Projects, Durham Performing Arts Center

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Durham Performing Arts Center

Designed to LEED® Gold standards, this 2,800-seat theater presents a variety of entertainment options with superior architectural quality, functionality and flexibility, including first-run touring Broadway and family shows, popular music and comedy performances and Durham's Treasured American Dance Festival.

Located adjacent to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park and the American Tobacco Historic District in Downtown Durham, the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) is a public/private partnership between the City of Durham, Duke University, the developer and the theater operator.

Garfield Traub’s innovative financial solution included taxable Certificates of Participation repaid by a portion of Citywide Hotel Occupancy Tax, facility naming rights, a Duke University grant, an operator loan and other private sources.

With over 80 sold-out shows since opening in December 2008 and ranking #2 nationally in attendance by Trade Publication Pollstar, DPAC has exceeded projections for attendance, revenue and operating profits. The City estimates over $28 million annually in economic impact was generated in the first eight months of theater operations.

Area restaurants have thrived due to show night activity, contributing to the recruitment of more restaurants to the downtown core. Five new downtown restaurants opened in the first two years of DPAC operations, despite the national recession.

“Garfield Traub was instrumental in the planning for the DPAC. The City of Durham has benefited greatly from their leadership and expertise in this process.”

— Alan DeLisle, Assistant City Manager for Economic and Workforce Development (2002 – 2009)

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