A system and method place unit-level components in a macro within a unit of an integrated circuit that includes two or more of the units that each include two or more of the macros. The method includes detecting white space in a congestion plot of the macro. The white space represents potential placement areas for the unit-level components. The method also includes performing wire reach analysis between sources and sinks on different sides of the macro to determine an allowable region for the unit-level components, and deriving a buffer and latch placement reservation area in which to place the unit-level components based on the white space and the allowable region.