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Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2013 sqft | Jun. 30, 2013 sqft | Dec. 31, 2012
Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
In-service office, industrial and retail properties (in units) | 291 | 291 |
Square footage of commercial property (in sq feet) | 29,600,000 | 29,600,000 |
Undeveloped land suitable for future development (in acres) | 634 | 634 |
Undeveloped land considered core holdings (in acres) | 566 | 566 |
Office properties under/planned for development (in units) | 2 | 2 |
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum (in hundredths) | 50.00% | 50.00% |
Number of real estate properties not wholly owned (in units) | 30 | 30 |
Area of undeveloped land not wholly owned (in acres) | 11 | 11 |
Number of directors of the Company who are also limited partners | 2 | 2 |
Common Units redeemed for a like number of common shares of stock (in shares) |  | 72,471 |
Highwoods Properties, Inc. [Member] |  |  |
Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Percentage of equity interest in joint venture not owned by Operating Partership | 12.50% | 12.50% |
Square footage of real estate property not owned by Operating Partnership (in sq feet) | 261,000 | 261,000 |
Common Units of partnership owned by the Company (in shares) | 83,600,000 | 83,600,000 |
Percentage of ownership of Common Units | 95.80% | 95.80% | 95.60%
Number of Common Stock sold at the market during period (in shares) | 1,756,590 | 3,056,381 |
Average price of Common Stock sold at the market during period (in dollars per share) | $ 38.32 | $ 37.31 |
Net proceeds of Common Stock sold at the market during period | $ 66.3 | $ 112.3 |
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] |  |  |
Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Common Units of partnership not owned by the Company (in shares) | 3,700,000 | 3,700,000 |

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- Definition Area of undeveloped land parcels owned in acres. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Area of undeveloped land parcels owned in acres, considered core holdings. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The average price of Common Stock sold "at the market" during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The number of directors who are also limited partners of the Operating Partnership + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The number of real estate properties owned by unconsolidated affiliates as of the balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The number of shares converted in a noncash (or part noncash) transaction. Noncash is defined as transactions during a period that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4313-108586 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4304-108586 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 32 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4332-108586 + Details
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