Catshuis in The Hague

Catshuis has been the official residence of the prime minister (i.e. head of government) of the Kingdom of the Netherlands since 1963. // An official residence is the residence at which heads of state, heads of government, gubernatorial or other senior figures officially reside. ... The head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. ...

It lies in the governmental seat The Hague on the road to Scheveningen, and serves to receive official guests. Hague redirects here. ... Scheveningen pier Scheveningen is part of Den Haag, the Netherlands. ...

History

As Huis Sorgvliet it was built on the site of a former farm (probably part of the living quarters was worked in the left wing) by Jacob Cats (1577-1660), a prominent poet and politician who lived there since 14 July 1652. Originally it had only one story. Portrait of Cats by Michiel Jansz van Mierevelt Jacob Cats (November 10, 1577, Brouwershaven (Zeeland) - September 12, 1660, the Hague) was a Dutch poet, humorist, jurist and politician. ...

In 1675 estate Sorghvliet came into the possession of Hans Willem Bentinck, chamberlain of the future king-stadholder William III (1650-1702). His son, Willem Bentinck, had a bronze bell and tower installed in 1738. Hans Willem Bentinck by Hyacinthe Rigaud Hans William, Baron Bentinck, 1st Earl of Portland, KG, PC (20 July 1649-23 November 1709) was a Dutch and English nobleman who became in an early stage the favourite of stadtholder William Henry, Prince of Orange. ... William III (14 November 1650 – 8 March 1702) was the Prince of Orange from his birth, Stadtholder of the main provinces of the Dutch Republic from 28 June 1672, King of England and King of Ireland from 13 February 1689, and King of Scots (under the name William II) from...

To conform with modern norms of security, logistics, climatisation, hygiene, comfort and technical aspects of management, it was extensively renovated in 1999-2004.

Sources

• Introductiedossier Ministerie van Algemene Zaken, d.d. 22 juli 2002 op: http://www.minaz.nl/minister-president/