Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$ 446,735	$ 20,835
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Unrealized gains on tax increment financing bond	0	193
Unrealized losses on cash flow hedges	(3,635)	(2,914)
Amortization of cash flow hedges	795	924
Total other comprehensive loss	(2,840)	(1,797)
Total comprehensive income	443,895	19,038
Less-comprehensive (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(13,319)	(892)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders/Comprehensive income attributable to common unitholders	430,576	18,146
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Comprehensive income:
Net income	446,735	20,835
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Unrealized gains on tax increment financing bond	0	193
Unrealized losses on cash flow hedges	(3,635)	(2,914)
Amortization of cash flow hedges	795	924
Total other comprehensive loss	(2,840)	(1,797)
Total comprehensive income	443,895	19,038
Less-comprehensive (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(308)	(296)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders/Comprehensive income attributable to common unitholders	$ 443,587	$ 18,742