Investments In and Advances To Affiliates (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) property	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) property	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	50.00%
Assets [Abstract]
Real estate assets, net	$ 141,105	$ 163,852
All other assets, net	58,467	53,511
Total Assets	199,572	217,363
Liabilities and Partners' or Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	122,560	141,580
All other liabilities	9,512	6,547
Partners' or stockholders' equity	67,500	69,236
Total Liabilities and Partners' or Stockholders' Equity	199,572	217,363
Our share of historical partners' or stockholders' equity	20,032	21,022
Advances to unconsolidated affiliates	0	448
Difference between cost of investments and the net book value of underlying net assets	(1,186)	(794)
Carrying value of investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	18,846	20,676
Income Statement [Abstract]
Rental and other revenues	42,344	48,118	$ 50,514
Expenses:
Rental property and other expenses	17,808	22,721	25,159
Depreciation and amortization	10,348	12,257	13,310
Interest expense	5,191	7,196	8,847
Total expenses	33,347	42,174	47,316
Income before disposition of property	8,997	5,944	3,198
Net gain/(loss) on disposition of property	22,247	18,181	2,998
Net income	31,244	24,125	6,196
Development, management and leasing fees revenue	800	1,400	1,200
Receivables from management and leasing fees	100	$ 100
Consolidated Affiliates:
Joint venture partner's interest in unconsolidated affiliate (in hundredths)		80.00%
Gain recorded on disposition of investment in unconsolidated affiliate	$ 0	$ 4,155	$ 0
Concourse Center Associates, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	50.00%
Expenses:
Net gain/(loss) on disposition of property	$ (100)
Proceeds received from disposition of property	11,000
Joint venture principal amount of debt	$ 6,600
Number of buildings sold | property	2
Consolidated Affiliates:
Gain recorded on disposition of investment in unconsolidated affiliate	$ 400
Plaza Colonnade, Tenant-in-Common [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	50.00%
Board of Trade Investment Company Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum			49.00%
Expenses:
Net gain/(loss) on disposition of property			$ 1,900
Proceeds received from disposition of property			8,300
Amount of impairment of investment in unconsolidated equity method investee			400
Aggregate distributions received			4,700
Highwoods DLF 97/26 DLF 99/32, LP Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	42.90%
Expenses:
Net gain/(loss) on disposition of property		2,100
Proceeds received from disposition of property		7,000
Our proportionate share of gain on disposition of property		$ 1,100
Highwoods KC Glenridge Office, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum		40.00%
Expenses:
Net gain/(loss) on disposition of property		$ 2,400
Proceeds received from disposition of property		$ 24,500
Joint venture principal amount of debt			$ 14,900
Current fixed interest rate (in hundredths)			4.84%
Number of buildings sold | property		2
Closing credits for unfunded tenant improvements		$ 300
Our proportionate share of gain on disposition of property		$ 900
Highwoods KC Glenridge Land, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum		39.90%
Kessinger/Hunter & Company, LC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	26.50%
Expenses:
Amount of related party transaction	$ 400	$ 300	$ 600
Highwoods DLF Forum, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	25.00%
Highwoods DLF 98/29, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	22.80%
Expenses:
Net gain/(loss) on disposition of property		13,700	1,000
Proceeds received from disposition of property			13,700
Closing credits included for free rent			400
Our proportionate share of gain on disposition of property		3,100	$ 200
4600 Madison Associates, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum	12.50%
Expenses:
Net gain/(loss) on disposition of property	$ 22,300
Proceeds received from disposition of property	36,100
Joint venture principal amount of debt	9,700
Consolidated Affiliates:
Gain recorded on disposition of investment in unconsolidated affiliate	$ 1,900
Highwoods-Markel Associates, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Consolidated Affiliates:
Percentage of equity interest in consolidated affiliates	50.00%
Fair value of noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliate	$ 24,800
SF-Harborview Plaza, LP Joint Venture [Member]
Expenses:
Proceeds received from disposition of property		$ 6,900
Scheduled maturity date				Sep. 30, 2015
Consolidated Affiliates:
Percentage of equity interest in consolidated affiliates		20.00%
Gain recorded on disposition of investment in unconsolidated affiliate		$ 4,200
Advance to consolidated affiliate		$ 20,800		$ 20,800
Term of debt instrument (in years)				3 years
Highwoods-Markel Associates, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Consolidated Affiliates:
Percentage of partner's interest in asset acquired (in hundredths)			50.00%