Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Rental and other revenues	$ 184,070	$ 178,792	$ 356,433	$ 359,230
Operating expenses:
Rental property and other expenses	60,558	59,663	121,109	119,095
Depreciation and amortization	59,460	56,694	128,664	114,262
Impairments of real estate assets	531	0	531	0
General and administrative	9,560	9,540	21,941	21,318
Total operating expenses	130,109	125,897	272,245	254,675
Interest expense	20,356	17,877	39,095	36,268
Other income/(loss)	321	462	(3,445)	917
Gains on disposition of property	6,703	16,972	6,703	16,972
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	765	546	1,429	1,068
Net income	41,394	52,998	49,780	87,244
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(1,044)	(1,381)	(1,237)	(2,269)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(306)	(308)	(622)	(594)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(622)	(623)	(1,244)	(1,246)
Net income available for common stockholders	$ 39,422	$ 50,686	$ 46,677	$ 83,135
Earnings per Common Share – basic:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.38	$ 0.49	$ 0.45	$ 0.80
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	103,693	103,428	103,647	103,376
Earnings per Common Share - diluted:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.38	$ 0.49	$ 0.45	$ 0.80
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	106,445	106,267	106,402	106,216
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Rental and other revenues	$ 184,070	$ 178,792	$ 356,433	$ 359,230
Operating expenses:
Rental property and other expenses	60,558	59,663	121,109	119,095
Depreciation and amortization	59,460	56,694	128,664	114,262
Impairments of real estate assets	531	0	531	0
General and administrative	9,560	9,540	21,941	21,318
Total operating expenses	130,109	125,897	272,245	254,675
Interest expense	20,356	17,877	39,095	36,268
Other income/(loss)	321	462	(3,445)	917
Gains on disposition of property	6,703	16,972	6,703	16,972
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	765	546	1,429	1,068
Net income	41,394	52,998	49,780	87,244
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(306)	(308)	(622)	(594)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(622)	(623)	(1,244)	(1,246)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 40,466	$ 52,067	$ 47,914	$ 85,404
Earnings per Common Unit - basic:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.38	$ 0.49	$ 0.45	$ 0.81
Weighted average Common Units outstanding - basic (in shares)	106,017	105,826	105,973	105,778
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.38	$ 0.49	$ 0.45	$ 0.81
Weighted average Common Units outstanding - diluted (in shares)	106,036	105,858	105,993	105,807