the administrators resided in the prinsenhof (named the "zeekantoor" after 1795) at amsterdam's oudezijds voorburgwal. this former monastery had been used as a fencing school, and after the fire of 1652 as a temporary city hall, before becoming the administrators' office. whenever the prince of orange visited amsterdam, in his capacity of admiral-general he resided in the admiralty building. by law, the grounds were under his jurisdiction, obviating the need for him to be a guest of the city. it was for this reason that the building acquired, and retained, the name of "prinsenhof". in 1656, the admiralty took over the entire building and renovated it.