This building is located in the heart of Surabaya, not far from Tunjungan Plasa, notably at Jalan Gubernur Suryo. This building is very easy on the eye, white , huge and beautiful, and called as Grahadi for there is a meeting room called Grahadi located inside this building.

Grahadi derives from Sankrit words graha means house and adi means high class. Grahasi means a house that has high class. Though this house is already old, more than 200 years, it is still stand tall and in its original construction.

For architecture lovers, they will be amazed by this building design that is dominated by straight, vertical and horizontal lines with balance ratio and aesthetic that this building categorized as monumental building that is well conserved.

This two storeys building constitutes of 2016 m2 main building, 4.125,75 m2 ancillary building and located on a land of 16.284 m2. On the first floor is devided into several rooms: guest room, and East Java government meeting.

This building keeps historical stories and can be visited by visitors from 08.00-11.00 from Monday to 13.00, and Friday from 08.00-11.00, on Saturday from 08.00 to 12.00, and closed on Sunday. Behind the building is Kalimas river that offer river tourism to enjoy Surabaya through boat following the stream.

This river tourism opens from Monday to Friday from 17.00 to 19.00. Saturday from 13.00 to 19.00 and on Sunday from 09.00 to 19.00. On the edge of Kalimas located Prestasi Garden where children can play that opens everyday in the afternoon.

This old building looks strong and supported by architectural style and tough building construction. Walls are tall and the rooms are spacious , and built from big red brick without support of concrete and cement. Ventilation and circulation inside the rooms are from big doors and windows that are made of transparent glass. Teak wood is used, except on the doors and windows sills. All rooms upstairs are made of thick teak and used large and long blocks to support the construction. Stairs connecting the ground floor to the first floor is built from teak and is still in original condition. This building is completed with open porch in front of the building and the roof of the porch is supported by Rome architecture.

It was built in 1795 by the sole authority or gezaghebber or Dutch, Dirk Van Hogendorp (1794-1798). The reason he built this building was that his residence in red bridge region, nearby Jembatan Merah, is not suitable anymore with his position. He then chose a land on the edge of Mas River for a representative residence.

The land was called Simpang area (currently Jalan Pemuda), and owned by a Chinese that in the beginning would not give his land to van Hogendorp, bu according to people story, he finally gave the land as Hogendorp said that the land would not be taken by him but be kept (simpan). And the Chinese was given 2.5 cents as compensation. From the word simpan, then Simpang term born.Van Hogendorp built the building for 14.000 ringgit, but he only lived there for 3 years only.

When he was in his position, there were many complaints to the central govt of East Indies in Batavia. One of them was that van Hogendorp was accused to use his power for his own interest. In a new year party, 1 January 1978, he was arrested and sent to Batavia. East Indies General Governor Daendels who was popular as Toean Besar Goentoer did restoration to the building, as he wanted to make the building as palace. Also constructed a bridge on Mas River, located now behind the building. Initially, the building faced Mas River that in the afternoon, the residents could enjoy tea while seeing boats walked down the river. The boats were also used as means of transportation. Later, the building was used as court, Raad van Justitie, for party, and other events.

In 1802, the building then changed, and faced south as today. Across Grahadi was Kroesen park (Currently Taman Apsari) or Taman Simpang, derives from Resident JC Th Kroesen (1888-1896). Behind the park located Joko Dolog statue or Buddha Mahasobhya from Singasari kingdom. Since Indonesia independence, Grahadi was used as residence of RT Soerjo (1946-1948), the first governor of East Java, and his statue is located in the Taman Apsari. Since Governor Samadikoed (1949-1957) until today, Grahadi was used as Gedung Negara to welcome guests, receptions, meetings and governor lives in other residence in Surabaya