Cover Financial Statements Notes to Financial Statements Accounting Policies Notes Tables Notes Details

Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Billions	Dec. 31, 2017	Jan. 26, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	HIGHWOODS PROPERTIES INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000921082
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		103,284,071
Entity Public Float			$ 5.2
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	HIGHWOODS REALTY LTD PARTNERSHIP
Entity Central Index Key	0000941713
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Real estate assets, at cost:
Land	$ 485,956	$ 474,375
Buildings and tenant improvements	4,590,490	4,313,373
Development in-process	88,452	279,602
Land held for development	74,765	77,355
Total real estate assets	5,239,663	5,144,705
Less-accumulated depreciation	(1,202,424)	(1,134,103)
Net real estate assets	4,037,239	4,010,602
Real estate and other assets, net, held for sale	14,118	0
Cash and cash equivalents	3,272	49,490
Restricted cash	85,061	29,141
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $753 and $624, respectively	24,397	17,372
Mortgages and notes receivable, net of allowance of $72 and $105, respectively	6,425	8,833
Accrued straight-line rents receivable, net of allowance of $819 and $692, respectively	200,131	172,829
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	23,897	18,846
Deferred leasing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $143,512 and $140,081, respectively	200,679	213,500
Prepaid expenses and other assets, net of accumulated amortization of $19,092 and $19,904, respectively	28,572	40,437
Total Assets	4,623,791	4,561,050
Liabilities, Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership and Equity/Liabilities, Redeemable Operating Partnership Units and Capital:
Mortgages and notes payable, net	2,014,333	1,948,047
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	228,215	313,885
Total Liabilities	2,242,548	2,261,932
Commitments and contingencies
Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	144,009	144,802
Equity/Capital:
Preferred Stock, $.01 par value, 50,000,000 authorized shares; 8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares (liquidation preference $1,000 per share), 28,892 and 28,920 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	28,892	28,920
Common Stock, $.01 par value, 200,000,000 authorized shares; 103,266,875 and 101,665,554 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	1,033	1,017
Additional paid-in capital	2,929,399	2,850,881
Distributions in excess of net income available for common stockholders	(747,344)	(749,412)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	7,838	4,949
Total Stockholders’ Equity	2,219,818	2,136,355
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	17,416	17,961
Total Equity/Capital:	2,237,234	2,154,316
Total Liabilities, Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership and Equity/Total Liabilities, Redeemable Operating Partnership Units and Capital	4,623,791	4,561,050
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Real estate assets, at cost:
Land	485,956	474,375
Buildings and tenant improvements	4,590,490	4,313,373
Development in-process	88,452	279,602
Land held for development	74,765	77,355
Total real estate assets	5,239,663	5,144,705
Less-accumulated depreciation	(1,202,424)	(1,134,103)
Net real estate assets	4,037,239	4,010,602
Real estate and other assets, net, held for sale	14,118	0
Cash and cash equivalents	3,272	49,490
Restricted cash	85,061	29,141
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $753 and $624, respectively	24,397	17,372
Mortgages and notes receivable, net of allowance of $72 and $105, respectively	6,425	8,833
Accrued straight-line rents receivable, net of allowance of $819 and $692, respectively	200,131	172,829
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	23,897	18,846
Deferred leasing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $143,512 and $140,081, respectively	200,679	213,500
Prepaid expenses and other assets, net of accumulated amortization of $19,092 and $19,904, respectively	28,572	40,437
Total Assets	4,623,791	4,561,050
Liabilities, Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership and Equity/Liabilities, Redeemable Operating Partnership Units and Capital:
Mortgages and notes payable, net	2,014,333	1,948,047
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	228,215	313,885
Total Liabilities	2,242,548	2,261,932
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable Operating Partnership Units:
Common Units, 2,828,704 and 2,838,704 outstanding, respectively	144,009	144,802
Series A Preferred Units (liquidation preference $1,000 per unit), 28,892 and 28,920 units issued and outstanding, respectively	28,892	28,920
Total Redeemable Operating Partnership Units	172,901	173,722
Equity/Capital:
General partner Common Units, 1,056,868 and 1,040,954 outstanding, respectively	21,830	21,023
Limited partner Common Units, 101,801,198 and 100,215,791 outstanding, respectively	2,161,258	2,081,463
Accumulated other comprehensive income	7,838	4,949
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	17,416	17,961
Total Equity/Capital:	2,208,342	2,125,396
Total Liabilities, Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership and Equity/Total Liabilities, Redeemable Operating Partnership Units and Capital	$ 4,623,791	$ 4,561,050

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets:
Accounts receivable allowance	$ 753	$ 624
Mortgages and notes receivable allowance	72	105
Accrued straight-line rents receivable allowance	819	692
Deferred leasing costs, accumulated amortization	143,512	140,081
Prepaid expenses and other assets, accumulated amortization	$ 19,092	$ 19,904
Equity/Capital:
Preferred Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred Stock, authorized shares (in shares)	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference (in dollars per share)	$ 1,000	$ 1,000
Preferred Stock, shares issued (in shares)	28,892	28,920
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	28,892	28,920
Common Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Stock, authorized shares (in shares)	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common Stock, shares issued (in shares)	103,266,875	101,665,554
Common Stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	103,266,875	101,665,554
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Assets:
Accounts receivable allowance	$ 753	$ 624
Mortgages and notes receivable allowance	72	105
Accrued straight-line rents receivable allowance	819	692
Deferred leasing costs, accumulated amortization	143,512	140,081
Prepaid expenses and other assets, accumulated amortization	$ 19,092	$ 19,904
Redeemable Operating Partnership Units:
Redeemable Common Units, outstanding (in shares)	2,828,704	2,838,704
Preferred Units liquidation preference (in dollars per share)	$ 1,000	$ 1,000
Series A Preferred Units, issued (in shares)	28,892	28,920
Series A Preferred Units, outstanding (in shares)	28,892	28,920
Common Units:
General partners' capital account, units outstanding (in shares)	1,056,868	1,040,954
Limited partners' capital account, units outstanding (in shares)	101,801,198	100,215,791

Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Rental and other revenues	$ 702,737	$ 665,634	$ 604,671
Operating expenses:
Rental property and other expenses	236,888	231,085	215,941
Depreciation and amortization	227,832	220,140	201,918
Impairments of real estate assets	1,445	0	0
General and administrative	39,648	38,153	37,642
Total operating expenses	505,813	489,378	455,501
Interest expense:
Contractual	65,939	73,142	82,245
Amortization of debt issuance costs	3,166	3,506	3,645
Financing obligation	0	0	162
Total interest expense	69,105	76,648	86,052
Other income:
Interest and other income	2,309	2,338	1,969
Losses on debt extinguishment	(26)	0	(243)
Total other income	2,283	2,338	1,726
Income from continuing operations before disposition of investment properties and activity in unconsolidated affiliates	130,102	101,946	64,844
Gains on disposition of property	54,157	14,807	11,444
Gain on disposition of investment in unconsolidated affiliate	0	0	4,155
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	7,404	5,793	5,078
Income from continuing operations	191,663	122,546	85,521
Discontinued operations:
Income from discontinued operations	0	4,097	15,739
Net gains on disposition of discontinued operations	0	414,496	0
Total income from discontinued operations	0	418,593	15,739
Net income	191,663	541,139	101,260
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(5,059)	(15,596)	(2,918)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(1,239)	(1,253)	(1,264)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(2,492)	(2,501)	(2,506)
Net income available for common stockholders	$ 182,873	$ 521,789	$ 94,572
Earnings per Common Share - basic:
Income from continuing operations available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.78	$ 1.17	$ 0.84
Income from discontinued operations available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	0.00	4.13	0.16
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.78	$ 5.30	$ 1.00
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	102,682	98,439	94,404
Earnings per Common Share - diluted:
Income from continuing operations available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.78	$ 1.17	$ 0.84
Income from discontinued operations available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	0.00	4.13	0.16
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.78	$ 5.30	$ 1.00
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	105,594	101,398	97,406
Net income available for common stockholders:
Income from continuing operations available for common stockholders	$ 182,873	$ 115,461	$ 79,308
Income from discontinued operations available for common stockholders	0	406,328	15,264
Net income available for common stockholders	182,873	521,789	94,572
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Rental and other revenues	702,737	665,634	604,671
Operating expenses:
Rental property and other expenses	236,888	231,085	215,941
Depreciation and amortization	227,832	220,140	201,918
Impairments of real estate assets	1,445	0	0
General and administrative	39,648	38,153	37,642
Total operating expenses	505,813	489,378	455,501
Interest expense:
Contractual	65,939	73,142	82,245
Amortization of debt issuance costs	3,166	3,506	3,645
Financing obligation	0	0	162
Total interest expense	69,105	76,648	86,052
Other income:
Interest and other income	2,309	2,338	1,969
Losses on debt extinguishment	(26)	0	(243)
Total other income	2,283	2,338	1,726
Income from continuing operations before disposition of investment properties and activity in unconsolidated affiliates	130,102	101,946	64,844
Gains on disposition of property	54,157	14,807	11,444
Gain on disposition of investment in unconsolidated affiliate	0	0	4,155
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	7,404	5,793	5,078
Income from continuing operations	191,663	122,546	85,521
Discontinued operations:
Income from discontinued operations	0	4,097	15,739
Net gains on disposition of discontinued operations	0	414,496	0
Total income from discontinued operations	0	418,593	15,739
Net income	191,663	541,139	101,260
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(1,239)	(1,253)	(1,264)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(2,492)	(2,501)	(2,506)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 187,932	$ 537,385	$ 97,490
Earnings per Common Unit - basic:
Income from continuing operations available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.79	$ 1.18	$ 0.84
Income from discontinued operations available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	0.00	4.15	0.17
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.79	$ 5.33	$ 1.01
Weighted average Common Units outstanding - basic (in shares)	105,106	100,902	96,910
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Income from continuing operations available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.79	$ 1.18	$ 0.84
Income from discontinued operations available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	0.00	4.14	0.17
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.79	$ 5.32	$ 1.01
Weighted average Common Units outstanding - diluted (in shares)	105,185	100,989	96,997
Net income available for common unitholders:
Income from continuing operations available for common unitholders	$ 187,932	$ 118,792	$ 81,751
Total income from discontinued operations	0	418,593	15,739
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 187,932	$ 537,385	$ 97,490

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$ 191,663	$ 541,139	$ 101,260
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Unrealized gains on tax increment financing bond	0	0	445
Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges	1,732	5,703	(4,040)
Amortization of cash flow hedges	1,157	3,057	3,696
Total other comprehensive income	2,889	8,760	101
Total comprehensive income	194,552	549,899	101,361
Less-comprehensive (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(6,298)	(16,849)	(4,182)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders/unitholders	188,254	533,050	97,179
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Comprehensive income:
Net income	191,663	541,139	101,260
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Unrealized gains on tax increment financing bond	0	0	445
Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges	1,732	5,703	(4,040)
Amortization of cash flow hedges	1,157	3,057	3,696
Total other comprehensive income	2,889	8,760	101
Total comprehensive income	194,552	549,899	101,361
Less-comprehensive (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,239)	(1,253)	(1,264)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders/unitholders	$ 193,313	$ 548,646	$ 100,097

Consolidated Statements of Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]	Special Dividend [Member]	Special Dividend [Member] Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member] Special Dividend [Member]	Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares [Member]	Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares [Member] Special Dividend [Member]	General Partner Common Units [Member] Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]	General Partner Common Units [Member] Special Dividend [Member] Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]	Limited Partner Common Units [Member] Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]	Limited Partner Common Units [Member] Special Dividend [Member] Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Special Dividend [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Special Dividend [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Special Dividend [Member] Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Affiliates [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Affiliates [Member] Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Affiliates [Member] Special Dividend [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Affiliates [Member] Special Dividend [Member] Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]	Distributions in Excess of Net Income Available for Common Stockholders [Member]	Distributions in Excess of Net Income Available for Common Stockholders [Member] Special Dividend [Member]
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014					92,907,310
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 1,551,091	$ 1,522,223			$ 929		$ 29,060		$ 15,078		$ 1,492,948		$ 2,464,275		$ (3,912)	$ (3,912)			$ 18,109	$ 18,109			$ (957,370)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuances of Common Units, net of issuance costs and tax withholdings		125,537							1,255		124,282					0				0
Distributions on Common Units		(164,601)							(1,646)		(162,955)					0				0
Distributions on Preferred Units		(2,506)							(25)		(2,481)					0				0
Issuances of Common Stock - Shares					3,023,710
Issuances of Common Stock, net of issuance costs and tax withholdings	125,537				$ 30		0						125,507		0				0				0
Conversions of Common Units to Common Stock - Shares					37,203
Conversions of Common Units to Common Stock	1,645				$ 0		0						1,645		0				0				0
Dividends on Common Stock	(160,337)				0		0						0		0				0				(160,337)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(2,506)				0		0						0		0				0				(2,506)
Adjustment of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership to fair value	(67)				0		0						(67)		0				0				0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(1,398)	(1,398)			$ 0		0		0		0		0		0	0			(1,398)	(1,398)			0
Issuances of restricted stock - Shares					128,951
Issuances of restricted stock	0				$ 0		0						0		0				0				0
Redemptions/repurchases of Preferred Stock	(10)				$ 0		(10)						0		0				0				0
Share-based compensation expense, net of forfeitures - Shares					(5,242)
Share-based compensation expense, net of forfeitures	6,884	6,884			$ 2		0		69		6,815		6,882		0	0			0	0			0
Adjustment of Redeemable Common Units to fair value and contributions/distributions from/to the General Partner		2,732							28		2,704					0				0
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(2,918)				0		0						0		0				0				(2,918)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	0	0			0		0		(13)		(1,251)		0		0	0			1,264	1,264			(1,264)
Comprehensive income:
Net income	101,260	101,260			0		0		1,013		100,247		0		0	0			0	0			101,260
Other comprehensive income	101	101			0		0		0		0		0		101	101			0	0			0
Total comprehensive income	101,361	101,361
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	1,619,282	1,590,232			$ 961		29,050		15,759		1,560,309		2,598,242		(3,811)	(3,811)			17,975	17,975			(1,023,135)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015					96,091,932
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuances of Common Units, net of issuance costs and tax withholdings		256,380							2,564		253,816					0				0
Distributions on Common Units		(171,054)		$ (83,149)					(1,710)	$ (832)	(169,344)	$ (82,317)				0		$ 0		0		$ 0
Distributions on Preferred Units		(2,501)							(25)		(2,476)					0				0
Issuances of Common Stock - Shares					5,390,710
Issuances of Common Stock, net of issuance costs and tax withholdings	256,380				$ 54		0						256,326		0				0				0
Conversions of Common Units to Common Stock - Shares					61,048
Conversions of Common Units to Common Stock	3,057				$ 0		0						3,057		0				0				0
Dividends on Common Stock	(166,861)		$ (81,205)		0	$ 0	0	$ 0					0	$ 0	0		$ 0		0		$ 0		(166,861)	$ (81,205)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(2,501)				0		0						0		0				0				(2,501)
Adjustment of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership to fair value	(12,993)				0		0						(12,993)		0				0				0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(1,267)	(1,267)			$ 0		0		0		0		0		0	0			(1,267)	(1,267)			0
Issuances of restricted stock - Shares					130,752
Issuances of restricted stock	0				$ 0		0						0		0				0				0
Redemptions/repurchases of Preferred Stock	(130)				$ 0		(130)						0		0				0				0
Share-based compensation expense, net of forfeitures - Shares					(8,888)
Share-based compensation expense, net of forfeitures	6,251	6,251			$ 2		0		63		6,188		6,249		0	0			0	0			0
Adjustment of Redeemable Common Units to fair value and contributions/distributions from/to the General Partner		(19,395)							(194)		(19,201)					0				0
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(15,596)				0		0						0		0				0				(15,596)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	0	0			0		0		(13)		(1,240)		0		0	0			1,253	1,253			(1,253)
Comprehensive income:
Net income	541,139	541,139			0		0		5,411		535,728		0		0	0			0	0			541,139
Other comprehensive income	8,760	8,760			0		0		0		0		0		8,760	8,760			0	0			0
Total comprehensive income	549,899	549,899
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 2,154,316	2,125,396			$ 1,017		28,920		21,023		2,081,463		2,850,881		4,949	4,949			17,961	17,961			(749,412)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016	101,665,554				101,665,554
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuances of Common Units, net of issuance costs and tax withholdings		70,977							710		70,267					0				0
Distributions on Common Units		(185,072)							(1,851)		(183,221)					0				0
Distributions on Preferred Units		(2,492)							(25)		(2,467)					0				0
Issuances of Common Stock - Shares					1,480,573
Issuances of Common Stock, net of issuance costs and tax withholdings	$ 70,977				$ 15		0						70,962		0				0				0
Conversions of Common Units to Common Stock - Shares					10,000
Conversions of Common Units to Common Stock	511				$ 0		0						511		0				0				0
Dividends on Common Stock	(180,805)				0		0						0		0				0				(180,805)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(2,492)				0		0						0		0				0				(2,492)
Adjustment of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership to fair value	354				0		0						354		0				0				0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(1,784)	(1,784)			$ 0		0		0		0		0		0	0			(1,784)	(1,784)			0
Issuances of restricted stock - Shares					110,748
Issuances of restricted stock	0				$ 0		0						0		0				0				0
Redemptions/repurchases of Preferred Stock	(28)				$ 0		(28)						0		0				0				0
Share-based compensation expense, net of forfeitures - Shares					0
Share-based compensation expense, net of forfeitures	6,692	6,692			$ 1		0		67		6,625		6,691		0	0			0	0			0
Adjustment of Redeemable Common Units to fair value and contributions/distributions from/to the General Partner		73							1		72					0				0
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(5,059)				0		0						0		0				0				(5,059)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	0	0			0		0		(12)		(1,227)		0		0	0			1,239	1,239			(1,239)
Comprehensive income:
Net income	191,663	191,663			0		0		1,917		189,746		0		0	0			0	0			191,663
Other comprehensive income	2,889	2,889			0		0		0		0		0		2,889	2,889			0	0			0
Total comprehensive income	194,552	194,552
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 2,237,234	$ 2,208,342			$ 1,033		$ 28,892		$ 21,830		$ 2,161,258		$ 2,929,399		$ 7,838	$ 7,838			$ 17,416	$ 17,416			$ (747,344)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017	103,266,875				103,266,875

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Operating activities:
Net income	$ 191,663	$ 541,139	$ 101,260
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	227,832	220,140	215,957
Amortization of lease incentives and acquisition-related intangible assets and liabilities	(1,172)	(1,996)	86
Share-based compensation expense	6,692	6,251	6,884
Allowance for losses on accounts and accrued straight-line rents receivable	1,508	2,001	2,103
Accrued interest on mortgages and notes receivable	(509)	(502)	(357)
Amortization of debt issuance costs	3,166	3,506	3,645
Amortization of cash flow hedges	1,157	3,057	3,696
Amortization of mortgages and notes payable fair value adjustments	705	(234)	(58)
Impairments of real estate assets	1,445	0	0
Losses on debt extinguishment	26	0	243
Net gains on disposition of property	(54,157)	(429,303)	(11,444)
Gain on disposition of investment in unconsolidated affiliate	0	0	(4,155)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(7,404)	(5,793)	(5,078)
Changes in financing obligation	0	0	162
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated affiliates	5,078	4,424	4,901
Settlement of cash flow hedges	7,322	0	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(4,974)	3,401	1,415
Prepaid expenses and other assets	7,908	(4,423)	1,266
Accrued straight-line rents receivable	(32,234)	(24,245)	(22,756)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(1,520)	(11,618)	(8,891)
Net cash provided by operating activities	352,532	305,805	288,879
Investing activities:
Investments in acquired real estate and related intangible assets, net of cash acquired	(1,840)	(110,249)	(408,634)
Investments in development in-process	(150,944)	(177,875)	(136,664)
Investments in tenant improvements and deferred leasing costs	(109,742)	(91,423)	(115,503)
Investments in building improvements	(63,780)	(80,672)	(55,881)
Net proceeds from disposition of real estate assets	129,503	684,371	26,748
Net proceeds from disposition of investment in unconsolidated affiliate	0	0	6,919
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated affiliates	11,670	2,766	10,401
Investments in mortgages and notes receivable	0	(7,934)	(1,772)
Repayments of mortgages and notes receivable	2,917	1,699	9,381
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	(10,063)	(105)	(659)
Repayments from unconsolidated affiliates	0	448	20,800
Changes in restricted cash and other investing activities	(63,943)	(17,136)	(9,293)
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	(256,222)	203,890	(654,157)
Financing activities:
Dividends on Common Stock	(180,805)	(166,861)	(160,337)
Special dividend on Common Stock	(81,205)	0	0
Redemptions/repurchases of Preferred Stock	(28)	(130)	(10)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(2,492)	(2,501)	(2,506)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(4,987)	(4,888)	(4,959)
Special distribution to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(2,271)	0	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(1,784)	(1,267)	(1,398)
Proceeds from the issuance of Common Stock	76,268	264,769	131,341
Costs paid for the issuance of Common Stock	(1,283)	(3,973)	(2,040)
Repurchase of shares related to tax withholdings	(4,008)	(4,416)	(3,764)
Borrowings on revolving credit facility	780,300	287,600	476,300
Repayments of revolving credit facility	(535,300)	(586,600)	(386,300)
Borrowings on mortgages and notes payable	656,001	150,000	475,000
Repayments of mortgages and notes payable	(832,553)	(395,993)	(156,120)
Payments on financing obligation	0	0	(1,722)
Payments of debt extinguishment costs	(57)	0	0
Changes in debt issuance costs and other financing activities	(8,324)	(981)	(2,003)
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities	(142,528)	(465,241)	361,482
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(46,218)	44,454	(3,796)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	49,490	5,036	8,832
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	3,272	49,490	5,036
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized	68,207	72,847	82,242
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges	1,732	5,703	(4,040)
Conversions of Common Units to Common Stock	511	3,057	1,645
Changes in accrued capital expenditures	(1,912)	8,580	2,547
Write-off of fully depreciated real estate assets	59,108	39,262	48,698
Write-off of fully amortized deferred leasing costs	40,517	25,569	37,176
Write-off of fully amortized debt issuance costs	11,724	964	1,088
Adjustment of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership to fair value	(354)	12,993	67
Unrealized gains on tax increment financing bond	0	0	445
Assumption of mortgages and notes payable related to acquisition activities	0	0	19,277
Contingent consideration in connection with the acquisition of land	750	0	900
Special dividend on Common Stock declared	0	(81,205)	0
Special distribution to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership declared	0	(2,271)	0
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Operating activities:
Net income	191,663	541,139	101,260
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	227,832	220,140	215,957
Amortization of lease incentives and acquisition-related intangible assets and liabilities	(1,172)	(1,996)	86
Share-based compensation expense	6,692	6,251	6,884
Allowance for losses on accounts and accrued straight-line rents receivable	1,508	2,001	2,103
Accrued interest on mortgages and notes receivable	(509)	(502)	(357)
Amortization of debt issuance costs	3,166	3,506	3,645
Amortization of cash flow hedges	1,157	3,057	3,696
Amortization of mortgages and notes payable fair value adjustments	705	(234)	(58)
Impairments of real estate assets	1,445	0	0
Losses on debt extinguishment	26	0	243
Net gains on disposition of property	(54,157)	(429,303)	(11,444)
Gain on disposition of investment in unconsolidated affiliate	0	0	(4,155)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(7,404)	(5,793)	(5,078)
Changes in financing obligation	0	0	162
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated affiliates	5,078	4,011	4,901
Settlement of cash flow hedges	7,322	0	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(4,974)	3,401	1,415
Prepaid expenses and other assets	7,908	(4,423)	1,266
Accrued straight-line rents receivable	(32,234)	(24,245)	(22,756)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(1,520)	(11,618)	(8,805)
Net cash provided by operating activities	352,532	305,392	288,965
Investing activities:
Investments in acquired real estate and related intangible assets, net of cash acquired	(1,840)	(110,249)	(408,634)
Investments in development in-process	(150,944)	(177,875)	(136,664)
Investments in tenant improvements and deferred leasing costs	(109,742)	(91,423)	(115,503)
Investments in building improvements	(63,780)	(80,672)	(55,881)
Net proceeds from disposition of real estate assets	129,503	684,371	26,748
Net proceeds from disposition of investment in unconsolidated affiliate	0	0	6,919
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated affiliates	11,670	3,179	10,401
Investments in mortgages and notes receivable	0	(7,934)	(1,772)
Repayments of mortgages and notes receivable	2,917	1,699	9,381
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	(10,063)	(105)	(659)
Repayments from unconsolidated affiliates	0	448	20,800
Changes in restricted cash and other investing activities	(63,943)	(17,136)	(9,293)
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	(256,222)	204,303	(654,157)
Financing activities:
Distributions on Common Units	(185,072)	(171,054)	(164,601)
Special distribution on Common Units	(83,149)	0	0
Redemptions/repurchases of Preferred Units	(28)	(130)	(10)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(2,492)	(2,501)	(2,506)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(1,784)	(1,267)	(1,398)
Proceeds from the issuance of Common Units	76,268	264,769	131,341
Costs paid for the issuance of Common Units	(1,283)	(3,973)	(2,040)
Repurchase of units related to tax withholdings	(4,008)	(4,416)	(3,764)
Borrowings on revolving credit facility	780,300	287,600	476,300
Repayments of revolving credit facility	(535,300)	(586,600)	(386,300)
Borrowings on mortgages and notes payable	656,001	150,000	475,000
Repayments of mortgages and notes payable	(832,553)	(395,993)	(156,120)
Payments on financing obligation	0	0	(1,722)
Payments of debt extinguishment costs	(57)	0	0
Changes in debt issuance costs and other financing activities	(9,371)	(1,676)	(2,890)
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities	(142,528)	(465,241)	361,290
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(46,218)	44,454	(3,902)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	49,490	5,036	8,938
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	3,272	49,490	5,036
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized	68,207	72,847	82,242
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges	1,732	5,703	(4,040)
Changes in accrued capital expenditures	(1,912)	8,580	2,547
Write-off of fully depreciated real estate assets	59,108	39,262	48,698
Write-off of fully amortized deferred leasing costs	40,517	25,569	37,176
Write-off of fully amortized debt issuance costs	11,724	964	1,088
Adjustment of Redeemable Common Units to fair value	(793)	18,373	(3,619)
Unrealized gains on tax increment financing bond	0	0	445
Assumption of mortgages and notes payable related to acquisition activities	0	0	19,277
Contingent consideration in connection with the acquisition of land	750	0	900
Special distribution on Common Units declared	$ 0	$ (83,149)	$ 0

Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies	Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies Description of Business Highwoods Properties, Inc. (the “Company”) is a fully integrated real estate investment trust (“REIT”) that provides leasing, management, development, construction and other customer-related services for its properties and for third parties. The Company conducts its activities through Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership (the “Operating Partnership”). At December 31, 2017, we owned or had an interest in 30.7 million rentable square feet of in-service properties, 1.5 million rentable square feet of properties under development and approximately 400 acres of development land. The Company is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership. At December 31, 2017, the Company owned all of the Preferred Units and 102.9 million, or 97.3%, of the Common Units in the Operating Partnership. Limited partners owned the remaining 2.8 million Common Units. In the event the Company issues shares of Common Stock, the net proceeds of the issuance are contributed to the Operating Partnership in exchange for additional Common Units. Generally, the Operating Partnership is obligated to redeem each Common Unit at the request of the holder thereof for cash equal to the value of one share of Common Stock based on the average of the market price for the 10 trading days immediately preceding the notice date of such redemption, provided that the Company, at its option, may elect to acquire any such Common Units presented for redemption for cash or one share of Common Stock. The Common Units owned by the Company are not redeemable. During 2017, the Company redeemed 10,000 Common Units for a like number of shares of Common Stock. Basis of Presentation Our Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Company's Consolidated Financial Statements include the Operating Partnership, wholly owned subsidiaries and those entities in which the Company has the controlling interest. The Operating Partnership's Consolidated Financial Statements include wholly owned subsidiaries and those entities in which the Operating Partnership has the controlling interest. We consolidate joint venture investments, such as interests in partnerships and limited liability companies, when we control the major operating and financial policies of the investment through majority ownership, in our capacity as a general partner or managing member or through some other contractual right. At December 31, 2017, three properties owned through a joint venture investment were consolidated. All intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated. During 2015, as a result of our partner’s irrevocable exercise of a buy-sell provision in our SF-HIW Harborview Plaza, LP ("Harborview") joint venture agreement, our partner’s right to put its 80.0% equity interest back to us became no longer exercisable. As a result, we recorded the original contribution transaction as a partial sale. Our investment in this joint venture then qualified for the equity method of accounting, which resulted in the retrospective revision of our Consolidated Statements of Equity and Capital for prior periods. Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 1. Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies – Continued Real Estate and Related Assets Real estate and related assets are recorded at cost and stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Renovations, replacements and other expenditures that improve or extend the life of assets are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Expenditures for ordinary maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of 40 years for buildings and depreciable land infrastructure costs, 15 years for building improvements and five to seven years for furniture, fixtures and equipment. Tenant improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over initial fixed terms of the respective leases, which generally are from three to 10 years. Depreciation expense for real estate assets was $184.4 million, $173.1 million and $168.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Expenditures directly related to the development and construction of real estate assets are included in net real estate assets and are stated at depreciated cost. Development expenditures include pre-construction costs essential to the development of properties, development and construction costs, interest costs on qualifying assets, real estate taxes, development personnel salaries and related costs and other costs incurred during the period of development. Interest and other carrying costs are capitalized until the building is ready for its intended use, but not later than a year from cessation of major construction activity. We consider a construction project as substantially completed and ready for its intended use upon the completion of tenant improvements. We cease capitalization on the portion that is substantially completed and occupied or held available for occupancy, and capitalize only those costs associated with the portion under construction. Expenditures directly related to the leasing of properties are included in deferred leasing costs and are stated at amortized cost. Such expenditures are part of the investment necessary to execute leases and, therefore, are classified as investment activities in the statement of cash flows. All leasing commissions paid to third parties for new leases or lease renewals are capitalized. Internal leasing costs, which consist primarily of compensation, benefits and other costs, such as legal fees related to leasing activities, that are incurred in connection with successfully obtaining leases of properties are also capitalized. Capitalized leasing costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the initial fixed terms of the respective leases, which generally are from three to 10 years. Estimated costs related to unsuccessful activities are expensed as incurred. We record liabilities for the performance of asset retirement activities when the obligation to perform such activities is probable even when uncertainty exists about the timing and/or method of settlement. Upon the acquisition of real estate assets, we assess the fair value of acquired tangible assets such as land, buildings and tenant improvements, intangible assets and liabilities such as above and below market leases, acquired in-place leases, customer relationships and other identifiable intangible assets and assumed liabilities. We assess fair value based on estimated cash flow projections that utilize discount and/or capitalization rates as well as available market information. The fair value of the tangible assets of an acquired property considers the value of the property as if it were vacant. The above and below market rate portions of leases acquired in connection with property acquisitions are recorded in deferred leasing costs and in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities, respectively, at fair value and amortized into rental revenue over the remaining term of the respective leases as described below. Fair value is calculated as the present value of the difference between (1) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to each in-place lease and (2) our estimate of fair market lease rates for each corresponding in-place lease, using a discount rate that reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired and measured over a period equal to the remaining initial term of the lease for above-market leases and the remaining initial term plus the term of any renewal option that the customer would be economically compelled to exercise for below-market leases. In-place leases acquired are recorded at fair value in deferred leasing costs and are amortized to depreciation and amortization expense over the remaining term of the respective lease. The value of in-place leases is based on our evaluation of the specific characteristics of each customer's lease. Factors considered include estimates of carrying costs during hypothetical expected lease-up periods, current market conditions, the customer's credit quality and costs to execute similar leases. In estimating carrying costs, we include real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses and estimates of lost rentals at market rates during the expected lease-up periods, depending on local market conditions. In estimating costs to execute similar leases, we consider tenant improvements, leasing commissions and legal and other related expenses. 1. Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies – Continued Real estate and other assets are classified as long-lived assets held for use or as long-lived assets held for sale. Real estate is classified as held for sale when the sale of the asset is probable, has been duly approved by the Company, a legally enforceable contract has been executed and the buyer's due diligence period, if any, has expired. Impairments of Real Estate Assets and Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates With respect to assets classified as held for use, we perform an impairment analysis if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be impaired, such as a significant decline in occupancy, identification of materially adverse legal or environmental factors, change in our designation of an asset from core to non-core, which may impact the anticipated holding period, or a decline in market value to an amount less than cost. This analysis is generally performed at the property level, except when an asset is part of an interdependent group such as an office park, and consists of determining whether the asset's carrying amount will be recovered from its undiscounted estimated future operating and residual cash flows. These cash flows are estimated based on a number of assumptions that are subject to economic and market uncertainties including, among others, demand for space, competition for customers, changes in market rental rates, costs to operate each property and expected ownership periods. For properties under development, the cash flows are based on expected service potential of the asset or asset group when development is substantially complete. If the carrying amount of a held for use asset exceeds the sum of its undiscounted future operating and residual cash flows, an impairment loss is recorded for the difference between estimated fair value of the asset and the carrying amount. We generally estimate the fair value of assets held for use by using discounted cash flow analyses. In some instances, appraisal information may be available and is used in addition to a discounted cash flow analysis. As the factors used in generating these cash flows are difficult to predict and are subject to future events that may alter our assumptions, the discounted and/or undiscounted future operating and residual cash flows estimated by us in our impairment analyses or those established by appraisal may not be achieved and we may be required to recognize future impairment losses on properties held for use. We record assets held for sale at the lower of the carrying amount or estimated fair value. Fair value of assets held for sale is equal to the estimated or contracted sales price with a potential buyer, less costs to sell. The impairment loss is the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the estimated fair value. We also analyze our investments in unconsolidated affiliates for impairment. This analysis consists of determining whether an expected loss in market value of an investment is other than temporary by evaluating the length of time and the extent to which the market value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the investment, and our intent and ability to retain our investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value. As the factors used in this analysis are difficult to predict and are subject to future events that may alter our assumptions, we may be required to recognize future impairment losses on our investments in unconsolidated affiliates. Sales of Real Estate For sales transactions meeting the requirements for full profit recognition, the related assets and liabilities are removed from the balance sheet and the resultant gain or loss is recorded in the period the transaction closes. For sales transactions with continuing involvement after the sale, if the continuing involvement with the property is limited by the terms of the sales contract, profit is recognized at the time of sale and is reduced by the maximum exposure to loss related to the nature of the continuing involvement. Sales to entities in which we have or receive an interest are accounted for using partial sale accounting. For transactions that do not meet the criteria for a sale, we evaluate the nature of the continuing involvement, including put and call provisions, if present, and account for the transaction as a financing arrangement, profit-sharing arrangement, leasing arrangement or other alternate method of accounting, rather than as a sale, based on the nature and extent of the continuing involvement. Some transactions may have numerous forms of continuing involvement. In those cases, we determine which method is most appropriate based on the substance of the transaction. 1. Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies – Continued Rental and Other Revenues Minimum contractual rents from leases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective leases. This means that, with respect to a particular lease, actual amounts billed in accordance with the lease during any given period may be higher or lower than the amount of rental revenue recognized for the period. Straight-line rental revenue is commenced when the customer assumes control of the leased premises. Accrued straight-line rents receivable represents the amount by which straight-line rental revenue exceeds rents currently billed in accordance with lease agreements. Contingent rental revenue, such as percentage rent, is accrued when the contingency is removed. Termination fee income is recognized at the later of when the customer has vacated the space or the lease has expired and a fully executed lease termination agreement has been delivered, the amount of the fee is determinable and collectability of the fee is reasonably assured. Rental revenue reductions related to co-tenancy lease provisions, if any, are accrued when events have occurred that trigger such provisions. Cost recovery income is determined on a calendar year and a lease-by-lease basis. The most common types of cost recovery income in our leases are common area maintenance (“CAM”) and real estate taxes, for which a customer typically pays its pro-rata share of operating and administrative expenses and real estate taxes in excess of the costs incurred during a contractually specified base year. The computation of cost recovery income is complex and involves numerous judgments, including the interpretation of lease provisions. Leases are not uniform in dealing with such cost recovery income and there are many variations in the computation. Many customers make monthly fixed payments of CAM, real estate taxes and other cost reimbursement items. We accrue income related to these payments each month. We make quarterly accrual adjustments, positive or negative, to cost recovery income to adjust the recorded amounts to our best estimate of the final annual amounts to be billed and collected. After the end of the calendar year, we compute each customer's final cost recovery income and, after considering amounts paid by the customer during the year, issue a bill or credit for the appropriate amount to the customer. The differences between the amounts billed less previously received payments and the accrual adjustment are recorded as increases or decreases to cost recovery income when the final bills are prepared, which occurs during the first half of the subsequent year. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Accounts receivable, accrued straight-line rents receivable and mortgages and notes receivable are reduced by an allowance for amounts that may become uncollectible in the future. We regularly evaluate the adequacy of our allowance for doubtful accounts. The evaluation primarily consists of reviewing past due account balances and considering such factors as the credit quality of our customer, historical trends of the customer and changes in customer payment terms. Additionally, with respect to customers in bankruptcy, we estimate the probable recovery through bankruptcy claims and adjust the allowance for amounts deemed uncollectible. If our assumptions regarding the collectability of receivables prove incorrect, we could experience losses in excess of our allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance and its related receivable are written-off when we have concluded there is a low probability of collection and we have discontinued collection efforts. Discontinued Operations Properties that are sold or classified as held for sale are classified as discontinued operations provided that the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on our operations and financial results. Interest expense is included in discontinued operations if a related loan securing the sold property is to be paid off or assumed by the buyer in connection with the sale. Lease Incentives Lease incentive costs, which are payments made to or on behalf of a customer as an incentive to sign a lease, are capitalized in deferred leasing costs and amortized on a straight-line basis over the respective lease terms as a reduction of rental revenues. 1. Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies – Continued Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates We account for our joint venture investments using the equity method of accounting when our interests represent a general partnership interest but substantive participating rights or substantive kick out rights have been granted to the limited partners or when our interests do not represent a general partnership interest and we do not control the major operating and financial policies of the investment. These investments are initially recorded at cost as investments in unconsolidated affiliates and are subsequently adjusted for our share of earnings and cash contributions and distributions. To the extent our cost basis at formation of the joint venture is different than the basis reflected at the joint venture level, the basis difference is amortized over the life of the related assets and included in our share of equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates. Cash Equivalents We consider highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Restricted Cash Restricted cash represents cash deposits that are legally restricted or held by third parties on our behalf, such as construction-related escrows, property disposition proceeds set aside and designated or intended to fund future tax-deferred exchanges of qualifying real estate investments, escrows and reserves for debt service, real estate taxes and property insurance established pursuant to certain mortgage financing arrangements and any deposits made with lenders to unencumber secured properties. Redeemable Common Units and Preferred Units Limited partners holding Common Units other than the Company (“Redeemable Common Units”) have the right to put any and all of the Common Units to the Operating Partnership and the Company has the right to put any and all of the Preferred Units to the Operating Partnership in exchange for their liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid distributions in the event of a corresponding redemption by the Company of the underlying Preferred Stock. Consequently, these Redeemable Common Units and Preferred Units are classified outside of permanent partners’ capital in the Operating Partnership's accompanying balance sheets. The recorded value of the Redeemable Common Units is based on fair value at the balance sheet date as measured by the closing price of Common Stock on that date multiplied by the total number of Redeemable Common Units outstanding. The recorded value of the Preferred Units is based on their redemption value. Income Taxes The Company has elected and expects to continue to qualify as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). A corporate REIT is a legal entity that holds real estate assets and, through the payment of dividends to stockholders, is generally permitted to reduce or avoid the payment of federal and state income taxes at the corporate level. To maintain qualification as a REIT, the Company is required to pay dividends to its stockholders equal to at least 90.0% of its annual REIT taxable income, excluding net capital gains. The partnership agreement requires the Operating Partnership to pay economically equivalent distributions on outstanding Common Units at the same time that the Company pays dividends on its outstanding Common Stock. Other than income taxes related to its taxable REIT subsidiary, the Operating Partnership does not reflect any federal income taxes in its financial statements, since as a partnership the taxable effects of its operations are attributed to its partners. The Operating Partnership does record state income tax for states that tax partnership income directly. We conduct certain business activities through a taxable REIT subsidiary, as permitted under the Code. The taxable REIT subsidiary is subject to federal, state and local income taxes on its taxable income. We record provisions for income taxes based on its income recognized for financial statement purposes, including the effects of temporary differences between such income and the amount recognized for tax purposes. 1. Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies – Continued Concentration of Credit Risk At December 31, 2017, properties that we wholly own were leased to 1,792 customers. The geographic locations that comprise greater than 10.0% of our rental and other revenues are Raleigh, Atlanta, Tampa and Nashville. Our customers engage in a wide variety of businesses. No single customer generated more than 6% of our consolidated revenues during 2017. We maintain our cash and cash equivalents and our restricted cash at financial or other intermediary institutions. The combined account balances at each institution may exceed FDIC insurance coverage and, as a result, there is a concentration of credit risk related to amounts on deposit in excess of FDIC insurance coverage. Additionally, from time to time in connection with tax-deferred 1031 transactions, our restricted cash balances may be commingled with other funds being held by any such intermediary institution, which would subject our balance to the credit risk of the institution. Derivative Financial Instruments We borrow funds at a combination of fixed and variable rates. Borrowings under our revolving credit facility and bank term loans bear interest at variable rates. Our long-term debt typically bears interest at fixed rates. Our interest rate risk management objectives are to limit generally the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and lower our overall borrowing costs. To achieve these objectives, from time to time, we enter into interest rate hedge contracts such as collars, swaps, caps and treasury lock agreements in order to mitigate our interest rate risk with respect to various debt instruments. We generally do not hold or issue these derivative contracts for trading or speculative purposes. The interest rate on all of our variable rate debt is generally adjusted at one or three month intervals, subject to settlements under these interest rate hedge contracts. Interest rate swaps involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) and is subsequently reclassified into interest expense in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. We account for terminated derivative instruments by recognizing the related accumulated comprehensive income/(loss) balance in current earnings, unless the hedged forecasted transaction continues as originally planned, in which case we continue to amortize the accumulated comprehensive income/(loss) into earnings over the originally designated hedge period. Earnings Per Share and Per Unit Basic earnings per share of the Company is computed by dividing net income available for common stockholders by the weighted Common Shares outstanding - basic. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders (inclusive of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership) by the weighted Common Shares outstanding - basic plus the dilutive effect of options, warrants and convertible securities outstanding, including Common Units, using the treasury stock method. Weighted Common Shares outstanding - basic includes all unvested restricted stock where dividends received on such restricted stock are non-forfeitable. Basic earnings per unit of the Operating Partnership is computed by dividing net income available for common unitholders by the weighted Common Units outstanding - basic. Diluted earnings per unit is computed by dividing net income available to common unitholders by the weighted Common Units outstanding - basic plus the dilutive effect of options and warrants, using the treasury stock method. Weighted Common Units outstanding - basic includes all of the Company's unvested restricted stock where distributions received on such restricted stock are non-forfeitable. 1. Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies – Continued Recently Issued Accounting Standards The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an accounting standards update ("ASU") that requires the use of a new five-step model to recognize revenue from customer contracts. The five-step model requires that we identify the contract with the customer, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and recognize revenue when we satisfy the performance obligations. We will also be required to disclose information regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. Upon adoption of the ASU in 2018, we expect to utilize the modified retrospective approach which requires a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. We have analyzed the impact of the guidance on our Consolidated Financial Statements, including our internal control processes, and have an active project team continuing to refine our evaluation and finalize our implementation plan with particular emphasis on development of the new required disclosures. Our analysis of our non-lease related revenue contracts, which include primarily real estate sales, management, development and construction fee income and transient parking income, indicates that the adoption of this ASU will require additional financial statement disclosure related to these contracts but will have no material cumulative-effect adjustment or impact on the timing of revenue recognition. There could be additional impact of this ASU upon adoption of the ASU related to accounting for leases discussed below for certain lease revenue streams that may be required to be evaluated as non-lease components using the five-step revenue recognition model. The FASB issued an ASU that adds to and clarifies guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. The ASU is required to be adopted in 2018 with retrospective application required. We do not expect such adoption to have a material effect on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The FASB issued an ASU that clarifies and narrows the definition of a business used in determining whether to account for a transaction as an asset acquisition or business combination. The guidance requires evaluation of the fair value of the assets acquired to determine if it is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets. If so, the transferred assets would not be a business. The guidance also requires a business to include at least one substantive process and narrows the definition of outputs. The ASU is required to be adopted in 2018 and applied prospectively. Upon adoption of this ASU, we expect that the majority of our future acquisitions would not meet the definition of a business; therefore, the related acquisition costs would be capitalized as part of the purchase price. The FASB issued an ASU that clarifies when changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award must be accounted for as modifications. The guidance requires modification accounting if the value, vesting conditions or classification of the award changes. The ASU is required to be adopted in 2018 and applied prospectively. We do not expect such adoption to have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements. The FASB issued an ASU which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both lessees and lessors. We are continuing to conduct our analysis of the impact of the guidance on our Consolidated Financial Statements and have an active project team working on the evaluation and implementation of the guidance. We continue to monitor FASB activity with respect to possible amendments to this ASU, particularly the Board’s recent vote to provide an optional practical expedient to lessors that would remove the requirement for lessors to separate lease and non-lease components when the pattern of recognition of those components are the same and, when combined as a single unit, those would be classified as operating leases. Should such amendment be finalized, we expect to elect the practical expedient. Regardless, we currently believe that the adoption of the ASU will not significantly change the accounting for operating leases on our Consolidated Balance Sheets where we are the lessor, and that such leases will be accounted for in a similar method to existing standards with the underlying leased asset being reported and recognized as a real estate asset. In addition, the guidance requires lessors to capitalize and amortize only incremental direct leasing costs. As a result, we expect that upon the adoption of the ASU, we will no longer be able to capitalize and amortize certain leasing related costs and instead will expense these costs as incurred. We are in the process of evaluating the impact to our results of operations of expensing such costs. The ASU is required to be adopted in 2019 using a modified retrospective approach which requires a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. Our initial analysis of our leases also indicates that upon adoption of the ASU, certain lease revenue streams that are currently accounted for using the lease accounting standard may be accounted for as non-lease components using the five-step revenue recognition model discussed above. Leases where we are the lessee include primarily our operating ground leases which are not material to our Consolidated Financial Statements. We will continue to refine our evaluation and finalize our implementation plan throughout 2018. 1. Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies – Continued The FASB issued an ASU that eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and generally requires the entire change in the fair value of a hedging instrument to be presented in the same income statement line as the hedged item when the hedged item affects earnings. The ASU is required to be adopted in 2019 using a modified retrospective approach. We do not expect such adoption to have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements. The FASB issued an ASU that requires, among other things, the use of a new current expected credit loss ("CECL") model in determining our allowances for doubtful accounts with respect to accounts receivable, accrued straight-line rents receivable and mortgages and notes receivable. The CECL model requires that we estimate our lifetime expected credit loss with respect to these receivables and record allowances that, when deducted from the balance of the receivables, represent the net amounts expected to be collected. We will also be required to disclose information about how we developed the allowances, including changes in the factors (e.g., portfolio mix, credit trends, unemployment, gross domestic product, etc.) that influenced our estimate of expected credit losses and the reasons for those changes. We will apply the ASU’s provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings upon adoption in 2020. We are in the process of evaluating this ASU.

Real Estate Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Real Estate [Abstract]

Real Estate Assets

Acquisitions

During 2017, we acquired fee simple title to land in Raleigh that was previously subject to a ground lease for a purchase price, including capitalized acquisition costs and contingent consideration, of $2.6 million.

During 2016, we acquired a building in Raleigh, which encompasses 243,000 rentable square feet, for a net purchase price of $76.9 million. We expensed $0.3 million of acquisition costs (included in general and administrative expenses) related to this acquisition. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at fair value as determined by management, with the assistance of third party specialists, based on information available at the acquisition date and on current assumptions as to future operations.

During 2016, we also acquired:


•	fee simple title to the land underneath one of our buildings in Pittsburgh that was previously subject to a ground lease for a purchase price of $18.5 million. We expensed $0.5 million of acquisition costs (included in general and administrative expenses) related to this acquisition;


•	an acre of development land in Raleigh for a purchase price, including capitalized acquisition costs, of $5.8 million; and


•	14 acres of development land in Nashville for a purchase price, including capitalized acquisition costs, of $9.1 million.

During 2015, we acquired:


•	a building in Tampa encompassing 528,000 rentable square feet for a net purchase price of $113.5 million and an adjacent land parcel for a purchase price of $2.2 million;


•	two buildings in Atlanta encompassing 896,000 rentable square feet for a net purchase price of $290.3 million;


•	land in Atlanta for a purchase price and related transaction costs of $5.2 million (including contingent consideration of $0.9 million); and


•	our Highwoods DLF 98/29, LLC joint venture partner’s 77.2% interest in a building in Orlando encompassing 168,000 rentable square feet in exchange for the assumption of secured debt recorded at fair value of $19.3 million (see Note 6).

2. Real Estate Assets - Continued

We expensed $1.0 million of acquisition costs (included in general and administrative expenses) in 2015 related to these acquisitions. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at fair value as determined by management, with the assistance of third party specialists, based on information available at the acquisition date and on current assumptions as to future operations.

The following table sets forth a summary of the fair value of the major assets acquired and liabilities assumed relating to the above-referenced acquisition of two buildings in Atlanta during 2015:



	Total Purchase Price Allocation
Real estate assets	$	275,639
Acquisition-related intangible assets (in deferred leasing costs)	23,722
Acquisition-related below market lease liabilities (in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities)	(9,076		)
Total allocation	$	290,285

The following table sets forth the Company's revenues and net income, adjusted for interest expense, straight-line rental income, depreciation and amortization related to purchase price allocations and acquisition costs, assuming the above-referenced acquisition of two buildings in Atlanta during 2015 had been completed as of January 1, 2014:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2015
	(unaudited)
Pro forma revenues	$	626,067
Pro forma net income	$	103,485
Pro forma net income available for common stockholders	$	96,797
Pro forma earnings per share - basic	$	1.03
Pro forma earnings per share - diluted	$	1.02

The above-referenced acquisition of two buildings in Atlanta during 2015 resulted in revenues of $7.3 million and net loss of $1.2 million recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Dispositions

During 2017, we sold a total of 15 buildings and land for an aggregate sale price of $135.6 million (before closing credits to buyer of $3.7 million) and recorded aggregate gains on disposition of property of $54.2 million.

During 2016, we sold:


•	substantially all of our wholly-owned Country Club Plaza assets in Kansas City (which we refer to as the “Plaza assets”) for a sale price of $660.0 million (before closing credits to buyer of $4.8 million). We recorded gains on disposition of discontinued operations of $414.5 million and a gain on disposition of property of $1.3 million related to the land; and

•

a 32,000 square foot building for a sale price of $4.7 million (before closing credits to buyer of $0.1 million) and recorded a gain on disposition of property of $1.1 million. The buyer, which leased 79% of the building, is a family business controlled by a director of the Company. The sale price exceeded the value set forth in an appraisal performed by a reputable independent commercial real estate services firm that has no relationship with the director or any of his affiliates.

2. Real Estate Assets - Continued

During 2016, we also sold two buildings and various land parcels for an aggregate sale price of $31.1 million (before closing credits to buyer of $0.5 million) and recorded aggregate gains on disposition of property of $12.4 million. We deferred $0.4 million of gain related to a land sale for a portion of the sale price that was escrowed for contingent future infrastructure work.

During 2015, we sold a total of three buildings and various land parcels for an aggregate sale price of $27.8 million and recorded aggregate gains on disposition of property of $9.2 million, net of $0.5 million in taxes payable by our taxable REIT subsidiary.

Impairments

During 2017, we recorded aggregate impairments of real estate assets of $1.4 million, which resulted from a change in market-based inputs and our assumptions about the use of the assets.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for real estate owned (as defined). Generally, the largest component of real estate owned by lenders is assets taken in settlement of troubled loans through surrender or foreclosure. Real estate investments, real estate loans that qualify as investments in real estate, and premises that are no longer used in operations may also be included in real estate owned.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 40
-Section 40
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84176060&loc=d3e18551-111553

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 40
-Section 40
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84176060&loc=d3e18511-111553

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82891408&loc=d3e4437-111522

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 35
-Paragraph 17
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=29634951&loc=d3e1424-110224

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-04(c)(Schedule III))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27047687&loc=d3e5864-122674

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(10)(4))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 970
-SubTopic 360
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-28)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6590653&loc=d3e638233-123024

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 35
-Paragraph 43
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=29634951&loc=d3e1739-110224

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(8))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Mortgages and Notes Receivable	12 Months Ended
Mortgages and Notes Receivable	Dec. 31, 2017
Receivables [Abstract]
Mortgages and Notes Receivable	Mortgages and Notes Receivable Mortgages and notes receivable were $6.4 million and $8.8 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. We evaluate the ability to collect our mortgages and notes receivable by monitoring the leasing statistics and/or market fundamentals of these assets. As of December 31, 2017, our mortgages and notes receivable were not in default and there were no other indicators of impairment.

Investments In and Advances To Affiliates

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Investments In and Advances To Affiliates

Investments in and Advances to Affiliates

Unconsolidated Affiliates

We have equity interests of up to 50.0% in various joint ventures with unrelated third parties that are accounted for using the equity method of accounting because we have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the joint venture investment. The difference between the cost of these investments and the net book value of the underlying net assets was $0.7 million and $(1.2) million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The following table sets forth our ownership in unconsolidated affiliates at December 31, 2017:



Joint Venture	Location	Ownership Interest
Plaza Colonnade, Tenant-in-Common	Kansas City	50.0%
Kessinger/Hunter & Company, LC	Kansas City	26.5%
Highwoods DLF Forum, LLC	Raleigh	25.0%
Highwoods DLF 98/29, LLC	Orlando	22.8%

We receive development, management and leasing fees for services provided to certain of our joint ventures. These fees are recognized in income to the extent of our respective joint venture partner's interest. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we recognized $1.4 million, $0.8 million and $1.4 million, respectively, of development/construction, management and leasing fees from our unconsolidated joint ventures. At both December 31, 2017 and 2016, we had receivables of $0.1 million related to these fees in accounts receivable.

4. Investments in and Advances to Affiliates - Continued

Consolidated Affiliates

The following summarizes our consolidated affiliates:

- Highwoods-Markel Associates, LLC (“Markel”)

We have a 50.0% ownership interest in Markel. We are the manager and leasing agent for Markel's properties, which are located in Richmond in exchange for customary management and leasing fees. We consolidate Markel since we are the managing member and control the major operating and financial policies of the entity. As controlling member, we have an obligation to cause this property-owning entity to distribute proceeds of liquidation to the noncontrolling interest member in these partially owned properties only if the net proceeds received by the entity from the sale of any of Markel's assets warrant a distribution as determined

by the agreement governing the joint venture. We estimate the value of such noncontrolling interest distributions would have been $26.1 million had the entity been liquidated at December 31, 2017. This estimated settlement value is based on the fair value of the underlying properties which is based on a number of assumptions that are subject to economic and market uncertainties including, among others, demand for space, competition for customers, changes in market rental rates and costs to operate each property. If the entity's underlying assets are worth less than the underlying liabilities on the date of such liquidation, we would have no obligation to remit any consideration to the noncontrolling interest holder.

- Harborview

We had a 20.0% interest in Harborview, which had been accounted for as a financing obligation since our partner had the right to put its 80.0% equity interest back to us any time prior to September 11, 2015. During 2012, we also provided a three-year $20.8 million interest-only secured loan to Harborview that was scheduled to mature in September 2015.

During the second quarter of 2015, as a result of our partner’s irrevocable exercise of a buy-sell provision in our Harborview joint venture agreement, our partner’s right to put its 80.0% equity interest back to us became no longer exercisable, which resulted in recording the original contribution transaction as a partial sale. As a result, we were required to begin accounting for Harborview using the equity method of accounting. See Note 1.

During the third quarter of 2015, we sold our 20.0% interest in Harborview to our partner for net proceeds of $6.9 million and recorded a $4.2 million gain on disposition of investment in unconsolidated affiliate. The $20.8 million interest-only secured loan previously provided by us to Harborview was paid in full upon consummation of the sale.

Intangible Assets and Below Market Leaes Liabilities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Intangible Assets and Below Market Lease Liabilities

The following table sets forth total intangible assets and acquisition-related below market lease liabilities, net of accumulated amortization:



	December 31,
	2017			2016
Assets:
Deferred leasing costs (including lease incentives and above market lease and in-place lease acquisition-related intangible assets)	$	344,191		$	353,581
Less accumulated amortization	(143,512		)	(140,081		)
	$	200,679		$	213,500

Liabilities (in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities):
Acquisition-related below market lease liabilities	$	59,947		$	61,221
Less accumulated amortization	(28,214		)	(23,074		)
	$	31,733		$	38,147

5. Intangible Assets and Below Market Lease Liabilities - Continued

The following table sets forth amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017			2016			2015
Amortization of deferred leasing costs and acquisition-related intangible assets (in depreciation and amortization)	$	41,187		$	44,968		$	43,332
Amortization of lease incentives (in rental and other revenues)	$	1,765		$	1,779		$	1,493
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets (in rental and other revenues)	$	2,921		$	3,851		$	5,062
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets (in rental property and other expenses)	$	557		$	557		$	557
Amortization of acquisition-related below market lease liabilities (in rental and other revenues)	$	(6,415	)	$	(8,183	)	$	(7,065	)

The following table sets forth scheduled future amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities:



Years Ending December 31,	Amortization of Deferred Leasing Costs and Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets (in Depreciation and Amortization)		Amortization of Lease Incentives (in Rental and Other Revenues)		Amortization of Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets (in Rental and Other Revenues)		Amortization of Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets (in Rental Property and Other Expenses)		Amortization of Acquisition-Related Below Market Lease Liabilities (in Rental and Other Revenues)
2018	$	36,566	$	1,586	$	1,659	$	553	$	(5,911	)
2019	31,032		1,434		1,275		553		(5,454		)
2020	26,614		1,171		959		518		(5,193		)
2021	22,262		948		632		—		(4,383		)
2022	18,098		734		462		—		(3,269		)
Thereafter	48,182		4,033		1,408		—		(7,523		)
	$	182,754	$	9,906	$	6,395	$	1,624	$	(31,733	)
Weighted average remaining amortization periods as of December 31, 2017 (in years)	7.6		9.9		6.5		3.0		6.6

Mortgages and Notes Payable

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Mortgages and Notes Payable

Our mortgages and notes payable consist of the following:



	December 31,
	2017			2016
Secured indebtedness: (1)
5.10% (4.22% effective rate) mortgage loan due 2017 (2)	$	—		$	109,138
6.11% (5.36% effective rate) mortgage loan due 2017 (2)	—			19,066
4.00% mortgage loan due 2029	98,981			—
	98,981			128,204
Unsecured indebtedness:
5.85% (5.88% effective rate) notes due 2017 (2)	—			379,661
7.50% notes due 2018	200,000			200,000
3.20% (3.363% effective rate) notes due 2021 (3)	298,504			298,072
3.625% (3.752% effective rate) notes due 2023 (4)	248,675			248,412
3.875% (4.038% effective rate) notes due 2027 (5)	296,334			—
Variable rate term loan due 2018 (6)	10,000			—
Variable rate term loan due 2020 (7)	225,000			350,000
Variable rate term loan due 2022 (8)	200,000			150,000
Variable rate term loan due 2022 (9)	200,000			200,000
Revolving credit facility due 2022 (10)	245,000			—
	1,923,513			1,826,145
Less-unamortized debt issuance costs	(8,161		)	(6,302		)
Total mortgages and notes payable, net	$	2,014,333		$	1,948,047

__________


(1)	Our secured mortgage loans were collateralized by real estate assets with an aggregate undepreciated book value of $147.6 million at December 31, 2017. Our fixed rate mortgage loans generally are either locked out to prepayment for all or a portion of their term or are prepayable subject to certain conditions including prepayment penalties.


(2)	This debt was repaid in 2017.


(3)	Net of unamortized original issuance discount of $1.5 million and $1.9 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.


(4)	Net of unamortized original issuance discount of $1.3 million and $1.6 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.


(5)	Net of unamortized original issuance discount of $3.7 million as of December 31, 2017.


(6)	The interest rate was 2.46% at December 31, 2017.


(7)	As more fully described in Note 7, we entered into floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps that effectively fix LIBOR for $225.0 million of this loan. Accordingly, the equivalent fixed rate of this amount is 2.78%.


(8)	As more fully described in Note 7, we entered into floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps that effectively fix LIBOR for $50.0 million of this loan. Accordingly, the equivalent fixed rate of this amount is 2.79%. The interest rate on the remaining $150.0 million was 2.47% at December 31, 2017.


(9)	The interest rate was 2.60% at December 31, 2017.


(10)	The interest rate was 2.48% at December 31, 2017.

6. Mortgages and Notes Payable - Continued

The following table sets forth scheduled future principal payments, including amortization, due on our mortgages and notes payable at December 31, 2017:



Years Ending December 31,	Principal Amount
2018	$	210,708
2019	781
2020	225,857
2021	301,170
2022	646,452
Thereafter	637,526
Less-unamortized debt issuance costs	(8,161		)
	$	2,014,333

During 2017, we entered into a new $600.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility, which replaced our previously existing $475.0 million revolving credit facility, and includes an accordion feature that allows for an additional $400.0 million of borrowing capacity subject to additional lender commitments. Our new revolving credit facility is scheduled to mature in January 2022. Assuming no defaults have occurred, we have an option to extend the maturity for two additional six-month periods. The interest rate on the new facility at our current credit ratings is LIBOR plus 100 basis points and the annual facility fee is 20 basis points. The interest rate and facility fee are based on the higher of the publicly announced ratings from Moody's Investors Service or Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services. The financial and other covenants under the new facility are similar to our previous credit facility. We incurred $3.5 million of debt issuance costs, which will be amortized along with certain existing unamortized debt issuance costs over the remaining term of our new revolving credit facility. We recorded $0.1 million of loss on debt extinguishment. There was $245.0 million and $254.5 million outstanding under our new revolving credit facility at December 31, 2017 and January 26, 2018, respectively. At both December 31, 2017 and January 26, 2018, we had $0.5 million of outstanding letters of credit, which reduces the availability on our revolving credit facility. As a result, the unused capacity of our revolving credit facility at December 31, 2017 and January 26, 2018 was $354.5 million and $345.0 million, respectively.

During 2017, we prepaid without penalty a secured mortgage loan with a fair market value of $108.2 million with an effective interest rate of 4.22%. We recorded $0.4 million of gain on debt extinguishment related to this prepayment. Real estate assets having a gross book value of approximately $242 million became unencumbered in connection with the payoff of this secured loan. We also paid down $1.6 million of secured loan balances through principal amortization during 2017.

During 2017, we modified our $200.0 million, five-year unsecured bank term loan, which was originally scheduled to mature in January 2019. The modified term loan is now scheduled to mature in November 2022 and the interest rate, based on current credit ratings, was reduced from LIBOR plus 120 basis points to LIBOR plus 110 basis points. We incurred $1.1 million of debt issuance costs, which will be amortized along with certain existing unamortized debt issuance costs over the remaining term of the modified loan. We recorded $0.4 million of loss on debt extinguishment.

During 2017, we obtained a $100.0 million secured mortgage loan from a third party lender with an effective interest rate of 4.0%. This loan is scheduled to mature in May 2029. We incurred $0.8 million of debt issuance costs in connection with this loan, which will be amortized over the term of the loan.

During 2017, the Operating Partnership issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.875% notes due 2027, less original issuance discount of $4.0 million. These notes were priced to yield 4.038%. Underwriting fees and other expenses were incurred that aggregated $2.5 million; these costs were deferred and will be amortized over the term of the notes.

6. Mortgages and Notes Payable - Continued

During 2017, we paid off at maturity $379.7 million principal amount of 5.85% unsecured notes.

During 2016, we prepaid without penalty the remaining $43.6 million balance on a secured mortgage loan with an effective interest rate of 7.5% that was originally scheduled to mature in August 2016.

During 2016, we borrowed an aggregate of $150.0 million under an unsecured bank term loan that is originally scheduled to mature in January 2022. The interest rate on the term loan at our current credit ratings is LIBOR plus 110 basis points. During 2017, we amended our $150.0 million unsecured bank term loan by increasing the borrowed amount to $200.0 million. We incurred $0.3 million of debt issuance costs in connection with this amendment, which will be amortized along with existing unamortized debt issuance costs over the remaining term.

During 2015, we prepaid without penalty a secured mortgage loan with a fair market value of $5.9 million with an effective interest rate of 7.65% that was originally scheduled to mature in February 2016, the remaining $106.0 million balance on a secured mortgage loan with an effective interest rate of 6.88% that was originally scheduled to mature in January 2016 and the remaining $39.4 million balance on a secured mortgage loan with an effective interest rate of 6.43% that was originally scheduled to mature in November 2015. We recorded aggregate losses on debt extinguishment of $0.2 million related to these prepayments.

During 2015, we obtained a $350.0 million, six-month unsecured bridge facility. The interest rate on the bridge facility at our current credit ratings was LIBOR plus 110 basis points. There was $350.0 million outstanding under our bridge facility at December 31, 2015. During 2016, we prepaid without penalty the full balance on this unsecured bridge facility.

During 2015, we amended our $225.0 million, seven-year unsecured bank term loan, which was scheduled to mature in January 2019. We increased the borrowed amount to $350.0 million. The amended term loan is scheduled to mature in June 2020 and the interest rate, based on our current credit ratings, was reduced from LIBOR plus 175 basis points to LIBOR plus 110 basis points. We incurred $1.3 million of debt issuance costs in connection with this amendment, which will be amortized along with existing unamortized debt issuance costs over the remaining term of the new loan. During 2017, we prepaid without penalty $125.0 million on this $350.0 million unsecured bank term loan. We recorded $0.4 million of loss on debt extinguishment related to this prepayment.

During 2015, we acquired our joint venture partner’s 77.2% interest in a building in Orlando. Simultaneously with this acquisition, the joint venture's previously existing mortgage note was restructured into a new $18.0 million first mortgage note and a $10.2 million subordinated note, both of which were scheduled to mature in July 2017. The first mortgage and subordinated notes had effective interest rates of 5.36% and 8.6%, respectively. The subordinated note and accrued interest thereon can be satisfied, in certain circumstances, upon payment of a "waterfall payment" equal to a cash payment of 50.0% of the amount by which the net sale proceeds or appraised value at the time of refinancing exceeded (1) the outstanding principal of the first mortgage note, (2) funds deposited by us into escrow to fund tenant improvements, leasing commissions and building improvements and (3) a 10.0% return on such funds deposited by us into escrow. As of the date of such restructuring, the subordinated note was recorded at a projected waterfall payment of $1.0 million. During 2017, both notes were retired upon payment of the $18.0 million principal balance on the first mortgage note and a $0.5 million waterfall payment relating to the subordinated note, which resulted in $0.4 million of gain on debt extinguishment. Real estate assets having a gross book value of approximately $17 million became unencumbered in connection with the payoff of this secured loan.

We are currently in compliance with financial covenants with respect to our consolidated debt.

Our revolving credit facility and bank term loans require us to comply with customary operating covenants and various financial requirements. Upon an event of default on the revolving credit facility, the lenders having at least 51.0% of the total commitments under the revolving credit facility can accelerate all borrowings then outstanding, and we could be prohibited from borrowing any further amounts under our revolving credit facility, which would adversely affect our ability to fund our operations. In addition, certain of our unsecured debt agreements contain cross-default provisions giving the unsecured lenders the right to declare a default if we are in default under more than $30.0 million with respect to other loans in some circumstances.

6. Mortgages and Notes Payable - Continued

The Operating Partnership has $200.0 million carrying amount of 2018 notes outstanding, $298.5 million carrying amount of 2021 notes outstanding, $248.7 million carrying amount of 2023 notes outstanding and $296.3 million carrying amount of 2027 notes outstanding. The indenture that governs these outstanding notes requires us to comply with customary operating covenants and various financial ratios. The trustee or the holders of at least 25.0% in principal amount of any series of notes can accelerate the principal amount of such series upon written notice of a default that remains uncured after 60 days.

We have considered our short-term liquidity needs and the adequacy of our estimated cash flows from operating activities and other available financing sources to meet these needs. We intend to meet these short-term liquidity requirements through a combination of the following:


•	available cash and cash equivalents;


•	cash flows from operating activities;


•	issuance of debt securities by the Operating Partnership (some of which debt securities may be hedged to a fixed interest rate pursuant to the forward-starting swaps referred to in Note 7);


•	issuance of secured debt;


•	bank term loans;


•	borrowings under our revolving credit facility;


•	issuance of equity securities by the Company or the Operating Partnership; and


•	the disposition of non-core assets.

Capitalized Interest

Total interest capitalized to development and significant building and tenant improvement projects was $8.8 million, $8.2 million and $6.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Derivative Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Financial Instruments

During 2017, we entered into $150.0 million notional amount of forward-starting swaps that effectively lock the underlying 10-year treasury rate at 2.44% with respect to a planned issuance of debt securities by the Operating Partnership expected to occur prior to May 15, 2018.

During 2017, we also entered into floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps through January 2022 with respect to an aggregate of $50.0 million LIBOR-based borrowings. These swaps effectively fix the underlying one-month LIBOR rate at a weighted average rate of 1.693%.

During 2016, we entered into $150.0 million notional amount of forward-starting swaps that effectively locked the underlying 10-year treasury rate at 1.90% with respect to a planned issuance of debt securities by the Operating Partnership. Upon issuance of the $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.875% notes due 2027 during 2017, we terminated the forward-starting swaps resulting in an unrealized gain of $7.3 million in accumulated other comprehensive income.

We also have floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps through January 2019 with respect to an aggregate of $225.0 million LIBOR-based borrowings. These swaps effectively fix the underlying one-month LIBOR rate at a weighted average rate of 1.678%.


7.	Derivative Financial Instruments - Continued

The counterparties under these swaps are major financial institutions. The swap agreements contain a provision whereby if we default on certain of our indebtedness and which default results in repayment of such indebtedness being, or becoming capable of being, accelerated by the lender, then we could also be declared in default on our swaps.

Our interest rate swaps have been designated as and are being accounted for as cash flow hedges with changes in fair value recorded in other comprehensive income/(loss) each reporting period. No gain or loss was recognized related to hedge ineffectiveness or to amounts excluded from effectiveness testing on our cash flow hedges during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. We have no collateral requirements related to our interest rate swaps.

Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on our variable rate debt. During 2018, we estimate that $0.9 million will be reclassified as a net decrease to interest expense.

The following table sets forth the gross fair value of our derivatives:



	December 31,
	2017		2016
Derivatives:
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges in prepaid expenses and other assets:
Interest rate swaps	$	1,286	$	7,619
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	1,870

The following table sets forth the effect of our cash flow hedges on accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) and interest expense:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017		2016		2015
Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges:
Amount of unrealized gains/(losses) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) on derivatives (effective portion):
Interest rate swaps	$	1,732	$	5,703	$	(4,040	)
Amount of net losses reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) into contractual interest expense (effective portion):
Interest rate swaps	$	1,157	$	3,057	$	3,696

Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Operating Ground Leases

Certain of our properties are subject to operating ground leases. Rental payments on these leases are adjusted periodically based on either the consumer price index or on a pre-determined schedule. Total rental property expense recorded for operating ground leases was $2.5 million, $2.9 million and $3.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The following table sets forth our scheduled obligations for future minimum payments on operating ground leases at December 31, 2017:



Years Ending December 31,	Minimum Payments
2018	$	2,099
2019	2,136
2020	2,175
2021	2,215
2022	2,257
Thereafter	88,532
	$	99,414

Lease and Contractual Commitments

We have $343.8 million of lease and contractual commitments at December 31, 2017. Lease and contractual commitments represent commitments under signed leases and contracts for operating properties (excluding tenant-funded tenant improvements) and contracts for development/redevelopment projects, of which $67.5 million was recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2017.

Contingent Consideration

We had $5.0 million and $4.2 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, of contingent consideration related to certain parcels of acquired development land in Raleigh, Atlanta and Nashville. The contingent consideration for each is payable in cash to a third party if and to the extent future development milestones as outlined in the purchase agreements are met.

Environmental Matters

Substantially all of our in-service and development properties have been subjected to Phase I environmental assessments and, in certain instances, Phase II environmental assessments. Such assessments and/or updates have not revealed, nor are we aware of, any environmental liability that we believe would have a material adverse effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Litigation, Claims and Assessments

We are from time to time a party to a variety of legal proceedings, claims and assessments arising in the ordinary course of our business. We regularly assess the liabilities and contingencies in connection with these matters based on the latest information available. For those matters where it is probable that we have incurred or will incur a loss and the loss or range of loss can be reasonably estimated, the estimated loss is accrued and charged to income in our Consolidated Financial Statements. In other instances, because of the uncertainties related to both the probable outcome and amount or range of loss, a reasonable estimate of liability, if any, cannot be made. Based on the current expected outcome of such matters, none of these proceedings, claims or assessments is expected to have a material effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Noncontrolling Interests

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Affiliates

At December 31, 2017, our noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates relate to our joint venture partner's 50.0% interest in office properties in Richmond. Our joint venture partner is an unrelated third party.

Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership

Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership relate to the ownership of Redeemable Common Units. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership is computed by applying the weighted average percentage of Redeemable Common Units during the period, as a percent of the total number of outstanding Common Units, to the Operating Partnership’s net income for the period after deducting distributions on Preferred Units. When a noncontrolling unitholder redeems a Common Unit for a share of Common Stock or cash, the noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership are reduced and the Company’s share in the Operating Partnership is increased by the fair value of each security at the time of redemption.

The following table sets forth the Company's noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017			2016
Beginning noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	$	144,802		$	126,429
Adjustment of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership to fair value	(354		)	12,993
Conversions of Common Units to Common Stock	(511		)	(3,057		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	5,059			15,596
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(4,987		)	(7,159		)
Total noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	$	144,009		$	144,802

The following table sets forth net income available for common stockholders and transfers from the Company's noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017		2016		2015
Net income available for common stockholders	$	182,873	$	521,789	$	94,572
Increase in additional paid in capital from conversions of Common Units to Common Stock	511		3,057		1,645
Change from net income available for common stockholders and transfers from noncontrolling interests	$	183,384	$	524,846	$	96,217

Disclosure About Fair Value of Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Disclosure About Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following summarizes the three levels of inputs that we use to measure fair value.

Level 1. Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Our Level 1 asset is our investment in marketable securities that we use to pay benefits under our non-qualified deferred compensation plan. Our Level 1 liability is our non-qualified deferred compensation obligation. The Company's Level 1 noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership relate to the ownership of Common Units by various individuals and entities other than the Company.

Level 2. Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the related assets or liabilities.

Our Level 2 assets include the fair value of our mortgages and notes receivable and certain interest rate swaps. Our Level 2 liabilities include the fair value of our mortgages and notes payable and remaining interest rate swaps.

The fair value of mortgages and notes receivable and mortgages and notes payable is estimated by the income approach utilizing contractual cash flows and market-based interest rates to approximate the price that would be paid in an orderly transaction between market participants. The fair value of interest rate swaps is determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts and the discounted expected variable cash payments. The variable cash payments of interest rate swaps are based on the expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observed market interest rate curves. In addition, credit valuation adjustments are considered in the fair values to account for potential nonperformance risk, but were concluded to not be significant inputs to the calculation for the periods presented.

Level 3. Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

Our Level 3 assets included (1) any real estate assets recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis as a result of our quarterly impairment analysis, which were valued using the terms of definitive sales contracts or the sales comparison approach, and (2) our tax increment financing bond, which was not routinely traded but whose fair value was determined by the income approach utilizing contractual cash flows and market-based interest rates to estimate the projected redemption value based on quoted bid/ask prices for similar unrated municipal bonds. Our tax increment financing bond was assigned in conjunction with a sale during 2016. The estimated fair value at the date of sale of $11.2 million was equal to the outstanding principal amount due on the bond.


10.	Disclosure About Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Continued

The following table sets forth our assets and liabilities and the Company's noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership that are measured or disclosed at fair value within the fair value hierarchy.



			Level 1		Level 2
	Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities		Significant Observable Inputs
Fair Value at December 31, 2017:
Assets:
Mortgages and notes receivable, at fair value (1)	$	6,425	$	—	$	6,425
Interest rate swaps (in prepaid expenses and other assets)	1,286		—		1,286
Marketable securities of non-qualified deferred compensation plan (in prepaid expenses and other assets)	2,388		2,388		—
Total Assets	$	10,099	$	2,388	$	7,711
Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership	$	144,009	$	144,009	$	—
Liabilities:
Mortgages and notes payable, net, at fair value (1)	$	2,015,689	$	—	$	2,015,689
Non-qualified deferred compensation obligation (in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities)	2,388		2,388		—
Total Liabilities	$	2,018,077	$	2,388	$	2,015,689



Fair Value at December 31, 2016:
Assets:
Mortgages and notes receivable, at fair value (1)	$	8,833	$	—	$	8,833
Interest rate swaps (in prepaid expenses and other assets)	7,619		—		7,619
Marketable securities of non-qualified deferred compensation plan (in prepaid expenses and other assets)	2,451		2,451		—
Total Assets	$	18,903	$	2,451	$	16,452
Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership	$	144,802	$	144,802	$	—
Liabilities:
Mortgages and notes payable, net, at fair value (1)	$	1,965,611	$	—	$	1,965,611
Interest rate swaps (in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities)	1,870		—		1,870
Non-qualified deferred compensation obligation (in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities)	2,451		2,451		—
Total Liabilities	$	1,969,932	$	2,451	$	1,967,481

__________

(1) Amounts recorded at historical cost on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2017 and 2016.

The impaired real estate assets that were measured in the third quarter of 2017 at a fair value of $5.9 million and deemed to be Level 3 assets were valued based primarily on market-based inputs and our assumptions about the use of the assets, as observable inputs were not available. In the absence of observable inputs, we estimate the fair value of real estate using unobservable local and national industry market data such as comparable sales, sales contracts and appraisals to assist us in our estimation of fair value. Significant increases or decreases in any valuation inputs in isolation would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

Equity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Equity [Abstract]

Equity

Common Stock Issuances

During 2017 and 2016, the Company issued 1,363,919 and 5,078,940 shares, respectively, of Common Stock in public offerings and received net proceeds of $68.3 million and $246.2 million, respectively. At December 31, 2017, the Company had 96.7 million remaining shares of Common Stock authorized to be issued under its charter.

Common Stock Dividends

Dividends of the Company declared per share of Common Stock aggregated $1.76, $2.50 and $1.70 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Dividends declared in 2016 included a special cash dividend of $0.80 per share declared in the quarter ended December 31, 2016 and paid January 10, 2017. The principal purpose of the special dividend was to distribute taxable capital gains associated with the sales of the Plaza assets in 2016.

The following table sets forth the Company's estimated taxability to the common stockholders of dividends per share for federal income tax purposes:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017 (1)		2016 (1)		2015
Ordinary income	$	1.50	$	1.15	$	1.50
Capital gains	0.32		1.29		0.13
Return of capital	—		—		0.07
Total	$	1.82	$	2.44	$	1.70

__________


(1)	During 2016, cash dividends declared on Common Stock totaled $2.50 per share, of which approximately $0.06 was recognized as a 2017 distribution for federal income tax purposes.

The Company's tax returns have not been examined by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and, therefore, the taxability of dividends is subject to change.

Preferred Stock

The following table sets forth the Company's Preferred Stock:



	Issue Date	Number of Shares Outstanding	Carrying Value		Liquidation Preference Per Share		Optional Redemption Date	Annual Dividends Payable Per Share
		(in thousands)
December 31, 2017
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable	2/12/1997	29	$	28,892	$	1,000	2/12/2027	$	86.25
December 31, 2016
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable	2/12/1997	29	$	28,920	$	1,000	2/12/2027	$	86.25


11.	Equity - Continued

The following table sets forth the Company's estimated taxability to the preferred stockholders of dividends per share for federal income tax purposes:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017		2016		2015
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable:
Ordinary income	$	71.00	$	40.65	$	79.23
Capital gains	15.25		45.60		7.02
Total	$	86.25	$	86.25	$	86.25

The Company's tax returns have not been examined by the IRS and, therefore, the taxability of dividends is subject to change.

Warrants

At December 31, 2017 and 2016, we had 15,000 warrants outstanding with an exercise price of $32.50 per share. Upon exercise of a warrant, the Company will contribute the exercise price to the Operating Partnership in exchange for Common Units. Therefore, the Operating Partnership accounts for such warrants as if issued by the Operating Partnership. These warrants have no expiration date.

Common Unit Distributions

Distributions of the Operating Partnership declared per Common Unit aggregated $1.76, $2.50 and $1.70 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Distributions declared in 2016 included a special cash distribution of $0.80 per unit declared in the quarter ended December 31, 2016 and paid January 10, 2017. The principal purpose of the special distribution was to distribute taxable capital gains associated with the sales of the Plaza assets in 2016.

Redeemable Common Units

Generally, the Operating Partnership is obligated to redeem each Redeemable Common Unit at the request of the holder thereof for cash equal to the value of one share of Common Stock based on the average of the market price for the 10 trading days immediately preceding the notice date of such redemption, provided that the Company, at its option, may elect to acquire any such Redeemable Common Unit presented for redemption for cash or one share of Common Stock. When a holder redeems a Redeemable Common Unit for a share of Common Stock or cash, the Company’s share in the Operating Partnership will be increased. The Common Units owned by the Company are not redeemable.

Preferred Units

The following table sets forth the Operating Partnership's Preferred Units:



	Issue Date	Number of Units Outstanding	Carrying Value		Liquidation Preference Per Unit		Optional Redemption Date	Annual Distributions Payable Per Unit
		(in thousands)
December 31, 2017
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable	2/12/1997	29	$	28,892	$	1,000	2/12/2027	$	86.25
December 31, 2016
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable	2/12/1997	29	$	28,920	$	1,000	2/12/2027	$	86.25

Employee Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Employee Benefit Plans

Officer, Management and Director Compensation Programs

Officers of the Company participate in an annual non-equity incentive program pursuant to which they are eligible to earn cash payments based on a percentage of their annual base salary in effect for December of the applicable year. Under this component of our executive compensation program, officers are eligible to earn additional cash compensation to the extent specific performance-based metrics are achieved during the most recently completed year. The position held by each officer has a target annual incentive percentage that ranges from 35% to 135% of base salary. The more senior the position, the greater the portion of compensation that varies with performance.

The percentage amount an officer may earn under the annual non-equity incentive plan is the product of the target annual incentive percentage times an “actual performance factor,” which can range from zero to 200%. The actual performance factor depends upon the relationship between actual performance in specific areas at each of our divisions and predetermined goals. For corporate officers, the actual performance factor is based on the goals and criteria applied to the Company’s performance as a whole. For officers who oversee our divisions, the actual performance factor is based on the goals and criteria applied partly to that division’s performance and partly to the Company’s performance overall. Amounts under our annual non-equity incentive plan are accrued and expensed in the year earned, but are typically paid early in the following year.

Certain other employees participate in a similar annual non-equity incentive program. Incentive eligibility ranges from 6% to 30% of annual base salary. The actual incentive payment is determined by a mix of the Company's overall performance, the performance of any applicable division and the individual’s performance during each year. These amounts are also accrued and expensed in the year earned, but are typically paid early in the following year.

The Company's officers generally receive annual grants of stock options and restricted stock under the Company's long-term equity incentive plan on or about March 1 of each year. Restricted stock grants are also made annually to directors and certain other employees. Dividends received on restricted stock are non-forfeitable and are paid at the same rate and on the same date as on shares of Common Stock, except that, with respect to shares of total return-based restricted stock issued to the Company's chief executive officer, dividends accumulate and are payable only if and to the extent the shares vest. Dividends paid on subsequently forfeited shares are expensed. Additional shares of total return-based restricted stock may be issued at the end of the applicable measurement periods if and to the extent actual performance exceeds certain levels of performance. Such additional shares, if any, would be fully vested when issued. No expense is recorded for additional shares of total return-based restricted stock that may be issued at the end of the applicable measurement period since that possibility is reflected in the grant date fair value. The following table sets forth the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for future issuance under the Company's long-term equity incentive plans:



	December 31,
	2017	2016
Outstanding stock options and warrants	655,822	602,115
Possible future issuance under equity incentive plans	2,404,131	2,718,296
	3,059,953	3,320,411

Of the possible future issuance under the Company' long-term equity incentive plans at December 31, 2017, no more than an additional 0.8 million shares can be in the form of restricted stock.

During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we recognized $6.7 million, $6.3 million and $6.9 million, respectively, of share-based compensation expense. Because REITs generally do not pay income taxes, we do not realize tax benefits on share-based payments. At December 31, 2017, there was $5.2 million of total unrecognized share-based compensation costs, which will be recognized over a weighted average remaining contractual term of 2.2 years.


12.	Employee Benefit Plans - Continued

- Stock Options

Stock options issued after 2013 vest ratably on an annual basis over four years and expire after 10 years. Stock options issued from 2011 through 2013 vest ratably on an annual basis over four years and expire after seven years. All stock options have an exercise price equal to the last reported stock price of our Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the last trading day prior to grant. The value of all options as of the date of grant is calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and is amortized over the respective vesting period or the service period, if shorter, for employees who are or will become eligible under the Company's retirement plan. The weighted average fair values of options granted during 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $6.72, $4.61 and $6.19, respectively, per option. The fair values of the options granted were determined at the grant dates using the following assumptions:



	2017		2016		2015
Risk free interest rate (1)	2.0	%	1.4	%	1.7	%
Common stock dividend yield (2)	3.4	%	3.9	%	3.7	%
Expected volatility (3)	19.5	%	19.7	%	22.4	%
Average expected option life (years) (4)	5.75		5.75		5.75

__________


(1)	Represents the interest rate as of the grant date on US treasury bonds having the same life as the estimated life of the option grants.


(2)	The dividend yield is calculated utilizing the then current regular dividend rate for a one-year period and the per share price of Common Stock on the date of grant.


(3)	Based on the historical volatility of Common Stock over a period relevant to the related stock option grant.


(4)	The average expected option life is based on an analysis of the Company's historical data.

The following table sets forth stock option activity:



	Options Outstanding
	Number of Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price
Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2014	577,321		$	34.92
Granted	197,408		45.61
Canceled	(3,829	)	40.21
Exercised	(83,672	)	34.89
Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2015	687,228		37.97
Granted	244,664		43.55
Canceled	(14,743	)	42.64
Exercised	(330,034	)	34.26
Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2016	587,115		42.26
Granted	168,748		52.49
Exercised	(115,041	)	40.41
Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2017 (1) (2)	640,822		$	45.29

__________


(1)	The outstanding options at December 31, 2017 had a weighted average remaining life of 7.7 years.


(2)	The Company had 152,745 options exercisable at December 31, 2017 with a weighted average exercise price of $41.39, weighted average remaining life of 6.4 years and intrinsic value of $1.5 million. Of these exercisable options, there were no exercise prices higher than the market price of our Common Stock at December 31, 2017.


12.	Employee Benefit Plans - Continued

Cash received or receivable from options exercised was $5.2 million, $13.4 million and $3.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $1.3 million, $4.8 million and $0.9 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options outstanding at December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $3.9 million, $5.1 million and $4.3 million, respectively. The Company generally does not permit the net cash settlement of exercised stock options, but does permit net share settlement so long as the shares received are held for at least a year. The Company has a practice of issuing new shares to satisfy stock option exercises.

- Time-Based Restricted Stock

Shares of time-based restricted stock vest ratably on an annual basis over four years. The value of grants of time-based restricted stock is based on the market value of Common Stock as of the date of grant and is amortized to expense over the respective vesting period or the service period, if shorter, for employees who are or will become eligible under the Company's retirement plan.

The following table sets forth time-based restricted stock activity:



	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted shares outstanding at December 31, 2014	222,068		$	35.97
Awarded and issued (1)	71,994		45.91
Vested (2)	(85,809	)	35.14
Forfeited	(3,533	)	39.94
Restricted shares outstanding at December 31, 2015	204,720		39.74
Awarded and issued (1)	72,698		43.59
Vested (2)	(84,212	)	37.76
Forfeited	(4,225	)	41.96
Restricted shares outstanding at December 31, 2016	188,981		42.06
Awarded and issued (1)	61,404		52.49
Vested (2)	(78,139	)	40.55
Restricted shares outstanding at December 31, 2017	172,246		$	46.46

__________


(1)	The weighted average fair value at grant date of time-based restricted stock issued during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $3.2 million, $3.2 million and $3.3 million, respectively.


(2)	The vesting date fair value of time-based restricted stock that vested during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $4.1 million, $3.7 million and $3.9 million, respectively. Vested shares include those shares surrendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with such vesting.


12.	Employee Benefit Plans - Continued

- Total Return-Based Restricted Stock

Shares of total return-based restricted stock vest to the extent the Company's absolute total returns for certain pre-determined three-year periods exceed predetermined goals. The amount subject to vesting ranges from zero to 150%. Notwithstanding the Company’s absolute total return, if the Company’s total return exceeds 100% of the average peer group total return index, at least 75% of total return-based restricted stock issued will vest at the end of the applicable period. The weighted average grant date fair value of such shares of total return-based restricted stock issued in 2017, 2016 and 2015 was determined to be $49.59, $41.37 and $43.77, respectively, and is amortized over the respective three-year period or the service period, if shorter, for employees who are or will become eligible under the Company's retirement plan. The fair values of the total return-based restricted stock granted were determined at the grant dates using a Monte Carlo simulation model and the following assumptions:



	2017		2016		2015
Risk free interest rate (1)	1.6	%	0.9	%	1.0	%
Common stock dividend yield (2)	3.5	%	4.1	%	3.8	%
Expected volatility (3)	42.8	%	43.1	%	43.0	%

__________


(1)	Represents the interest rate as of the grant date on US treasury bonds having the same life as the estimated life of the total return-based restricted stock grants.


(2)	The dividend yield is calculated utilizing the then current regular dividend rate for a one-year period and the average per share price of Common Stock during the three-month period preceding the date of grant.


(3)	Based on the historical volatility of Common Stock over a period relevant to the related total return-based restricted stock grant.

The following table sets forth total return-based restricted stock activity:



	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted shares outstanding at December 31, 2014	207,957		$	35.70
Awarded and issued (1) (3)	118,817		37.64
Vested (2) (3)	(129,762	)	31.97
Forfeited	(1,709	)	37.25
Restricted shares outstanding at December 31, 2015	195,303		36.66
Awarded and issued (1) (3)	64,701		40.87
Vested (2) (3)	(71,617	)	36.50
Forfeited	(4,663	)	39.91
Restricted shares outstanding at December 31, 2016	183,724		39.82
Awarded and issued (1) (3)	84,013		44.76
Vested (2) (3)	(107,013	)	37.88
Restricted shares outstanding at December 31, 2017	160,724		$	44.72

__________


(1)	The fair value at grant date of total return-based restricted stock issued during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $2.4 million, $2.4 million and $2.5 million, respectively, at target.


(2)	The vesting date fair value of total return-based restricted stock that vested during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $5.6 million, $3.1 million and $5.9 million, respectively, based on the performance of the specific plans. Vested shares include those shares surrendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with such vesting.


(3)	The 2017, 2016 and 2015 amounts include 34,669, 6,647 and 61,860 additional shares, respectively, that were issued at the end of the applicable measurement period because actual performance exceeded certain levels of performance.


12.	Employee Benefit Plans - Continued

401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

We have a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan covering substantially all employees who meet certain age and employment criteria. We contribute amounts for each participant at a rate of 75% of the employee’s contribution (up to 6% of each employee’s bi-weekly salary and cash incentives, subject to statutory limits). During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we contributed $1.4 million, $1.3 million and $1.3 million, respectively, to the 401(k) savings plan. The assets of this qualified plan are not included in our Consolidated Financial Statements since the assets are not owned by us.

Retirement Plan

The Company has a retirement plan for employees with at least 30 years of continuous service or are at least 55 years old with at least 10 years of continuous service. Subject to advance written notice and a non-compete agreement, eligible retirees would be entitled to receive a pro rata amount of any annual non-equity incentive compensation earned during the year of retirement and stock options and time-based restricted stock would be non-forfeitable and vest according to the terms of their original grants. Eligible retirees would also be entitled to retain any total return-based restricted stock that subsequently vests after the retirement date according to the terms of their original grants. For employees who meet the age and service eligibility requirements, 100% of their annual grants are expensed at the grant date as if fully vested. For employees who will meet the age and service eligibility requirements within the normal vesting periods, the grants are amortized over the shorter service period.

Deferred Compensation

Prior to 2010, officers could elect to defer all or a portion of their cash compensation, which was then invested in unrelated mutual funds under a non-qualified deferred compensation plan. These investments are recorded at fair value, which aggregated $2.4 million and $2.5 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and are included in prepaid expenses and other assets, with an offsetting deferred compensation liability recorded in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities. Deferred amounts ultimately payable to the participants are based on the value of the related mutual fund investments. Accordingly, changes in the value of the unrelated mutual funds are recorded in interest and other income and the corresponding offsetting changes in the deferred compensation liability are recorded in general and administration expense. As a result, there is no effect on our net income.

The following table sets forth our deferred compensation liability:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017			2016			2015
Beginning deferred compensation liability	$	2,451		$	2,736		$	3,635
Mark-to-market adjustment to deferred compensation (in general and administrative expenses)	492			222			(32		)
Distributions from deferred compensation plans	(555		)	(507		)	(867		)
Total deferred compensation liability	$	2,388		$	2,451		$	2,736

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company has an Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP") pursuant to which employees may contribute up to 25% of their cash compensation for the purchase of Common Stock. At the end of each quarter, each participant's account balance, which includes accumulated dividends, is applied to acquire shares of Common Stock at a cost that is calculated at 85% of the average closing price on the New York Stock Exchange on the five consecutive days preceding the last day of the quarter. In the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company issued 33,278, 27,773 and 29,496 shares, respectively, of Common Stock under the ESPP. The 15% discount on newly issued shares, which is taxable income to the participants and is recorded by us as additional compensation expense, aggregated $0.2 million in each of the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. Generally, shares purchased under the ESPP must be held at least one year. The Company satisfies its ESPP obligations by issuing additional shares of Common Stock.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)

The following table sets forth the components of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss):



	December 31,
	2017		2016
Cash flow hedges:
Beginning balance	$	4,949	$	(3,811	)
Unrealized gains on cash flow hedges	1,732		5,703
Amortization of cash flow hedges (1)	1,157		3,057
Total accumulated other comprehensive income	$	7,838	$	4,949

__________


(1)	Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) into contractual interest expense.

Rental and Other Revenues; Rental Property and Other Expenses

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Rental and Other Revenues; Rental Property And Other Expenses [Abstract]

Rental and Other Revenues; Rental Property and Other Expenses

Our real estate assets are leased to customers under operating leases. The minimum rental amounts under the leases are generally subject to scheduled fixed increases. Generally, the leases also provide that we receive cost recovery income from customers for increases in certain costs above the costs incurred during a contractually specified base year. The following table sets forth our rental and other revenues from continuing operations:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017		2016		2015
Contractual rents, net	$	583,825	$	561,242	$	513,909
Straight-line rental income, net	31,721		23,909		22,054
Cost recovery income, net	53,942		48,730		45,247
Lease termination fees	1,501		2,311		990
Other miscellaneous operating revenues	31,748		29,442		22,471
	$	702,737	$	665,634	$	604,671

The following table sets forth our scheduled future minimum base rents to be received from customers for leases in effect at December 31, 2017 for the properties that we wholly own:



2018	$	595,638
2019	556,405
2020	490,429
2021	432,602
2022	377,964
Thereafter	1,378,404
	$	3,831,442

The following table sets forth our rental property and other expenses from continuing operations:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017		2016		2015
Utilities, insurance and real estate taxes	$	126,461	$	124,940	$	117,470
Maintenance, cleaning and general building	90,764		86,221		79,091
Property management and administrative expenses	13,117		12,588		12,446
Other miscellaneous operating expenses	6,546		7,336		6,934
	$	236,888	$	231,085	$	215,941

Real Estate and Other Assets Held For Sale and Discontinued Operations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Real Estate and Other Assets Held For Sale and Discontinued Operations

The following table sets forth the assets held for sale at December 31, 2017 and 2016, which are considered non-core:



	December 31,
	2017			2016
Assets:
Land	$	870		$	—
Buildings and tenant improvements	21,318			—
Land held for development	355			—
Less-accumulated depreciation	(9,304		)	—
Net real estate assets	13,239			—
Accrued straight-line rents receivable	591			—
Deferred leasing costs, net	253			—
Prepaid expenses and other assets	35			—
Real estate and other assets, net, held for sale	$	14,118		$	—

The following tables set forth the results of operations and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 related to discontinued operations:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017		2016		2015
Rental and other revenues	$	—	$	8,484	$	50,935
Operating expenses:
Rental property and other expenses	—		3,334		20,805
Depreciation and amortization	—		—		14,039
General and administrative	—		1,388		2,366
Total operating expenses	—		4,722		37,210
Interest expense	—		85		621
Other income	—		420		2,635
Income from discontinued operations	—		4,097		15,739
Net gains on disposition of discontinued operations	—		414,496		—
Total income from discontinued operations	$	—	$	418,593	$	15,739



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017		2016		2015
Cash flows from operating activities	$	—	$	2,040	$	27,579
Cash flows from investing activities	$	—	$	417,097	$	(16,445	)

Earnings Per Share and Per Unit

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share and Per Unit

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share of the Company:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017			2016			2015
Earnings per Common Share - basic:
Numerator:
Income from continuing operations	$	191,663		$	122,546		$	85,521
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership from continuing operations	(5,059		)	(3,331		)	(2,443		)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates from continuing operations	(1,239		)	(1,253		)	(1,264		)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(2,492		)	(2,501		)	(2,506		)
Income from continuing operations available for common stockholders	182,873			115,461			79,308
Income from discontinued operations	—			418,593			15,739
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership from discontinued operations	—			(12,265		)	(475		)
Income from discontinued operations available for common stockholders	—			406,328			15,264
Net income available for common stockholders	$	182,873		$	521,789		$	94,572
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share – weighted average shares	102,682			98,439			94,404
Earnings per Common Share - basic:
Income from continuing operations available for common stockholders	$	1.78		$	1.17		$	0.84
Income from discontinued operations available for common stockholders	—			4.13			0.16
Net income available for common stockholders	$	1.78		$	5.30		$	1.00
Earnings per Common Share - diluted:
Numerator:
Income from continuing operations	$	191,663		$	122,546		$	85,521
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates from continuing operations	(1,239		)	(1,253		)	(1,264		)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(2,492		)	(2,501		)	(2,506		)
Income from continuing operations available for common stockholders before net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	187,932			118,792			81,751
Income from discontinued operations available for common stockholders	—			418,593			15,739
Net income available for common stockholders before net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	$	187,932		$	537,385		$	97,490
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share – weighted average shares	102,682			98,439			94,404
Add:
Stock options using the treasury method	79			87			87
Noncontrolling interests Common Units	2,833			2,872			2,915
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Share – adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions (1)	105,594			101,398			97,406
Earnings per Common Share - diluted:
Income from continuing operations available for common stockholders	$	1.78		$	1.17		$	0.84
Income from discontinued operations available for common stockholders	—			4.13			0.16
Net income available for common stockholders	$	1.78		$	5.30		$	1.00

__________


(1)	Includes all unvested restricted stock where dividends on such restricted stock are non-forfeitable.


16.	Earnings Per Share and Per Unit - Continued

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per unit of the Operating Partnership:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017			2016			2015
Earnings per Common Unit - basic:
Numerator:
Income from continuing operations	$	191,663		$	122,546		$	85,521
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates from continuing operations	(1,239		)	(1,253		)	(1,264		)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(2,492		)	(2,501		)	(2,506		)
Income from continuing operations available for common unitholders	187,932			118,792			81,751
Income from discontinued operations available for common unitholders	—			418,593			15,739
Net income available for common unitholders	$	187,932		$	537,385		$	97,490
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit – weighted average units	105,106			100,902			96,910
Earnings per Common Unit - basic:
Income from continuing operations available for common unitholders	$	1.79		$	1.18		$	0.84
Income from discontinued operations available for common unitholders	—			4.15			0.17
Net income available for common unitholders	$	1.79		$	5.33		$	1.01
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Numerator:
Income from continuing operations	$	191,663		$	122,546		$	85,521
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates from continuing operations	(1,239		)	(1,253		)	(1,264		)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(2,492		)	(2,501		)	(2,506		)
Income from continuing operations available for common unitholders	187,932			118,792			81,751
Income from discontinued operations available for common unitholders	—			418,593			15,739
Net income available for common unitholders	$	187,932		$	537,385		$	97,490
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit – weighted average units	105,106			100,902			96,910
Add:
Stock options using the treasury method	79			87			87
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Unit – adjusted weighted average units and assumed conversions (1)	105,185			100,989			96,997
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Income from continuing operations available for common unitholders	$	1.79		$	1.18		$	0.84
Income from discontinued operations available for common unitholders	—			4.14			0.17
Net income available for common unitholders	$	1.79		$	5.32		$	1.01

__________


(1)	Includes all unvested restricted stock where distributions on such restricted stock are non-forfeitable.

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Our Consolidated Financial Statements include the operations of the Company's taxable REIT subsidiary, which is not entitled to the dividends paid deduction and is subject to federal, state and local income taxes on its taxable income. As a REIT, the Company may also be subject to federal excise taxes if it engages in certain types of transactions.

The minimum dividend per share of Common Stock required for the Company to maintain its REIT status was $1.37, $0.99 and $1.31 per share in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Continued qualification as a REIT depends on the Company's ability to satisfy the dividend distribution tests, stock ownership requirements and various other qualification tests. The tax basis of the Company's assets (net of accumulated tax depreciation and amortization) and liabilities was approximately $4.1 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2017 and $4.0 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2016. The tax basis of the Operating Partnership's assets (net of accumulated tax depreciation and amortization) and liabilities was approximately $4.1 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2017 and $4.0 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2016.

During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company qualified as a REIT and incurred no federal income tax expense; accordingly, the only federal income taxes included in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements relate to activities of the Company's taxable REIT subsidiary. Due to the passage of federal legislation commonly known as the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act," which was signed into law on December 22, 2017, the taxable REIT subsidiary was required to decrease the deferred tax asset balance, which resulted in an increase to tax expense of $0.1 million in 2017.

The following table sets forth the Company's income tax expense/(benefit):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017			2016			2015
Current tax expense/(benefit):
Federal	$	(177	)	$	(38	)	$	949
State	105			89			351
	(72		)	51			1,300
Deferred tax expense/(benefit):
Federal	223			(160		)	(233		)
State	(9		)	87			(115		)
	214			(73		)	(348		)
Less tax expense netted against gain on disposition of property	—			—			(518		)
Total income tax expense/(benefit)	$	142		$	(22	)	$	434

The Company's net deferred tax liability was $0.3 million and $0.1 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The net deferred tax liability is comprised primarily of tax versus book differences related to property (depreciation, amortization and basis differences).

For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, there were no unrecognized tax benefits. The Company is subject to federal, state and local income tax examinations by taxing authorities for 2014 through 2017. The Company does not expect that the total amount of unrecognized benefits will materially change within the next year.

Segment Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

Our principal business is the operation, acquisition and development of rental real estate properties. We evaluate our business by product type and by geographic location. Each product type has different customers and economic characteristics as to rental rates and terms, cost per rentable square foot of buildings, the purposes for which customers use the space, the degree of maintenance and customer support required and customer dependency on different economic drivers, among others. The operating results by geographic grouping are also regularly reviewed by our chief operating decision maker for assessing performance and other purposes. There are no material inter-segment transactions.

Our accounting policies of the segments are the same as those used in our Consolidated Financial Statements. All operations are within the United States.

The following tables summarize the rental and other revenues and net operating income, the primary industry property-level performance metric used by our chief operating decision maker and which is defined as rental and other revenues less rental property and other expenses, for each of our reportable segments.



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017		2016		2015
Rental and Other Revenues:
Office:
Atlanta	$	140,323	$	134,601	$	108,590
Greensboro	21,453		20,522		21,251
Memphis	45,430		48,251		47,137
Nashville	111,506		95,912		88,310
Orlando	51,236		46,260		44,621
Pittsburgh	59,103		58,789		59,392
Raleigh	119,254		112,958		102,841
Richmond	43,959		44,315		42,089
Tampa	97,524		89,903		75,715
Total Office Segment	689,788		651,511		589,946
Other	12,949		14,123		14,725
Total Rental and Other Revenues	$	702,737	$	665,634	$	604,671


18.	Segment Information - Continued



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017			2016			2015
Net Operating Income:
Office:
Atlanta	$	89,575		$	84,733		$	67,094
Greensboro	13,612			12,781			13,395
Memphis	28,128			30,038			29,534
Nashville	81,204			68,678			62,387
Orlando	30,526			26,525			25,524
Pittsburgh	34,784			34,175			34,348
Raleigh	86,475			80,803			72,981
Richmond	29,946			30,505			27,922
Tampa	62,378			56,493			45,447
Total Office Segment	456,628			424,731			378,632
Other	9,221			9,818			10,098
Total Net Operating Income	465,849			434,549			388,730
Reconciliation to income from continuing operations before disposition of investment properties and activity in unconsolidated affiliates:
Depreciation and amortization	(227,832		)	(220,140		)	(201,918		)
Impairments of real estate assets	(1,445		)	—			—
General and administrative expenses	(39,648		)	(38,153		)	(37,642		)
Interest expense	(69,105		)	(76,648		)	(86,052		)
Other income	2,283			2,338			1,726
Income from continuing operations before disposition of investment properties and activity in unconsolidated affiliates	$	130,102		$	101,946		$	64,844


18.	Segment Information - Continued



	December 31,
	2017		2016
Total Assets:
Office:
Atlanta	$	1,049,100	$	1,039,519
Greensboro	134,194		127,887
Memphis	218,088		271,115
Nashville	806,725		714,905
Orlando	306,970		307,021
Pittsburgh	334,136		353,816
Raleigh	762,331		760,607
Richmond	229,468		212,508
Tampa	550,375		553,068
Total Office Segment	4,391,387		4,340,446
Other	232,404		220,604
Total Assets	$	4,623,791	$	4,561,050

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

The following tables set forth quarterly financial information of the Company:



	Year Ended December 31, 2017
	First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter			Fourth Quarter			Total
Rental and other revenues	$	169,408		$	177,283		$	180,185		$	175,861		$	702,737

Net income	33,485			39,554			59,549			59,075			191,663
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(888		)	(1,043		)	(1,571		)	(1,557		)	(5,059		)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(300		)	(299		)	(315		)	(325		)	(1,239		)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(623		)	(623		)	(623		)	(623		)	(2,492		)
Net income available for common stockholders	$	31,674		$	37,589		$	57,040		$	56,570		$	182,873
Earnings per Common Share – basic:
Net income available for common stockholders	$	0.31		$	0.37		$	0.55		$	0.55		$	1.78
Earnings per Common Share – diluted:
Net income available for common stockholders	$	0.31		$	0.37		$	0.55		$	0.55		$	1.78



	Year Ended December 31, 2016
	First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter			Fourth Quarter			Total
Rental and other revenues	$	164,859		$	166,860		$	166,269		$	167,646		$	665,634

Income from continuing operations	28,142			33,528			33,840			27,036			122,546
Income from discontinued operations (1)	418,593			—			—			—			418,593
Net income	446,735			33,528			33,840			27,036			541,139
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(13,011		)	(939		)	(926		)	(720		)	(15,596		)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(308		)	(314		)	(319		)	(312		)	(1,253		)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(626		)	(627		)	(624		)	(624		)	(2,501		)
Net income available for common stockholders	$	432,790		$	31,648		$	31,971		$	25,380		$	521,789
Earnings per Common Share – basic:
Income from continuing operations available for common stockholders	$	0.27		$	0.32		$	0.32		$	0.25		$	1.17
Income from discontinued operations available for common stockholders	4.22			—			—			—			4.13
Net income available for common stockholders	$	4.49		$	0.32		$	0.32		$	0.25		$	5.30
Earnings per Common Share – diluted:
Income from continuing operations available for common stockholders	$	0.27		$	0.32		$	0.32		$	0.25		$	1.17
Income from discontinued operations available for common stockholders	4.22			—			—			—			4.13
Net income available for common stockholders	$	4.49		$	0.32		$	0.32		$	0.25		$	5.30

__________


(1)	See Note 2 for a discussion regarding the sales of the Plaza assets.


19.	Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) - Continued

The following tables set forth quarterly financial information of the Operating Partnership:



	Year Ended December 31, 2017
	First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter			Fourth Quarter			Total
Rental and other revenues	$	169,408		$	177,283		$	180,185		$	175,861		$	702,737

Net income	33,485			39,554			59,549			59,075			191,663
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(300		)	(299		)	(315		)	(325		)	(1,239		)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(623		)	(623		)	(623		)	(623		)	(2,492		)
Net income available for common unitholders	$	32,562		$	38,632		$	58,611		$	58,127		$	187,932
Earnings per Common Unit – basic:
Net income available for common unitholders	$	0.31		$	0.37		$	0.55		$	0.55		$	1.79
Earnings per Common Unit – diluted:
Net income available for common unitholders	$	0.31		$	0.37		$	0.55		$	0.55		$	1.79



	Year Ended December 31, 2016
	First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter			Fourth Quarter			Total
Rental and other revenues	$	164,859		$	166,860		$	166,269		$	167,646		$	665,634

Income from continuing operations	28,142			33,528			33,840			27,036			122,546
Income from discontinued operations (1)	418,593			—			—			—			418,593
Net income	446,735			33,528			33,840			27,036			541,139
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(308		)	(314		)	(319		)	(312		)	(1,253		)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(626		)	(627		)	(624		)	(624		)	(2,501		)
Net income available for common unitholders	$	445,801		$	32,587		$	32,897		$	26,100		$	537,385
Earnings per Common Unit – basic:
Income from continuing operations available for common unitholders	$	0.28		$	0.33		$	0.32		$	0.25		$	1.18
Income from discontinued operations available for common unitholders	4.23			—			—			—			4.15
Net income available for common unitholders	$	4.51		$	0.33		$	0.32		$	0.25		$	5.33
Earnings per Common Unit – diluted:
Income from continuing operations available for common unitholders	$	0.28		$	0.33		$	0.32		$	0.25		$	1.18
Income from discontinued operations available for common unitholders	4.23			—			—			—			4.14
Net income available for common unitholders	$	4.51		$	0.33		$	0.32		$	0.25		$	5.32

__________


(1)	See Note 2 for a discussion regarding the sales of the Plaza assets.

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Dec. 31, 2017
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events On February 5, 2018, we acquired two development parcels totaling approximately nine acres in Nashville for an aggregate purchase price of $50.3 million. On February 6, 2018, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.4625 per share of Common Stock, which is payable on March 6, 2018 to stockholders of record as of February 20, 2018.

Schedule II

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]

Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

SCHEDULE II

(in thousands)

The following table sets forth the activity of allowance for doubtful accounts:



	Balance at December 31, 2016		Additions		Deductions			Balance at December 31, 2017
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - Straight-Line Rent	$	692	$	1,503	$	(1,376	)	$	819
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - Accounts Receivable	624		500		(371		)	753
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - Notes Receivable	105		—		(33		)	72
Totals	$	1,421	$	2,003	$	(1,780	)	$	1,644



	Balance at December 31, 2015		Additions		Deductions			Balance at December 31, 2016
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - Straight-Line Rent	$	257	$	1,501	$	(1,066	)	$	692
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - Accounts Receivable	928		1,045		(1,349		)	624
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - Notes Receivable	287		—		(182		)	105
Totals	$	1,472	$	2,546	$	(2,597	)	$	1,421



	Balance at December 31, 2014		Additions		Deductions			Balance at December 31, 2015
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - Straight-Line Rent	$	316	$	1,412	$	(1,471	)	$	257
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - Accounts Receivable	1,314		1,141		(1,527		)	928
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - Notes Receivable	275		12		—			287
Totals	$	1,905	$	2,565	$	(2,998	)	$	1,472

Schedule III

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule Of Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation Note To Schedule III

HIGHWOODS PROPERTIES, INC.

HIGHWOODS REALTY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

NOTE TO SCHEDULE III

(in thousands)

The following table sets forth the activity of real estate assets and accumulated depreciation:



	December 31,
	2017			2016			2015
Real estate assets:
Beginning balance	$	4,865,103		$	4,915,858		$	4,271,966
Additions:
Acquisitions, development and improvements	486,755			353,236			708,793
Cost of real estate sold and retired	(178,104		)	(403,991		)	(64,901		)
Ending balance (a)	$	5,173,754		$	4,865,103		$	4,915,858
Accumulated depreciation:
Beginning balance	$	1,134,103		$	1,138,378		$	1,024,936
Depreciation expense	184,385			173,072			168,663
Real estate sold and retired	(106,760		)	(177,347		)	(55,221		)
Ending balance (b)	$	1,211,728		$	1,134,103		$	1,138,378


(a)	Reconciliation of total real estate assets to balance sheet caption:



	2017			2016		2015
Total per Schedule III	$	5,173,754		$	4,865,103	$	4,915,858
Development in-process exclusive of land included in Schedule III	88,452			279,602		194,050
Real estate assets, net, held for sale	(22,543		)	—		(340,581		)
Total real estate assets	$	5,239,663		$	5,144,705	$	4,769,327


(b)	Reconciliation of total accumulated depreciation to balance sheet caption:



	2017			2016		2015
Total per Schedule III	$	1,211,728		$	1,134,103	$	1,138,378
Real estate assets, net, held for sale	(9,304		)	—		(131,274		)
Total accumulated depreciation	$	1,202,424		$	1,134,103	$	1,007,104

Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation Disclosure

HIGHWOODS PROPERTIES, INC.

HIGHWOODS REALTY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

SCHEDULE III - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION

(in thousands)

December 31, 2017



			Initial Costs				Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition					Gross Value at Close of Period
Description	Property Type	2017 Encumbrance	Land		Bldg & Improv		Land			Bldg & Improv		Land		Bldg & Improv		Total Assets (1)		Accumulated Depreciation		Date of Construction	Life on Which Depreciation is Calculated
Atlanta, GA
1700 Century Circle	Office		$	—	$	2,482	$	2		$	1,546	$	2	$	4,028	$	4,030	$	1,372	1983	5-40 yrs.
1800 Century Boulevard	Office		1,444		29,081		—			10,284		1,444		39,365		40,809		20,376		1975	5-40 yrs.
1825 Century Parkway	Office		864		—		303			13,971		1,167		13,971		15,138		5,367		2002	5-40 yrs.
1875 Century Boulevard	Office		—		8,924		—			8,388		—		17,312		17,312		6,083		1976	5-40 yrs.
1900 Century Boulevard	Office		—		4,744		—			711		—		5,455		5,455		4,872		1971	5-40 yrs.
2200 Century Parkway	Office		—		14,432		—			6,956		—		21,388		21,388		10,078		1971	5-40 yrs.
2400 Century Parkway	Office		—		—		406			15,250		406		15,250		15,656		6,328		1998	5-40 yrs.
2500 Century Parkway	Office		—		—		328			11,105		328		11,105		11,433		3,344		2005	5-40 yrs.
2500/2635 Parking Garage	Office		—		—		—			6,439		—		6,439		6,439		1,917		2005	5-40 yrs.
2600 Century Parkway	Office		—		10,679		—			2,962		—		13,641		13,641		6,943		1973	5-40 yrs.
2635 Century Parkway	Office		—		21,643		—			5,343		—		26,986		26,986		13,052		1980	5-40 yrs.
2800 Century Parkway	Office		—		20,449		—			12,881		—		33,330		33,330		16,521		1983	5-40 yrs.
50 Glenlake	Office		2,500		20,006		—			4,253		2,500		24,259		26,759		11,971		1997	5-40 yrs.
Century Plaza I	Office		1,290		8,567		—			4,648		1,290		13,215		14,505		5,759		1981	5-40 yrs.
Century Plaza II	Office		1,380		7,733		—			3,444		1,380		11,177		12,557		4,892		1984	5-40 yrs.
Federal Aviation Administration	Office		1,196		—		1,416			15,156		2,612		15,156		17,768		5,173		2009	5-40 yrs.
Henry County - Land	Industrial		3,010		—		(284		)	—		2,726		—		2,726		—		N/A	N/A
5405 Windward Parkway	Office		3,342		32,111		—			19,349		3,342		51,460		54,802		19,971		1998	5-40 yrs.
Riverpoint - Land	Industrial		7,250		—		3,913			2,543		11,163		2,543		13,706		513		N/A	5-40 yrs.
Riverwood 100	Office		5,785		64,913		(29		)	14,543		5,756		79,456		85,212		16,534		1989	5-40 yrs.
South Park Residential - Land	Other		50		—		5			—		55		—		55		—		N/A	N/A
South Park Site - Land	Industrial		1,204		—		715			—		1,919		—		1,919		—		N/A	N/A
Tradeport - Land	Industrial		5,243		—		(4,819		)	—		424		—		424		—		N/A	N/A
Two Point Royal	Office		1,793		14,964		—			3,653		1,793		18,617		20,410		9,347		1997	5-40 yrs.
Two Alliance Center	Office		9,579		125,549		—			2,948		9,579		128,497		138,076		24,936		2009	5-40 yrs.
One Alliance Center	Office		14,775		123,071		—			12,027		14,775		135,098		149,873		18,871		2001	5-40 yrs.

HIGHWOODS PROPERTIES, INC. HIGHWOODS REALTY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP SCHEDULE III - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION (Continued)

			Initial Costs		Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition				Gross Value at Close of Period
Description	Property Type	2017 Encumbrance	Land	Bldg & Improv	Land		Bldg & Improv		Land	Bldg & Improv	Total Assets (1)	Accumulated Depreciation	Date of Construction	Life on Which Depreciation is Calculated
10 Glenlake North	Office		5,349	26,334	—		6,217		5,349	32,551	37,900	5,613	2000	5-40 yrs.
10 Glenlake South	Office		5,103	22,811	—		3,545		5,103	26,356	31,459	4,813	1999	5-40 yrs.
Riverwood 200	Office		—	—	4,777		89,708		4,777	89,708	94,485	1,913	2017	5-40 yrs.
Riverwood 300 Land	Office		400	—	—		710		400	710	1,110	16	N/A	N/A
Monarch Tower	Office		22,717	143,068	—		6,317		22,717	149,385	172,102	11,155	1997	5-40 yrs.
Monarch Plaza	Office		27,678	88,962	—		4,079		27,678	93,041	120,719	7,400	1983	5-40 yrs.
Memphis, TN
Triad Centre I	Office		2,340	11,385	(849	)	4,448		1,491	15,833	17,324	7,369	1985	5-40 yrs.
Triad Centre II	Office		1,980	8,677	(404	)	5,049		1,576	13,726	15,302	6,010	1987	5-40 yrs.
Atrium I & II	Office		1,570	6,253	—		3,778		1,570	10,031	11,601	4,925	1984	5-40 yrs.
Centrum	Office		1,013	5,580	—		3,236		1,013	8,816	9,829	4,463	1979	5-40 yrs.
Comcast	Office		946	—	—		8,620		946	8,620	9,566	3,857	2008	5-40 yrs.
International Place Phase II	Office		4,884	27,782	—		6,105		4,884	33,887	38,771	17,170	1988	5-40 yrs.
PennMarc Centre	Office		3,607	10,240	—		4,690		3,607	14,930	18,537	4,276	2008	5-40 yrs.
Colonnade	Office		1,300	6,481	267		2,194		1,567	8,675	10,242	4,073	1998	5-40 yrs.
Crescent Center	Office		7,875	32,756	(547	)	10,298		7,328	43,054	50,382	10,618	1986	5-40 yrs.
Southwind - Land	Office		3,662	—	(2,475	)	—		1,187	—	1,187	—	N/A	N/A
Triad Centre III	Office		1,253	—	—		36,191		1,253	36,191	37,444	9,614	2009	5-40 yrs.
Capital Grille	Office		311	3,258	—		2		311	3,260	3,571	1,035	2014	5-40 yrs.
Seasons 52	Office		320	3,741	—		(39	)	320	3,702	4,022	1,135	2014	5-40 yrs.
International Place IV	Office		4,940	49,141	—		(262	)	4,940	48,879	53,819	3,562	2015	5-40 yrs.
Nashville, TN
3322 West End	Office		3,025	27,490	—		9,014		3,025	36,504	39,529	14,562	1986	5-40 yrs.
3401 West End	Office		5,862	22,917	—		4,489		5,862	27,406	33,268	14,927	1982	5-40 yrs.
5310 Maryland Way	Office		1,863	7,201	—		3,681		1,863	10,882	12,745	5,067	1994	5-40 yrs.
Cool Springs 1 & 2 Deck	Office		—	—	—		3,989		—	3,989	3,989	1,011	2007	5-40 yrs.
Cool Springs 3 & 4 Deck	Office		—	—	—		4,461		—	4,461	4,461	1,195	2007	5-40 yrs.
Cool Springs I	Office		1,583	—	15		13,886		1,598	13,886	15,484	6,423	1999	5-40 yrs.
Cool Springs II	Office		1,824	—	346		18,714		2,170	18,714	20,884	7,578	1999	5-40 yrs.
Cool Springs III	Office		1,631	—	804		15,408		2,435	15,408	17,843	4,554	2006	5-40 yrs.
Cool Springs IV	Office		1,715	—	—		19,143		1,715	19,143	20,858	4,870	2008	5-40 yrs.

HIGHWOODS PROPERTIES, INC. HIGHWOODS REALTY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP SCHEDULE III - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION (Continued)

			Initial Costs		Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			Gross Value at Close of Period
Description	Property Type	2017 Encumbrance	Land	Bldg & Improv	Land		Bldg & Improv	Land	Bldg & Improv	Total Assets (1)	Accumulated Depreciation	Date of Construction	Life on Which Depreciation is Calculated
Cool Springs V – Healthways	Office		3,688	—	295		53,000	3,983	53,000	56,983	17,596	2007	5-40 yrs.
Harpeth On The Green II	Office		1,419	5,677	—		2,750	1,419	8,427	9,846	4,335	1984	5-40 yrs.
Harpeth On The Green III	Office		1,660	6,649	—		2,921	1,660	9,570	11,230	4,777	1987	5-40 yrs.
Harpeth On The Green IV	Office		1,713	6,842	—		2,436	1,713	9,278	10,991	4,648	1989	5-40 yrs.
Harpeth On The Green V	Office		662	—	197		5,588	859	5,588	6,447	2,824	1998	5-40 yrs.
Hickory Trace	Office		1,164	—	164		4,775	1,328	4,775	6,103	1,812	2001	5-40 yrs.
Highwoods Plaza I	Office		1,552	—	307		8,928	1,859	8,928	10,787	4,610	1996	5-40 yrs.
Highwoods Plaza II	Office		1,448	—	307		8,833	1,755	8,833	10,588	3,784	1997	5-40 yrs.
Seven Springs I	Office		2,076	—	592		13,145	2,668	13,145	15,813	5,018	2002	5-40 yrs.
SouthPointe	Office		1,655	—	310		7,827	1,965	7,827	9,792	3,640	1998	5-40 yrs.
The Ramparts of Brentwood	Office		2,394	12,806	—		7,343	2,394	20,149	22,543	6,468	1986	5-40 yrs.
Westwood South	Office		2,106	—	382		10,603	2,488	10,603	13,091	4,419	1999	5-40 yrs.
100 Winners Circle	Office		1,497	7,258	—		2,452	1,497	9,710	11,207	4,707	1987	5-40 yrs.
The Pinnacle at Symphony Place	Office	98,981	—	141,469	—		6,160	—	147,629	147,629	23,127	2010	5-40 yrs.
Seven Springs East	Office		2,525	37,587	—		123	2,525	37,710	40,235	4,913	2013	5-40 yrs.
The Shops at Seven Springs	Office		803	8,223	—		526	803	8,749	9,552	1,441	2013	5-40 yrs.
Seven Springs West	Office		2,439	51,306	—		1,287	2,439	52,593	55,032	2,508	2016	5-40 yrs.
Seven Springs II	Office		—	—	2,356		30,048	2,356	30,048	32,404	675	2017	5-40 yrs.
Bridgestone Americas, Inc.	Office		—	—	15,639		169,392	15,639	169,392	185,031	1,708	2017	5-40 yrs.
Orlando, FL
Berkshire at MetroCenter	Office		1,265	—	672		11,799	1,937	11,799	13,736	3,838	2007	5-40 yrs.
Capital Plaza Three - Land	Office		2,994	—	18		—	3,012	—	3,012	—	N/A	N/A
Eola Park - Land	Office		2,027	—	—		—	2,027	—	2,027	—	N/A	N/A
Oxford - Land	Office		1,100	—	51		458	1,151	458	1,609	—	N/A	N/A
Stratford - Land	Office		2,034	—	(148	)	—	1,886	—	1,886	—	N/A	N/A
Windsor at MetroCenter	Office		—	—	2,060		9,552	2,060	9,552	11,612	3,310	2002	5-40 yrs.
The 1800 Eller Drive Building	Office		—	9,851	—		3,267	—	13,118	13,118	7,822	1983	5-40 yrs.
Seaside Plaza	Office		3,893	29,541	—		5,550	3,893	35,091	38,984	5,494	1982	5-40 yrs.
Capital Plaza Two	Office		4,346	43,394	—		4,849	4,346	48,243	52,589	6,991	1999	5-40 yrs.
Capital Plaza One	Office		3,482	27,321	—		4,714	3,482	32,035	35,517	4,080	1975	5-40 yrs.
Landmark Center Two	Office		4,743	22,031	—		7,650	4,743	29,681	34,424	4,886	1985	5-40 yrs.

HIGHWOODS PROPERTIES, INC. HIGHWOODS REALTY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP SCHEDULE III - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION (Continued)

			Initial Costs		Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition		Gross Value at Close of Period
Description	Property Type	2017 Encumbrance	Land	Bldg & Improv	Land	Bldg & Improv	Land	Bldg & Improv	Total Assets (1)	Accumulated Depreciation	Date of Construction	Life on Which Depreciation is Calculated
Landmark Center One	Office		6,207	22,655	—	7,613	6,207	30,268	36,475	4,817	1983	5-40 yrs.
Lincoln Plaza	Office		3,490	56,079	—	5,310	3,490	61,389	64,879	6,073	2000	5-40 yrs.
Eola	Office		3,758	11,160	—	3,334	3,758	14,494	18,252	1,423	1969	5-40 yrs.
Greensboro, NC
6348 Burnt Poplar	Industrial		724	2,900	—	339	724	3,239	3,963	1,801	1990	5-40 yrs.
6350 Burnt Poplar	Industrial		341	1,374	—	784	341	2,158	2,499	975	1992	5-40 yrs.
420 Gallimore Dairy Road	Office		379	1,516	—	924	379	2,440	2,819	1,209	1990	5-40 yrs.
418 Gallimore Dairy Road	Office		462	1,849	—	638	462	2,487	2,949	1,392	1986	5-40 yrs.
416 Gallimore Dairy Road	Office		322	1,293	—	603	322	1,896	2,218	955	1986	5-40 yrs.
7031 Albert Pick Road	Office		510	2,921	—	2,465	510	5,386	5,896	2,856	1986	5-40 yrs.
7029 Albert Pick Road	Office		739	3,237	—	2,112	739	5,349	6,088	2,927	1988	5-40 yrs.
7025 Albert Pick Road	Office		2,393	9,576	—	6,190	2,393	15,766	18,159	7,857	1990	5-40 yrs.
7027 Albert Pick Road	Office		850	—	699	5,160	1,549	5,160	6,709	2,136	1997	5-40 yrs.
7009 Albert Pick Road	Industrial		224	1,068	—	270	224	1,338	1,562	712	1990	5-40 yrs.
426 Gallimore Dairy Road	Office		465	—	380	1,259	845	1,259	2,104	628	1996	5-40 yrs.
422 Gallimore Dairy Road	Industrial		145	1,081	—	382	145	1,463	1,608	856	1990	5-40 yrs.
406 Gallimore Dairy Road	Office		265	—	270	1,096	535	1,096	1,631	565	1996	5-40 yrs.
7021 Albert Pick Road	Industrial		237	1,103	—	279	237	1,382	1,619	766	1985	5-40 yrs.
7019 Albert Pick Road	Industrial		192	946	—	382	192	1,328	1,520	726	1985	5-40 yrs.
7015 Albert Pick Road	Industrial		305	1,219	—	268	305	1,487	1,792	840	1985	5-40 yrs.
7017 Albert Pick Road	Industrial		225	928	—	442	225	1,370	1,595	704	1985	5-40 yrs.
7011 Albert Pick Road	Industrial		171	777	—	358	171	1,135	1,306	628	1990	5-40 yrs.
424 Gallimore Dairy Road	Office		271	—	239	981	510	981	1,491	414	1997	5-40 yrs.
410 Gallimore Dairy Road	Industrial		356	1,613	—	877	356	2,490	2,846	1,319	1985	5-40 yrs.
412 Gallimore Dairy Road	Industrial		374	1,523	—	620	374	2,143	2,517	1,175	1985	5-40 yrs.
408 Gallimore Dairy Road	Industrial		341	1,486	—	966	341	2,452	2,793	1,324	1986	5-40 yrs.
414 Gallimore Dairy Road	Industrial		659	2,676	—	967	659	3,643	4,302	1,944	1988	5-40 yrs.
237 Burgess Road	Industrial		860	2,919	—	1,093	860	4,012	4,872	2,073	1986	5-40 yrs.
235 Burgess Road	Industrial		1,302	4,392	—	1,641	1,302	6,033	7,335	3,139	1987	5-40 yrs.
241 Burgess Road	Industrial		450	1,517	—	1,276	450	2,793	3,243	1,617	1988	5-40 yrs.
243 Burgess Road	Industrial		452	1,514	—	322	452	1,836	2,288	1,005	1988	5-40 yrs.

HIGHWOODS PROPERTIES, INC. HIGHWOODS REALTY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP SCHEDULE III - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION (Continued)

			Initial Costs		Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition				Gross Value at Close of Period
Description	Property Type	2017 Encumbrance	Land	Bldg & Improv	Land		Bldg & Improv		Land	Bldg & Improv	Total Assets (1)	Accumulated Depreciation	Date of Construction	Life on Which Depreciation is Calculated
496 Gallimore Dairy Road	Industrial		546	—	—		3,342		546	3,342	3,888	1,568	1998	5-40 yrs.
494 Gallimore Dairy Road	Industrial		749	—	—		3,101		749	3,101	3,850	1,256	1999	5-40 yrs.
486 Gallimore Dairy Road	Industrial		603	—	—		3,281		603	3,281	3,884	1,207	1999	5-40 yrs.
488 Gallimore Dairy Road	Industrial		499	—	—		2,473		499	2,473	2,972	1,009	1999	5-40 yrs.
490 Gallimore Dairy Road	Industrial		1,733	—	—		5,997		1,733	5,997	7,730	3,441	1999	5-40 yrs.
Brigham Road - Land	Industrial		7,059	—	(5,510	)	—		1,549	—	1,549	—	N/A	N/A
651 Brigham Road	Industrial		453	—	360		2,857		813	2,857	3,670	1,132	2002	5-40 yrs.
657 Brigham Road	Industrial		2,733	—	881		10,758		3,614	10,758	14,372	3,042	2006	5-40 yrs.
653 Brigham Road	Industrial		814	—	—		3,587		814	3,587	4,401	903	2007	5-40 yrs.
1501 Highwoods Boulevard	Office		1,476	—	—		8,565		1,476	8,565	10,041	3,182	2001	5-40 yrs.
Jefferson Pilot - Land	Office		11,759	—	(4,311	)	—		7,448	—	7,448	—	N/A	N/A
4200 Tudor Lane	Industrial		515	—	383		2,860		898	2,860	3,758	1,285	1996	5-40 yrs.
4224 Tudor Lane	Industrial		435	—	288		2,431		723	2,431	3,154	1,041	1996	5-40 yrs.
7023 Albert Pick Road	Office		834	3,459	—		1,189		834	4,648	5,482	2,398	1989	5-40 yrs.
370 Knollwood Street	Office		1,826	7,495	—		4,112		1,826	11,607	13,433	6,000	1994	5-40 yrs.
380 Knollwood Street	Office		2,989	12,029	—		4,888		2,989	16,917	19,906	9,088	1990	5-40 yrs.
Church St Medical Center I	Office		2,734	9,129	—		803		2,734	9,932	12,666	1,446	2003	5-40 yrs.
Church St Medical Center II	Office		2,376	5,451	—		(629	)	2,376	4,822	7,198	667	2007	5-40 yrs.
Church St Medical Center III	Office		925	4,551	—		124		925	4,675	5,600	1,026	2008	5-40 yrs.
628 Green Valley Road	Office		2,906	12,141	—		960		2,906	13,101	16,007	1,895	1998	5-40 yrs.
701 Green Valley Road	Office		3,787	7,719	—		900		3,787	8,619	12,406	1,511	1996	5-40 yrs.
661 Brigham Road	Office		890	5,512	—		117		890	5,629	6,519	246	2016	5-40 yrs.
655 Brigham Road	Office		—	—	899		6,470		899	6,470	7,369	70	2017	5-40 yrs.
Pittsburgh, PA
One PPG Place	Office		9,819	107,643	—		42,053		9,819	149,696	159,515	32,647	1983-1985	5-40 yrs.
Two PPG Place	Office		2,302	10,978	—		8,404		2,302	19,382	21,684	3,030	1983-1985	5-40 yrs.
Three PPG Place	Office		501	2,923	—		4,007		501	6,930	7,431	1,513	1983-1985	5-40 yrs.
Four PPG Place	Office		620	3,239	—		3,215		620	6,454	7,074	1,242	1983-1985	5-40 yrs.
Five PPG Place	Office		803	4,924	—		1,862		803	6,786	7,589	1,772	1983-1985	5-40 yrs.
Six PPG Place	Office		3,353	25,602	—		10,234		3,353	35,836	39,189	6,002	1983-1985	5-40 yrs.
EQT Plaza	Office		—	83,812	16,457		11,785		16,457	95,597	112,054	18,005	1987	5-40 yrs.

HIGHWOODS PROPERTIES, INC. HIGHWOODS REALTY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP SCHEDULE III - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION (Continued)

			Initial Costs		Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			Gross Value at Close of Period
Description	Property Type	2017 Encumbrance	Land	Bldg & Improv	Land		Bldg & Improv	Land	Bldg & Improv	Total Assets (1)	Accumulated Depreciation	Date of Construction	Life on Which Depreciation is Calculated
Raleigh, NC
3600 Glenwood Avenue	Office		—	10,994	—		4,800	—	15,794	15,794	8,378	1986	5-40 yrs.
3737 Glenwood Avenue	Office		—	—	318		16,525	318	16,525	16,843	7,169	1999	5-40 yrs.
4800 North Park	Office		2,678	17,630	—		6,169	2,678	23,799	26,477	14,640	1985	5-40 yrs.
5000 North Park	Office		1,010	4,612	(49	)	4,218	961	8,830	9,791	4,861	1980	5-40 yrs.
801 Raleigh Corporate Center	Office		828	—	272		10,798	1,100	10,798	11,898	3,934	2002	5-40 yrs.
Blue Ridge I	Office		722	4,606	—		1,818	722	6,424	7,146	3,596	1982	5-40 yrs.
Blue Ridge II	Office		462	1,410	—		871	462	2,281	2,743	1,447	1988	5-40 yrs.
Cape Fear	Office		131	1,630	(2	)	1,238	129	2,868	2,997	2,404	1979	5-40 yrs.
Catawba	Office		125	1,635	(2	)	1,258	123	2,893	3,016	2,719	1980	5-40 yrs.
CentreGreen One	Office		1,529	—	(391	)	10,724	1,138	10,724	11,862	5,149	2000	5-40 yrs.
CentreGreen Two	Office		1,653	—	(389	)	10,344	1,264	10,344	11,608	3,944	2001	5-40 yrs.
CentreGreen Three	Office		—	—	1,291		31,860	1,291	31,860	33,151	374	2017	5-40 yrs.
CentreGreen Four	Office		1,779	—	(397	)	13,850	1,382	13,850	15,232	3,680	2002	5-40 yrs.
CentreGreen Five	Office		1,280	—	55		12,693	1,335	12,693	14,028	4,368	2008	5-40 yrs.
Cottonwood	Office		609	3,244	—		615	609	3,859	4,468	2,295	1983	5-40 yrs.
Dogwood	Office		766	2,769	—		241	766	3,010	3,776	1,716	1983	5-40 yrs.
GlenLake - Land	Office		13,003	—	(8,359	)	114	4,644	114	4,758	48	N/A	5-40 yrs.
GlenLake One	Office		924	—	1,324		21,641	2,248	21,641	23,889	7,917	2002	5-40 yrs.
GlenLake Four	Office		1,659	—	493		20,615	2,152	20,615	22,767	6,379	2006	5-40 yrs.
GlenLake Six	Office		941	—	(365	)	22,812	576	22,812	23,388	7,252	2008	5-40 yrs.
701 Raleigh Corporate Center	Office		1,304	—	540		14,957	1,844	14,957	16,801	7,051	1996	5-40 yrs.
Highwoods Centre	Office		531	—	(267	)	7,926	264	7,926	8,190	3,521	1998	5-40 yrs.
Highwoods Office Center North - Land	Office		357	49	—		—	357	49	406	37	N/A	5-40 yrs.
Highwoods Tower Two	Office		365	—	503		21,269	868	21,269	22,137	9,267	2001	5-40 yrs.
Inveresk Parcel 2 - Land	Office		657	—	38		103	695	103	798	6	N/A	N/A
Lake Boone Medical Center	Office		1,450	6,311	—		580	1,450	6,891	8,341	1,341	1998	5-40 yrs.
4620 Creekstone Drive	Office		149	—	107		3,191	256	3,191	3,447	1,315	2001	5-40 yrs.
4825 Creekstone Drive	Office		398	—	293		11,304	691	11,304	11,995	4,827	1999	5-40 yrs.
Pamlico	Office		289	—	—		10,507	289	10,507	10,796	7,794	1980	5-40 yrs.
Progress Center Renovation	Office		—	—	—		362	—	362	362	353	2003	5-40 yrs.

HIGHWOODS PROPERTIES, INC. HIGHWOODS REALTY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP SCHEDULE III - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION (Continued)

			Initial Costs		Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition				Gross Value at Close of Period
Description	Property Type	2017 Encumbrance	Land	Bldg & Improv	Land		Bldg & Improv		Land	Bldg & Improv	Total Assets (1)	Accumulated Depreciation	Date of Construction	Life on Which Depreciation is Calculated
PNC Plaza	Office		1,206	—	—		71,350		1,206	71,350	72,556	21,320	2008	5-40 yrs.
Rexwoods Center I	Office		878	3,730	—		2,488		878	6,218	7,096	3,480	1990	5-40 yrs.
Rexwoods Center II	Office		362	1,818	—		1,436		362	3,254	3,616	1,626	1993	5-40 yrs.
Rexwoods Center III	Office		919	2,816	—		1,641		919	4,457	5,376	2,435	1992	5-40 yrs.
Rexwoods Center IV	Office		586	—	—		4,752		586	4,752	5,338	2,450	1995	5-40 yrs.
Rexwoods Center V	Office		1,301	—	184		6,376		1,485	6,376	7,861	2,881	1998	5-40 yrs.
Riverbirch	Office		469	4,038	23		5,226		492	9,264	9,756	2,100	1987	5-40 yrs.
Six Forks Center I	Office		666	2,665	—		1,997		666	4,662	5,328	2,686	1982	5-40 yrs.
Six Forks Center II	Office		1,086	4,533	—		2,807		1,086	7,340	8,426	3,971	1983	5-40 yrs.
Six Forks Center III	Office		862	4,411	—		3,051		862	7,462	8,324	4,254	1987	5-40 yrs.
Smoketree Tower	Office		2,353	11,743	—		7,109		2,353	18,852	21,205	9,725	1984	5-40 yrs.
4601 Creekstone Drive	Office		255	—	217		6,358		472	6,358	6,830	2,956	1997	5-40 yrs.
Weston - Land	Other		22,771	—	(19,526	)	—		3,245	—	3,245	—	N/A	N/A
4625 Creekstone Drive	Office		458	—	268		6,415		726	6,415	7,141	3,186	1995	5-40 yrs.
11000 Weston Parkway	Office		2,651	18,850	—		1,318		2,651	20,168	22,819	4,560	1998	5-40 yrs.
GlenLake Five	Office		2,263	30,264	—		3,431		2,263	33,695	35,958	3,900	2014	5-40 yrs.
11800 Weston Parkway	Office		826	13,188	—		2		826	13,190	14,016	1,320	2014	5-40 yrs.
CentreGreen Café	Office		41	3,509	—		—		41	3,509	3,550	272	2014	5-40 yrs.
CentreGreen Fitness Center	Office		27	2,322	—		—		27	2,322	2,349	180	2014	5-40 yrs.
One City Plaza	Office		11,288	68,375	—		18,767		11,288	87,142	98,430	9,401	1986	5-40 yrs.
Weston Lakefront I	Office		8,522	42,267	—		168		8,522	42,435	50,957	3,876	2015	5-40 yrs.
Weston Lakefront II	Office		8,522	45,870	—		151		8,522	46,021	54,543	3,925	2015	5-40 yrs.
Edison - Land	Office		5,984	—	2,605		—		8,589	—	8,589	—	N/A	N/A
Charter Square	Office		7,267	65,881	—		4,191		7,267	70,072	77,339	2,573	2015	5-40 yrs.
Other Property	Other		39,376	20,868	(33,209	)	(695	)	6,167	20,173	26,340	10,615	N/A	N/A
Richmond, VA
4900 Cox Road	Office		1,324	5,311	15		3,226		1,339	8,537	9,876	4,574	1991	5-40 yrs.
Colonnade Building	Office		1,364	6,105	—		2,401		1,364	8,506	9,870	3,059	2003	5-40 yrs.
Dominion Place - Pitts Parcel - Land	Office		1,101	—	(343	)	—		758	—	758	—	N/A	N/A
Markel 4521	Office		1,581	13,299	168		(1,244	)	1,749	12,055	13,804	5,213	1999	5-40 yrs.
Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex	Office		1,086	4,345	10		2,492		1,096	6,837	7,933	3,378	1986	5-40 yrs.

HIGHWOODS PROPERTIES, INC. HIGHWOODS REALTY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP SCHEDULE III - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION (Continued)

			Initial Costs		Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition				Gross Value at Close of Period
Description	Property Type	2017 Encumbrance	Land	Bldg & Improv	Land		Bldg & Improv		Land	Bldg & Improv	Total Assets (1)	Accumulated Depreciation	Date of Construction	Life on Which Depreciation is Calculated
Highwoods Commons	Office		521	—	458		3,793		979	3,793	4,772	1,766	1999	5-40 yrs.
Highwoods One	Office		1,688	—	22		13,763		1,710	13,763	15,473	6,148	1996	5-40 yrs.
Highwoods Two	Office		786	—	226		8,033		1,012	8,033	9,045	2,910	1997	5-40 yrs.
Highwoods Five	Office		783	—	11		7,296		794	7,296	8,090	2,790	1998	5-40 yrs.
Highwoods Plaza	Office		909	—	187		6,008		1,096	6,008	7,104	2,947	2000	5-40 yrs.
Innslake Center	Office		845	—	195		6,434		1,040	6,434	7,474	2,592	2001	5-40 yrs.
Highwoods Centre	Office		1,205	4,825	—		1,366		1,205	6,191	7,396	3,239	1990	5-40 yrs.
Markel 4501	Office		1,300	13,259	213		(4,135	)	1,513	9,124	10,637	3,083	1998	5-40 yrs.
Markel 4600	Office		1,700	17,081	169		(3,607	)	1,869	13,474	15,343	4,339	1989	5-40 yrs.
North Park	Office		2,163	8,659	6		2,582		2,169	11,241	13,410	5,988	1989	5-40 yrs.
North Shore Commons I	Office		951	—	17		12,510		968	12,510	13,478	5,053	2002	5-40 yrs.
North Shore Commons II	Office		2,067	—	(89	)	11,030		1,978	11,030	13,008	2,884	2007	5-40 yrs.
North Shore Commons C - Land	Office		1,497	—	15		—		1,512	—	1,512	—	N/A	N/A
North Shore Commons D - Land	Office		1,261	—	—		—		1,261	—	1,261	—	N/A	N/A
Nuckols Corner Land	Office		1,259	—	203		—		1,462	—	1,462	—	N/A	N/A
One Shockoe Plaza	Office		—	—	356		17,440		356	17,440	17,796	8,138	1996	5-40 yrs.
Pavilion Land	Office		181	46	20		(46	)	201	—	201	—	N/A	N/A
Lake Brook Commons	Office		1,600	8,864	21		2,211		1,621	11,075	12,696	3,925	1996	5-40 yrs.
Sadler & Cox Land	Office		1,535	—	343		—		1,878	—	1,878	—	N/A	N/A
Highwoods Three	Office		1,918	—	358		10,543		2,276	10,543	12,819	3,142	2005	5-40 yrs.
Stony Point I	Office		1,384	11,630	(267	)	4,323		1,117	15,953	17,070	7,557	1990	5-40 yrs.
Stony Point II	Office		1,240	—	103		12,450		1,343	12,450	13,793	5,309	1999	5-40 yrs.
Stony Point III	Office		995	—	—		10,342		995	10,342	11,337	4,126	2002	5-40 yrs.
Stony Point IV	Office		955	—	—		11,065		955	11,065	12,020	3,244	2006	5-40 yrs.
Virginia Mutual	Office		1,301	6,036	15		1,481		1,316	7,517	8,833	3,237	1996	5-40 yrs.
Waterfront Plaza	Office		585	2,347	8		1,375		593	3,722	4,315	1,752	1988	5-40 yrs.
Innsbrook Center	Office		914	8,249	—		686		914	8,935	9,849	3,211	1987	5-40 yrs.
Tampa, FL
4200 Cypress	Office		2,673	16,470	—		4,519		2,673	20,989	23,662	4,881	1989	5-40 yrs.
Bayshore Place	Office		2,276	11,817	—		2,336		2,276	14,153	16,429	7,268	1990	5-40 yrs.
General Services Administration Building	Office		4,054	—	406		27,759		4,460	27,759	32,219	10,894	2005	5-40 yrs.

HIGHWOODS PROPERTIES, INC. HIGHWOODS REALTY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP SCHEDULE III - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION (Continued)

			Initial Costs		Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition			Gross Value at Close of Period
Description	Property Type	2017 Encumbrance	Land	Bldg & Improv	Land		Bldg & Improv	Land	Bldg & Improv	Total Assets (1)	Accumulated Depreciation	Date of Construction	Life on Which Depreciation is Calculated
Highwoods Preserve Building I	Office		991	—	—		26,283	991	26,283	27,274	9,874	1999	5-40 yrs.
Highwoods Preserve Building V	Office		881	—	—		25,398	881	25,398	26,279	11,752	2001	5-40 yrs.
Highwoods Bay Center I	Office		3,565	—	(64	)	36,958	3,501	36,958	40,459	11,197	2007	5-40 yrs.
HIW Bay Center II - Land	Office		3,482	—	—		—	3,482	—	3,482	—	N/A	N/A
Highwoods Preserve Building VII	Office		790	—	—		12,498	790	12,498	13,288	3,362	2007	5-40 yrs.
HIW Preserve VII Garage	Office		—	—	—		6,797	—	6,797	6,797	1,853	2007	5-40 yrs.
Horizon	Office		—	6,257	—		4,255	—	10,512	10,512	4,903	1980	5-40 yrs.
LakePointe One	Office		2,106	89	—		45,339	2,106	45,428	47,534	21,659	1986	5-40 yrs.
LakePointe Two	Office		2,000	15,848	672		15,240	2,672	31,088	33,760	12,824	1999	5-40 yrs.
Lakeside	Office		—	7,369	—		6,593	—	13,962	13,962	5,367	1978	5-40 yrs.
Lakeside/Parkside Garage	Office		—	—	—		5,627	—	5,627	5,627	1,732	2004	5-40 yrs.
One Harbour Place	Office		2,016	25,252	—		11,046	2,016	36,298	38,314	14,189	1985	5-40 yrs.
Parkside	Office		—	9,407	—		3,768	—	13,175	13,175	6,964	1979	5-40 yrs.
Pavilion	Office		—	16,394	—		4,646	—	21,040	21,040	10,479	1982	5-40 yrs.
Pavilion Parking Garage	Office		—	—	—		5,731	—	5,731	5,731	2,585	1999	5-40 yrs.
Spectrum	Office		1,454	14,502	—		6,931	1,454	21,433	22,887	11,604	1984	5-40 yrs.
Tower Place	Office		3,218	19,898	—		4,849	3,218	24,747	27,965	12,579	1988	5-40 yrs.
Westshore Square	Office		1,126	5,186	—		1,466	1,126	6,652	7,778	3,334	1976	5-40 yrs.
Independence Park - Land	Office		4,943	—	4,833		2,227	9,776	2,227	12,003	47	N/A	N/A
Independence Park I	Office		2,531	4,526	—		5,270	2,531	9,796	12,327	3,330	1983	5-40 yrs.
Meridian I	Office		1,849	22,363	—		1,808	1,849	24,171	26,020	4,047	1984	5-40 yrs.
Meridian II	Office		1,302	19,588	—		3,002	1,302	22,590	23,892	3,580	1986	5-40 yrs.
Laser Spine Institute	Office		—	—	6,310		44,634	6,310	44,634	50,944	2,849	2016	5-40 yrs.
Suntrust Financial Centre	Office		1,980	102,138	—		12,016	1,980	114,154	116,134	8,162	1992	5-40 yrs.
Suntrust Financial Land	Office		2,225	—	—		—	2,225	—	2,225	—	N/A	N/A
			563,648	2,678,507	(1,701	)	1,933,300	561,947	4,611,807	5,173,754	1,211,728

2017 Encumbrance Notes


(1)	The tax basis of aggregate land and buildings and tenant improvements as of December 31, 2017 is $4.8 billion.

Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation Our Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Company's Consolidated Financial Statements include the Operating Partnership, wholly owned subsidiaries and those entities in which the Company has the controlling interest. The Operating Partnership's Consolidated Financial Statements include wholly owned subsidiaries and those entities in which the Operating Partnership has the controlling interest. We consolidate joint venture investments, such as interests in partnerships and limited liability companies, when we control the major operating and financial policies of the investment through majority ownership, in our capacity as a general partner or managing member or through some other contractual right. At December 31, 2017, three properties owned through a joint venture investment were consolidated. All intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated. During 2015, as a result of our partner’s irrevocable exercise of a buy-sell provision in our SF-HIW Harborview Plaza, LP ("Harborview") joint venture agreement, our partner’s right to put its 80.0% equity interest back to us became no longer exercisable. As a result, we recorded the original contribution transaction as a partial sale. Our investment in this joint venture then qualified for the equity method of accounting, which resulted in the retrospective revision of our Consolidated Statements of Equity and Capital for prior periods.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Real Estate and Related Assets	Real Estate and Related Assets Real estate and related assets are recorded at cost and stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Renovations, replacements and other expenditures that improve or extend the life of assets are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Expenditures for ordinary maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of 40 years for buildings and depreciable land infrastructure costs, 15 years for building improvements and five to seven years for furniture, fixtures and equipment. Tenant improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over initial fixed terms of the respective leases, which generally are from three to 10 years. Depreciation expense for real estate assets was $184.4 million, $173.1 million and $168.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Expenditures directly related to the development and construction of real estate assets are included in net real estate assets and are stated at depreciated cost. Development expenditures include pre-construction costs essential to the development of properties, development and construction costs, interest costs on qualifying assets, real estate taxes, development personnel salaries and related costs and other costs incurred during the period of development. Interest and other carrying costs are capitalized until the building is ready for its intended use, but not later than a year from cessation of major construction activity. We consider a construction project as substantially completed and ready for its intended use upon the completion of tenant improvements. We cease capitalization on the portion that is substantially completed and occupied or held available for occupancy, and capitalize only those costs associated with the portion under construction. Expenditures directly related to the leasing of properties are included in deferred leasing costs and are stated at amortized cost. Such expenditures are part of the investment necessary to execute leases and, therefore, are classified as investment activities in the statement of cash flows. All leasing commissions paid to third parties for new leases or lease renewals are capitalized. Internal leasing costs, which consist primarily of compensation, benefits and other costs, such as legal fees related to leasing activities, that are incurred in connection with successfully obtaining leases of properties are also capitalized. Capitalized leasing costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the initial fixed terms of the respective leases, which generally are from three to 10 years. Estimated costs related to unsuccessful activities are expensed as incurred. We record liabilities for the performance of asset retirement activities when the obligation to perform such activities is probable even when uncertainty exists about the timing and/or method of settlement. Upon the acquisition of real estate assets, we assess the fair value of acquired tangible assets such as land, buildings and tenant improvements, intangible assets and liabilities such as above and below market leases, acquired in-place leases, customer relationships and other identifiable intangible assets and assumed liabilities. We assess fair value based on estimated cash flow projections that utilize discount and/or capitalization rates as well as available market information. The fair value of the tangible assets of an acquired property considers the value of the property as if it were vacant. The above and below market rate portions of leases acquired in connection with property acquisitions are recorded in deferred leasing costs and in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities, respectively, at fair value and amortized into rental revenue over the remaining term of the respective leases as described below. Fair value is calculated as the present value of the difference between (1) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to each in-place lease and (2) our estimate of fair market lease rates for each corresponding in-place lease, using a discount rate that reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired and measured over a period equal to the remaining initial term of the lease for above-market leases and the remaining initial term plus the term of any renewal option that the customer would be economically compelled to exercise for below-market leases. In-place leases acquired are recorded at fair value in deferred leasing costs and are amortized to depreciation and amortization expense over the remaining term of the respective lease. The value of in-place leases is based on our evaluation of the specific characteristics of each customer's lease. Factors considered include estimates of carrying costs during hypothetical expected lease-up periods, current market conditions, the customer's credit quality and costs to execute similar leases. In estimating carrying costs, we include real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses and estimates of lost rentals at market rates during the expected lease-up periods, depending on local market conditions. In estimating costs to execute similar leases, we consider tenant improvements, leasing commissions and legal and other related expenses. 1. Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies – Continued Real estate and other assets are classified as long-lived assets held for use or as long-lived assets held for sale. Real estate is classified as held for sale when the sale of the asset is probable, has been duly approved by the Company, a legally enforceable contract has been executed and the buyer's due diligence period, if any, has expired.
Impairments of Real Estate Assets and Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates	Impairments of Real Estate Assets and Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates With respect to assets classified as held for use, we perform an impairment analysis if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be impaired, such as a significant decline in occupancy, identification of materially adverse legal or environmental factors, change in our designation of an asset from core to non-core, which may impact the anticipated holding period, or a decline in market value to an amount less than cost. This analysis is generally performed at the property level, except when an asset is part of an interdependent group such as an office park, and consists of determining whether the asset's carrying amount will be recovered from its undiscounted estimated future operating and residual cash flows. These cash flows are estimated based on a number of assumptions that are subject to economic and market uncertainties including, among others, demand for space, competition for customers, changes in market rental rates, costs to operate each property and expected ownership periods. For properties under development, the cash flows are based on expected service potential of the asset or asset group when development is substantially complete. If the carrying amount of a held for use asset exceeds the sum of its undiscounted future operating and residual cash flows, an impairment loss is recorded for the difference between estimated fair value of the asset and the carrying amount. We generally estimate the fair value of assets held for use by using discounted cash flow analyses. In some instances, appraisal information may be available and is used in addition to a discounted cash flow analysis. As the factors used in generating these cash flows are difficult to predict and are subject to future events that may alter our assumptions, the discounted and/or undiscounted future operating and residual cash flows estimated by us in our impairment analyses or those established by appraisal may not be achieved and we may be required to recognize future impairment losses on properties held for use. We record assets held for sale at the lower of the carrying amount or estimated fair value. Fair value of assets held for sale is equal to the estimated or contracted sales price with a potential buyer, less costs to sell. The impairment loss is the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the estimated fair value. We also analyze our investments in unconsolidated affiliates for impairment. This analysis consists of determining whether an expected loss in market value of an investment is other than temporary by evaluating the length of time and the extent to which the market value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the investment, and our intent and ability to retain our investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value. As the factors used in this analysis are difficult to predict and are subject to future events that may alter our assumptions, we may be required to recognize future impairment losses on our investments in unconsolidated affiliates.
Sales of Real Estate	Sales of Real Estate For sales transactions meeting the requirements for full profit recognition, the related assets and liabilities are removed from the balance sheet and the resultant gain or loss is recorded in the period the transaction closes. For sales transactions with continuing involvement after the sale, if the continuing involvement with the property is limited by the terms of the sales contract, profit is recognized at the time of sale and is reduced by the maximum exposure to loss related to the nature of the continuing involvement. Sales to entities in which we have or receive an interest are accounted for using partial sale accounting. For transactions that do not meet the criteria for a sale, we evaluate the nature of the continuing involvement, including put and call provisions, if present, and account for the transaction as a financing arrangement, profit-sharing arrangement, leasing arrangement or other alternate method of accounting, rather than as a sale, based on the nature and extent of the continuing involvement. Some transactions may have numerous forms of continuing involvement. In those cases, we determine which method is most appropriate based on the substance of the transaction.
Rental and Other Revenues	Rental and Other Revenues Minimum contractual rents from leases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective leases. This means that, with respect to a particular lease, actual amounts billed in accordance with the lease during any given period may be higher or lower than the amount of rental revenue recognized for the period. Straight-line rental revenue is commenced when the customer assumes control of the leased premises. Accrued straight-line rents receivable represents the amount by which straight-line rental revenue exceeds rents currently billed in accordance with lease agreements. Contingent rental revenue, such as percentage rent, is accrued when the contingency is removed. Termination fee income is recognized at the later of when the customer has vacated the space or the lease has expired and a fully executed lease termination agreement has been delivered, the amount of the fee is determinable and collectability of the fee is reasonably assured. Rental revenue reductions related to co-tenancy lease provisions, if any, are accrued when events have occurred that trigger such provisions. Cost recovery income is determined on a calendar year and a lease-by-lease basis. The most common types of cost recovery income in our leases are common area maintenance (“CAM”) and real estate taxes, for which a customer typically pays its pro-rata share of operating and administrative expenses and real estate taxes in excess of the costs incurred during a contractually specified base year. The computation of cost recovery income is complex and involves numerous judgments, including the interpretation of lease provisions. Leases are not uniform in dealing with such cost recovery income and there are many variations in the computation. Many customers make monthly fixed payments of CAM, real estate taxes and other cost reimbursement items. We accrue income related to these payments each month. We make quarterly accrual adjustments, positive or negative, to cost recovery income to adjust the recorded amounts to our best estimate of the final annual amounts to be billed and collected. After the end of the calendar year, we compute each customer's final cost recovery income and, after considering amounts paid by the customer during the year, issue a bill or credit for the appropriate amount to the customer. The differences between the amounts billed less previously received payments and the accrual adjustment are recorded as increases or decreases to cost recovery income when the final bills are prepared, which occurs during the first half of the subsequent year.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Accounts receivable, accrued straight-line rents receivable and mortgages and notes receivable are reduced by an allowance for amounts that may become uncollectible in the future. We regularly evaluate the adequacy of our allowance for doubtful accounts. The evaluation primarily consists of reviewing past due account balances and considering such factors as the credit quality of our customer, historical trends of the customer and changes in customer payment terms. Additionally, with respect to customers in bankruptcy, we estimate the probable recovery through bankruptcy claims and adjust the allowance for amounts deemed uncollectible. If our assumptions regarding the collectability of receivables prove incorrect, we could experience losses in excess of our allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance and its related receivable are written-off when we have concluded there is a low probability of collection and we have discontinued collection efforts.
Discontinued Operations	Discontinued Operations Properties that are sold or classified as held for sale are classified as discontinued operations provided that the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on our operations and financial results. Interest expense is included in discontinued operations if a related loan securing the sold property is to be paid off or assumed by the buyer in connection with the sale.
Lease Incentives	Lease Incentives Lease incentive costs, which are payments made to or on behalf of a customer as an incentive to sign a lease, are capitalized in deferred leasing costs and amortized on a straight-line basis over the respective lease terms as a reduction of rental revenues.
Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates	Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates We account for our joint venture investments using the equity method of accounting when our interests represent a general partnership interest but substantive participating rights or substantive kick out rights have been granted to the limited partners or when our interests do not represent a general partnership interest and we do not control the major operating and financial policies of the investment. These investments are initially recorded at cost as investments in unconsolidated affiliates and are subsequently adjusted for our share of earnings and cash contributions and distributions. To the extent our cost basis at formation of the joint venture is different than the basis reflected at the joint venture level, the basis difference is amortized over the life of the related assets and included in our share of equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates.
Cash Equivalents	Cash Equivalents We consider highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash	Restricted Cash Restricted cash represents cash deposits that are legally restricted or held by third parties on our behalf, such as construction-related escrows, property disposition proceeds set aside and designated or intended to fund future tax-deferred exchanges of qualifying real estate investments, escrows and reserves for debt service, real estate taxes and property insurance established pursuant to certain mortgage financing arrangements and any deposits made with lenders to unencumber secured properties.
Redeemable Common Units and Preferred Units	Redeemable Common Units and Preferred Units Limited partners holding Common Units other than the Company (“Redeemable Common Units”) have the right to put any and all of the Common Units to the Operating Partnership and the Company has the right to put any and all of the Preferred Units to the Operating Partnership in exchange for their liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid distributions in the event of a corresponding redemption by the Company of the underlying Preferred Stock. Consequently, these Redeemable Common Units and Preferred Units are classified outside of permanent partners’ capital in the Operating Partnership's accompanying balance sheets. The recorded value of the Redeemable Common Units is based on fair value at the balance sheet date as measured by the closing price of Common Stock on that date multiplied by the total number of Redeemable Common Units outstanding. The recorded value of the Preferred Units is based on their redemption value.
Income Tax	Income Taxes The Company has elected and expects to continue to qualify as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). A corporate REIT is a legal entity that holds real estate assets and, through the payment of dividends to stockholders, is generally permitted to reduce or avoid the payment of federal and state income taxes at the corporate level. To maintain qualification as a REIT, the Company is required to pay dividends to its stockholders equal to at least 90.0% of its annual REIT taxable income, excluding net capital gains. The partnership agreement requires the Operating Partnership to pay economically equivalent distributions on outstanding Common Units at the same time that the Company pays dividends on its outstanding Common Stock. Other than income taxes related to its taxable REIT subsidiary, the Operating Partnership does not reflect any federal income taxes in its financial statements, since as a partnership the taxable effects of its operations are attributed to its partners. The Operating Partnership does record state income tax for states that tax partnership income directly. We conduct certain business activities through a taxable REIT subsidiary, as permitted under the Code. The taxable REIT subsidiary is subject to federal, state and local income taxes on its taxable income. We record provisions for income taxes based on its income recognized for financial statement purposes, including the effects of temporary differences between such income and the amount recognized for tax purposes.
Concentration of Credit Risk	Concentration of Credit Risk At December 31, 2017, properties that we wholly own were leased to 1,792 customers. The geographic locations that comprise greater than 10.0% of our rental and other revenues are Raleigh, Atlanta, Tampa and Nashville. Our customers engage in a wide variety of businesses. No single customer generated more than 6% of our consolidated revenues during 2017. We maintain our cash and cash equivalents and our restricted cash at financial or other intermediary institutions. The combined account balances at each institution may exceed FDIC insurance coverage and, as a result, there is a concentration of credit risk related to amounts on deposit in excess of FDIC insurance coverage. Additionally, from time to time in connection with tax-deferred 1031 transactions, our restricted cash balances may be commingled with other funds being held by any such intermediary institution, which would subject our balance to the credit risk of the institution.
Derivative Financial Instruments	Derivative Financial Instruments We borrow funds at a combination of fixed and variable rates. Borrowings under our revolving credit facility and bank term loans bear interest at variable rates. Our long-term debt typically bears interest at fixed rates. Our interest rate risk management objectives are to limit generally the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and lower our overall borrowing costs. To achieve these objectives, from time to time, we enter into interest rate hedge contracts such as collars, swaps, caps and treasury lock agreements in order to mitigate our interest rate risk with respect to various debt instruments. We generally do not hold or issue these derivative contracts for trading or speculative purposes. The interest rate on all of our variable rate debt is generally adjusted at one or three month intervals, subject to settlements under these interest rate hedge contracts. Interest rate swaps involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) and is subsequently reclassified into interest expense in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. We account for terminated derivative instruments by recognizing the related accumulated comprehensive income/(loss) balance in current earnings, unless the hedged forecasted transaction continues as originally planned, in which case we continue to amortize the accumulated comprehensive income/(loss) into earnings over the originally designated hedge period.
Earnings Per Share and Per Unit	Earnings Per Share and Per Unit Basic earnings per share of the Company is computed by dividing net income available for common stockholders by the weighted Common Shares outstanding - basic. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders (inclusive of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership) by the weighted Common Shares outstanding - basic plus the dilutive effect of options, warrants and convertible securities outstanding, including Common Units, using the treasury stock method. Weighted Common Shares outstanding - basic includes all unvested restricted stock where dividends received on such restricted stock are non-forfeitable. Basic earnings per unit of the Operating Partnership is computed by dividing net income available for common unitholders by the weighted Common Units outstanding - basic. Diluted earnings per unit is computed by dividing net income available to common unitholders by the weighted Common Units outstanding - basic plus the dilutive effect of options and warrants, using the treasury stock method. Weighted Common Units outstanding - basic includes all of the Company's unvested restricted stock where distributions received on such restricted stock are non-forfeitable.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Recently Issued Accounting Standards The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an accounting standards update ("ASU") that requires the use of a new five-step model to recognize revenue from customer contracts. The five-step model requires that we identify the contract with the customer, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and recognize revenue when we satisfy the performance obligations. We will also be required to disclose information regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. Upon adoption of the ASU in 2018, we expect to utilize the modified retrospective approach which requires a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. We have analyzed the impact of the guidance on our Consolidated Financial Statements, including our internal control processes, and have an active project team continuing to refine our evaluation and finalize our implementation plan with particular emphasis on development of the new required disclosures. Our analysis of our non-lease related revenue contracts, which include primarily real estate sales, management, development and construction fee income and transient parking income, indicates that the adoption of this ASU will require additional financial statement disclosure related to these contracts but will have no material cumulative-effect adjustment or impact on the timing of revenue recognition. There could be additional impact of this ASU upon adoption of the ASU related to accounting for leases discussed below for certain lease revenue streams that may be required to be evaluated as non-lease components using the five-step revenue recognition model. The FASB issued an ASU that adds to and clarifies guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. The ASU is required to be adopted in 2018 with retrospective application required. We do not expect such adoption to have a material effect on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The FASB issued an ASU that clarifies and narrows the definition of a business used in determining whether to account for a transaction as an asset acquisition or business combination. The guidance requires evaluation of the fair value of the assets acquired to determine if it is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets. If so, the transferred assets would not be a business. The guidance also requires a business to include at least one substantive process and narrows the definition of outputs. The ASU is required to be adopted in 2018 and applied prospectively. Upon adoption of this ASU, we expect that the majority of our future acquisitions would not meet the definition of a business; therefore, the related acquisition costs would be capitalized as part of the purchase price. The FASB issued an ASU that clarifies when changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award must be accounted for as modifications. The guidance requires modification accounting if the value, vesting conditions or classification of the award changes. The ASU is required to be adopted in 2018 and applied prospectively. We do not expect such adoption to have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements. The FASB issued an ASU which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both lessees and lessors. We are continuing to conduct our analysis of the impact of the guidance on our Consolidated Financial Statements and have an active project team working on the evaluation and implementation of the guidance. We continue to monitor FASB activity with respect to possible amendments to this ASU, particularly the Board’s recent vote to provide an optional practical expedient to lessors that would remove the requirement for lessors to separate lease and non-lease components when the pattern of recognition of those components are the same and, when combined as a single unit, those would be classified as operating leases. Should such amendment be finalized, we expect to elect the practical expedient. Regardless, we currently believe that the adoption of the ASU will not significantly change the accounting for operating leases on our Consolidated Balance Sheets where we are the lessor, and that such leases will be accounted for in a similar method to existing standards with the underlying leased asset being reported and recognized as a real estate asset. In addition, the guidance requires lessors to capitalize and amortize only incremental direct leasing costs. As a result, we expect that upon the adoption of the ASU, we will no longer be able to capitalize and amortize certain leasing related costs and instead will expense these costs as incurred. We are in the process of evaluating the impact to our results of operations of expensing such costs. The ASU is required to be adopted in 2019 using a modified retrospective approach which requires a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. Our initial analysis of our leases also indicates that upon adoption of the ASU, certain lease revenue streams that are currently accounted for using the lease accounting standard may be accounted for as non-lease components using the five-step revenue recognition model discussed above. Leases where we are the lessee include primarily our operating ground leases which are not material to our Consolidated Financial Statements. We will continue to refine our evaluation and finalize our implementation plan throughout 2018. 1. Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies – Continued The FASB issued an ASU that eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and generally requires the entire change in the fair value of a hedging instrument to be presented in the same income statement line as the hedged item when the hedged item affects earnings. The ASU is required to be adopted in 2019 using a modified retrospective approach. We do not expect such adoption to have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements. The FASB issued an ASU that requires, among other things, the use of a new current expected credit loss ("CECL") model in determining our allowances for doubtful accounts with respect to accounts receivable, accrued straight-line rents receivable and mortgages and notes receivable. The CECL model requires that we estimate our lifetime expected credit loss with respect to these receivables and record allowances that, when deducted from the balance of the receivables, represent the net amounts expected to be collected. We will also be required to disclose information about how we developed the allowances, including changes in the factors (e.g., portfolio mix, credit trends, unemployment, gross domestic product, etc.) that influenced our estimate of expected credit losses and the reasons for those changes. We will apply the ASU’s provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings upon adoption in 2020. We are in the process of evaluating this ASU.

Real Estate Assets Real Estate Assets (Tables) - 2015 Acquisitions [Member]

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation

The following table sets forth a summary of the fair value of the major assets acquired and liabilities assumed relating to the above-referenced acquisition of two buildings in Atlanta during 2015:



	Total Purchase Price Allocation
Real estate assets	$	275,639
Acquisition-related intangible assets (in deferred leasing costs)	23,722
Acquisition-related below market lease liabilities (in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities)	(9,076		)
Total allocation	$	290,285

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information



	Year Ended December 31,
	2015
	(unaudited)
Pro forma revenues	$	626,067
Pro forma net income	$	103,485
Pro forma net income available for common stockholders	$	96,797
Pro forma earnings per share - basic	$	1.03
Pro forma earnings per share - diluted	$	1.02

Investments In and Advances To Affiliates (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments

The following table sets forth our ownership in unconsolidated affiliates at December 31, 2017:



Joint Venture	Location	Ownership Interest
Plaza Colonnade, Tenant-in-Common	Kansas City	50.0%
Kessinger/Hunter & Company, LC	Kansas City	26.5%
Highwoods DLF Forum, LLC	Raleigh	25.0%
Highwoods DLF 98/29, LLC	Orlando	22.8%

Intangible Assets and Below Market Lease Liabilities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Total Intangible Assets and Below Market Lease Liabilities

The following table sets forth total intangible assets and acquisition-related below market lease liabilities, net of accumulated amortization:



	December 31,
	2017			2016
Assets:
Deferred leasing costs (including lease incentives and above market lease and in-place lease acquisition-related intangible assets)	$	344,191		$	353,581
Less accumulated amortization	(143,512		)	(140,081		)
	$	200,679		$	213,500

Liabilities (in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities):
Acquisition-related below market lease liabilities	$	59,947		$	61,221
Less accumulated amortization	(28,214		)	(23,074		)
	$	31,733		$	38,147

Amortization of Intangible Assets and Below Market Lease Liabilities

The following table sets forth amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017			2016			2015
Amortization of deferred leasing costs and acquisition-related intangible assets (in depreciation and amortization)	$	41,187		$	44,968		$	43,332
Amortization of lease incentives (in rental and other revenues)	$	1,765		$	1,779		$	1,493
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets (in rental and other revenues)	$	2,921		$	3,851		$	5,062
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets (in rental property and other expenses)	$	557		$	557		$	557
Amortization of acquisition-related below market lease liabilities (in rental and other revenues)	$	(6,415	)	$	(8,183	)	$	(7,065	)

Scheduled Future Amortization of Intangible Assets and Below Market Lease Liabilities

The following table sets forth scheduled future amortization of intangible assets and below market lease liabilities:



Years Ending December 31,	Amortization of Deferred Leasing Costs and Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets (in Depreciation and Amortization)		Amortization of Lease Incentives (in Rental and Other Revenues)		Amortization of Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets (in Rental and Other Revenues)		Amortization of Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets (in Rental Property and Other Expenses)		Amortization of Acquisition-Related Below Market Lease Liabilities (in Rental and Other Revenues)
2018	$	36,566	$	1,586	$	1,659	$	553	$	(5,911	)
2019	31,032		1,434		1,275		553		(5,454		)
2020	26,614		1,171		959		518		(5,193		)
2021	22,262		948		632		—		(4,383		)
2022	18,098		734		462		—		(3,269		)
Thereafter	48,182		4,033		1,408		—		(7,523		)
	$	182,754	$	9,906	$	6,395	$	1,624	$	(31,733	)
Weighted average remaining amortization periods as of December 31, 2017 (in years)	7.6		9.9		6.5		3.0		6.6

Mortgages and Notes Payable (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Consolidated Mortgages and Notes Payable

Our mortgages and notes payable consist of the following:



	December 31,
	2017			2016
Secured indebtedness: (1)
5.10% (4.22% effective rate) mortgage loan due 2017 (2)	$	—		$	109,138
6.11% (5.36% effective rate) mortgage loan due 2017 (2)	—			19,066
4.00% mortgage loan due 2029	98,981			—
	98,981			128,204
Unsecured indebtedness:
5.85% (5.88% effective rate) notes due 2017 (2)	—			379,661
7.50% notes due 2018	200,000			200,000
3.20% (3.363% effective rate) notes due 2021 (3)	298,504			298,072
3.625% (3.752% effective rate) notes due 2023 (4)	248,675			248,412
3.875% (4.038% effective rate) notes due 2027 (5)	296,334			—
Variable rate term loan due 2018 (6)	10,000			—
Variable rate term loan due 2020 (7)	225,000			350,000
Variable rate term loan due 2022 (8)	200,000			150,000
Variable rate term loan due 2022 (9)	200,000			200,000
Revolving credit facility due 2022 (10)	245,000			—
	1,923,513			1,826,145
Less-unamortized debt issuance costs	(8,161		)	(6,302		)
Total mortgages and notes payable, net	$	2,014,333		$	1,948,047

__________


(1)	Our secured mortgage loans were collateralized by real estate assets with an aggregate undepreciated book value of $147.6 million at December 31, 2017. Our fixed rate mortgage loans generally are either locked out to prepayment for all or a portion of their term or are prepayable subject to certain conditions including prepayment penalties.


(2)	This debt was repaid in 2017.


(3)	Net of unamortized original issuance discount of $1.5 million and $1.9 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.


(4)	Net of unamortized original issuance discount of $1.3 million and $1.6 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.


(5)	Net of unamortized original issuance discount of $3.7 million as of December 31, 2017.


(6)	The interest rate was 2.46% at December 31, 2017.


(7)	As more fully described in Note 7, we entered into floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps that effectively fix LIBOR for $225.0 million of this loan. Accordingly, the equivalent fixed rate of this amount is 2.78%.


(8)	As more fully described in Note 7, we entered into floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps that effectively fix LIBOR for $50.0 million of this loan. Accordingly, the equivalent fixed rate of this amount is 2.79%. The interest rate on the remaining $150.0 million was 2.47% at December 31, 2017.


(9)	The interest rate was 2.60% at December 31, 2017.


(10)	The interest rate was 2.48% at December 31, 2017.

Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments

The following table sets forth scheduled future principal payments, including amortization, due on our mortgages and notes payable at December 31, 2017:



Years Ending December 31,	Principal Amount
2018	$	210,708
2019	781
2020	225,857
2021	301,170
2022	646,452
Thereafter	637,526
Less-unamortized debt issuance costs	(8,161		)
	$	2,014,333

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of long-debt instruments or arrangements, including identification, terms, features, collateral requirements and other information necessary to a fair presentation. These are debt arrangements that originally required repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the entity, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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+ Details

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Fair Value

The following table sets forth the gross fair value of our derivatives:



	December 31,
	2017		2016
Derivatives:
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges in prepaid expenses and other assets:
Interest rate swaps	$	1,286	$	7,619
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	1,870

Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Statement of Financial Performance

The following table sets forth the effect of our cash flow hedges on accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) and interest expense:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017		2016		2015
Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges:
Amount of unrealized gains/(losses) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) on derivatives (effective portion):
Interest rate swaps	$	1,732	$	5,703	$	(4,040	)
Amount of net losses reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) into contractual interest expense (effective portion):
Interest rate swaps	$	1,157	$	3,057	$	3,696

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Scheduled Future Obligations, Operating Ground Leases

The following table sets forth our scheduled obligations for future minimum payments on operating ground leases at December 31, 2017:



Years Ending December 31,	Minimum Payments
2018	$	2,099
2019	2,136
2020	2,175
2021	2,215
2022	2,257
Thereafter	88,532
	$	99,414

Noncontrolling Interests (Tables) - Highwoods Properties, Inc. [Member]

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]

Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership

The following table sets forth the Company's noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017			2016
Beginning noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	$	144,802		$	126,429
Adjustment of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership to fair value	(354		)	12,993
Conversions of Common Units to Common Stock	(511		)	(3,057		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	5,059			15,596
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(4,987		)	(7,159		)
Total noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	$	144,009		$	144,802

Net Income Available for Common Stockholders and Transfers From Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership

The following table sets forth net income available for common stockholders and transfers from the Company's noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017		2016		2015
Net income available for common stockholders	$	182,873	$	521,789	$	94,572
Increase in additional paid in capital from conversions of Common Units to Common Stock	511		3,057		1,645
Change from net income available for common stockholders and transfers from noncontrolling interests	$	183,384	$	524,846	$	96,217

Disclosure About Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements of Assets, Liabilities and Noncontrolling Interests



			Level 1		Level 2
	Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities		Significant Observable Inputs
Fair Value at December 31, 2017:
Assets:
Mortgages and notes receivable, at fair value (1)	$	6,425	$	—	$	6,425
Interest rate swaps (in prepaid expenses and other assets)	1,286		—		1,286
Marketable securities of non-qualified deferred compensation plan (in prepaid expenses and other assets)	2,388		2,388		—
Total Assets	$	10,099	$	2,388	$	7,711
Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership	$	144,009	$	144,009	$	—
Liabilities:
Mortgages and notes payable, net, at fair value (1)	$	2,015,689	$	—	$	2,015,689
Non-qualified deferred compensation obligation (in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities)	2,388		2,388		—
Total Liabilities	$	2,018,077	$	2,388	$	2,015,689



Fair Value at December 31, 2016:
Assets:
Mortgages and notes receivable, at fair value (1)	$	8,833	$	—	$	8,833
Interest rate swaps (in prepaid expenses and other assets)	7,619		—		7,619
Marketable securities of non-qualified deferred compensation plan (in prepaid expenses and other assets)	2,451		2,451		—
Total Assets	$	18,903	$	2,451	$	16,452
Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership	$	144,802	$	144,802	$	—
Liabilities:
Mortgages and notes payable, net, at fair value (1)	$	1,965,611	$	—	$	1,965,611
Interest rate swaps (in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities)	1,870		—		1,870
Non-qualified deferred compensation obligation (in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities)	2,451		2,451		—
Total Liabilities	$	1,969,932	$	2,451	$	1,967,481

__________

(1) Amounts recorded at historical cost on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Equity (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Class of Stock [Line Items]

Schedule of Stock by Class, Preferred Stock

The following table sets forth the Company's Preferred Stock:



	Issue Date	Number of Shares Outstanding	Carrying Value		Liquidation Preference Per Share		Optional Redemption Date	Annual Dividends Payable Per Share
		(in thousands)
December 31, 2017
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable	2/12/1997	29	$	28,892	$	1,000	2/12/2027	$	86.25
December 31, 2016
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable	2/12/1997	29	$	28,920	$	1,000	2/12/2027	$	86.25

The following table sets forth the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for future issuance under the Company's long-term equity incentive plans:



	December 31,
	2017	2016
Outstanding stock options and warrants	655,822	602,115
Possible future issuance under equity incentive plans	2,404,131	2,718,296
	3,059,953	3,320,411

Common Stock [Member]

Class of Stock [Line Items]

Schedule of Dividends Payable

The following table sets forth the Company's estimated taxability to the common stockholders of dividends per share for federal income tax purposes:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017 (1)		2016 (1)		2015
Ordinary income	$	1.50	$	1.15	$	1.50
Capital gains	0.32		1.29		0.13
Return of capital	—		—		0.07
Total	$	1.82	$	2.44	$	1.70

__________


(1)	During 2016, cash dividends declared on Common Stock totaled $2.50 per share, of which approximately $0.06 was recognized as a 2017 distribution for federal income tax purposes.

Preferred Stock [Member]

Class of Stock [Line Items]

Schedule of Dividends Payable

The following table sets forth the Company's estimated taxability to the preferred stockholders of dividends per share for federal income tax purposes:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017		2016		2015
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable:
Ordinary income	$	71.00	$	40.65	$	79.23
Capital gains	15.25		45.60		7.02
Total	$	86.25	$	86.25	$	86.25

Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]

Class of Stock [Line Items]

Schedule of Stock by Class, Preferred Stock

The following table sets forth the Operating Partnership's Preferred Units:



	Issue Date	Number of Units Outstanding	Carrying Value		Liquidation Preference Per Unit		Optional Redemption Date	Annual Distributions Payable Per Unit
		(in thousands)
December 31, 2017
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable	2/12/1997	29	$	28,892	$	1,000	2/12/2027	$	86.25
December 31, 2016
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable	2/12/1997	29	$	28,920	$	1,000	2/12/2027	$	86.25

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of an entity's stock, including par or stated value per share, number and dollar amount of share subscriptions, shares authorized, shares issued, shares outstanding, number and dollar amount of shares held in an employee trust, dividend per share, total dividends, share conversion features, par value plus additional paid in capital, the value of treasury stock and other information necessary to a fair presentation, and EPS information. Stock by class includes common, convertible, and preferred stocks which are not redeemable or redeemable solely at the option of the issuer. Includes preferred stock with redemption features that are solely within the control of the issuer and mandatorily redeemable stock if redemption is required to occur only upon liquidation or termination of the reporting entity. If more than one issue is outstanding, state the title of each issue and the corresponding dollar amount; dollar amount of any shares subscribed but unissued and the deduction of subscriptions receivable there from; number of shares authorized, issued, and outstanding.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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+ Details

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Schedule of Stock by Class

The following table sets forth the Company's Preferred Stock:



	Issue Date	Number of Shares Outstanding	Carrying Value		Liquidation Preference Per Share		Optional Redemption Date	Annual Dividends Payable Per Share
		(in thousands)
December 31, 2017
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable	2/12/1997	29	$	28,892	$	1,000	2/12/2027	$	86.25
December 31, 2016
8.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable	2/12/1997	29	$	28,920	$	1,000	2/12/2027	$	86.25

The following table sets forth the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for future issuance under the Company's long-term equity incentive plans:



	December 31,
	2017	2016
Outstanding stock options and warrants	655,822	602,115
Possible future issuance under equity incentive plans	2,404,131	2,718,296
	3,059,953	3,320,411

Disclosure of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award

The following table sets forth stock option activity:



	Options Outstanding
	Number of Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price
Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2014	577,321		$	34.92
Granted	197,408		45.61
Canceled	(3,829	)	40.21
Exercised	(83,672	)	34.89
Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2015	687,228		37.97
Granted	244,664		43.55
Canceled	(14,743	)	42.64
Exercised	(330,034	)	34.26
Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2016	587,115		42.26
Granted	168,748		52.49
Exercised	(115,041	)	40.41
Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2017 (1) (2)	640,822		$	45.29

__________


(1)	The outstanding options at December 31, 2017 had a weighted average remaining life of 7.7 years.


(2)	The Company had 152,745 options exercisable at December 31, 2017 with a weighted average exercise price of $41.39, weighted average remaining life of 6.4 years and intrinsic value of $1.5 million. Of these exercisable options, there were no exercise prices higher than the market price of our Common Stock at December 31, 2017.

Schedule of NonQualified Deferred Compensation Liability

The following table sets forth our deferred compensation liability:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017			2016			2015
Beginning deferred compensation liability	$	2,451		$	2,736		$	3,635
Mark-to-market adjustment to deferred compensation (in general and administrative expenses)	492			222			(32		)
Distributions from deferred compensation plans	(555		)	(507		)	(867		)
Total deferred compensation liability	$	2,388		$	2,451		$	2,736

Stock Options [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions

The weighted average fair values of options granted during 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $6.72, $4.61 and $6.19, respectively, per option. The fair values of the options granted were determined at the grant dates using the following assumptions:



	2017		2016		2015
Risk free interest rate (1)	2.0	%	1.4	%	1.7	%
Common stock dividend yield (2)	3.4	%	3.9	%	3.7	%
Expected volatility (3)	19.5	%	19.7	%	22.4	%
Average expected option life (years) (4)	5.75		5.75		5.75

__________


(1)	Represents the interest rate as of the grant date on US treasury bonds having the same life as the estimated life of the option grants.


(2)	The dividend yield is calculated utilizing the then current regular dividend rate for a one-year period and the per share price of Common Stock on the date of grant.


(3)	Based on the historical volatility of Common Stock over a period relevant to the related stock option grant.


(4)	The average expected option life is based on an analysis of the Company's historical data.

Time-Based Restricted Stock [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity

The following table sets forth time-based restricted stock activity:



	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted shares outstanding at December 31, 2014	222,068		$	35.97
Awarded and issued (1)	71,994		45.91
Vested (2)	(85,809	)	35.14
Forfeited	(3,533	)	39.94
Restricted shares outstanding at December 31, 2015	204,720		39.74
Awarded and issued (1)	72,698		43.59
Vested (2)	(84,212	)	37.76
Forfeited	(4,225	)	41.96
Restricted shares outstanding at December 31, 2016	188,981		42.06
Awarded and issued (1)	61,404		52.49
Vested (2)	(78,139	)	40.55
Restricted shares outstanding at December 31, 2017	172,246		$	46.46

__________


(1)	The weighted average fair value at grant date of time-based restricted stock issued during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $3.2 million, $3.2 million and $3.3 million, respectively.


(2)	The vesting date fair value of time-based restricted stock that vested during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $4.1 million, $3.7 million and $3.9 million, respectively. Vested shares include those shares surrendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with such vesting.

Total Return-Based Restricted Stock [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions

The fair values of the total return-based restricted stock granted were determined at the grant dates using a Monte Carlo simulation model and the following assumptions:



	2017		2016		2015
Risk free interest rate (1)	1.6	%	0.9	%	1.0	%
Common stock dividend yield (2)	3.5	%	4.1	%	3.8	%
Expected volatility (3)	42.8	%	43.1	%	43.0	%

__________


(1)	Represents the interest rate as of the grant date on US treasury bonds having the same life as the estimated life of the total return-based restricted stock grants.


(2)	The dividend yield is calculated utilizing the then current regular dividend rate for a one-year period and the average per share price of Common Stock during the three-month period preceding the date of grant.


(3)	Based on the historical volatility of Common Stock over a period relevant to the related total return-based restricted stock grant.

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity

The following table sets forth total return-based restricted stock activity:



	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted shares outstanding at December 31, 2014	207,957		$	35.70
Awarded and issued (1) (3)	118,817		37.64
Vested (2) (3)	(129,762	)	31.97
Forfeited	(1,709	)	37.25
Restricted shares outstanding at December 31, 2015	195,303		36.66
Awarded and issued (1) (3)	64,701		40.87
Vested (2) (3)	(71,617	)	36.50
Forfeited	(4,663	)	39.91
Restricted shares outstanding at December 31, 2016	183,724		39.82
Awarded and issued (1) (3)	84,013		44.76
Vested (2) (3)	(107,013	)	37.88
Restricted shares outstanding at December 31, 2017	160,724		$	44.72

__________


(1)	The fair value at grant date of total return-based restricted stock issued during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $2.4 million, $2.4 million and $2.5 million, respectively, at target.


(2)	The vesting date fair value of total return-based restricted stock that vested during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $5.6 million, $3.1 million and $5.9 million, respectively, based on the performance of the specific plans. Vested shares include those shares surrendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with such vesting.


(3)	The 2017, 2016 and 2015 amounts include 34,669, 6,647 and 61,860 additional shares, respectively, that were issued at the end of the applicable measurement period because actual performance exceeded certain levels of performance.

- Definition

+ References

+ Details

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]

Components of Accumulated Comprehensive Income/(Loss)

The following table sets forth the components of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss):



	December 31,
	2017		2016
Cash flow hedges:
Beginning balance	$	4,949	$	(3,811	)
Unrealized gains on cash flow hedges	1,732		5,703
Amortization of cash flow hedges (1)	1,157		3,057
Total accumulated other comprehensive income	$	7,838	$	4,949

__________


(1)	Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) into contractual interest expense.

Rental and Other Revenues; Rental Property and Other Expenses (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Rental and Other Revenues; Rental Property And Other Expenses [Abstract]

Schedule of Rental and Other Revenues

The following table sets forth our rental and other revenues from continuing operations:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017		2016		2015
Contractual rents, net	$	583,825	$	561,242	$	513,909
Straight-line rental income, net	31,721		23,909		22,054
Cost recovery income, net	53,942		48,730		45,247
Lease termination fees	1,501		2,311		990
Other miscellaneous operating revenues	31,748		29,442		22,471
	$	702,737	$	665,634	$	604,671

Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases

The following table sets forth our scheduled future minimum base rents to be received from customers for leases in effect at December 31, 2017 for the properties that we wholly own:



2018	$	595,638
2019	556,405
2020	490,429
2021	432,602
2022	377,964
Thereafter	1,378,404
	$	3,831,442

Operating Costs and Other Expenses

The following table sets forth our rental property and other expenses from continuing operations:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017		2016		2015
Utilities, insurance and real estate taxes	$	126,461	$	124,940	$	117,470
Maintenance, cleaning and general building	90,764		86,221		79,091
Property management and administrative expenses	13,117		12,588		12,446
Other miscellaneous operating expenses	6,546		7,336		6,934
	$	236,888	$	231,085	$	215,941

Real Estate and Other Assets Held For Sale and Discontinued Operations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Real Estate and Other Assets of the Properties Classified As Held For Sale

The following table sets forth the assets held for sale at December 31, 2017 and 2016, which are considered non-core:



	December 31,
	2017			2016
Assets:
Land	$	870		$	—
Buildings and tenant improvements	21,318			—
Land held for development	355			—
Less-accumulated depreciation	(9,304		)	—
Net real estate assets	13,239			—
Accrued straight-line rents receivable	591			—
Deferred leasing costs, net	253			—
Prepaid expenses and other assets	35			—
Real estate and other assets, net, held for sale	$	14,118		$	—

Operations Classified As Discontinued Operations



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017		2016		2015
Rental and other revenues	$	—	$	8,484	$	50,935
Operating expenses:
Rental property and other expenses	—		3,334		20,805
Depreciation and amortization	—		—		14,039
General and administrative	—		1,388		2,366
Total operating expenses	—		4,722		37,210
Interest expense	—		85		621
Other income	—		420		2,635
Income from discontinued operations	—		4,097		15,739
Net gains on disposition of discontinued operations	—		414,496		—
Total income from discontinued operations	$	—	$	418,593	$	15,739



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017		2016		2015
Cash flows from operating activities	$	—	$	2,040	$	27,579
Cash flows from investing activities	$	—	$	417,097	$	(16,445	)

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of information related to a disposal group. Includes, but is not limited to, a discontinued operation, disposal classified as held-for-sale or disposed of by means other than sale or disposal of an individually significant component.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65878427&loc=SL51721533-107759

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
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-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=SL51721665-107760

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Paragraph 3A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84176398&loc=SL51724579-110230

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5C
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=SL51721675-107760

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=SL51721663-107760

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84176398&loc=d3e2941-110230

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=SL51721673-107760

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
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-Paragraph 3A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=SL51721659-107760

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=SL51721671-107760

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5D
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=SL51721677-107760

Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Details) $ in Thousands, ft² in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) a ft² property customers shares	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Description of Business [Abstract]
Rentable square feet of commercial real estate (in square feet) \| ft²	30.7
Rentable square feet of commercial real estate under development (in square feet) \| ft²	1.5
Undeveloped land suitable for future development (in acres) \| a	400
Number of common units required to convert to one share of common stock (in shares)	1
Number of trading days preceeding Redemption Notice Date (in days)	10 days
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 \| $	$ 184,385	$ 173,072	$ 168,663
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	1,792
Percent of annualized cash rental revenue derived from geographic locations	10.00%
Limit of consolidated revenue generated by any single customer	6.00%
Minimum [Member]
Description of Business [Abstract]
Adjustment interval of variable debt interest rates, mimimum (in months)	1 month
Maximum [Member]
Description of Business [Abstract]
Adjustment interval of variable debt interest rates, mimimum (in months)	3 months
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)	102,900,000
Percentage of ownership of Common Units	97.30%	97.30%
Common units redeemed for a like number of common shares of stock (in shares)	10,000
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Description of Business [Abstract]
Common Units of partnership not owned by the Company (in shares)	2,800,000

Real Estate Assets Real Estate Assets (Details) ft² in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) a ft² property	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) a ft² property	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) ft² property
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Undeveloped land suitable for future development (in acres) \| a	400
Asset acquisition, contingent consideration liability	$ 750	$ 0	$ 900
Acquisition-related costs			1,000
Dispositions [Abstract]
Rentable square feet of commercial real estate (in square feet) \| ft²	30,700
Gains on disposition of discontinued operations	$ 0	414,496	0
Gains on disposition of property	54,157	14,807	11,444
Impairments [Abstract]
Impairments of real estate assets	1,445	$ 0	$ 0
Fee Simple Title Raleigh, NC (03/2017) [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Acquisition purchase price	$ 2,600
Raleigh NC Building Acquisition (09/2016) [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Net rentable square feet of acquisition (in sqft) \| ft²		243
Acquisition purchase price		$ 76,900
Acquisition-related costs		$ 300
Fee Simple Title Pittsburgh, PA (09/2016) [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Number of office properties \| property		1
Acquisition purchase price		$ 18,500
Acquisition-related costs		500
Raleigh NC Development Land (09/2016) [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Acquisition purchase price		$ 5,800
Nashville TN Land Acquisition (6/2016) [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Undeveloped land suitable for future development (in acres) \| a		14
Acquisition purchase price		$ 9,100
Tampa, FL Building Acquisition (09/2015) [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Net rentable square feet of acquisition (in sqft) \| ft²			528
Acquisition purchase price			$ 113,500
Tampa, FL Land Acquisition (09/2015) [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Acquisition purchase price			$ 2,200
Atlanta, GA Building Acquisition (09/2015) [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Number of office properties \| property			2
Net rentable square feet of acquisition (in sqft) \| ft²			896
Acquisition purchase price			$ 290,300
Atlanta, GA Land Acquisition [Member] (6/2015) [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Acquisition purchase price			5,200
Asset acquisition, contingent consideration liability			$ 900
Orlando, FL Building Acquisition [Member] (6/2015) [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Net rentable square feet of acquisition (in sqft) \| ft²			168
Percentage of partner's interest in asset acquired (in hundredths)			77.20%
Fair value of debt assumed from the acquisition			$ 19,300
2017 Dispositions [Member]
Dispositions [Abstract]
Number of buildings sold \| property	15
Purchase price of real estate	$ 135,600
Closing credits excluded for unfunded building and/or tenant improvements	3,700
Gains on disposition of property	54,200
2016 Dispositions [Member]
Dispositions [Abstract]
Number of buildings sold \| property		2
Purchase price of real estate		$ 31,100
Closing credits excluded for unfunded building and/or tenant improvements		500
Gains on disposition of property		12,400
Additional purchase price consideration		400
Division Exit [Member]
Dispositions [Abstract]
Purchase price of real estate		660,000
Closing credits excluded for unfunded building and/or tenant improvements		4,800
Gains on disposition of discontinued operations		414,500
Gains on disposition of property		$ 1,300
Related Party Office Building Disposition [Member]
Dispositions [Abstract]
Rentable square feet of commercial real estate (in square feet) \| ft²		32
Purchase price of real estate		$ 4,700
Closing credits excluded for unfunded building and/or tenant improvements		100
Gains on disposition of property		$ 1,100
Buyer occupancy percentage (in hundredths)		79.00%
2015 Dispositions [Member]
Dispositions [Abstract]
Number of buildings sold \| property			3
Purchase price of real estate			$ 27,800
Gains on disposition of property			9,200
Income tax expense netted against gain			$ 500
2017 Impairments [Member]
Impairments [Abstract]
Impairments of real estate assets	$ 1,400

Real Estate Assets Real Estate Assets Pro Forma (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) $ / shares
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Abstract]
Pro forma, assumption date of acquisition	Jan. 01, 2014
Pro Forma 2015 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Combination, Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Real estate assets	$ 275,639
Acquisition-related intangible assets (in deferred leasing costs)	23,722
Acquisition-related below market lease liabilities (in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities)	(9,076)
Total allocation	290,285
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Abstract]
Pro forma revenues	626,067
Pro forma net income	103,485
Pro forma net income available to common stockholders	$ 96,797
Pro forma earnings per share - basic \| $ / shares	$ 1.03
Pro forma earnings per share - diluted \| $ / shares	$ 1.02
Revenues recorded due to acquisitions	$ 7,300
Net loss recorded due to acquisitions	$ (1,200)

Mortgages and Notes Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Receivables [Abstract]
Mortgages and notes receivable, net	$ 6,425	$ 8,833

Intangible Assets and Below Market Lease Liabilities - Scheduled Future Amortization (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Scheduled future amortization of intangible assets [Abstract]
Deferred leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	$ 200,679	$ 213,500
Scheduled future amortization of below market lease liabilites [Abstract]
Total scheduled future amortization of below market lease liabilities	(31,733)	$ (38,147)
Deferred Leasing Costs and Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets [Member]
Scheduled future amortization of intangible assets [Abstract]
2018	36,566
2019	31,032
2020	26,614
2021	22,262
2022	18,098
Thereafter	48,182
Deferred leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	$ 182,754
Weighted average remaining amortization periods for intangible assets and liabilities [Abstract]
Intangible assets, weighted average useful life (in years)	7 years 7 months 9 days
Lease Incentives [Member]
Scheduled future amortization of intangible assets [Abstract]
2018	$ 1,586
2019	1,434
2020	1,171
2021	948
2022	734
Thereafter	4,033
Deferred leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	$ 9,906
Weighted average remaining amortization periods for intangible assets and liabilities [Abstract]
Intangible assets, weighted average useful life (in years)	9 years 11 months
Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets (in Rental and Other Revenue) [Member]
Scheduled future amortization of intangible assets [Abstract]
2018	$ 1,659
2019	1,275
2020	959
2021	632
2022	462
Thereafter	1,408
Deferred leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	$ 6,395
Weighted average remaining amortization periods for intangible assets and liabilities [Abstract]
Intangible assets, weighted average useful life (in years)	6 years 6 months
Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets (in Rental Property and Other Expenses) [Member]
Scheduled future amortization of intangible assets [Abstract]
2018	$ 553
2019	553
2020	518
2021	0
2022	0
Thereafter	0
Deferred leasing costs, net/Total scheduled future amortization of intangible assets	$ 1,624
Weighted average remaining amortization periods for intangible assets and liabilities [Abstract]
Intangible assets, weighted average useful life (in years)	3 years
Acquisition-Related Below Market Lease Liabilities [Member]
Scheduled future amortization of below market lease liabilites [Abstract]
2018	$ (5,911)
2019	(5,454)
2020	(5,193)
2021	(4,383)
2022	(3,269)
Thereafter	(7,523)
Total scheduled future amortization of below market lease liabilities	$ (31,733)
Weighted average remaining amortization periods for intangible assets and liabilities [Abstract]
Below market lease liabilities, weighted average useful life (in years)	6 years 7 months 12 days

Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details)	12 Months Ended
Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) extensions	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Jan. 26, 2018 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	$ 2,014,333,000	$ 1,948,047,000
Less-unamortized debt issuance costs	(8,161,000)	(6,302,000)
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
2018	210,708,000
2019	781,000
2020	225,857,000
2021	301,170,000
2022	646,452,000
Thereafter	637,526,000
Less-unamortized debt issuance costs	(8,161,000)	(6,302,000)
Mortgages and notes payable, net	2,014,333,000	1,948,047,000
Annual repayments through principal amortization	1,600,000
Gains/(losses) on debt extinguishment	$ (26,000)	0	$ (243,000)
Lender covenant compliance to accelerate outstanding borrowings	51.00%
Cross-default minimum threshold	$ 30,000,000
Holders covenant compliance of bonds	25.00%
Uncured covenant compliance default period	60 days
Capitalized Interest [Abstract]
Capitalized Interest	$ 8,800,000	8,200,000	6,900,000
5.10%(4.22% effective rate) Mortgage Loan due 2017 [Member]
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Early repayment of debt	$ 108,200,000
Current interest rate (in hundredths)	4.22%
Gross book value of unencumbered real estate assets	$ 242,000,000
Gains/(losses) on debt extinguishment	400,000
6.11% (5.36% effective rate) Mortgage Loan due 2017 (Note A) [Member]
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Early repayment of debt	18,000,000
Principal amount of debt			$ 18,000,000
Scheduled maturity date			Jul. 06, 2017
Current interest rate (in hundredths)			5.36%
Gross book value of unencumbered real estate assets	17,000,000
Percentage of partner's interest in asset acquired (in hundredths)			77.20%
4.0% Mortgage Loan Due 2029 [Member]
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Principal amount of debt	$ 100,000,000
Scheduled maturity date	May 01, 2029
Current interest rate (in hundredths)	4.00%
Debt issuance costs	$ 800,000
5.85% (5.88% effective rate) Notes due 2017 [Member]
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Principal amount of debt	$ 379,700,000.0
Current interest rate (in hundredths)	5.85%
3.875% (4.038% effective rate) Notes due 2027 [Member]
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Principal amount of debt	$ 300,000,000
Scheduled maturity date	Mar. 01, 2027
Current interest rate (in hundredths)	4.04%
Original issuance discount	$ 4,000,000
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)	3.875%
Debt issuance costs	$ 2,500,000
Variable Rate Term Loan due 2020 [Member]
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Early repayment of debt	125,000,000
Principal amount of debt			$ 350,000,000
Scheduled maturity date			Jun. 01, 2020
Interest rate, basis spread			1.10%
Debt issuance costs			$ 1,300,000
Gains/(losses) on debt extinguishment	(400,000)
Variable Rate Term Loan due 2020 [Member] \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Interest rate basis			LIBOR plus 110 basis points
Variable Rate Term Loan due 2022 [Member]
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Principal amount of debt	200,000,000	$ 150,000,000
Scheduled maturity date		Jan. 01, 2022
Interest rate, basis spread		1.10%
Debt issuance costs	300,000
Variable Rate Term Loan due 2022 [Member] \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Interest rate basis		LIBOR plus 110 basis points
Variable Rate Term Loan (2) due 2022 [Member]
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Principal amount of debt	$ 200,000,000
Term of debt instrument (in years)	5 years
Scheduled maturity date	Nov. 01, 2022
Interest rate basis	LIBOR plus 110 basis points
Interest rate, basis spread	1.10%
Debt issuance costs	$ 1,100,000
Gains/(losses) on debt extinguishment	$ (400,000)
Variable Rate Term Loan (1) due 2019 [Member]
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Scheduled maturity date	Jan. 01, 2019
Interest rate basis	LIBOR plus 120 basis points
Interest rate, basis spread	1.20%
Revolving Credit Facility due 2022 [Member]
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Maximum borrowing capacity on revolving credit facility	$ 600,000,000	$ 475,000,000
Maturity date on revolving credit facility	Jan. 01, 2022
Additional borrowing capacity on revolving credit facility	$ 400,000,000
Number of additional maturity extensions \| extensions	2
Term of optional extensions	6 months
Annual facility fee (in hundredths)	0.20%
Amount outstanding on revolving credit facility	$ 245,000,000
Outstanding letters of credit on revolving credit facility	500,000
Unused borrowing capacity on revolving credit facility	$ 354,500,000
Interest rate, basis spread	1.00%
Debt issuance costs	$ 3,500,000
Gains/(losses) on debt extinguishment	$ (100,000)
Revolving Credit Facility due 2022 [Member] \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Interest rate	LIBOR plus 100 basis points
Variable Rate Term Loan (2) due 2019 [Member]
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Principal amount of debt			$ 225,000,000
Term of debt instrument (in years)			7 years
Scheduled maturity date			Jan. 01, 2019
Interest rate, basis spread			1.75%
Variable Rate Term Loan (2) due 2019 [Member] \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Interest rate basis			LIBOR plus 175 basis points
7.50% Mortgage Loan due 2016 [Member]
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Early repayment of debt		$ 43,600,000
Scheduled maturity date		Aug. 01, 2016
Current interest rate (in hundredths)		7.50%
8.15% (7.65% effective rate) Mortgage Loans due 2016 [Member]
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Early repayment of debt			$ 5,900,000
Scheduled maturity date			Feb. 01, 2016
Current interest rate (in hundredths)			7.65%
6.88% Mortgage Loan due 2016 [Member]
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Early repayment of debt			$ 106,000,000
Scheduled maturity date			Jan. 01, 2016
Current interest rate (in hundredths)			6.88%
5.17% (6.43% effective rate) Mortage Loan due 2015 [Member]
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Early repayment of debt			$ 39,400,000
Scheduled maturity date			Nov. 01, 2015
Current interest rate (in hundredths)			6.43%
Bridge Credit Facility due 2016 [Member]
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Maximum borrowing capacity on revolving credit facility			$ 350,000,000
Amount outstanding on revolving credit facility			$ 350,000,000
Term of debt instrument (in years)			6 months
Interest rate, basis spread			1.10%
Bridge Credit Facility due 2016 [Member] \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Interest rate			LIBOR plus 110 basis points
6.11% (8.60% effective rate) Mortgage Loan due 2017 (Note B) [Member]
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Early repayment of debt	$ 500,000
Principal amount of debt			$ 10,200,000.0
Scheduled maturity date			Jul. 06, 2017
Current interest rate (in hundredths)			8.60%
Gains/(losses) on debt extinguishment	400,000
Percentage of excess funds after waterfall payments (in hundredths)			50.00%
Stated return on funds deposited in escrow (in hundredths)			10.00%
Fair value of debt assumed from the acquisition			$ 1,000,000
Secured indebtedness [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	98,981,000	$ 128,204,000
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	98,981,000	128,204,000
Aggregate undepreciated book value of secured real estate assets	147,600,000
Secured indebtedness [Member] \| 5.10%(4.22% effective rate) Mortgage Loan due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	0	109,138,000
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	0	109,138,000
Secured indebtedness [Member] \| 6.11% (5.36% effective rate) Mortgage Loan due 2017 (Note A) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	0	19,066,000
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	0	19,066,000
Secured indebtedness [Member] \| 4.0% Mortgage Loan Due 2029 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	98,981,000	0
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	98,981,000	0
Unsecured indebtedness [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	1,923,513,000	1,826,145,000
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	1,923,513,000	1,826,145,000
Unsecured indebtedness [Member] \| 5.85% (5.88% effective rate) Notes due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	0	379,661,000
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	0	379,661,000
Unsecured indebtedness [Member] \| 7.50% Notes due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	200,000,000	200,000,000
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	200,000,000	200,000,000
Unsecured indebtedness [Member] \| 3.20% (3.363% effective rate) Notes due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	298,504,000	298,072,000
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	298,504,000	298,072,000
Unamortized discount	1,500,000	1,900,000
Unsecured indebtedness [Member] \| 3.625% (3.752% effective rate) Notes due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	248,675,000	248,412,000
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	248,675,000	248,412,000
Unamortized discount	1,300,000	1,600,000
Unsecured indebtedness [Member] \| 3.875% (4.038% effective rate) Notes due 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	296,334,000	0
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	296,334,000	0
Unamortized discount	3,700,000
Unsecured indebtedness [Member] \| Variable Rate Term Loan (4) due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	10,000,000	0
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	$ 10,000,000	0
Current interest rate (in hundredths)	2.46%
Unsecured indebtedness [Member] \| Variable Rate Term Loan due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	$ 225,000,000	350,000,000
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	$ 225,000,000	350,000,000
Fixed interest rate related to interest rate swaps (in hundredths)	2.78%
Unsecured indebtedness [Member] \| Variable Rate Term Loan due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	$ 200,000,000	150,000,000
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	$ 200,000,000	150,000,000
Current interest rate (in hundredths)	2.47%
Fixed interest rate related to interest rate swaps (in hundredths)	2.79%
Unsecured indebtedness [Member] \| Variable Rate Term Loan (2) due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	$ 200,000,000
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	$ 200,000,000
Current interest rate (in hundredths)	2.60%
Unsecured indebtedness [Member] \| Variable Rate Term Loan (1) due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgages and notes payable, net		200,000,000
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Mortgages and notes payable, net		200,000,000
Unsecured indebtedness [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	$ 245,000,000	0
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Mortgages and notes payable, net	$ 245,000,000	$ 0
Current interest rate (in hundredths)	2.48%
Subsequent Event [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility due 2022 [Member]
Scheduled future principal payments [Abstract]
Amount outstanding on revolving credit facility				$ 254,500,000
Outstanding letters of credit on revolving credit facility				500,000
Unused borrowing capacity on revolving credit facility				$ 345,000,000

Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Expected increase/(decrease) to interest expense	$ (900,000)
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges in prepaid expenses and other assets [Abstract]
Interest rate swaps	1,286,000	$ 7,619,000
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities [Abstract]
Interest rate swaps	0	1,870,000
Amount of unrealized gains/(losses) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) on derivatives (effective portion) [Abstract]
Interest rate swaps	1,732,000	5,703,000	$ (4,040,000)
Amount of net losses reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) into contractual interest expense (effective portion) [Abstract]
Interest rate swaps	1,157,000	3,057,000	$ 3,696,000
Forward Starting Swaps [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Amount of borrowings outstanding, subject to swaps	$ 150,000,000	$ 150,000,000
Underlying treasury rate term (in years)	10 years	10 years
Weighted average interest rate under derivative instruments (in hundredths)	2.44%	1.90%
Gain on forward starting interest rate swaps	$ 7,300,000
Floating to Fixed Interest Rate Swaps (2017) [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Amount of borrowings outstanding, subject to swaps	$ 50,000,000
Underlying treasury rate term (in years)	1 month
Floating to Fixed Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Amount of borrowings outstanding, subject to swaps	$ 225,000,000
Derivative maturity date	Jan. 31, 2019
Weighted average interest rate under derivative instruments (in hundredths)	1.678%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] \| Floating to Fixed Interest Rate Swaps (2017) [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate under derivative instruments (in hundredths)	1.693%
3.875% (4.038% effective rate) Notes due 2027 [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt	$ 300,000,000
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)	3.875%

Noncontrolling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
Noncontrolling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Affiliates
Consolidated joint venture, partner's interest (in hundredths)	50.00%								50.00%
Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership, beginning balance				$ 144,802					$ 144,802
Adjustment of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership to fair value									(354)	$ 12,993	$ 67
Conversions of Common Units to Common Stock									(511)	(3,057)	(1,645)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	$ 1,557	$ 1,571	$ 1,043	888	$ 720	$ 926	$ 939	$ 13,011	5,059	15,596	2,918
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership									(4,987)	(4,888)	(4,959)
Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership, ending balance	144,009				144,802				144,009	144,802
Net Income Available for Common Stockholders and Transfers From Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership
Net income available for common stockholders	56,570	$ 57,040	$ 37,589	31,674	25,380	$ 31,971	$ 31,648	432,790	182,873	521,789	94,572
Highwoods Properties, Inc. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership, beginning balance				$ 144,802				$ 126,429	144,802	126,429
Adjustment of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership to fair value									(354)	12,993
Conversions of Common Units to Common Stock									(511)	(3,057)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership									5,059	15,596
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership									(4,987)	(7,159)
Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership, ending balance	$ 144,009				$ 144,802				144,009	144,802	126,429
Net Income Available for Common Stockholders and Transfers From Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership
Net income available for common stockholders									182,873	521,789	94,572
Increase in additional paid in capital from conversions of Common Units to Common Stock									511	3,057	1,645
Change from net income available for common stockholders and transfers from noncontrolling interests									$ 183,384	$ 524,846	$ 96,217

Disclosure About Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Tax Increment Financing Bond [Member]
Tax increment financing bond [Abstract]
Estimated fair value of outstanding principal amount at the date of sale	$ 11.2

Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental and other revenues	$ 175,861	$ 180,185	$ 177,283	$ 169,408	$ 167,646	$ 166,269	$ 166,860	$ 164,859	$ 702,737	$ 665,634	$ 604,671
Total net operating income									465,849	434,549	388,730
Reconciliation to income from continuing operations before disposition of investment properties and activity in unconsolidated affiliates:
Depreciation and amortization									(227,832)	(220,140)	(201,918)
Impairments of real estate assets									(1,445)	0	0
General and administrative expenses									(39,648)	(38,153)	(37,642)
Interest expense									(69,105)	(76,648)	(86,052)
Other income									2,283	2,338	1,726
Income from continuing operations before disposition of investment properties and activity in unconsolidated affiliates									130,102	101,946	64,844
Total Assets	4,623,791				4,561,050				4,623,791	4,561,050
Office Total Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental and other revenues									689,788	651,511	589,946
Total net operating income									456,628	424,731	378,632
Reconciliation to income from continuing operations before disposition of investment properties and activity in unconsolidated affiliates:
Total Assets	4,391,387				4,340,446				4,391,387	4,340,446
Office Atlanta, GA [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental and other revenues									140,323	134,601	108,590
Total net operating income									89,575	84,733	67,094
Reconciliation to income from continuing operations before disposition of investment properties and activity in unconsolidated affiliates:
Total Assets	1,049,100				1,039,519				1,049,100	1,039,519
Office Greensboro, NC [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental and other revenues									21,453	20,522	21,251
Total net operating income									13,612	12,781	13,395
Reconciliation to income from continuing operations before disposition of investment properties and activity in unconsolidated affiliates:
Total Assets	134,194				127,887				134,194	127,887
Office Memphis, TN [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental and other revenues									45,430	48,251	47,137
Total net operating income									28,128	30,038	29,534
Reconciliation to income from continuing operations before disposition of investment properties and activity in unconsolidated affiliates:
Total Assets	218,088				271,115				218,088	271,115
Office Nashville, TN [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental and other revenues									111,506	95,912	88,310
Total net operating income									81,204	68,678	62,387
Reconciliation to income from continuing operations before disposition of investment properties and activity in unconsolidated affiliates:
Total Assets	806,725				714,905				806,725	714,905
Office Orlando, FL [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental and other revenues									51,236	46,260	44,621
Total net operating income									30,526	26,525	25,524
Reconciliation to income from continuing operations before disposition of investment properties and activity in unconsolidated affiliates:
Total Assets	306,970				307,021				306,970	307,021
Office Pittsburgh, PA [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental and other revenues									59,103	58,789	59,392
Total net operating income									34,784	34,175	34,348
Reconciliation to income from continuing operations before disposition of investment properties and activity in unconsolidated affiliates:
Total Assets	334,136				353,816				334,136	353,816
Office Raleigh, NC [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental and other revenues									119,254	112,958	102,841
Total net operating income									86,475	80,803	72,981
Reconciliation to income from continuing operations before disposition of investment properties and activity in unconsolidated affiliates:
Total Assets	762,331				760,607				762,331	760,607
Office Richmond, VA [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental and other revenues									43,959	44,315	42,089
Total net operating income									29,946	30,505	27,922
Reconciliation to income from continuing operations before disposition of investment properties and activity in unconsolidated affiliates:
Total Assets	229,468				212,508				229,468	212,508
Office Tampa, FL [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental and other revenues									97,524	89,903	75,715
Total net operating income									62,378	56,493	45,447
Reconciliation to income from continuing operations before disposition of investment properties and activity in unconsolidated affiliates:
Total Assets	550,375				553,068				550,375	553,068
Other Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental and other revenues									12,949	14,123	14,725
Total net operating income									9,221	9,818	$ 10,098
Reconciliation to income from continuing operations before disposition of investment properties and activity in unconsolidated affiliates:
Total Assets	$ 232,404				$ 220,604				$ 232,404	$ 220,604

Subsequent Events (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions			12 Months Ended
	Feb. 06, 2018 $ / shares	Feb. 05, 2018 USD ($) a parcels	Dec. 31, 2017 a $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2016 $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2015 $ / shares
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Undeveloped land suitable for future development (in acres) \| a			400
Highwoods Properties, Inc. [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends declared per share of Common Stock (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares			$ 1.76	$ 2.50	$ 1.70
Highwoods Properties, Inc. [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends declared per share of Common Stock (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 0.4625
Nashville, TN Development Land Acquisition (2/2018) [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of development parcels acquired (in parcels) \| parcels		2
Undeveloped land suitable for future development (in acres) \| a		9
Acquisition purchase price \| $		$ 50.3

Schedule II (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Schedule II (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Allowance for doubtful accounts, beginning balance	$ 1,421	$ 1,472	$ 1,905
Additions to allowance for doubtful accounts	2,003	2,546	2,565
Deductions to allowance for doubtful accounts	(1,780)	(2,597)	(2,998)
Allowance for doubtful accounts, ending balance	1,644	1,421	1,472
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - Straight Line Rent [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Allowance for doubtful accounts, beginning balance	692	257	316
Additions to allowance for doubtful accounts	1,503	1,501	1,412
Deductions to allowance for doubtful accounts	(1,376)	(1,066)	(1,471)
Allowance for doubtful accounts, ending balance	819	692	257
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - Accounts Receivable [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Allowance for doubtful accounts, beginning balance	624	928	1,314
Additions to allowance for doubtful accounts	500	1,045	1,141
Deductions to allowance for doubtful accounts	(371)	(1,349)	(1,527)
Allowance for doubtful accounts, ending balance	753	624	928
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - Notes Receivable [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Allowance for doubtful accounts, beginning balance	105	287	275
Additions to allowance for doubtful accounts	0	0	12
Deductions to allowance for doubtful accounts	(33)	(182)	0
Allowance for doubtful accounts, ending balance	$ 72	$ 105	$ 287