A group of vacant industrial buildings in downtown Buffalo's Cobblestone District will see new life as housing, restaurant, office and retail space.

Two veteran Buffalo developers are partners in the $15 million project to remake the vacant Benlin Distribution Services complex, five buildings located along Mississippi Street, between Perry Street and South Park Avenue. The site is a block east of HSBC Arena. Samuel J. Savarino, of Savarino Construction Services Corp., and Christopher L. Jacobs, of Avalon Development, are joining forces on the first-of-its-kind project in the Cobblestone District.

"We're pretty excited about jumping into this," Savarino said. "We realize there is some risk involved, but we're bringing a good marriage of skills to the project and are ready for the challenge."

Jacobs, a Buffalo Board of Education member who has carved out a niche of redeveloped downtown commercial buildings in the 700 block of Main Street, is similarly positive about the ambitious project.

"The group of buildings we've chosen has so much potential," Jacobs said. "We think we can create some critical mass by bringing residential, commercial and retail uses together, and make a significant impact on Cobblestone."

The phased project will begin with conversion of a five-story warehouse building at Mississippi and Perry into a 30- to 40-unit luxury apartment or condominium building. The first floor of the residential structure will be turned into a restaurant.

The one-story building directly behind it on Mississippi will be razed to make way for private garages for the residents.

As the development unfolds, a four-story building a few doors away will be converted into an office complex, and a dilapidated loading dock will be converted to an enclosed parking structure for the office workers. A one-story brick building in the middle of the block is targeted for retail use.

"Even though it's a phased development, it will have immediate impact on the feel and look of Cobblestone," Savarino said. "We're planning to get some great lighting on the facade of the apartment/restaurant building, which you'll be able to see from the (Niagara Thruway). There will be clear signs of life."

Jacobs said a key feature of the project is that it can "stand on its own."