There are of course some RE companies that have a niche and never left it but they also have some very large scale and staff's etc..

(also realistically assess your units in light of the market)...2) at your scale (and mine) the vacancies are what can get you ( and the turn around labor and costs) more so than being a few dollars under market... so weigh that as mentioned above...3) I also love the raise at move-out, if of course it is warranted by the market.4) renewals are ideal times, too. 

I have an architecture background with a masters in sustainable design and would like to get involved with larger scale development projects.

Again, I'm newer to investing, but is the economy of scale and ease of one building really worth it?

If you're making good $ buying from others, perhaps not.The problem for many is that doesn't scale up to a larger business.  

But the scale of the West is different.

Since Orange County is rather large in scale we need another sub group.  

I would partner with a group that assists investors with mid to large scale projects, Chicago has several programs for the rehabilitation of specific neighborhoods in the Chicagoland area. 

I also do not like the numbers of doors you have to scale because the rent is very low per door compared to other investment types.Right now a lot of value add in the cycle is office and industrial type properties.

Unless you are a large scale investor 1000 plus units, NYC is a tough market.