Investments In and Advances To Affiliates (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended					6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 Highwoods DLF 98/29, LLC Joint Venture [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Highwoods DLF 98/29, LLC Joint Venture [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Highwoods DLF 97/26 DLF 99/32, LP Joint Venture [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Income Statements:
Rental and other revenues	$ 23,935,000	$ 26,049,000	$ 47,451,000	$ 50,869,000				$ 22,892,000	$ 25,057,000	$ 45,371,000	$ 48,854,000
Expenses:
Rental property and other expenses	11,739,000	12,666,000	22,948,000	24,082,000				11,087,000	12,076,000	21,695,000	22,877,000
Depreciation and amortization	6,227,000	5,919,000	12,373,000	12,484,000				5,915,000	5,607,000	11,750,000	11,861,000
Impairments of real estate assets	0	0	4,790,000	7,180,000		4,800,000		0	0	4,790,000	7,180,000
Interest expense	4,689,000	5,267,000	9,428,000	11,097,000				4,532,000	5,103,000	9,110,000	10,766,000
Total expenses	22,655,000	23,852,000	49,539,000	54,843,000				21,534,000	22,786,000	47,345,000	52,684,000
Income/(loss) before disposition of properties	1,280,000	2,197,000	(2,088,000)	(3,974,000)				1,358,000	2,271,000	(1,974,000)	(3,830,000)
Gains on disposition of properties	43,000	6,275,000	67,000	6,275,000	100,000		100,000	43,000	6,275,000	67,000	6,275,000
Net income/(loss)	1,323,000	8,472,000	(2,021,000)	2,301,000				1,401,000	8,546,000	(1,907,000)	2,445,000
Our share of:
Depreciation and amortization of real estate assets	2,092,000	1,675,000	4,107,000	3,773,000				2,053,000	1,636,000	4,029,000	3,695,000
Impairments of real estate assets	0	0	1,020,000	1,002,000		1,000,000		0	0	1,020,000	1,002,000
Interest expense	1,732,000	1,843,000	3,484,000	3,823,000				1,712,000	1,823,000	3,444,000	3,782,000
Our share of gains recorded on disposition of property	10,000	0	431,000	0	100,000		400,000	10,000	0	431,000	0
Net income	571,000	1,133,000	575,000	338,000				582,000	1,142,000	590,000	356,000
Our share of net income	571,000	1,133,000	575,000	338,000				582,000	1,142,000	590,000	356,000
Adjustments for management and other fees	342,000	375,000	774,000	1,008,000				334,000	369,000	709,000	995,000
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	913,000	1,508,000	1,349,000	1,346,000				916,000	1,511,000	1,299,000	1,351,000
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum (in hundredths)	50.00%		50.00%
Proceeds received from disposition of property					5,900,000		10,100,000
Closing credits for free rent					$ 100,000		$ 300,000