In Chicago’s ever-evolving construction landscape, Toro Construction has earned a reputation for integrity, quality, and a deep connection to the communities it serves. Founded in 2004 by Socorro Vazquez and her husband, Luis, the company began humbly; a side business the couple ran while holding full-time jobs. A decade later, in 2014, they took a leap of faith. Leaving their jobs behind, they dedicated themselves fully to building Toro Construction, soon joined by Luis’s brother.
The company’s growth since then has been steady and deliberate. “We started very small, taking on local projects, always working for the public sector,” Luis recalls. “We started growing the company steadily through hard work, reliability, and community trust. We began as a family-run construction company, and it has evolved into a trusted partner for both public and private sector clients across Chicago and beyond. But even as we’ve grown, we never lost our family spirit or our belief that construction should make a positive difference.”
That belief forms the foundation of everything Toro does. The company specializes in commercial, municipal, and residential construction, taking particular pride in projects that uplift communities. “We’re proud to work on projects that really impact communities,” Luis says, “whether it is affordable housing, schools, or city infrastructure. Everything we do is guided by one mission: to build with a purpose and create lasting value for people in neighborhoods.”
Toro Construction offers a full suite of construction and management services, including general contracting, design-build, and construction management. Its team manages every stage of delivery, from pre-construction and estimating to full project execution.
Supporting that capability is Toro’s sister company, Integrity Wall Panel Inc., which manufactures prefabricated wall systems that make the building process faster, cleaner, and more efficient. Prefabrication has become a cornerstone of Toro’s success, allowing it to streamline projects while maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety.
Most recently, the company expanded its operations with the launch of Vazquez Housing Development, an initiative focused on affordable housing and turnkey community projects. Together, these three entities, Toro Construction, Integrity Wall Panel, and Vazquez Housing Development, position the firm to deliver everything from design to completion under one roof. “This gives our team space to collaborate and innovate,” Luis explains. “Launching Vazquez Housing Development was another huge step, allowing us to create housing that supports community growth.”
“We’re proud to work on projects that really impact communities.”
This past year marked Toro Construction’s 20th anniversary, a major milestone that coincided with the company’s move into a new headquarters. For Luis, it represents not only growth but also a renewal of purpose. “This new space marks a new era for the company,” he says. “It gives our team room to collaborate and continue innovating for the next generation.”
Toro’s projects reflect its commitment to that vision. The company recently partnered with the City of Chicago on the Missing Middle Housing Initiative, which aims to bring new homes to the Morgan Park neighborhood. It has also been selected for key downtown redevelopment projects, including the LaSalle Reimagine Initiative, which involves the 105 Adams and 30 N. LaSalle Street buildings downtown Chicago.
The initiative’s goal is to transform underused downtown offices into vibrant mixed-use spaces, a reflection of Chicago’s broader effort to reimagine its city core. “We’re helping turn dormant spaces into productive, livable areas,” Luis says. “It’s about breathing new life into Chicago’s historic buildings.”
Luis also personally just completed the NextGen program sponsored by Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) and LISC Chicago, which helps emerging developers gain expertise in affordable housing through the Light Tax Credits Program. “Each one of these milestones represents a step forward to a long-term vision,” he says. “Building stronger, more inclusive communities across Chicago.”
Toro’s portfolio reads like a map of Chicago’s evolving neighborhoods. One of its standout recent projects, Grace Manor, exemplifies the company’s approach. “Grace Manor is a great example of what we stand for,” Luis says. “It’s a project that combines quality, purpose, and community benefit.” The building provides much-needed housing while enhancing the fabric of the surrounding neighborhood.
Beyond Grace Manor, Toro has been heavily involved in community impact projects through the Missing Middle initiative, including the creation of five new apartment buildings. The company also worked on the renovation of the Chicago Firehouse in the Back of the Yards neighborhood, converting an aging structure into a hub for urban farming and food security; Plant Chicago is a project that reimagines heritage architecture as a platform for stability and growth.
Other ongoing efforts include new home builds in partnership with United Power and The Resurrection Project (TRP), with five homes recently started and six in Back of the Yards, as well as additional work in North Lawndale and Roseland. Each of these homes is being built using prefabricated wall systems for speed and efficiency. “Each one of these projects reflects our commitment to purpose-driven construction,” Luis says, “creating spaces that strengthen communities.”
Another mission-driven development, Deeply Rooted Dance Center Theater, is a $17 million dance studio and arts center that will serve as a cultural anchor within its community. At the same time, Toro is preparing to break ground on 6301 S Western Avenue, a five-story affordable housing complex that will mark a new chapter for the company. “It’s our first ground-up affordable housing apartment job with no joint ventures,” Luis notes with pride.
For Luis, success at Toro has always been about staying true to the company’s founding principles: integrity, quality, and family. “Our key to success comes from staying true to our values,” he says. “We’ve never been afraid to evolve and embrace innovation, but we’ve always kept our people at the center of everything we do. We build trust first, then projects. And as a family-owned business, we lead with unity and passion; our clients and partners feel that in every interaction.”
Toro’s identity as an MBE, DBE, and Hispanic-owned company is also a vital part of its ethos. “Being a minority-owned, Hispanic-led company is a huge part of who we are,” Luis says. “It shapes how we see the world and how we approach our work. Representation matters not just to our company, but also to the communities we serve.”
That sense of responsibility extends to Toro’s approach to mentorship and collaboration. The company actively partners with local and minority-owned firms, helping them grow by providing guidance in estimating, project management, and client relations. “We build a diverse team that brings different perspectives, creativity, and problem-solving approaches,” Luis says. “As an MBE and DBE, we also take pride in mentoring and partnering with other minority firms, helping to grow a more inclusive construction industry in Chicago.”
Toro’s mentoring model is practical as well as inspirational. The company works to pre-qualify local firms, helping them understand their financial capacity and risk levels. For smaller firms that struggle with cash flow, Toro even assists with early payments to ensure they meet payroll. “We try to remove any roadblocks by partnering with new community builders,” Luis says. “Being involved in the neighborhoods and continuing to expand; that’s how we all move forward together.”
Looking ahead, Toro Construction’s priorities are clear: steady, purposeful growth anchored in community impact and innovation. “Our priorities for 2026 include delivering the first Vazquez Housing Development under the Missing Middle program, expanding our affordable housing portfolio through partnerships, and continuing to strengthen our prefabrication capabilities through Integrity Wall Panel,” Luis says.
The company will also focus on growing its development expertise and exploring new opportunities across both the public and private sectors. Despite industry headwinds, Luis remains optimistic. “These are tough times,” he admits. “There are challenges out there for minority-owned companies to keep growing. But we’re not afraid of growth. We continue to invest in people — because our people are our greatest strength.”
That belief has carried Toro through two decades of steady expansion and will continue to shape its future. “Knowing the team we have,” Luis says, “I know we’re going to be very successful. Everyone here works hard every day, making sure they give their best. Integrity, quality, family; those are what define Toro Construction.”
From public infrastructure to affordable housing, Toro Construction continues to prove that the strongest foundations are built on trust, and that in every project, the company’s first construction site is always the community itself.
