Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Derivative [Line Items]

Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Fair Value [Table Text Block]

The following table sets forth the fair value of our derivative instruments:

	September 30, 2012		December 31, 2011
Liability Derivatives:
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	$	10,274	$	2,202

Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Statement of Financial Performance [Table Text Block]

The following table sets forth the effect of our cash flow hedges on AOCL and interest expense:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges:
Amount of unrealized losses recognized in AOCL on derivatives (effective portion):
Interest rate swaps	$	(3,337	)	$	—		$	(10,424	)	$	—
Amount of (gains)/losses reclassified out of AOCL into contractual interest expense (effective portion):
Interest rate swaps	$	791		$	(30	)	$	2,250		$	(87	)

Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]

Derivative [Line Items]

Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Fair Value [Table Text Block]

The following table sets forth the fair value of our derivative instruments:

	September 30, 2012		December 31, 2011
Liability Derivatives:
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	$	10,274	$	2,202

Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Statement of Financial Performance [Table Text Block]

The following table sets forth the effect of our cash flow hedges on AOCL and interest expense:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges:
Amount of unrealized losses recognized in AOCL on derivatives (effective portion):
Interest rate swaps	$	(3,337	)	$	—		$	(10,424	)	$	—
Amount of (gains)/losses reclassified out of AOCL into contractual interest expense (effective portion):
Interest rate swaps	$	791		$	(30	)	$	2,250		$	(87	)