EXHIBIT 23.4


                              ACCOUNTANT'S CONSENT


THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
HIGHWOODS PROPERTIES, INC.

         We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration
statements (No. 333- _______) on Form S-8 of Highwoods Properties, Inc. of our
report dated March 4, 1996, with respect to the consolidated balance sheet of
Crocker Realty Trust, Inc. as of December 31, 1995 and the related consolidated
statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the year ended
December 31, 1995, and our report dated February 3, 1995 with respect to the
balance sheets of Crocker Realty Investors, Inc. as of December 31, 1994 and
1993, and the related statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash
flows for the years then ended, and our report dated February 23, 1995 with
respect to the balance sheet of Crocker & Sons, Inc. as of December 31, 1994,
and the related statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows
for the year then ended which reports appear in the Form 8-K/A of Highwoods
Properties, Inc. dated April 29, 1996, as amended on June 3, 1996 and June 18,
1996.



KPMG PEAT MARWICK, LLP

Fort Lauderdale, Florida
September 16, 1996