official institution, official residence

府 is composed of 广 (shelter) and 付 (give). 广 is a pictograph of a house, while 付 carries the meaning of granting or handing over. Thus, 府 refers to a place where people grant or deliver things, originally meaning a storage facility for valuables or documents. Storing documents is a government responsibility, so 府 also denotes government offices or the residences of high officials.