Earnings Per Share and Per Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 42,331	$ 29,557	$ 272,627	$ 79,337
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership from continuing operations	(1,107)	(737)	(7,084)	(1,974)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates from continuing operations	(298)	(297)	(872)	(919)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(622)	(622)	(1,866)	(1,866)
Net income available for common stockholders	$ 40,304	$ 27,901	$ 262,805	$ 74,578
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	103,896	103,727	103,865	103,674
Earnings per Common Share - basic:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.39	$ 0.27	$ 2.53	$ 0.72
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 42,331	$ 29,557	$ 272,627	$ 79,337
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(298)	(297)	(872)	(919)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(622)	(622)	(1,866)	(1,866)
Net income available for common stockholders before net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	$ 41,411	$ 28,638	$ 269,889	$ 76,552
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	103,896	103,727	103,865	103,674
Stock options using the treasury method (in shares)	2	16	10	18
Noncontrolling interests Common Units (in shares)	2,842	2,728	2,827	2,733
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Share - adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions (in shares)	106,740	106,471	106,702	106,425
Earnings per Common Share - diluted:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.39	$ 0.27	$ 2.53	$ 0.72
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 42,331	$ 29,557	$ 272,627	$ 79,337
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates from continuing operations	(298)	(297)	(872)	(919)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(622)	(622)	(1,866)	(1,866)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 41,411	$ 28,638	$ 269,889	$ 76,552
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	106,329	106,046	106,283	105,998
Earnings per Common Unit - basic:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.39	$ 0.27	$ 2.54	$ 0.72
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 42,331	$ 29,557	$ 272,627	$ 79,337
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(298)	(297)	(872)	(919)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(622)	(622)	(1,866)	(1,866)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 41,411	$ 28,638	$ 269,889	$ 76,552
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	106,329	106,046	106,283	105,998
Stock options using the treasury method (in shares)	2	16	10	18
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Unit - adjusted weighted average units and assumed conversions (in shares)	106,331	106,062	106,293	106,016
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.39	$ 0.27	$ 2.54	$ 0.72