There has to be a technical reason...I cant see any dev putting in something that wastes a minute or more of your time (waiting, then riding the elevator).
Also, with all this tech, they cant think of a better way to get from one level to the next other than lifts? How about some sort of vacuum tube or firemans pole...those are faster.
Yes, thats it...I think we should petition for firemens poles instead of elevators.