Last year, Baccarat announced they would open five hotel by 2015 but according to their website now, Baccarat Hotel and Residences New York will open this year with Morocco happening in 2015 and a planned hotel for Dubai (of course) will open later in 2018.

But its New York that we’re focusing on today, especially since the 114-room hotel will open on 53rd Street and 5th in December.

Recently, Baccarat announced that Charles Masson, the former restaurateur behind La Grenouille, an iconic old-school French restaurant, has joined the hotel’s team as Director of Restaurants and Bars. Masson will oversee the development and daily operations of four “culinary destinations” within the hotel, including a signature restaurant, bar, grand salon and event venue. Here’s a little bit of a backstory with Masson and Baccarat:

“The partnership was fueled by mutual admiration – the first decorative item that Masson’s father purchased for his vaunted midtown French restaurant, La Grenouille was a Baccarat crystal vase. Masson himself is lauded for his elegant flower arrangements that were the heart of the romantic surroundings to which diners were drawn for decades. At Baccarat Hotel and Residences New York, Masson will be instrumental in ensuring that the restaurant and gathering areas are full of life, brilliance and exceptional food.”

And since this Baccarat is the flagship hotel for the brand, all eyes will be on Masson to see exactly how he does it.

Masson will work with Shea Gallante, who has been named head chef of the hotel, to develop the menu at the signature restaurant which will serve French classic cuisine with a modern twist.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Starwood Capital Group is actually already looking for a buyer for the hotel. Baccarat will still manage the property but now the owners are trying to sell the lot while it’s hot. Or perhaps to have more money on hand to go ahead with those expansion plans for Baccarat. After all, right now Baccarat only has two hotels planned by 2015.