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Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2011 | Jun. 30, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2011 | Jul. 05, 2012 ATM Equity Offering Sales [Member] | Jul. 13, 2012 Greensboro, NC Medical Office Properties Acquisition [Member] property | Jul. 13, 2012 Nashville, TN Office Properties Disposition [Member] property | Jul. 25, 2012 General Services Administration Buildings Disposition [Member] property | Jun. 30, 2012 Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Jun. 30, 2011 Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Jun. 30, 2012 Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Jun. 30, 2011 Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Jul. 05, 2012 Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] ATM Equity Offering Sales [Member] | Jul. 13, 2012 Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Greensboro, NC Medical Office Properties Acquisition [Member] property | Jul. 13, 2012 Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] Nashville, TN Office Properties Disposition [Member] property | Jul. 25, 2012 Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] General Services Administration Buildings Disposition [Member] property
Subsequent Event [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of Common Stock sold at the market during period (in shares) | 1,836,976 |  | 2,622,476 |  | 451,300 |  |  |  | 1,836,976 |  | 2,622,476 |  | 451,300 |  |  |
Average price of Common Stock sold at the market during period (in dollars per share) | $ 33.72 |  | $ 33.45 |  | $ 33.52 |  |  |  | $ 33.72 |  | $ 33.45 |  | $ 33.52 |  |  |
Net proceeds of Common Stock sold at the market during period | $ 61,000,000 |  | $ 86,400,000 |  | $ 14,900,000 |  |  |  | $ 61,000,000 |  | $ 86,400,000 |  | $ 14,900,000 |  |  |
Number of office properties acquired |  |  |  |  |  | 2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2 |  |
Acquisition purchase price |  |  |  |  |  | 16,400,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 16,400,000 |  |
Common Units Of Partnership Issued |  |  |  |  |  | 77,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 77,000 |  |
Acquisition-related costs |  |  |  |  |  | 100,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 100,000 |  |
Number of office properties sold |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5 | 3 |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5 | 3
Gross proceeds from the sale of real estate |  |  |  |  |  |  | 41,000,000 | 86,500,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  | 41,000,000 | 86,500,000
Gains on disposition of discontinued operations | $ 1,385,000 | $ 0 | $ 6,519,000 | $ 0 |  |  | $ 6,800,000 | $ 14,000,000 | $ 1,385,000 | $ 0 | $ 6,519,000 | $ 0 |  |  | $ 6,800,000 | $ 14,000,000

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