Central Block Of Atlas Works

The Central Block of Atlas Works is a foundry and water tower, dating from 1869 to 1885. Constructed primarily of white and red brick in Flemish bond, the foundry has a corrugated asbestos and slate roof. The water tower, originally freestanding, is of yellow brick in Flemish bond with red and blue brick dressings, a cast iron tank, and a slate roof.

The foundry consists of four parallel ranges aligned east-west, with main entrances facing east. The building extends approximately 55 metres west. Later buildings are physically connected to the foundry but are of less historical and architectural significance. The east elevation features four similar gable ends, each with a central wide arched doorway with double sliding doors. Above the doorways are round cast iron windows within arched recesses, with large cast iron windows with semi-circular heads on either side, also within arched recesses. Interior recesses are bricked with red brick, while the exterior is white brick, which has darkened with weathering. The northernmost range was built first and has a semi-circular arch above the doorway, featuring a cast iron plaque inscribed "R. Hunt 1869." The remaining three ranges have semi-elliptical arches above their doorways, with plaques reading "R. Hunt 1871," "R. Hunt 1871," and "1872." The third range from the north has a louvred wooden vent at the gable apex, and the fourth range has four original cast iron vents. The first three ranges have roofs of corrugated asbestos, while the fourth has a slate roof. The original softwood roof structures contain queenposts and raking struts, supported by lines of cast iron columns.

The water tower has 20th-century doorways and casements on the ground floor. The first floor contains two original cast iron casements with semi-circular heads on the south elevation, one each on the east and west elevations, recessed within semi-circular arches. Plain pilasters divide the south elevation into two unequal bays, with red brick used for the outer and window arches. Details include a dogtooth course of red bricks and a cornice of blue bricks. The tank is composed of 12 panels on the north and south sides, eight on the east and west, with a cast iron plaque on the south side inscribed "R. Hunt & Co. 1885" in raised lettering. The gables are clad in weatherboarding.

The foundry, established by Reuben Hunt, played a significant role in improving and mechanizing agriculture in Essex during the 19th century, transforming Earls Colne from a village into a prosperous industrial town. The earliest buildings survive in exceptionally unchanged condition.