Equity (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Class of Stock [Line Items]

Schedule of Stock by Class, Preferred Stock

The following table sets forth the Company's Preferred Stock:

	Issue Date	Number of Shares Outstanding	Carrying Value		Liquidation Preference Per Share		Optional Redemption Date	Annual Dividends Payable Per Share
		(in thousands)
December 31, 2019
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable	2/12/1997	29	$	28,859	$	1,000	2/12/2027	$	86.25
December 31, 2018
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable	2/12/1997	29	$	28,877	$	1,000	2/12/2027	$	86.25

Common Stock [Member]

Class of Stock [Line Items]

Schedule Of Components Of Taxability Of Company Dividends [Table Text Block]

The following table sets forth the Company's estimated taxability to the common stockholders of dividends per share for federal income tax purposes:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Ordinary dividend	$	1.64	$	1.48	$	1.50
Capital gains	0.13		0.31		0.32
Return of capital	0.13		0.06		—
Total	$	1.90	$	1.85	$	1.82

Preferred Stock [Member]

Class of Stock [Line Items]

Schedule Of Components Of Taxability Of Company Dividends [Table Text Block]

The following table sets forth the Company's estimated taxability to the preferred stockholders of dividends per share for federal income tax purposes:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable:
Ordinary dividend	$	79.90	$	71.22	$	71.00
Capital gains	6.35		15.03		15.25
Total	$	86.25	$	86.25	$	86.25

Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]

Class of Stock [Line Items]

Schedule of Stock by Class, Preferred Stock

The following table sets forth the Operating Partnership's Preferred Units:

	Issue Date	Number of Units Outstanding	Carrying Value		Liquidation Preference Per Unit		Optional Redemption Date	Annual Distributions Payable Per Unit
		(in thousands)
December 31, 2019
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable	2/12/1997	29	$	28,859	$	1,000	2/12/2027	$	86.25
December 31, 2018
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable	2/12/1997	29	$	28,877	$	1,000	2/12/2027	$	86.25