Exhibit

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statements No. 333-160521, 333-168356, and 333-204128 on Form S-8 and Registration Statement No. 333-193865 on Form S-3 of our reports dated February 7, 2017, relating to the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules of Highwoods Properties, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) (which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph regarding the Company’s adoption of the accounting standard update for reporting discontinued operations), and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2016.