Earnings Per Share and Per Unit (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Numerator:
Income from continuing operations	$ 20,835		$ 13,192
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership from continuing operations	(596)		(386)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates from continuing operations	(296)		(423)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(627)		(627)
Income from continuing operations available for common stockholders	19,316		11,756
Income from discontinued operations	0		384
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership from discontinued operations	0		(12)
Income from discontinued operations available for common stockholders	0		372
Net income available for common stockholders	19,316		12,128
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	93,222		89,966
Earnings per Common Share - basic:
Income from continuing operations available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21		$ 0.13
Income from discontinued operations available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00		$ 0.00
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21		$ 0.13
Numerator:
Income from continuing operations	20,835		13,192
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(296)		(423)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(627)		(627)
Income from continuing operations available for common stockholders before net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	19,912		12,142
Income from discontinued operations available for common stockholders	0		384
Net income available for common stockholders before net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	19,912		12,526
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	93,222		89,966
Stock options using the treasury method	124		124
Noncontrolling interests Common Units	2,933		2,940
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Share - adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions (in shares)	96,279	[1],[2]	93,030	[1],[2]
Earnings per Common Share - diluted:
Income from continuing operations available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21		$ 0.13
Income from discontinued operations available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00		$ 0.00
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21		$ 0.13
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Number of anti-dilutive options and warrants not included in earnings per share (in shares)	197		303
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Numerator:
Income from continuing operations	20,835		13,192
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates from continuing operations	(296)		(423)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(627)		(627)
Income from continuing operations available for common unitholders	19,912		12,142
Income from discontinued operations available for common unitholders	0		384
Net income available for common unitholders	19,912		12,526
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	95,746		92,497
Earnings per Common Unit - basic:
Income from continuing operations available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21		$ 0.13
Income from discontinued operations available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00		$ 0.01
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21		$ 0.14
Numerator:
Income from continuing operations	20,835		13,192
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(296)		(423)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(627)		(627)
Income from continuing operations available for common unitholders	19,912		12,142
Income from discontinued operations available for common unitholders	0		384
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 19,912		$ 12,526
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	95,746		92,497
Stock options using the treasury method	124		124
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Unit - adjusted weighted average units and assumed conversions (in shares)	95,870	[2],[3]	92,621	[2],[3]
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Income from continuing operations available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21		$ 0.13
Income from discontinued operations available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00		$ 0.01
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21		$ 0.14
Number of anti-dilutive options and warrants not included in earnings per share (in shares)	197		303

[1] There were 0.2 million and 0.3 million options outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the impact of including such options would be anti-dilutive.

[2] Includes all unvested restricted stock where dividends on such restricted stock are non-forfeitable.

[3] There were 0.2 million and 0.3 million options outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per unit because the impact of including such options would be anti-dilutive.