Any catch? Looks like a great deal

I live near there. E 57th is busy all the time (well, not at 5:30am when I go to the gym). Lots of foot traffic as well, as there's a fair amount of residential in the area, and people walking from the east into midtown. Based on the pix the place has been well maintained, but the kitchen & bath probably haven't been updated in 30 years. I'd say the price difference between 5f & 7F is all in the renovation (and the cost to rip out the fake fireplace in 7F and regain 18" of LR width). You're not getting a exterior view, so you better like your interiors. (I thought about this building when I was looking.)

Thanks for the detailed info! Sounds like a busy area indeed.
Another concern is that, BLT steakhouse is in the building so probably the rent income is one of the reasons that the maintenance is relatively low. Now with covid-19, restaurant business got hit hard and not sure whether it will affect the coop's rent income.

I LOVE that neighborhood, and it's amazing to get a beautiful one-bedroom at the price of a studio. Yes, it's noisy with a lot of traffic, but you're 2 blocks from Central Park and you're on Billionaire's Row! Even if you need to update the kitchen (I noticed there was no picture so it must be bad ), the potential for that place is considerable. If I didn't love my place in Chelsea, I would snap it up!!!!

Please ignore my prior comment. I must have smoked too much tonight because I though it was a pre-war building: still, I think 5F is a better deal even at the increased price because the kitchen is really lovely (just my humble opinion).

Agree with the interior. But 7F is also 2 floors higher and has a window in the bathroom.
Regarding the area, I was interested in an unit in 153 East 57th Street but eventually gave up because the building is too close to the subway entrance. I know this sounds weird.
Need to actually be in the area to see the surroundings maybe.

Contract signed. That's fast.