What once was the domain of children's clothing and bed linens has given way to mahogany cabinets, granite counter tops, hardwood floors and a master suite with a walk-in closet.

At one time, Room 401 used to be part of the Lazarus-Macy's department store. But in an extreme makeover, it has been transformed into a two-bedroom model for the Residences at Piatt Place, a replica of one of 25 condominiums planned at the site.

The condo model, the first tangible piece of the $52 million redevelopment of the building by Millcraft Industries Inc., opened for the first time yesterday -- and just in the nick of time.

This evening, some 300 people will tour the model and six other Downtown properties as part of a sold-out third annual Walk and Dine tour sponsored by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and the Pittsburgh Downtown Neighborhood Association.

The $50 tickets sold out three weeks ago, the fastest ever for the event, with another 175 people on a waiting list to attend, the most ever. Mary Ellen Solomon, a spokeswoman for the partnership, said the demand for tickets is a testament to the interest in Downtown living.

"I think it's just that Downtown living is hot. It's here. People are realizing that. Virtually all of the properties on the tour are new to the marketplace," she said. "The buzz is really going about Downtown living."

You don't have to tell that to Lorrie Andria, sales manager for the Residences at Piatt Place.

Even before yesterday's grand opening, a deposit had been made on a two-bedroom condo by a friend of the Piatts, Millcraft's owners. There also have been several inquiries, Ms. Andria said.

"The public seems to be very receptive to bringing residential living'' to Downtown, she said. "A lot of people are watching. I think they're really ready to jump on board.''

The one- and two-bedroom condos, to be built on a new fifth floor to Piatt Place, will sell from $275,000 to $650,000. The three- to four-bedroom townhouses, to be built above the condos, will sell from $700,000 to $1.1 million.

A few blocks down at the Carlyle, another stop on the tour, 16 of 61 units sold even before Realtors had a model to show prospective buyers, said Heather Miller, a site coordinator. Prices for the two bedroom condos range from $205,000 to $1.2 million for a top floor penthouse. A model has just opened.

Ms. Miller said one company owner put down a deposit on the penthouse, but had second thoughts when his building costs, which included a swimming pool, ended up costing $2 million more than the condo.

Carlyle realtors don't see Piatt Place, another condo building being erected on First Avenue (151 First Side) or other residential projects Downtown as being so much competition as complementary to them.

"It's not about competition. It's about bringing new people in," said DeAnna Davis, a Carlyle site coordinator. "All of us ...have one goal -- to bring Pittsburgh back and make it that 89th community."

Besides Piatt Place and the Carlyle, other residential stops on today's tour include 930 Penn Avenue, the Cork Factory, the Granite Building, Heinz Lofts and the just-opened Encore on 7th, where 55 of 151 units have been rented, ranging in price from $1,100 a month for a one- bedroom to $5,000 a month each for two 18th floor units. Each stop includes hors d' oeuvres and beverages from Downtown restaurants.