the structure was built as the town hall of the city of amsterdam "facing the landing wharfs along damrak, which at that time would have been busy with ships". the town hall was opened on 29 july 1655 by cornelis de graeff, the mayor of amsterdam. the main architect was jacob van campen, who took control of the construction project in 1648. it was built on 13,659 wooden piles and cost 8.5 million gulden. a yellowish sandstone from bentheim in germany was used for the entire building. marble was the chosen material for the interior.