[Ramius]

I think they used construction cranes.

No... Really.

[ApplegateRanch]

Shovels & baskets, followed by brooms.

Bury the lower levels in sand it as it's built, so the working level is always at ground level; then when the cap is placed, remove the sand.

Same way "impregnable" castles were taken in Jack Vance's The Last castle (1966)