DURHAM -- A Durham performing arts venue is not only attracting thousands of visitors to its historic building, but creating a lasting economic impact for the city. The Carolina Theatre, located in downtown Durham, delivered $14,025,346 to the city's economy in the 2012-2013 fiscal year, according to a report from the Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Bob Nocek, the Theatre's president and CEO, said the theatre offers live performances, concerts, comedy, theatrics and film.

"We're extremely proud to be not only one of the leading cultural assets of Durham, but also one of the top economic drivers of tourism to the city," Nocek said.

The Theatre's $14 million impact has increased 39 percent since 2012-2013 and has doubled from the $7,143,727 that was generated in 2007-2008.

"We bring almost 150,000 ticket buyers to downtown Durham each year," Nocek said. "We have played a vital role in the growth of the restaurants and just the general feel of nightlife in Durham."

The Theatre put on approximately 60 Star Series Performances in Fletcher Hall and thousands of film screenings in its cinemas. A recent March performance by comedian Aziz Ansari attracted more than 4,000 people to downtown Durham.

"We have performers all the time that will come out to do sound checks and they will say 'there's no way there is 1000 seats in here,'" Nocek said. "They just can't believe it's that big because it feels like a really intimate room."

Nocek added that the Theatre seeks to attract visitors throughout the Triangle region and the entire Southeast.

"The variety of our events clearly has resonated with those willing to spend their entertainment dollars throughout the region," Nocek said.

Approximately 20 percent of the Theatre's visitors were from Durham, with 50.2 percent from other Triangle communities, and 29.6 percent from outside the Triangle, according to the DCVB.