Poor and homeless people of Stockholm emerged in great numbers following Sweden's defeat at the Battle of Poltava in 1709, but were considerably decimated by the Black Death, which hit the city the following year. As Sweden started to create its fleet of galleys in 1715, these two buildings were gradually transformed from hospitals into offices and workshops for the fleet.
Following Sweden's loss at the Battle of Poltava in 1709, a large influx of impoverished and homeless people arrived in Stockholm. However, the city was soon hit by the devastating Black Death, which significantly reduced their numbers. As Sweden started building its naval force in 1715, these two buildings were repurposed from hospitals to serve as offices and workshops for the fleet.