Central House

Central House is a building comprising shops, originally Ongar Academy, dating from the early 19th century. It is constructed of brick with a painted ashlar-style stucco finish. The building has a hipped grey slate roof to the central section, which features a central pediment with an apron and rises three stories. Parapets with a band and moulded cornice are present on the left and right sections, which are two stories high. The left and right sections have a two-window range, while the central block has a three-window range to the first and second floors, separated by a band. The entire front has 20th-century shop windows with plain fascias; the remaining windows are double-hung sashes with glazed margins. The central entrance has a panelled, partially glazed door within a surround featuring reveal panels, fluted pilasters, a nail head patera, a moulded frieze, and a flat canopy. To the right is a board and nail door in a plain surround with a light window above, and to the left a part-glazed door with an upper light window.