Developer docs
API playgroundTry for free, no card

Search company profiles

Sharif & Munir

Full company profile

uuid00ykfmh

Namestring
Sharif & Munir
Legal namestring
Sharif & Munir Custom Homes, LLC
Company typeenum
Private
Founded yearint
1978
Descriptiontext

Sharif & Munir Custom Homes, LLC is a privately held, family-owned luxury custom home builder founded in 1978 and headquartered at 6009 Belt Line Rd., Suite 200, Dallas, Texas. The company serves ultra high net worth individuals and families seeking bespoke single-family residences in North Texas's most prestigious neighborhoods, including Preston Hollow, Park Cities, Highland Park, Frisco, Plano, Westlake, Mustang Lakes, and the Residences at the Stoneleigh. Homes range from roughly 3,500 to over 12,000 square feet, with pricing between approximately $200 and over $500 per square foot depending on specifications and finishes, implying project values commonly in the multi-million dollar range. Construction timelines run approximately 12 months for a 7,000 sq ft home and average about 18 months from initial meeting through completion.

The company's core offering is integrated custom home building, bundling architecture, interior design, and construction under one builder. Founder Mickey Munir is a licensed architect and licensed interior designer holding Certified Graduate Builder and Graduate Master Builder credentials, and the firm supplements in-house design with a network of project-based architecture and interior design partners. Technical build methods include engineered pier and suspended structural slab foundations designed from site-specific soils tests, engineered open web floor truss systems, spray foam insulation, and high-efficiency HVAC (96% efficient Lennox 16-20 SEER variable-speed zoned systems with 10-year warranties). Beyond ground-up custom builds, the company also sells spec homes under construction and finished home sites.

Revenue is generated primarily through fixed-price and cost-plus construction agreements for high-net-worth clients, sold through a direct field-sales model led by VP Sales & Marketing Grady Yates. Marketing is concentrated in the company website, editorial coverage in D Home, Modern Luxury, and Patron magazines, and a referral-driven motion supported by 45+ years of operating history. The company has been named a D Home Best Builder every year since 2005 and earned the D Home Legacy Award in 2019, but revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. Operations are led by founder Mickey Munir (CEO) and his son Michael Munir (President & COO), supported by a team of approximately 11 employees including senior project managers, a construction manager, and office staff.

Short descriptiontext

Sharif & Munir Custom Homes is a family-owned luxury custom home builder founded in 1978 in Dallas, Texas, serving ultra high net worth clients in North Texas with integrated architecture, interior design, and construction services for multi-million dollar residences.

Operating statusenum
Operating
Ownership categoryenum
Headcount rangeband
11–50
akta.pro rankint
HeadquartersDallas, United States
HQ citystring
Dallas
HQ countrystring
United States
HQ regionstring
North America
Markets served

Serves global market

Offices1 record

Each record includes

City, Country, Type, Description, Source

Keyword5 values
custom home building, luxury residential construction, custom home design, spec home building, home building services
Industry2 codes
1Residential Luxury / High-End Home Construction
CodeIMAFABAJPrimaryYes
2Custom Home Building
CodeIMAFABACPrimaryNo
NAICS code2 codes
  • New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders)236115
  • Residential Building Construction23611
Product category
Luxury Custom Home Building
No data
GTM motion1 record

Each record includes

Type, Description, Source

Revenue model1 record
1Custom Home Construction
TypeProfessional Services
Description

Revenue is generated through building custom luxury homes for wealthy homeowners. The company offers both fixed-price and cost-plus (fixed price/allowance) construction agreements. Pricing varies significantly based on home size, specifications, and finishes, ranging from approximately $200 to over $500 per square foot depending on the level of customization and materials selected. Home construction timeline for a 7,000 sq ft home is approximately 12 months, with total process averaging about 18 months from initial meeting to completion.

sharif-munir.com
Marketing channels3 records

Each record includes

Title, Type, Stage, Description, Source

Distribution channels1 record

Each record includes

Title, Type, Scope, Target buyer, Description, Source

Cost components5 values
Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Pricing details2 tiers
1Custom Home Construction - Fixed Price Agreement
ModelOtherBilling cadenceMulti-year contract
Notes

Fixed price construction agreement covering structural elements (foundation, roof, sheetrock) plus allowances for client-controlled items (appliances, light fixtures, finishes). The 'peace of mind construction agreement' where builder stands behind the pricing given for the structural components.

sharif-munir.com
2Custom Home Construction - Cost Plus Agreement
ModelOtherBilling cadenceMulti-year contract
Notes

Cost plus construction agreement where the client pays actual construction costs plus a builder's fee. Both agreement types are offered.

sharif-munir.com
GTM typeB2C
B2C
Offering typeServices
Services
Core offering1 text field

Sharif & Munir Custom Homes is a luxury custom home builder founded in 1978, serving North Texas's most prestigious neighborhoods with full-service design and construction. The company provides integrated architecture, interior design, and construction services for affluent clients, including fully custom ground-up homes, spec homes available for purchase with early-stage customization, and finished home sites for sale. Homes typically range from 3,500 to over 12,000 square feet with pricing of approximately $200 to over $500 per square foot.

Differentiator
Functional benefit
Problem solved
Quantifiable outcome1 value
  • Named D Home Best Builder every year since 2005 — demonstrating consistent quality over nearly two decades
Product overview1 text field

Sharif & Munir Custom Homes is a luxury custom home builder serving North Texas since 1978. The company operates as a single unified service offering centered on custom residential construction, encompassing three core service lines: (1) fully customized home building where clients design and build from the ground up, (2) spec homes available for purchase with customization options at early construction stages, and (3) finished lots available for sale. Their portfolio spans multiple prestigious neighborhoods including The Preserve in Frisco, Mustang Lakes in Celina, Long Cove on Cedar Creek Lake, Quail Hollow in Westlake, Park Cities, Preston Hollow, and the Residences at the Stoneleigh high-rise. The company also maintains an extensive Photo Gallery organized by room category (Kitchens, Media Rooms, Wine Rooms, Pools & Patios, etc.) showcasing their craftsmanship and design capabilities.

Product and service3 records
1Custom Home Building
CategoryCore Service
Description

Full-service custom home construction from design through completion, serving luxury residential clients in North Texas with homes ranging from 3,500 to over 12,000 square feet. Includes architecture, interior design, and construction under fixed-price or cost-plus agreements.

2Spec Homes (Available Homes)
CategoryCore Service
Description

Spec homes currently under construction available for purchase, allowing buyers to customize finishes at early construction stages.

3Available Home Sites (Lots)
CategoryCore Service
Description

Finished residential lots available for sale to new home buyers seeking to build in established North Texas communities, including Quail Hollow and Long Cove.

Scale indicator3 records

Each record includes

Type, Value, Description, Source

Partnership12 partners
1The Caperton Group
Strategic tierMinorTypeImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner
Description

Architecture firm providing design services for specific projects such as the Doolin Court project. Sharif & Munir works with various architects on a project-by-project basis.

sharif-munir.com
Strategic tierMinorTypeImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner
Description

Interior design firm providing interior design services for specific projects such as the Doolin Court project.

Strategic tierMinorTypeImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner
Description

Architecture and interior design firm credited with both design and interior design for the Green Park project.

4Lloyd Lumpkins (Lumpkins Architects)
Strategic tierMinorTypeImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner
Description

Architect for Royal Lane project in Highland Park. Sharif & Munir works with homeowner architects on a per-project basis.

sharif-munir.com
Strategic tierMinorTypeImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner
Description

Interior designer credited for the Tulip Lane project. Interior design services sourced per project.

Strategic tierMinorTypeImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner
Description

Architecture and interior design firm for the Stoneleigh Residences project. Both architecture and interior design credited to this firm.

7Brette Jacques Interiors
Strategic tierMinorTypeImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner
Description

Interior designer credited for Greenbrier Drive and Doolin Court projects. Frequently recommended by Sharif & Munir for interior design services.

sharif-munir.com
Strategic tierMinorTypeImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner
Description

Interior designer for the Gunter North Texas Ranch project.

Strategic tierMinorTypeStrategic or Co-development Partner
Description

Developer of the Chapel Creek neighborhood in Frisco, TX. Developed the neighborhood with strong architectural guidelines. Sharif & Munir builds in this community.

Strategic tierMinorTypeImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner
Description

Architecture firm for The Preserve Spec House project in Frisco, TX.

Strategic tierMinorTypeImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner
Description

Architecture firm for the DHOME Showhome project.

12Robert Trown & Associates
Strategic tierMinorTypeImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner
Description

Architecture and interior design firm for the Robledo project.

sharif-munir.com
Recent move5 records

Each record includes

Date, Type, Title, Description, Source

Expansion highlight4 records

Each record includes

Type, Description

Peers8 records
TypeBroad incumbent
Description

Atlanta-based private homebuilder with significant Houston and DFW operations. Competes in Texas luxury segment with both spec and design-studio customization but lacks S&M's fully bespoke architecture-design-build integration.

TypeBroad incumbent
Description

Public homebuilder with luxury and move-up segments across multiple US markets including Texas. More diversified and scaled than S&M but competes for similar affluent buyer demographics.

TypeBroad incumbent
Description

Public homebuilder with strong Texas presence and entry-level to move-up focus. Overlaps in Texas luxury geography but generally targets a lower price point than S&M's ultra-luxury segment.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Naples, Florida-based luxury custom homebuilder serving ultra-high-net-worth clients with bespoke single-family estates. Closest comparable in terms of boutique scale, fully custom service model, and luxury price-point clientele, though operating in a different regional market.

TypeBroad incumbent
Description

Privately-held luxury and move-up homebuilder with a legacy brand and Texas operations. Comparable client profile but more community-based development model versus S&M's true custom approach.

TypeBroad incumbent
Description

Large publicly-traded homebuilder with significant Texas luxury presence. Offers custom and semi-custom options but operates with more standardized plans and larger communities than S&M's fully bespoke model.

TypeBroad incumbent
Description

National publicly-traded luxury homebuilder with active Texas operations including DFW. Competes for affluent move-up and luxury buyers, though operates at scale with broader portfolio and more spec development than S&M's bespoke custom focus.

TypeDirect peer
Description

North American custom homebuilder and remodeler franchise with locations including DFW. Competes for the same affluent custom-home segment with similar design-build orientation, though operates under a franchise model rather than S&M's founder-owned identity.

Market position
Strengths5 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Weaknesses5 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Competitive moat4 records

Each record includes

Type, Details

Key risks6 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Key highlights7 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Customer concentration

Classification, Details

Named customers1 record

Each record includes

Name, Industry, Type, Use case, Source, UUID

Segment1 record

Each record includes

Title, Type, Primary, Description, Pain point addressed, Use case, Source

Ideal customer profile1 record

Each record includes

Profile, Firmographic size, Sales motion, Sales cycle length, Buying structure, Purchase trigger, Buyer persona, Geography, Industry vertical, Primary use case, Description, Pain points, Evidence proof points, Target buyer

Technology focused
No
API detail
Has APIbool
No

Docs URL, Description

AI maturity
App detail

Has app

Feature3 records

Each record includes

Title, Differentiator, Description, Source

Core technology
Revenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Number of profiles
Profiles11 records

Each record includes

Name, Designation, Designation category, Overview, Profile commentary, Source

No data
No data
Funding overview

Funding stage, Last funding date, Total funding USD

Funding rounds

Each record includes

Round, Amount USD, Date, Pre money valuation, Total investors, Investors, News

Investors

Each record includes

Name, Type, Date of entry, Rounds participated, Website

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Each record includes

Name, Acquisition type, Announced date, Completed date, Status, Website, News

Investment

Each record includes

Name, Round, Announced date, Lead investor, Website, News

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Sharif & Munir

Luxury Custom Home Buildingsharif-munir.com

Sharif & Munir Custom Homes is a family-owned luxury custom home builder founded in 1978 in Dallas, Texas, serving ultra high net worth clients in North Texas with integrated architecture, interior design, and construction services for multi-million dollar residences.

What Sharif & Munir does

Sharif & Munir Custom Homes, LLC is a privately held, family-owned luxury custom home builder founded in 1978 and headquartered at 6009 Belt Line Rd., Suite 200, Dallas, Texas. The company serves ultra high net worth individuals and families seeking bespoke single-family residences in North Texas's most prestigious neighborhoods, including Preston Hollow, Park Cities, Highland Park, Frisco, Plano, Westlake, Mustang Lakes, and the Residences at the Stoneleigh. Homes range from roughly 3,500 to over 12,000 square feet, with pricing between approximately $200 and over $500 per square foot depending on specifications and finishes, implying project values commonly in the multi-million dollar range. Construction timelines run approximately 12 months for a 7,000 sq ft home and average about 18 months from initial meeting through completion.

The company's core offering is integrated custom home building, bundling architecture, interior design, and construction under one builder. Founder Mickey Munir is a licensed architect and licensed interior designer holding Certified Graduate Builder and Graduate Master Builder credentials, and the firm supplements in-house design with a network of project-based architecture and interior design partners. Technical build methods include engineered pier and suspended structural slab foundations designed from site-specific soils tests, engineered open web floor truss systems, spray foam insulation, and high-efficiency HVAC (96% efficient Lennox 16-20 SEER variable-speed zoned systems with 10-year warranties). Beyond ground-up custom builds, the company also sells spec homes under construction and finished home sites.

Revenue is generated primarily through fixed-price and cost-plus construction agreements for high-net-worth clients, sold through a direct field-sales model led by VP Sales & Marketing Grady Yates. Marketing is concentrated in the company website, editorial coverage in D Home, Modern Luxury, and Patron magazines, and a referral-driven motion supported by 45+ years of operating history. The company has been named a D Home Best Builder every year since 2005 and earned the D Home Legacy Award in 2019, but revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. Operations are led by founder Mickey Munir (CEO) and his son Michael Munir (President & COO), supported by a team of approximately 11 employees including senior project managers, a construction manager, and office staff.

Sharif & Munir firmographics

Firmographics
Name
Sharif & Munir
Legal name
Sharif & Munir Custom Homes, LLC
Website
https://sharif-munir.com
Company type
Private
Founded year
1978
Operating status
Operating
Headcount range
11–50 employees
Short description
Sharif & Munir Custom Homes is a family-owned luxury custom home builder founded in 1978 in Dallas, Texas, serving ultra high net worth clients in North Texas with integrated architecture, interior design, and construction services for multi-million dollar residences.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Sharif & Munir industry classification

Industry
Product category
Luxury Custom Home Building
NAICS
New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (236115), Residential Building Construction (23611)
akta.pro primary industry
Residential Luxury / High-End Home Construction (IMAFABAJ)
akta.pro secondary industry
Custom Home Building (IMAFABAC)

Keywords

  • Custom home building
  • Luxury residential construction
  • Custom home design
  • Spec home building
  • Home building services

Where Sharif & Munir is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city
Dallas
HQ country
United States
HQ region
North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

Sharif & Munir business model

Business model
GTM type
B2C
Offering type
Services
Cost components
Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

  1. Custom Home Construction: Revenue is generated through building custom luxury homes for wealthy homeowners. The company offers both fixed-price and cost-plus (fixed price/allowance) construction agreements. Pricing varies significantly based on home size, specifications, and finishes, ranging from approximately $200 to over $500 per square foot depending on the level of customization and materials selected. Home construction timeline for a 7,000 sq ft home is approximately 12 months, with total process averaging about 18 months from initial meeting to completion.

Pricing tiers

ModelBillingPrice
OtherMulti-year contractCustom Home Construction - Fixed Price Agreement
OtherMulti-year contractCustom Home Construction - Cost Plus Agreement

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Sharif & Munir product offering

Product offering

Core offering

Sharif & Munir Custom Homes is a luxury custom home builder founded in 1978, serving North Texas's most prestigious neighborhoods with full-service design and construction. The company provides integrated architecture, interior design, and construction services for affluent clients, including fully custom ground-up homes, spec homes available for purchase with early-stage customization, and finished home sites for sale. Homes typically range from 3,500 to over 12,000 square feet with pricing of approximately $200 to over $500 per square foot.

Product overview

Sharif & Munir Custom Homes is a luxury custom home builder serving North Texas since 1978. The company operates as a single unified service offering centered on custom residential construction, encompassing three core service lines: (1) fully customized home building where clients design and build from the ground up, (2) spec homes available for purchase with customization options at early construction stages, and (3) finished lots available for sale. Their portfolio spans multiple prestigious neighborhoods including The Preserve in Frisco, Mustang Lakes in Celina, Long Cove on Cedar Creek Lake, Quail Hollow in Westlake, Park Cities, Preston Hollow, and the Residences at the Stoneleigh high-rise. The company also maintains an extensive Photo Gallery organized by room category (Kitchens, Media Rooms, Wine Rooms, Pools & Patios, etc.) showcasing their craftsmanship and design capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

  • Custom Home Building Full-service custom home construction from design through completion, serving luxury residential clients in North Texas with homes ranging from 3,500 to over 12,000 square feet. Includes architecture, interior design, and construction under fixed-price or cost-plus agreements.
  • Spec Homes (Available Homes) Spec homes currently under construction available for purchase, allowing buyers to customize finishes at early construction stages.
  • Available Home Sites (Lots) Finished residential lots available for sale to new home buyers seeking to build in established North Texas communities, including Quail Hollow and Long Cove.

Quantifiable outcome

  • Named D Home Best Builder every year since 2005 — demonstrating consistent quality over nearly two decades

Companies that use Sharif & Munir

Customer profile

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Sharif & Munir technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API
No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Sharif & Munir partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

  • The Caperton GroupminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture firm providing design services for specific projects such as the Doolin Court project. Sharif & Munir works with various architects on a project-by-project basis.
  • Dallas Design Group InteriorsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInterior design firm providing interior design services for specific projects such as the Doolin Court project.
  • Zero 3minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture and interior design firm credited with both design and interior design for the Green Park project.
  • Lloyd Lumpkins (Lumpkins Architects)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitect for Royal Lane project in Highland Park. Sharif & Munir works with homeowner architects on a per-project basis.
  • Allan KnightminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInterior designer credited for the Tulip Lane project. Interior design services sourced per project.
  • Robyn Menter Design AssociatesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture and interior design firm for the Stoneleigh Residences project. Both architecture and interior design credited to this firm.
  • Brette Jacques InteriorsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInterior designer credited for Greenbrier Drive and Doolin Court projects. Frequently recommended by Sharif & Munir for interior design services.
  • Mary Anne SmileyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInterior designer for the Gunter North Texas Ranch project.
  • LandPlanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper of the Chapel Creek neighborhood in Frisco, TX. Developed the neighborhood with strong architectural guidelines. Sharif & Munir builds in this community.
  • Bernbaum MagadiniminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture firm for The Preserve Spec House project in Frisco, TX.
  • Harper & Drummond Davis ArchitectsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture firm for the DHOME Showhome project.
  • Robert Trown & AssociatesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture and interior design firm for the Robledo project.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Sharif & Munir competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Broad incumbents

  • Ashton Woods: Atlanta-based private homebuilder with significant Houston and DFW operations. Competes in Texas luxury segment with both spec and design-studio customization but lacks S&M's fully bespoke architecture-design-build integration.
  • Tri Pointe Homes: Public homebuilder with luxury and move-up segments across multiple US markets including Texas. More diversified and scaled than S&M but competes for similar affluent buyer demographics.
  • Meritage Homes: Public homebuilder with strong Texas presence and entry-level to move-up focus. Overlaps in Texas luxury geography but generally targets a lower price point than S&M's ultra-luxury segment.
  • Shea Homes: Privately-held luxury and move-up homebuilder with a legacy brand and Texas operations. Comparable client profile but more community-based development model versus S&M's true custom approach.
  • Taylor Morrison: Large publicly-traded homebuilder with significant Texas luxury presence. Offers custom and semi-custom options but operates with more standardized plans and larger communities than S&M's fully bespoke model.
  • Toll Brothers: National publicly-traded luxury homebuilder with active Texas operations including DFW. Competes for affluent move-up and luxury buyers, though operates at scale with broader portfolio and more spec development than S&M's bespoke custom focus.

Direct peers

  • Murray Homes: Naples, Florida-based luxury custom homebuilder serving ultra-high-net-worth clients with bespoke single-family estates. Closest comparable in terms of boutique scale, fully custom service model, and luxury price-point clientele, though operating in a different regional market.
  • Alair Homes: North American custom homebuilder and remodeler franchise with locations including DFW. Competes for the same affluent custom-home segment with similar design-build orientation, though operates under a franchise model rather than S&M's founder-owned identity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Sharif & Munir financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Sharif & Munir leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Sharif & Munir funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Sharif & Munir M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sharif & Munir

What does Sharif & Munir do?

Sharif & Munir Custom Homes is a luxury custom home builder founded in 1978, serving North Texas's most prestigious neighborhoods with full-service design and construction. The company provides integrated architecture, interior design, and construction services for affluent clients, including fully custom ground-up homes, spec homes available for purchase with early-stage customization, and finished home sites for sale. Homes typically range from 3,500 to over 12,000 square feet with pricing of approximately $200 to over $500 per square foot.

Is Sharif & Munir a public or private company?

Sharif & Munir is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.

When was Sharif & Munir founded?

Sharif & Munir was founded in 1978. It employs 11 to 50 people.

Where is Sharif & Munir based?

Sharif & Munir is headquartered in Dallas, United States, in the North America region.

How does Sharif & Munir make money?

One revenue line is on record: custom Home Construction.

Who are Sharif & Munir's main competitors?

Broad incumbents on record are Ashton Woods, Tri Pointe Homes, Meritage Homes, Shea Homes, Taylor Morrison and Toll Brothers. Direct peers are Murray Homes and Alair Homes.

Does Sharif & Munir have an API?

No public API is recorded for Sharif & Munir.

What industry is Sharif & Munir in?

Sharif & Munir's product category is Luxury Custom Home Building. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAFABAJ, Residential Luxury / High-End Home Construction, with a secondary code of IMAFABAC, Custom Home Building. Its NAICS code is 236115.

Unlock the full company data

50 free credits on sign-up, no credit card required.

Contact sales