Name:	hiw_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsBuildingAndTenantImprovements
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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For the disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operation), the carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of real estate held for productive use.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLand
Namespace Prefix:	hiw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

For the disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operation), the carrying amount of land available for development.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLandHeldForDevelopment
Namespace Prefix:	hiw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

For the disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operation), the cumulative amount of depreciation for real estate property held for investment purposes.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsRealEstateInvestmentPropertyAccumulatedDepreciation
Namespace Prefix:	hiw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

For the disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operations), the net book value of real estate property held for investment purposes.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsRealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet
Namespace Prefix:	hiw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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Amount classified as intangible assets, excluding goodwill, attributable to disposal group held for sale or disposed of.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Name:	us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationIntangibleAssets
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Amount classified as other assets attributable to disposal group held for sale or disposed of.

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Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of investments in land and buildings held for sale, excluding real estate considered to be inventory of the entity.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
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