Why is the womens restroom upstairs?
Over the years, several architects have tried to add a ladies room downstairs. Each time they have run into the same problems that must have plagued the original architects. Due to the limited lobby space, the need for clear exits, and the arrangement of the load-bearing walls, it is impossible to locate another restroom on the main floor. Further complicating the issue for the original architects of the 1940s was the mistaken idea that women would rather have a large space to fix their hair rather than have more toilet facilities. They located the ladies room upstairs to provide the extra space. Now this lounge area serves mainly as a place for women to wait in line.
