CitySpace, the new WBUR cultural events venue that’s scheduled to break ground Thursday, has netted the public radio station another record donation.

Jonathan Lavine, co-managing partner of Bain Capital, and his wife, Jeannie, donated $5 million toward the project, which will transform a former retail space on the corner of Commonwealth ­Avenue and St. Paul Street into what the station says will be a hub for live radio broadcasts, cultural events, discussions, and political debates.

It is the largest single financial donation to WBUR since its inception in 1950, surpassing the previous record — $2 million from the Barr Foundation also earmarked for CitySpace.

The Lavines’ donation will support the creation of what will be known as the Lavine Broadcast Center in the event space, according to the Boston University-owned station.

Jonathan Lavine said he and his wife like the idea and vision of City­Space because it aligns with their philanthropic mission of “leveling the playing field, making information available and democratizing information.’’

“We’ve been big believers in convening spaces,’’ he said. “When we heard about what WBUR was trying to do on a grand scale — to create a space where Boston could have open conversation, but also making it really visible, we immediately liked that. It’s a place where a wide variety of rich conversations about critical issues present in Boston and the nation could take place.’’

WBUR raised $10 million to renovate the 7,500-square-foot space at 890 Commonwealth Ave., adjacent to its headquarters on the Boston/Brookline line.

General manager Charles Kravetz has said that the station was hoping to raise ­another $10 million to create a ­programming fund that would ­support up to 200 events a year.

Construction on the 240-seat space is scheduled to begin Thursday. CitySpace, which is scheduled to open early next year, is part of a strategic plan meant to expand WBUR’s reach into more in-person and online experiences.

Events, including lectures, and music and other artistic performances, will be recorded with high-definition video equipment, streamed live, and archived for on-demand viewing.

Designed by architectural firm CambridgeSeven, CitySpace will ­include a stage that can be raised and lowered with a hydraulic lift. Behind it will be a 9-foot-tall, 16-foot-long LED screen for presentations, including films.

Floor-to-ceiling glass walls facing the sidewalk will give passersby a view of events going on inside. WBUR will also set up benches and audio speakers outside for the public.

WBUR said it expects CitySpace events to attract as many as 30,000 people annually.

Katheleen Conti can be reached at kconti@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @GlobeKConti.