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v3.3.1.900

Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
Class of Stock [Line Items] |  |  |
Net proceeds of Common Stock sold during the period | $ 125,537 | $ 112,624 | $ 305,846
Possible future share issuance authorized under charter | 103,900,000 |  |
Number of trading days preceeding Redemption Notice Date (in days) | 10 days |  |
Dividends, Common Stock [Abstract] |  |  |
Ordinary income | $ 1.50 | $ 1.31 | $ 1.28
Capital gains | 0.13 | 0.29 | 0.26
Return of capital | 0.07 | 0.10 | 0.16
Total taxability of dividends per share | $ 1.70 | $ 1.70 | 1.70
Dividends, Preferred Stock [Abstract] |  |  |
Number of shares outstanding, Preferred Stock (in shares) | 29,050 | 29,060 |
Carrying value, Preferred Stock | $ 29,050 | $ 29,060 |
Liquidation preference per share, Preferred Stock (in dollars per share) | $ 1,000 | $ 1,000 |
Warrants [Abstract] |  |  |
Warrants to acquire Common Stock/Units, outstanding | 15,000 | 15,000 |
Exercise price of outstanding warrants | $ 32.50 | $ 32.50 |
Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares [Member] |  |  |
Dividends, Preferred Stock [Abstract] |  |  |
Ordinary income | 79.23 | 70.41 | 71.56
Capital gains | 7.02 | 15.84 | 14.69
Total taxability of dividends per share | $ 86.25 | $ 86.25 | 86.25
Issuance date, Preferred Stock/Unit | Feb. 12, 1997 | Feb. 12, 1997 |
Liquidation preference per share, Preferred Stock (in dollars per share) | $ 1,000 | $ 1,000 |
Optional redemption date, Preferred Stock/Unit | Feb. 12, 2027 | Feb. 12, 2027 |
Annual dividends payable per share, Preferred Stock/Unit (in dollars per share) | $ 86.25 | $ 86.25 | 86.25
Highwoods Properties, Inc. [Member] | ATM Equity Offering [Member] |  |  |
Class of Stock [Line Items] |  |  |
Number of Common Stock sold during the period (in shares) | 2,922,905 | 2,500,031 |
Net proceeds of Common Stock sold during the period | $ 124,900 | $ 104,100 |
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] |  |  |
Class of Stock [Line Items] |  |  |
Distributions paid per share of Common Unit (in dollars per share) | $ 1.70 | $ 1.70 | $ 1.70
Dividends, Preferred Stock [Abstract] |  |  |
Number of units outstanding, Preferred Units (in shares) | 29,050 | 29,060 |
Carrying value, Preferred units | $ 29,050 | $ 29,060 |
Liquidation preference per unit, Preferred Units (in dollars per share) | $ 1,000 | $ 1,000 |
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member] | Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares [Member] |  |  |
Dividends, Preferred Stock [Abstract] |  |  |
Total taxability of dividends per share | $ 86.25 | $ 86.25 |
Issuance date, Preferred Stock/Unit | Feb. 12, 1997 | Feb. 12, 1997 |
Liquidation preference per unit, Preferred Units (in dollars per share) | $ 1,000 | $ 1,000 |
Optional redemption date, Preferred Stock/Unit | Feb. 12, 2027 | Feb. 12, 2027 |
Annual dividends payable per share, Preferred Stock/Unit (in dollars per share) | $ 86.25 | $ 86.25 |

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