Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Comprehensive income/(loss):
Net income	$ 115,972us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 131,097us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 84,235us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Unrealized gains on tax increment financing bond	584	869	411
Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges	(5,662)	5,778	(10,358)
Amortization of cash flow hedges	3,777	3,370	3,053
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	(1,301)	10,017	(6,894)
Total comprehensive income	114,671	141,114	77,341
Less-comprehensive (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5,008)	(5,640)	(4,640)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	109,663us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	135,474us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	72,701us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Comprehensive income/(loss):
Net income	115,972	131,046	84,295
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Unrealized gains on tax increment financing bond	584	869	411
Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges	(5,662)	5,778	(10,358)
Amortization of cash flow hedges	3,777	3,370	3,053
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	(1,301)	10,017	(6,894)
Total comprehensive income	114,671	141,063	77,401
Less-comprehensive (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,466)	(949)	(786)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$ 113,205	$ 140,114	$ 76,615

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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