goldman was born to a jewish family in brooklyn, the son of fannie and charles goldman. his father owned a grocery store. goldman briefly attended brooklyn college, before turning to real estate during the great depression. at age 16, he purchased his first of many foreclosed properties by raising money from his neighbors. in the 1950s, he partnered with alex dilorenzo jr. together they were very active purchasers through the 1950s and 1960s and their portfolio included the chrysler building which they bought in 1960. although the 1970s were difficult—he lost the chrysler building to foreclosure and his partner, dilorenzo, died in 1975—goldman continued to invest, purchasing more than 600 buildings in the subsequent years via his company solil management (named after sol and his wife, lil). goldman was known for holding onto his properties and rarely selling, preferring instead to sign tenants to long-term ground leases (typically 99 years) where the tenants pay an annual rent to goldman but are responsible for taxes and upkeep of buildings on the properties.