Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Discontinued operations [Abstract]
Rental and other revenues	$ 345	$ 5,478
Operating expenses:
Rental property and other expenses	103	1,939
Depreciation and amortization	148	1,532
Total operating expenses	251	3,471
Interest expense	0	125
Income from discontinued operations	94	1,882
Impairments of real estate assets held for sale	(713)	0
Net gains on disposition of discontinued operations	1,244	5,134
Total discontinued operations	625	7,016
Assets, held for sale [Abstract]
Land	658		2,482
Buildings and tenant improvements	6,690		23,106
Less accumulated depreciation	(2,991)		(8,017)
Net real estate assets	4,357		17,571
Accrued straight line rents receivable	26		408
Deferred leasing costs, net	11		929
Prepaid expenses and other assets	0		30
Real estate and other assets, net, held for sale	4,394		18,938
Orlando, FL Office Properties Disposition (3/2013) [Member]
Assets, held for sale [Abstract]
Number of office properties included in real estate and other assets, net, held for sale			2
Atlanta, GA Industrial Properties Held For Sale (3/2013) [Member]
Assets, held for sale [Abstract]
Number of industrial properties included in real estate and other assets, net, held for sale	5		5
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Discontinued operations [Abstract]
Rental and other revenues	345	5,478
Operating expenses:
Rental property and other expenses	103	1,939
Depreciation and amortization	148	1,532
Total operating expenses	251	3,471
Interest expense	0	125
Income from discontinued operations	94	1,882
Impairments of real estate assets held for sale	(713)	0
Net gains on disposition of discontinued operations	1,244	5,134
Total discontinued operations	625	7,016
Assets, held for sale [Abstract]
Land	658		2,482
Buildings and tenant improvements	6,690		23,106
Less accumulated depreciation	(2,991)		(8,017)
Net real estate assets	4,357		17,571
Accrued straight line rents receivable	26		408
Deferred leasing costs, net	11		929
Prepaid expenses and other assets	0		30
Real estate and other assets, net, held for sale	$ 4,394		$ 18,938
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Orlando, FL Office Properties Disposition (3/2013) [Member]
Assets, held for sale [Abstract]
Number of office properties included in real estate and other assets, net, held for sale			2
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Atlanta, GA Industrial Properties Held For Sale (3/2013) [Member]
Assets, held for sale [Abstract]
Number of industrial properties included in real estate and other assets, net, held for sale	5		5