Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Assets [Abstract]
Accounts receivable allowance	$ 3,548	$ 3,595
Mortgages and notes receivable allowance	61	868
Accrued straight-line rents receivable allowance	1,294	2,209
Deferred financing and leasing costs, accumulated amortization	63,156	59,360
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Preferred Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred Stock, authorized shares (in shares)	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Stock, authorized shares (in shares)	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common Stock, shares issued (in shares)	72,647,697	71,690,487
Common Stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	72,647,697	71,690,487
Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference (in dollars per share)	$ 1,000	$ 1,000
Preferred Stock, shares issued (in shares)	29,077	29,092
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	29,077	29,092
Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 25
Preferred Stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	2,100,000
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	2,100,000
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Accounts receivable allowance	3,548	3,595
Mortgages and notes receivable allowance	61	868
Accrued straight-line rents receivable allowance	1,294	2,209
Deferred financing and leasing costs, accumulated amortization	$ 63,156	$ 59,360
Redeemable Operating Partnership Units: [Abstract]
Redeemable Common Units outstanding (in shares)	3,729,518	3,793,987
Common Units: [Abstract]
General Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding	759,684	750,757
Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding	71,479,204	70,530,921
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Preferred Units Series A [Member]
Redeemable Operating Partnership Units: [Abstract]
Preferred Units liquidation preference (in dollars per share)	$ 1,000	$ 1,000
Preferred Units issued (in shares)	29,077	29,092
Preferred Units outstanding (in shares)	29,077	29,092
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Preferred Units Series B Member
Redeemable Operating Partnership Units: [Abstract]
Preferred Units liquidation preference (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 25
Preferred Units issued (in shares)	0	2,100,000
Preferred Units outstanding (in shares)	0	2,100,000