Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$ 59,549	$ 33,840	$ 132,588	$ 514,103
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges	(347)	1,610	(31)	(7,785)
Amortization of cash flow hedges	211	758	992	2,336
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	(136)	2,368	961	(5,449)
Total comprehensive income	59,413	36,208	133,549	508,654
Less-comprehensive (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,886)	(1,245)	(4,416)	(15,817)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders/Comprehensive income attributable to common unitholders	57,527	34,963	129,133	492,837
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Comprehensive income:
Net income	59,549	33,840	132,588	514,103
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges	(347)	1,610	(31)	(7,785)
Amortization of cash flow hedges	211	758	992	2,336
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	(136)	2,368	961	(5,449)
Total comprehensive income	59,413	36,208	133,549	508,654
Less-comprehensive (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(315)	(319)	(914)	(941)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders/Comprehensive income attributable to common unitholders	$ 59,098	$ 35,889	$ 132,635	$ 507,713