floating interest rate, interest rate basis	LIBOR plus 250 basis points
Current floating interest rate (in hundredths)	2.50%
Amount of loan related to floating interest rate	10,900,000
Highwoods KC Glenridge Office, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Our share of:
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	40.00%
Highwoods KC Glenridge Land, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Our share of:
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	39.90%
HIW-KC Orlando, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Our share of:
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	40.00%
Kessinger Hunter, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Our share of:
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	26.50%
Amount of related party transaction	1,100,000		2,100,000		800,000
Highwoods DLF Forum, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Our share of:
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	25.00%
Highwoods DLF 98/29, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Liabilities and Partners' or Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]
Advances to unconsolidated affiliate			(38,300,000)
Expenses:
Gains on disposition of properties	4,900,000
Our share of:
Net gain on disposition of depreciable properties	1,100,000
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	22.80%
Net gain on disposition of property	4,900,000
Number of office properties sold	2
Gross proceeds from disposition of property	15,500,000
Our proportionate share of gain on disposition of property	1,100,000
Our proportionate share of impairment of assets in discontinued operations	1,000,000
Number of office properties impaired			2
Advance to unconsolidated affiliate loan amount			38,300,000
Advance to unconsolidated affiliate, scheduled loan maturity date			Mar. 31, 2012
Interest income received from advance to unconsolidated affiliate	900,000		1,300,000
4600 Madison Associates, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Our share of:
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	12.50%
Des Moines, IA Joint Ventures [Member]
Our share of:
Rental residential units (in units)					418
Gross proceeds from disposition of property					15,000,000
Square footage of real estate office property (in sq feet)					1,700,000
Square footage of real estate industrial property (in sq feet)					788,000
Square footage of real estate retail property (in sq feet)					45,000
Gain on disposition of investment of unconsolidated affiliate					25,300,000
HIW Development B Joint Venture [Member]
Our share of:
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	10.00%
Gross proceeds from disposition of property			4,800,000
Gain on disposition of investment of unconsolidated affiliate			2,300,000
Highwoods-Markel Associates, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Consolidated Affiliates:
Percentage of equity interest in consolidated affiliates	50.00%
Fair value of noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliate	15,600,000
SF-Harborview Plaza, LP Joint Venture [Member]
Consolidated Affiliates:
Percentage of equity interest in consolidated affiliates	20.00%
Advance to consolidated affiliate	20,800,000
Term of debt instrument (in years)	3 years
Advance to consolidated affiliate, scheduled maturity date	Sep. 30, 2015
Interest rate basis	LIBOR plus basis points
Interest rate, basis spread	5.00%
Interest rate floor	0.50%
Plaza Residential, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Our share of:
Rental residential units (in units)					139
Consolidated Affiliates:
Percentage of equity interest in consolidated affiliates					93.00%
Joint venture partner's interest in consolidated affiliates					7.00%
Acquisition amount of joint venture partner's interest in consolidated affiliate					500,000
Gross proceeds received from disposition of investment in unconsolidated affiliate	5,500,000		3,200,000		5,300,000
Cost of assets sold from condominium sales recorded	5,100,000		3,500,000		5,000,000
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Real estate assets, net	480,245,000		523,992,000
All other assets, net	112,295,000		95,504,000
Total Assets	592,540,000		619,496,000
Liabilities and Partners' or Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]
Mortgages and notes payable	360,944,000		396,977,000
All other liabilities	23,983,000		21,121,000
Partners' or shareholders' equity	207,613,000		201,398,000
Total Liabilities and Partners' or Shareholders' Equity	592,540,000		619,496,000
Our share of historical partners' or shareholders' equity	63,546,000		59,215,000
Advances to unconsolidated affiliate	0		38,323,000
Net excess of cost of investments over the net book value of underlying net assets	2,267,000	[2]	1,758,000	[2]
Carrying value of investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	65,813,000		99,296,000
Our share of unconsolidated non-recourse mortgage debt	136,080,000	[1]	145,689,000	[1]
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
2013	23,427,000
2014	57,130,000
2015	21,786,000
2016	1,017,000
2017	26,412,000
Thereafter	6,308,000
Total scheduled future principal payments	136,080,000	[1]	145,689,000	[1]
Income Statement [Abstract]
Rental and other revenues	97,225,000		96,771,000		115,826,000
Expenses:
Rental property and other expenses	45,391,000		42,052,000		54,695,000
Depreciation and amortization	24,007,000		25,184,000		29,945,000
Impairments of real estate assets	7,180,000		0		0
Interest expense	20,296,000		23,062,000		27,187,000
Total expenses	96,874,000		90,298,000		111,827,000
Income before disposition of properties	351,000		6,473,000		3,999,000
Gains on disposition of properties	11,184,000		0		0
Net income	11,535,000		6,473,000		3,999,000
Our share of:
Depreciation and amortization of real estate assets	7,580,000		8,232,000		10,318,000
Impairments of real estate assets	12,924,000		0		0
Interest expense	7,286,000		8,075,000		10,449,000
Net gain on disposition of depreciable properties	1,120,000		0		0
Net income	3,337,000		2,585,000		1,483,000
Our share of net income	3,337,000		2,585,000		1,483,000
Adjustment for management and other fees	1,758,000		2,354,000		2,311,000
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	5,095,000		4,939,000		3,794,000
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	50.00%
Net gain on disposition of property	11,184,000		0		0
Our proportionate share of gain on disposition of property	1,120,000		0		0
Advance to unconsolidated affiliate loan amount	0		(38,323,000)
Gain on disposition of investment of unconsolidated affiliate	0		2,282,000		25,330,000
Development, management and leasing fees revenue	2,400,000		3,100,000		2,700,000
Receivables from management and leasing fees	900,000		1,000,000
Consolidated Affiliates:
Joint venture partner's interest in consolidated affiliates	50.00%
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Concourse Center Associates, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Our share of:
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	50.00%
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Plaza Colonnade, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Our share of:
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	50.00%
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Lofts at Weston, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Expenses:
Gains on disposition of properties			300,000
Our share of:
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	50.00%
Contribution of land (in acres)			15.0
Contribution of property to unconsolidated affiliate			2,400,000
Payments to acquire interest in joint venture by partner			1,200,000
Distribution by joint venture for land contribution			1,200,000
Net gain on disposition of property			300,000
Rental residential units (in units)			215
Total cost to construct rental residential units			25,900,000
Development costs incurred to date	15,200,000
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Board of Trade Investment Company Joint Venture [Member]
Our share of:
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	49.00%
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Highwoods DLF 97/26 DLF 99/32, LP Joint Venture [Member]
Our share of:
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	42.90%
Joint venture principal amount of debt	50,000,000
Term of debt instrument (in years)	3 years
Current fixed interest rate (in hundredths)	3.50%
Amount of loan related to fixed interest rate	39,100,000
Floating interest rate, interest rate basis	LIBOR plus 250 basis points
Current floating interest rate (in hundredths)	2.50%
Amount of loan related to floating interest rate	10,900,000
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Highwoods KC Glenridge Office, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Our share of:
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	40.00%
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Highwoods KC Glenridge Land, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Our share of:
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	39.90%
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | HIW-KC Orlando, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Our share of:
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	40.00%
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Kessinger Hunter, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Our share of:
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	26.50%
Amount of related party transaction	1,100,000		2,100,000		800,000
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Highwoods DLF Forum, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Our share of:
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	25.00%
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Highwoods DLF 98/29, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Liabilities and Partners' or Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]
Advances to unconsolidated affiliate			(38,300,000)
Expenses:
Gains on disposition of properties	4,900,000
Our share of:
Net gain on disposition of depreciable properties	1,100,000
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	22.80%
Net gain on disposition of property	4,900,000
Number of office properties sold	2
Gross proceeds from disposition of property	15,500,000
Our proportionate share of gain on disposition of property	1,100,000
Our proportionate share of impairment of assets in discontinued operations	1,000,000
Number of office properties impaired			2
Advance to unconsolidated affiliate loan amount			38,300,000
Advance to unconsolidated affiliate, scheduled loan maturity date			Mar. 31, 2012
Interest income received from advance to unconsolidated affiliate	900,000		1,300,000
Consolidated Affiliates:
Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership, Business, Formation Date	Feb. 10, 1999
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Des Moines, IA Joint Ventures [Member]
Our share of:
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum					50.00%
Rental residential units (in units)					418
Gross proceeds from disposition of property					15,000,000
Square footage of real estate office property (in sq feet)					1,700,000
Square footage of real estate industrial property (in sq feet)					788,000
Square footage of real estate retail property (in sq feet)					45,000
Gain on disposition of investment of unconsolidated affiliate					25,300,000
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | HIW Development B Joint Venture [Member]
Our share of:
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum			10.00%
Gross proceeds from disposition of property			4,800,000
Gain on disposition of investment of unconsolidated affiliate			2,300,000
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Highwoods-Markel Associates, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Consolidated Affiliates:
Percentage of equity interest in consolidated affiliates	50.00%
Fair value of noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliate	15,600,000
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | SF-Harborview Plaza, LP Joint Venture [Member]
Consolidated Affiliates:
Percentage of equity interest in consolidated affiliates	20.00%
Advance to consolidated affiliate	20,800,000
Term of debt instrument (in years)	3 years
Advance to consolidated affiliate, scheduled maturity date	Sep. 30, 2015
Interest rate, basis spread	5.00%
Interest rate floor	0.50%
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Plaza Residential, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Our share of:
Rental residential units (in units)					139
Consolidated Affiliates:
Percentage of equity interest in consolidated affiliates					93.00%
Joint venture partner's interest in consolidated affiliates					7.00%
Acquisition amount of joint venture partner's interest in consolidated affiliate					500,000
Gross proceeds received from disposition of investment in unconsolidated affiliate	5,500,000		3,200,000		5,300,000
Cost of assets sold from condominium sales recorded	$ 5,100,000		$ 3,500,000		$ 5,000,000

[1] Our share of scheduled future principal payments, including amortization, due on mortgages and notes payable at December 31, 2012 is as follows:2013$23,458201457,163201521,82120161,054201726,452Thereafter7,313 $137,261All of this joint venture debt is non-recourse to us except in the case of customary exceptions pertaining to such matters as misuse of funds, environmental conditions and material misrepresentations.

[2] (2)This amount represents the aggregate difference between our historical cost basis and the basis reflected at the joint venture level, which is typically depreciated over the life of the related asset.