My first thought was that you'd appreciate it more every decade.

For a building with no elevators, it makes perfect sense.

I think that would have been designed for the women hauling 40 pounds of petticoats up the stairs with her lungs corseted shut in a room emptied of oxygen by the gas lights.

+1

That being said, as someone having a hard time using stairs (some issues with me knees) I know I'm very appreciative when there is a chair or something to sit on for a short rest.