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Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2012 executives acre properties sqft property | Sep. 30, 2012 executives acre properties sqft property | Dec. 31, 2011
Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
In-service office, industrial and retail properties (in units) | 299 | 299 |
Square footage of commercial property (in sq feet) | 29,005,899 | 29,005,899 |
Residential condominiums for sale (in units) | 5 | 5 |
Undeveloped land suitable for future development (in acres) | 581 | 581 |
Undeveloped land considered core holdings (in acres) | 518 | 518 |
Office properties under/planned for development (in units) | 1 | 1 |
Common Units of partnership owned (in shares) | 78,100,000 | 78,100,000 |
Percentage of ownership of Common Units | 95.40% | 95.40% | 95.10%
Number of officers of the Company who are also limited partners | 1 | 1 |
Number of directors of the Company who are also limited partners | 2 | 2 |
Common Units of partnership not owned by the Company (in shares) | 3,800,000 | 3,800,000 |
Number of common units required to convert to one share of common stock (in shares) | 1 | 1 |
Common Stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01
Number of trading days preceding Redemption Notice Date (in days) |  | 10 days |
Common Units redeemed for a like number of common shares of stock (in shares) |  | 21,366 |
Common Units issued to acquire real estate assets (in shares) | 66,864 | 66,864 |
Number of Common Stock sold at the market during period (in shares) | 2,867,768 | 5,490,244 |
Average price of Common Stock sold at the market during period (in dollars per share) | $ 33.22 | $ 33.33 |
Net proceeds of Common Stock sold at the market during period | $ 93.8 | $ 180.2 |
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] |  |  |
Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
In-service office, industrial and retail properties (in units) | 299 | 299 |
Square footage of commercial property (in sq feet) | 29,005,899 | 29,005,899 |
Residential condominiums for sale (in units) | 5 | 5 |
Undeveloped land suitable for future development (in acres) | 581 | 581 |
Undeveloped land considered core holdings (in acres) | 518 | 518 |
Office properties under/planned for development (in units) | 1 | 1 |
Common Units of partnership owned (in shares) | 78,100,000 | 78,100,000 |
Percentage of ownership of Common Units | 95.40% | 95.40% | 95.10%
Number of officers of the Company who are also limited partners | 1 | 1 |
Number of directors of the Company who are also limited partners | 2 | 2 |
Common Units of partnership not owned by the Company (in shares) | 3,800,000 | 3,800,000 |
Number of common units required to convert to one share of common stock (in shares) | 1 | 1 |
Common Stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01 |
Number of trading days preceding Redemption Notice Date (in days) |  | 10 days |
Common Units redeemed for a like number of common shares of stock (in shares) |  | 21,366 |
Common Units issued to acquire real estate assets (in shares) | 66,864 | 66,864 |
Number of Common Stock sold at the market during period (in shares) | 2,867,768 | 5,490,244 |
Average price of Common Stock sold at the market during period (in dollars per share) | $ 33.22 | $ 33.33 |
Net proceeds of Common Stock sold at the market during period | $ 93.8 | $ 180.2 |

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