Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$ 191,663	$ 541,139	$ 101,260
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Unrealized gains on tax increment financing bond	0	0	445
Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges	1,732	5,703	(4,040)
Amortization of cash flow hedges	1,157	3,057	3,696
Total other comprehensive income	2,889	8,760	101
Total comprehensive income	194,552	549,899	101,361
Less-comprehensive (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(6,298)	(16,849)	(4,182)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders/unitholders	188,254	533,050	97,179
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Comprehensive income:
Net income	191,663	541,139	101,260
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Unrealized gains on tax increment financing bond	0	0	445
Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges	1,732	5,703	(4,040)
Amortization of cash flow hedges	1,157	3,057	3,696
Total other comprehensive income	2,889	8,760	101
Total comprehensive income	194,552	549,899	101,361
Less-comprehensive (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,239)	(1,253)	(1,264)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders/unitholders	$ 193,313	$ 548,646	$ 100,097