Yet inside 1114 Washington Blvd., a collective public dream played out, as many openly yearned to see downtown Detroit support a first-class project. For decades after its opening in 1924, the Book Cadillac was the city's landmark hotel, hosting well-known politicians, film stars and athletes. It closed in 1984 and became a symbol of the city's decline. Among the hundreds who showed up with fond memories and high hopes were Patrick and Lucila Ryder of Commerce Township. The couple had their first date at The Book in 1981, attending an election night victory party for then-Mayor Coleman Young. On Monday, they were among the first to dine at the Boulevard. 'It's amazingly elegant,' Lucila Ryder said after touring the hotel. Others like Lanie Tobin, 77, recalled The Book as a center of a thriving downtown. 'It's hard not be a Detroiter my age, or so many generations, really, and not have a Book memory,' she said. And many, like Blake Fuentes, a 33-year-old Detroit native who text-messaged 17 friends during his tour, want the Book to succeed 'really, really badly.' Much of the street-level floor remains under construction, and the exterior got final touches Monday. Parties are comingMore than 100 events, including black-tie galas, North American International Auto Show parties, 25 weddings, and 15 holiday parties, have been booked at The Book, Westin officials say. Reservations are being taken for the hotel rooms with prices well above $200 on some nights. As of early Monday afternoon, some 20 rooms had been reserved for Wednesday, though Westin officials pointed out they have not aggressively advertised that date. The Book also offers 63 condominiums on the upper floors of the 33-story building. More than 50 of those units have been sold and cost from the mid-$200,000s to more than $1 million, said Paige Peabody, owner of Esquire Properties, the Realtor handling condos sales. About a dozen owners are expected to close by the end of the week, Peabody said. 'Of course, the market's slowed down, but we don't expect anyone to have to pull out of the sale,' Peabody said. What's cooking?At the Boulevard, which will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, lunch appetizers cost from $6-$8 and entrees are $10 to the middle $20. At the Motor Bar, a Michigan Avenue mojito costs $12 and a Motor City GhettoBlaster, a local brew made by the Motor City Brewery in Midtown, costs $6. Two other restaurants, including one created by 'Iron Chef' winner Michael Symon, are coming online soon. Originally slated to open Oct. 15, Symon's Roast opening has been pushed back to Oct. 21, said John Ferchill, the Cleveland developer behind the project. And Westin officials intend to announce the name of the other restaurant on Wednesday. A black-tie charity gala is planned for Oct. 25, and a street party on Washington Boulevard on Oct. 24. Ferchill, who helped put together a complex financial deal to reopen The Book, said the project 'had exceeded my expectations.' 'I'm aware of the economic times,' Ferchill said. 'But business is still getting done. We haven't been hit by any cancellations. We've got no choice but to deal with the cards we have and we think we got a winning hand.' You can reach Louis Aguilar at (313) 222-2760 or laguilardteom.