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v3.3.1.900

Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Details) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) ft² a property customers shares | Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Description of Business [Abstract] |  |  |
Rentable square feet of commercial real estate (in square feet) | ft² | 32,486,000 |  |
Rentable square feet of commercial real estate under development (in square feet) | ft² | 1,454,200 |  |
Undeveloped land suitable for future development (in acres) | a | 500 |  |
Number of common units required to convert to one share of common stock (in shares) | shares | 1 |  |
Number of trading days preceeding Redemption Notice Date (in days) | 10 days |  |
Percentage of equity interest in joint ventures, maximum | 50.00% |  |
Consolidated in-service office properties not wholly owned (in units) | property | 3 |  |
Joint venture partner's interest in unconsolidated affiliate (in hundredths) | 80.00% |  |
Real estate assets, depreciation expense | $ 168,663 | $ 154,448 | $ 138,163
Maturity of highly liquid investments (in months) | 3 months |  |
Percent of annual REIT taxable income required to pay to the Company's stockholders | 90.00% |  |
Customers with leases on wholly owned properties | customers | 1,910 |  |
Percent of annualized cash rental revenue derived from geographic locations | 10.00% |  |
Limit of consolidated revenue generated by any single customer | 6.00% |  |
Adjustment interval of variable debt interest rates, mimimum (in months) | 1 month |  |
Adjustment interval of variable debt interest rates, maximum (in months) | 3 months |  |
Net real estate assets | $ 3,762,223 | 3,248,045 |
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates | 20,676 | 50,685 |
Total Assets | 4,493,432 | 3,999,123 |
Distributions in excess of net income available for common stockholders | (1,023,135) | (957,370) |
Total Liabilities, Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership and Equity | $ 4,493,432 | $ 3,999,123 |
Section 1031 Exchange VIE Member |  |  |
Description of Business [Abstract] |  |  |
Number of office properties acquired | property | 3 |  |
Like-kind exchange agreement, maximum (in days) | P180D |  |
VIE total assets | $ 421,300 |  |
VIE total liabilities | 16,300 |  |
VIE total cash flows | $ 7,100 |  |
Building [Member] |  |  |
Description of Business [Abstract] |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment useful life | 40 years |  |
Building Improvements [Member] |  |  |
Description of Business [Abstract] |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment useful life | 15 years |  |
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Minimum [Member] |  |  |
Description of Business [Abstract] |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment useful life | 5 years |  |
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Maximum [Member] |  |  |
Description of Business [Abstract] |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment useful life | 7 years |  |
Leaseholds and Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member] |  |  |
Description of Business [Abstract] |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment useful life | 3 years |  |
Leaseholds and Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member] |  |  |
Description of Business [Abstract] |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment useful life | 10 years |  |
Highwoods Properties, Inc. [Member] |  |  |
Description of Business [Abstract] |  |  |
Common Units of partnership owned (in shares) | shares | 95,700,000 |  |
Percentage of ownership of Common Units | 97.10% | 96.90% |
Common units redeemed for a like number of common shares of stock (in shares) | shares | 37,203 |  |
Joint venture partner's interest in unconsolidated affiliate (in hundredths) | 80.00% |  |
Gain recognized on partial sale | $ 2,200 |  |
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] |  |  |
Description of Business [Abstract] |  |  |
Common Units of partnership not owned by the Company (in shares) | shares | 2,900,000 |  |
Net real estate assets | $ 3,762,223 | $ 3,248,045 |
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates | 20,676 | 50,685 |
Total Assets | 4,493,432 | 3,999,229 |
Total Liabilities, Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership and Equity | $ 4,493,432 | 3,999,229 |
Previously Reported Disclosure [Member] | Highwoods Properties, Inc. [Member] |  |  |
Description of Business [Abstract] |  |  |
Net real estate assets |  | (29,400) |
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates |  | 23,614 |
Total Assets |  | (5,786) |
Financing obligation |  | (14,557) |
Distributions in excess of net income available for common stockholders |  | 8,771 |
Total Liabilities, Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership and Equity |  | $ (5,786) |

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