'Empire' Co-Creator Danny Strong -- Not Quite Livin' Like Lucious ... Snags Modest Crash Pad

"Empire" co-creator Danny Strong is banking on his show going the distance -- he just scored a sweet new WeHo condo to keep him closer to his J-O-B.

Our sources say Danny is only in town part-time when he's churning out the hit FOX drama -- and needed something a little cozier than a hotel ... so he scooped up the modest new crib.

The docs show Danny only dropped $660k on the 1-bed/1-bath pad. Sure, it's only 1177 sq. ft., but it's his 1177 sq. ft.! Plus, it's a stone's throw from the action at Chateau Marmont and the Sunset Strip.