

                                                                    Exhibit 23.2


                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption  "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3, No. 333-___________) and related Prospectus of
Highwoods  Properties,  Inc. for the  registration of 1,290,932 shares of common
stock. We also consent 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 dated 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
the Current  Report on Form 8-K of Highwoods  Properties,  Inc. dated January 9,
1997 (as amended on Form 8-K/A on February 7, 1997, March 10, 1997 and April 28,
1998),  (c) dated  January 16, 1998 with respect to the Combined  Statements  of
Revenues and Certain Expenses of Shelton Properties and Riparius  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, and (d) dated January 30, 1998 with
respect to the Combined  Statement  of Revenues  and Certain  Expenses of Garcia
Properties  for the year ended  December 31, 1997 included in the Current Report
on Form 8-K of Highwoods Properties, Inc. dated February 4, 1998, all filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Raleigh, North Carolina
August 10, 1998


