The building 'was built early in the 16th century but this part of the building is now largely pulled down, only the W and S walls remaining; the rest of the house was rebuilt probably in the 17th century. The ruined building has an original moulded door-frame in the E wall and two original doorways in the S wall, both blocked; the passage between it and the 17th century part has original moulded ceiling- beams. Condition - partly ruinous'.<1>

DOE survey of No 37 North Hill. Grade II. C17 or earlier. Timber-framed, plastered. Two storeys and attic. Good C19 shop front below, probably a butcher's shop. One sash with glazing bars above. Old tile roof. The rear wing (No 1 Green's Yard) is early C19.<2>

A structural survey of 37 North Hill (The Castle Bookshop), was undertaken in 1986 during renovation work. It is reported to be a 15th century jettied medieval crossing, probably originally a hall and two crosswings. The gable end of the building, facing south, has, on the upper floor, a five light mould window frame dated c.1590. This find shows that at this date the gable must have faced an open space. The gable wall, covered with a light green wash, is pargetted on the outside, combining a pattern of figures and symbols including a plaque at the apex which reads H A? (the last letter undecipherable) 1666. It is probably the earliest example of pargetting extant in Essex, revealed only when the roof was stripped during the extensive repairs to the house. It is now, unfortunately, hidden by the north wall of No. 38 which was built so close against it that there is a gap of but 10" between the two houses. No. 37 also has a fine pair of service doors - long since blocked - in the north wall leading through to the original No. 36 (demolished in the 1930s). No. 38 must have been put up sometime after 1666 and is timber framed but only survives half way up the first floor, and at one time was probably a complete house, but later a carriage way was driven through the ground floor now leading to Green's Yard.<3>