Intangible Assets and Below Market Lease Liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, accumulated amortization	$ (77,383)	$ (62,319)
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	170,023	127,774
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities
Acquired intangible assets (amortized in rental and other revenue)	2,636
Acquired intangible assets (amortized in depreciation and amortization)	37,247
Acquired intangible assets (amortized in rental property and other expenses)	4,593
Assumed below market lease liabilities (amortized in rental and other revenue)	(20,934)
Deferred Financing Costs [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, gross	21,759	18,044
Deferred financing and leasing costs, accumulated amortization	(7,862)	(5,797)
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	13,897	12,247
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities
Amortization of intangible assets	3,685	3,312	3,385
Deferred Leasing Costs [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, gross	225,647	172,049
Deferred financing and leasing costs, accumulated amortization	(69,521)	(56,522)
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	156,126	115,527
Deferred Leasing Costs and Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	139,814
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities
Amortization of intangible assets	27,731	20,980	17,383
Lease Incentives [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	6,858
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities
Amortization of intangible assets	1,439	1,371	1,239
Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets (in Rental and Other Revenue) [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	5,046
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities
Amortization of intangible assets	1,357	915	531
Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets (in Rental Property and Other Expenses) [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	4,408
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities
Amortization of intangible assets	186	0	0
Acquisition-Related Below Market Lease Liabilities [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Acquisition-related below market lease liabilities, gross	37,019	16,441
Acquisition-related below market lease liabilities, accumulated amortization	(3,383)	(971)
Acquisition-related below market lease liabilities, net	33,636	15,470
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities
Amortization of acquisition-related below market lease liabilities	(2,627)	(840)	(96)
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, accumulated amortization	(77,383)	(62,319)
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	170,023	127,774
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities
Acquired intangible assets (amortized in rental and other revenue)	2,636
Acquired intangible assets (amortized in depreciation and amortization)	37,247
Acquired intangible assets (amortized in rental property and other expenses)	4,593
Assumed below market lease liabilities (amortized in rental and other revenue)	(20,934)
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Deferred Financing Costs [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, gross	21,759	18,044
Deferred financing and leasing costs, accumulated amortization	(7,862)	(5,797)
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	13,897	12,247
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities
Amortization of intangible assets	3,685	3,312	3,385
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Deferred Leasing Costs [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, gross	225,647	172,049
Deferred financing and leasing costs, accumulated amortization	(69,521)	(56,522)
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	156,126	115,527
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Deferred Leasing Costs and Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	139,814
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities
Amortization of intangible assets	27,731	20,980	17,383
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Lease Incentives [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	6,858
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities
Amortization of intangible assets	1,439	1,371	1,239
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets (in Rental and Other Revenue) [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	5,046
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities
Amortization of intangible assets	1,357	915	531
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets (in Rental Property and Other Expenses) [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	4,408
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities
Amortization of intangible assets	186	0	0
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Acquisition-Related Below Market Lease Liabilities [Member]
Intangible assets and below market lease liabilities, net [Abstract]
Acquisition-related below market lease liabilities, gross	37,019	16,441
Acquisition-related below market lease liabilities, accumulated amortization	(3,383)	(971)
Acquisition-related below market lease liabilities, net	33,636	15,470
Amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities
Amortization of acquisition-related below market lease liabilities	$ (2,627)	$ (840)	$ (96)