Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Rental and other revenues	$ 735,979	$ 720,035	$ 702,737
Operating expenses:
Rental property and other expenses	248,511	242,415	236,888
Depreciation and amortization	254,504	229,955	227,832
Impairments of real estate assets	5,849	423	1,445
General and administrative	44,067	40,006	39,648
Total operating expenses	552,931	512,799	505,813
Interest expense	81,648	71,422	69,105
Other income/(loss)	(2,510)	1,940	2,283
Gains on disposition of property	39,517	37,638	54,157
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	3,276	2,238	7,404
Net income	141,683	177,630	191,663
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(3,551)	(4,588)	(5,059)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(1,214)	(1,207)	(1,239)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(2,488)	(2,492)	(2,492)
Net income available for common stockholders	$ 134,430	$ 169,343	$ 182,873
Earnings per Common Share - basic:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.30	$ 1.64	$ 1.78
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	103,692	103,439	102,682
Earnings per Common Share - diluted:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.30	$ 1.64	$ 1.78
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	106,445	106,268	105,594
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Rental and other revenues	$ 735,979	$ 720,035	$ 702,737
Operating expenses:
Rental property and other expenses	248,511	242,415	236,888
Depreciation and amortization	254,504	229,955	227,832
Impairments of real estate assets	5,849	423	1,445
General and administrative	44,067	40,006	39,648
Total operating expenses	552,931	512,799	505,813
Interest expense	81,648	71,422	69,105
Other income/(loss)	(2,510)	1,940	2,283
Gains on disposition of property	39,517	37,638	54,157
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	3,276	2,238	7,404
Net income	141,683	177,630	191,663
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(1,214)	(1,207)	(1,239)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(2,488)	(2,492)	(2,492)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 137,981	$ 173,931	$ 187,932
Earnings per Common Unit - basic:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.30	$ 1.64	$ 1.79
Weighted average Common Units outstanding - basic (in shares)	106,014	105,826	105,106
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.30	$ 1.64	$ 1.79
Weighted average Common Units outstanding - diluted (in shares)	106,036	105,859	105,185