Earnings Per Share and Per Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 42,103	$ 56,855
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(965)	(1,493)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(257)	(281)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(621)	(622)
Net income available for common stockholders	$ 40,260	$ 54,459
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	104,933	103,963
Earnings per Common Share - basic:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.38	$ 0.52
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 42,103	$ 56,855
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(257)	(281)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(621)	(622)
Net income available for common stockholders before net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	$ 41,225	$ 55,952
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	104,933	103,963
Stock options using the treasury method (in shares)	15	8
Noncontrolling interests Common Units (in shares)	2,505	2,839
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Share - adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions (in shares)	107,453	106,810
Earnings per Common Share - diluted:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.38	$ 0.52
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 42,103	$ 56,855
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(257)	(281)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(621)	(622)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 41,225	$ 55,952
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	107,029	106,393
Earnings per Common Unit - basic:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.39	$ 0.53
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 42,103	$ 56,855
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(257)	(281)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(621)	(622)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 41,225	$ 55,952
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	107,029	106,393
Stock options using the treasury method (in shares)	15	8
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Unit - adjusted weighted average units and assumed conversions (in shares)	107,044	106,401
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.39	$ 0.53