CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' CAPITAL - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP (HTALP)	Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP (HTALP) General Partner’s Capital	Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP (HTALP) Limited Partners’ Capital
Balance as of beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2015		$ 1,406,958	$ 1,379,694	$ 27,264
Balance as of beginning of period (in units) at Dec. 31, 2015			127,027	1,930
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of general partner units		91,269	$ 91,269
Issuance of general partner units (in units)			3,418
Share-based award transactions, net		1,803	$ 1,803
Share-based award transactions, net (in units)			191
Redemption and cancellation of general partner units		(1,901)	$ (1,901)
Redemption and cancellation of general partner units (in units)			(70)
Redemption of limited partner units and other		0	$ 2,198	$ (2,198)
Redemption of limited partner units and other (in units)			96	(96)
Distributions declared		(39,083)	$ (38,540)	$ (543)
Net income	$ 9,860	10,005	9,860	145
Other comprehensive loss	0	0
Balance as of end of period at Mar. 31, 2016		1,469,051	$ 1,444,383	$ 24,668
Balance as of end of period (in units) at Mar. 31, 2016			130,662	1,834
Balance as of beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2016		1,780,417	$ 1,687,544	$ 92,873
Balance as of beginning of period (in units) at Dec. 31, 2016			141,719	4,323
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of limited partner units in connection with an acquisition		610		$ 610
Issuance of limited partner units in connection with an acquisition (in units)				21
Share-based award transactions, net		2,530	$ 2,530
Share-based award transactions, net (in units)			213
Redemption and cancellation of general partner units		(3,118)	$ (3,118)
Redemption and cancellation of general partner units (in units)			(107)
Distributions declared		(44,466)	$ (43,145)	$ (1,321)
Net income	13,545	13,970	13,545	425
Other comprehensive loss	$ (88)	(88)	(85)	(3)
Balance as of end of period at Mar. 31, 2017		$ 1,749,855	$ 1,657,271	$ 92,584
Balance as of end of period (in units) at Mar. 31, 2017			141,825	4,344