Name:	hiw_EntitysShareOfEquityMethodInvestmentGainLossOnDispositionOfDepreciableProperties
Namespace Prefix:	hiw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The stated principal amount of the debt instrument at time of issuance, which may vary from the carrying amount because of unamortized premium or discount, reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_EquityMethodInvestmentDebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	hiw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Item represents the gain or loss arising from the sale of real estate of an equity method investee.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_EquityMethodInvestmentsNetGainOrLossOnDispositionOfProperty
Namespace Prefix:	hiw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The purchase price of real estate before or after closing credits to buyer for unfunded tenant improvements, building improvements or free rent, if any, of an equity method investee.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_EquityMethodInvestmentsPurchasePriceofRealEstate
Namespace Prefix:	hiw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The number of real estate office properties acquired.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_NumberOfOfficePropertiesAcquired
Namespace Prefix:	hiw_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The maximum percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

No definition available.

Name:	hiw_PercentageOfEquityInterestInJointVenturesMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	hiw_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

This element represents acquisition-related costs incurred to effect a business combination which costs have been expensed during the period. Such costs include finder's fees; advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees; general administrative costs, including the costs of maintaining an internal acquisitions department; and may include costs of registering and issuing debt and equity securities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 25
-Paragraph 23
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73531572&loc=d3e1043-128460

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of business during the period. The cash portion only of the acquisition price.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Investing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3213-108585

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Detail information of subsequent event by type. User is expected to use existing line items from elsewhere in the taxonomy as the primary line items for this disclosure, which is further associated with dimension and member elements pertaining to a subsequent event.

No definition available.