Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$ 20,835us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 13,576us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Other comprehensive loss:
Unrealized gains on tax increment financing bond	193	165
Unrealized losses on cash flow hedges	(2,914)	(1,404)
Amortization of cash flow hedges	924	928
Total other comprehensive loss	(1,797)	(311)
Total comprehensive income	19,038	13,265
Less-comprehensive (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(892)	(821)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders/Comprehensive income attributable to common unitholders	18,146us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	12,444us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Comprehensive income:
Net income	20,835	13,576
Other comprehensive loss:
Unrealized gains on tax increment financing bond	193	165
Unrealized losses on cash flow hedges	(2,914)	(1,404)
Amortization of cash flow hedges	924	928
Total other comprehensive loss	(1,797)	(311)
Total comprehensive income	19,038	13,265
Less-comprehensive (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(296)	(423)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders/Comprehensive income attributable to common unitholders	$ 18,742	$ 12,842

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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