diff --git a/cumulus/src/plugins/alpha/block/block.py b/cumulus/src/plugins/alpha/block/block.py
index 180787af..0a900bec 100644
--- a/cumulus/src/plugins/alpha/block/block.py
+++ b/cumulus/src/plugins/alpha/block/block.py
@@ -308,10 +308,20 @@ class Block ( object ):
                               , IoPin.NORTH : Side( self.conf, IoPin.NORTH )
                               }
         if not self.conf.cell.getAbutmentBox().isEmpty():
-            print( '  o  Block "{}" is already done, reusing layout.' \
-                   .format(self.conf.cell.getName()) )
-            self.conf.cell.setTerminalNetlist( True )
-            self.conf.isBuilt = True
+            isBuilt = True
+            for instance in self.conf.cell.getInstances():
+                status = instance.getPlacementStatus()
+                if status == Instance.PlacementStatus.UNPLACED:
+                    isBuilt = False
+                    break
+            if isBuilt:
+                print( '  o  Block "{}" is already done, reusing layout.' \
+                       .format(self.conf.cell.getName()) )
+                self.conf.cell.setTerminalNetlist( True )
+            else:
+                print( '  o  Block "{}" is partially placed, reusing layout.' \
+                       .format(self.conf.cell.getName()) )
+            self.conf.isBuilt = isBuilt
         else:
             print( '  o  Block "{}" will be generated.' \
                    .format(self.conf.cell.getName()) )
@@ -534,6 +544,8 @@ class Block ( object ):
                 Breakpoint.stop( 100, 'Block.place(), corona loaded.')
         else:
             self.etesian = Etesian.EtesianEngine.create( self.conf.cell )
+        if self.conf.placeArea:
+            self.etesian.setPlaceArea( self.conf.placeArea )
         self.etesian.place()
         Breakpoint.stop( 100, 'Placement done.' )
         self.etesian.clearColoquinte()
diff --git a/cumulus/src/plugins/alpha/block/configuration.py b/cumulus/src/plugins/alpha/block/configuration.py
index 79ef198e..ab48e18d 100644
--- a/cumulus/src/plugins/alpha/block/configuration.py
+++ b/cumulus/src/plugins/alpha/block/configuration.py
@@ -1087,6 +1087,7 @@ class BlockConf ( GaugeConf ):
         self.chip          = None
         self.fixedWidth    = None
         self.fixedHeight   = None
+        self.placeArea     = None
         self.deltaAb       = [ 0, 0, 0, 0 ]
         self.useClockTree  = False
         self.useHFNS       = False
diff --git a/cumulus/src/plugins/alpha/core2chip/core2chip.py b/cumulus/src/plugins/alpha/core2chip/core2chip.py
index ee4f1e3f..bce4f114 100644
--- a/cumulus/src/plugins/alpha/core2chip/core2chip.py
+++ b/cumulus/src/plugins/alpha/core2chip/core2chip.py
@@ -665,17 +665,20 @@ class CoreToChip ( object ):
                 elif coreNet.isClock(): continue
                 elif self.hasIoNet(coreNet.getName()): continue
                 # Remaining non configured Standard I/O pads.
-                ioNet     = IoNet( self, coreNet )
-                directPad = IoPadConf( ( 0      # Unkown side.
-                                       , None   # Unknow position.
-                                       , ioNet.padInstanceName
-                                       , ioNet.chipExtNetName
-                                       , ioNet.coreNetName
-                                       ) )
-                directPad.udata = IoPad( self, directPad.instanceName )
-                directPad.udata.addNet( ioNet )
-                ioPads.append( directPad )
-                trace( 550, '\tNon-configured core net {}, adding {}\n'.format(coreNet,directPad) )
+                print( ErrorMessage( 1, 'CoreToChip.buildChip(): No pad configured for core signal "{}".' \
+                                        .format(coreNet.getName()) ) )
+                continue
+               #ioNet     = IoNet( self, coreNet )
+               #directPad = IoPadConf( ( 0      # Unkown side.
+               #                       , None   # Unknow position.
+               #                       , ioNet.padInstanceName
+               #                       , ioNet.chipExtNetName
+               #                       , ioNet.coreNetName
+               #                       ) )
+               #directPad.udata = IoPad( self, directPad )
+               #directPad.udata.addNet( ioNet )
+               #ioPads.append( directPad )
+               #trace( 550, '\tNon-configured core net {}, adding {}\n'.format(coreNet,directPad) )
             for ioPad in ioPads:
                 ioPad.udata.createPad()
             self._connectRing()