The Supreme Ballroom (EHER 36516)

Mid 19th century public building, built in 1854 to house the Stansted Literary Institute.

Mid 19th century plastered building, built in 1854 as the Stansted Central Hall in order to house the Stansted Literary Institute (1849-92). From 1871 to 1892 it was also used as the Post Office. In 1931 it was sold to the Parochial Church Council and re-sold in 1969 to become The Supreme Ballroom. There is a single storeyed facade to a two storeyed block at the rear, with a tetrastyle Ionic front with plain half round columns, frieze, dentilled cornice and a pediment. A central eight-panel double door with a rectangular fanlight has a panel above with the date 1854. The doorway has a moulded architrave and is flanked by large double-hung sashes with glazing bars, in moulded architraves and with slightly raised aprons. The door is approached by three stone steps. The front cornice is continued as an eaves cornice along the east and west sides. There is a variety of sashes and casements, with glazing bars, to the rear block. <1>