Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Net proceeds of Common Stock sold during the period	$ 112,624	$ 305,846	$ 243,168
Possible future share issuance authorized under charter	107,100,000
Dividends, Common Stock [Abstract]
Ordinary income	$ 1.31	$ 1.28	$ 1.28
Capital gains	$ 0.29	$ 0.26	$ 0.24
Return of capital	$ 0.10	$ 0.16	$ 0.18
Total taxability of dividends per share	$ 1.70	$ 1.70	$ 1.70
Dividends, Preferred Stock [Abstract]
Number of shares outstanding, Preferred Stock (in shares)	29,060	29,077
Carrying value, Preferred Stock	29,060	29,077
Liquidation preference per share, Preferred Stock (in dollars per share)	$ 1,000	$ 1,000
Warrants [Abstract]
Warrants to acquire Common Stock, outstanding	15,000	15,000
Exercise price of outstanding warrants	$ 32.50	$ 32.50
Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares [Member]
Dividends, Preferred Stock [Abstract]
Ordinary income	$ 70.41	$ 71.56	$ 72.46
Capital gains	$ 15.84	$ 14.69	$ 13.79
Total taxability of dividends per share	$ 86.25	$ 86.25	$ 86.25
Issuance date, Preferred Stock	Feb. 12, 1997	Feb. 12, 1997
Liquidation preference per share, Preferred Stock (in dollars per share)	$ 1,000	$ 1,000
Optional redemption date, Preferred Stock	Feb. 12, 2027	Feb. 12, 2027
Annual dividends payable per share, Preferred Stock (in dollars per share)	$ 86.25	$ 86.25	$ 86.25
Highwoods Properties, Inc. [Member] | ATM Equity Offering [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of Common Stock sold during the period (in shares)	2,500,031	8,273,690
Net proceeds of Common Stock sold during the period	104,100	295,100
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Distributions paid per share of Common Unit (in dollars per share)	$ 1.70	$ 1.70	$ 1.70
Dividends, Preferred Stock [Abstract]
Number of units outstanding, Preferred Units (in shares)	29,060	29,077
Carrying value, Preferred units	$ 29,060	$ 29,077
Liquidation preference per unit, Preferred Units (in dollars per share)	$ 1,000	$ 1,000
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares [Member]
Dividends, Preferred Stock [Abstract]
Total taxability of dividends per share	$ 86.25	$ 86.25
Issuance date, Preferred Stock	Feb. 12, 1997	Feb. 12, 1997
Liquidation preference per unit, Preferred Units (in dollars per share)	$ 1,000	$ 1,000
Optional redemption date, Preferred Stock	Feb. 12, 2027	Feb. 12, 2027
Annual dividends payable per share, Preferred Stock (in dollars per share)	$ 86.25	$ 86.25