Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC)

This 2,800-seat theater presents a variety of entertainment with superior architectural quality, functionality and flexibility, including touring Broadway and family shows, popular music and comedy, and Durham’s treasured American Dance Festival.

Located adjacent to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park and the American Tobacco Historic District, 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’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.

Ranking every year among the top five attended theaters nationally, DPAC has greatly exceeded projections for attendance, revenue and profit. It produced economic impact of $127 million in 2019, and ancillary development spurred by DPAC is estimated to total over $300 million by 2022.

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 within several blocks the first two years of DPAC operations, despite the Great Recession.

"We benefited greatly from Garfield's leadership and expertise. I highly recommend them to you for the development of your essential facilities.”
— Alan DeLisle, Assistant City Manager, City of Durham (2002 – 2008)

Facilities Include