Here’s a company pursuing that very idea.

https://qz.com/1355672/stacking-concrete-blocks-is-a-surpris...

Ah, if you actually build the structure out of the items you're lifting, then that certainly changes the math. Compared to just lifting with a crane you get a thousand times the capacity at the same infrastructure price.

Exactly. It’s really the same principle as pumping water uphill except using concrete blocks and a crane. Potential energy is potential energy.

I’d just love to see it in action.

consider off shore gravity batteries that can drop mass down 2 to 4km. Major fixed cost is Hvdc out 100miles, but it’s extremely scalable after that.