
<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 23.3


                        Consent of Independent Auditors

     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-4 No. 33-   ) and related prospectus of
Highwoods Properties, Inc. for the registration of up to a maximum of 9,860,496
shares of its common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our
reports (a) dated February 20, 1998, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements and schedule of Highwoods Properties, Inc. included in its Annual
Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1997 (as amended on Form
10-K/A on April 29, 1998 and May 19, 1998); (b) dated January 24, 1997 and
January 25, 1997 with respect to the Combined Statements of Revenues and
Certain Expenses of Century Center and Anderson Properties, respectively,
included in Highwoods Properties, Inc.'s Current Report of Forms 8-K dated
January 9, 1997 (as amended on Form 8-K/A on February 7, 1997, March 10, 1997
and April 28, 1998), and (c) dated January 16, 1998 with respect to the
Combined Statements of Revenues and Certain Expenses of Riparius Properties and
Shelton Properties and the Statement of Revenues and Certain Expenses of
Winners Circle for the year ended December 31, 1996 included in the Current
Report on Form 8-K of Highwoods Properties, Inc. dated November 17, 1997, all
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



ERNST & YOUNG LLP
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP



Raleigh, North Carolina
May 29, 1998

