Earnings Per Share and Per Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 52,998	$ 39,554	$ 87,244	$ 73,039
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership from continuing operations	(1,381)	(1,043)	(2,269)	(1,931)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates from continuing operations	(308)	(299)	(594)	(599)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(623)	(623)	(1,246)	(1,246)
Net income available for common stockholders	$ 50,686	$ 37,589	$ 83,135	$ 69,263
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	103,428	102,475	103,376	102,109
Earnings per Common Share - basic:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.49	$ 0.37	$ 0.80	$ 0.68
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 52,998	$ 39,554	$ 87,244	$ 73,039
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(308)	(299)	(594)	(599)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(623)	(623)	(1,246)	(1,246)
Net income available for common stockholders before net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	$ 52,067	$ 38,632	$ 85,404	$ 71,194
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	103,428	102,475	103,376	102,109
Stock options using the treasury method (in shares)	32	77	29	81
Noncontrolling interests Common Units (in shares)	2,807	2,834	2,811	2,836
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Share - adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions (in shares)	106,267	105,386	106,216	105,026
Earnings per Common Share - diluted:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.49	$ 0.37	$ 0.80	$ 0.68
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 52,998	$ 39,554	$ 87,244	$ 73,039
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates from continuing operations	(308)	(299)	(594)	(599)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(623)	(623)	(1,246)	(1,246)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 52,067	$ 38,632	$ 85,404	$ 71,194
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	105,826	104,900	105,778	104,536
Earnings per Common Unit - basic:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.49	$ 0.37	$ 0.81	$ 0.68
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 52,998	$ 39,554	$ 87,244	$ 73,039
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(308)	(299)	(594)	(599)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(623)	(623)	(1,246)	(1,246)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 52,067	$ 38,632	$ 85,404	$ 71,194
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	105,826	104,900	105,778	104,536
Stock options using the treasury method (in shares)	32	77	29	81
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Unit - adjusted weighted average units and assumed conversions (in shares)	105,858	104,977	105,807	104,617
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.49	$ 0.37	$ 0.81	$ 0.68