In 1759, Gysbert Behagen, a wealthy merchant, acquired one of the two houses. In 1764, he obtained a royal licence to establish a sugar refinery in the yard. In 1768, Behagen also acquired the other house and in 1769 he undertook a comprehensive renovation of his properties, merging them into one building. Behagen lived there until his death in 1783. In 1791, the house was acquired by Jeppe Prætorius, another merchant. In 1796, it was subject to another renovation.
