Noncontrolling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Affiliates
Consolidated joint venture, partner's interest (in hundredths)	50.00%								50.00%
Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership, beginning balance				$ 126,429					$ 126,429
Adjustment of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership to fair value									12,993	$ 67	$ 25,275
Conversions of Common Units to Common Stock									(3,057)	(1,645)	(162)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	$ 720	$ 926	$ 939	13,011	$ 622	$ 918	$ 782	$ 596	15,596	2,918	3,542
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership									(4,888)	(4,959)	(4,994)
Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership, ending balance	144,802				126,429				144,802	126,429
Net Income Available for Common Stockholders and Transfers From Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership
Net income available for common stockholders	25,380	$ 31,971	$ 31,648	432,790	20,352	$ 29,749	$ 25,155	19,316	521,789	94,572	108,457
Highwoods Properties, Inc. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership, beginning balance				$ 126,429				$ 130,048	126,429	130,048
Adjustment of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership to fair value									12,993	67
Conversions of Common Units to Common Stock									(3,057)	(1,645)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership									15,596	2,918
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership									(7,159)	(4,959)
Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership, ending balance	$ 144,802				$ 126,429				144,802	126,429	130,048
Net Income Available for Common Stockholders and Transfers From Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership
Net income available for common stockholders									521,789	94,572	108,457
Increase in additional paid in capital from conversions of Common Units to Common Stock									3,057	1,645	162
Change from net income available for common stockholders and transfers from noncontrolling interests									$ 524,846	$ 96,217	$ 108,619