Our Founders

Founding partner Jona Goldrich embodied the American dream. An immigrant to the United States, he started his real estate empire with the simple idea of keeping construction sites clean. What began with a single apartment building in 1957 has grown into one of the most successful housing development and management firms in all of California. Today, Goldrich Kest manages more than 200 properties and employs close to 600 people.

Born in Lvov, Poland in 1927, Mr. Goldrich fled Europe in 1942 to escape the Holocaust. He landed first in Palestine, where he participated in military action that helped assure the creation of Israel in 1948, before immigrating again to Los Angeles. While working as a window installer, he started a business to clean up construction sites. A chance meeting with construction foreman, Sol Kest, led to a partnership lasting more than 50 years.

Mr. Goldrich passed away in June 2016 at the age of 88. He is survived by his wife of 50 years Doretta, their two grown daughters, a son in-law, two grandsons and a granddaughter. During his lifetime, Mr. Goldrich received countless awards and recognition from both civic and private organizations. His legacy lives on in his family foundation, which focuses on Holocaust awareness and education.

Sol Kest was born in 1922 in Wulchowice, Czechoslovakia. Swept up in the horrors of World War II, he survived 9 concentrations camps only to return home and find his entire family had perished. Determined to rebuild his life, he married fellow survivor, Clara Adler, and they began a lifelong journey together. Sol and Clara eventually immigrated to Los Angeles in 1955 with two small children, determination and a willingness to work hard.

Sol began laboring on construction sites. He was quick to recognize incredible opportunities in the Southern California post-war construction boom. A fortuitous meeting with Jona Goldrich grew into a partnership that created one of California’s largest and most diversified real-estate holding and property management firms. Together Jona and Sol realized their vision of providing diverse housing for Californians across all income levels.

Sol and Clara had two more children in Los Angeles. They remained in Los Angeles, forever dedicated to work, family and their community. Their worldwide philanthropic endeavors focused on Jewish education and medical care continues since Sol's passing in 2010.